A scene from a Cadillac farm that is preserved by a conservation easement.
Scenes like this are worth saving and what CALC provides for the community.

Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy held a January 2012 conference to develop their long term strategic plan. The conference was held in Grand Ledge in a facility overlooking a riverside walkway with scenic views. This downtown river was once brown and pungent with no green area. Today, thanks to efforts by conservation minded people, Grand Ledge is attracting young professionals to invigorate their economy.

Larry and Margo Copley of the Cadillac Area Land Conservancy (CALC) attended.  Margo summarized, “What we took away is that we again realize that CALC has a part in economic development for the greater Cadillac area. We help provide a place where people can enjoy nature.“  Larry observed, “As a previous government official, I was in contact with manufacturers that were coming to the area in part because their employees took advantage of our many forests. CALC has had a part in assuring those areas stay natural.”

Due to the Congress’ debate over the payroll tax extension, the enhanced conservation easement incentive expired at the end of 2011. However, the easement incentive extension could be included with any number of tax bills early this year 2012 and retroactively applied.

Conservation easements donated in 2011 will continue to benefit from the enhanced incentive and conservation easements donated in 2012 will be treated just like other non-cash charitable donations, which are deductible up to 30% of a donor’s income for up to six years. What does expire is the enhanced incentive, which raises the maximum deduction a donor can take for donating a conservation easement from 30% of their adjusted gross income (AGI) in any year to 50%; allows qualified farmers and ranchers to deduct up to 100% of their AGI; and increases the number of years over which a donor can take deductions from 6 to 16 years.

Heart of the Lakes has been thanking co-sponsors of H.R. 1964 or S. 339, which would make the enhanced incentive permanent, and urging people who have not yet signed on as sponsors to do so. You can join us by contacting them via the Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121. For more on Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy see www.heartofthelakes.org.

The Cadillac Area Land Conservancy Board had guest speakers at their January 2012 board meeting. Julie Stoneman, Heart of the Lakes, and Mary Kay O’Donnell, Land Trust Alliance, were the speakers. They further educated the board on how to maintain their charitable status for the IRS, including how to better serve the public. The training also included the tax advantages for individuals that place their land in a conservation easement. See the Summer 2009 Newsletter under the Publications section of the website for further details.

         I can’t seem to get it right. This column’s themes are supposed to be appropriate for the season. With that in mind, I wrote about the freezing of the lakes on November 20^th anticipating that they would ice over during the last week of November as they do most years. Not this year, however. The ice didn’t come until December 10^th. I talked about snowshoeing in my December 9^th columnand instead of snowshoeing through powdery snow, I biked and raked leaves the next week. Based on my inability to predict weather, I figure that if I devote this column to writing about what to do when there’s no white on the ground in December, we’re going get a snowstorm. In the meantime here are some ideas for coping if we have to endure a green holiday season.

Downhill skiers are one group winter of enthusiasts that aren’t suffering.  As long as most nights stay below freezing, the snow guns are spewing tons of the white stuff on our ski hills. And for those who like the skinny skis, over near Roscommon at Cross Country Ski Headquarters, they used to have snow guns that made snow so they could cover a couple kilometers of ski trail for Nordic skiers if Mather Nature wasn’t cooperating. It might be worth checking with them to see if they have these trails ready.

Even though the calendar says December, you may be able to revisit activities you don’t normally associate with winter–cycling for example. It’s doable when the temperature is in the 30s, you just need to add layers and try to find more sheltered areas to bike that are out of the wind. Face, fingers, and feet are most vulnerable to the cold. A balaclava covering your head and neck, as well as wearing thicker gloves are about you need there. Feet are more of a problem. Coverings for clip-on bike shoes and heavier socks help. For those like me that don’t use bike shoes, wearing wool socks in my running shoes wards off the chill. Be sure your feet aren’t crammed into your shoes, if air can’t circulate, the cold will be carried directly to your toes. Even if you like long rides, an hour or two of pedaling will be all you want this season.

With most deer hunters out of the woods, it’s safe to rediscover your favorite trails. Now that the leaves have fallen, you can peer deep into woods seeing sights that are normally hidden by foliage. Squirrel nests hang among bare tree branches and a bird call can be traced to its source. With the ground covered in leaves every animal movement is heard.

For steelhead anglers, who wade the rivers, the moderate weather offers a degree of comfort and the warming of the water tends to make the fish more active. If the ice recedes back from the canal mouth on our lakes, walleye anglers will find their quarry ready to bite during the evening and fish have been known to move up into the canal as well.

For those looking for deer, bow hunting, and muzzle loading season are still open. Brent McCumber, an avid hunter, notes however that these animals “may not be moving around much as they would in colder weather.”  Small game hunters may have an easier time of it as squirrels are still active, rushing about collecting food for winter before the snow comes. Hunters looking for rabbits may get a bonus as the snowshoe hares may be turning white which greatly enhances their visibility against the brown and green forest backgrounds.

If the fairways and greens are snowless, Mike Mickelson may get together a foursome and shoot a round of golf. “It’s a little tougher,” acknowledges Mickelson, “there can be a lot of leaves on the ground.  It’s easy to lose a ball, but I just use a pink or orange ball, something that will show up, and it works okay.”

In 1994 the Lower Peninsula had a green Christmas and golf courses throughout the state opened. Looking back at journal entries I wrote then, I note that on Christmas Eve our family paddled canoes from Missaukee Bridge to US 131. I can remember stopping for lunch, spreading a blanket on the bare ground and eating Christmas cookies. A few days later the weather changed.  On New Year’s Eve, my journal notes that, it began to snow allowing us to snowshoe on New Year’s Day and cross-country ski on January 2^nd.

While waiting for winter you might as well get out the golf clubs, climb on your bike, and put on your walking shoes, but keep your cross country skis, snowshoes, and tipups handy, winter is on the way. I guarantee it.

          By Dave Foley

Winter can be tough on those who enjoy daily runs or walks on sidewalks and roads as ice and snow can be treacherous. A safer and fun alternative is snowshoeing. With this super-size foot gear strapped on your feet, you can burn gobs of calories tramping through the woods or have an easier workout walking on packed trails.  (Avoid groomed cross country ski trails since snowshoes destroy the ski tracks.) Since winter, at the minimum, delivers us five months of snow, procuring a pair of snowshoes is a good investment.

Locally, snowshoes are available at our big box sporting goods stores and McClain’s Cycle Shop. However, when faced with a wall display of snowshoes, making a selection can become confusing.  Here are some guidelines to help you make the right purchase:

1. Size matters. To keep from sinking into the snow, bigger people need larger snowshoes. The four most common sizes each have a suitable weight range: 8” X 21” (women’s) 80-150 lbs., 8” X 25” for 120-200 lbs., 9“ X 30” for 170-250 lbs., and 10” X 36” for 220-300 lbs. If you will be carrying a pack or equipment, figure that additional weight into your choice.  If you will be walking in a foot or more of powder, a larger shoe may also be helpful.

2.  Hinges – When you take a step your heel should rise off the snowshoe and your toe drop. This keeps you from having to lift the entire snowshoe off the ground when you go forward. If your foot can make this natural motion with little resistance, it is also easier to walk. Check to see if the foot bed of the snowshoe moves easily up and down.

3.  Binding – Your foot should be securely fastened into the binding so there is little, if any, side-to-side movement. The binding should be easy to operate since you may be adjusting or putting on snowshoes outside in the bitter cold.  Kids always seem to need help with their snowshoes, so if you are involved in the purchase of snowshoes for them, check out the bindings.

4. Decking – The flat platform area needs to be a strong fabric that won’t easily puncture or tear. Nylon or neoprene is recommended. Be sure that the fabric that wraps around the tubing on the bottom of the shoe is reinforced, preferably with a layer of plastic, since walking on pavement, ice, or rock wears on this area.

5. Crampons – If you will be climbing hills or walking on ice, you should have crampons or metal cleats on the bottom for grip. Most snowshoes have these, but it is worthwhile to check.

6.  Metal or wood – Almost all new snowshoes are made of aluminum, titanium, or steel. Titanium is lighter and stronger but is expensive.

Until the late 1980s, all snowshoes were wooden. Although the traditional wood snowshoes had rawhide webbing, most now have neoprene. Wooden snowshoes are quieter than metal shoes and do not sink into the snow as much as metal. I have a pair of 10” X 32” Iversons and, although I race in metal shoes and wear them occasionally, most of my snowshoeing is done wearing a wood pair. Iverson Snowshoes are manufactured in Shingleton, Michigan. Check out their website for more information.

7. Price – Expect to pay $100 – $200 for metal shoes. Lighter weight snowshoes cost more as do those with better quality decking.  Whereas cheaper snowshoes will be adequate for walking in more urban settings, if your snowshoeing will be in the backcountry, where an equipment failure could be problematic, you may want to invest in better quality gear.

The development of the metal snowshoe was a period of trial and error. The early models had bindings that were ineffective and hard to adjust.  For a time bindings were made of rubber and these were a failure as the foot swiveled as one walked. Some designs had decking that ripped or was easily punctured. If buying used snowshoes be sure to check them over carefully.  Now most snowshoes, especially those from established companies like Tubbs, Atlas, and Red Feather, are high quality.

CALC Received check from Meijers

On November 11, 2011 CALC Chairman Larry Copley and Treasurer Lindsey Hall were presented a check for $1,000.00 by Becky N. Assistant Store Manager, Cadillac Meijers.  This donation was gifted by Meijer Inc. to CALC and will be utilized by the conservancy to assist in the preservation of conservation easements which have been donated by landowners in the greater Cadillac Area.  CALC wishes to express their appreciation to Meijer Inc. for this and other conservation oriented donations which Meijer has bestowed on the Greater Cadillac Area.

Member's Day 2011

There were smiles all around when the Cadillac Area Land Conservancy met on October 8th to celebrate Member’s Day.

Member's Day 2011

It was a glorious autumn afternoon and the perfect place to be — outdoors on Tom Harris’s Wildlife Corridor property.

Member's Day 2011

Members Day 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The afternoon began with the required business meeting and election of officers.  Larry Copley was elected chair; Steve Cunningham vice-chair.  Margo Copley will continue as secretary; Lindsey Hall as treasurer.

Member's Day 2011

 

 

 

 

High praise was given to out-going Chair Ruthann French who has been an inspirational leader during a  period of growth and development.  Ruthann encouraged everyone to advocate for land preservation and protection and take an active role in the organization.

 

 

 

 

Ruthann French

Ruthann's Cake

Following the business meeting, members enjoyed cake and cider.

 

 

Ruthann's Cake

 

 

 

 

Host - Jennifer Sell

Member's Day 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our hosts Tom Harris and his daughter Jennifer Sell welcomed the group and explained the many activities they had planned for the afternoon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Many of us hopped on a hay wagon driven by Garth Aslakson for a ride through the woods.  We visited the site of an old logging camp where Tom had a display of artifacts.  We also tried to identify some tagged trees along the way.

 

Member's Day 2011

Some took a guided walk, prepared by Jennifer, through a streambed habitat.  And some just enjoyed sitting and talking in the warm autumn sunshine.

Member's Day 2011

 

 

 

The afternoon’s finale was a walk through the woods with forester Paul Drysdale, CALC member and the owner/operator of Drysdale Forestry & Consulting.

Member's Day 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tom wants to have a climax forest on the property and Paul is helping him achieve that goal.  We were impressed with Paul’s knowledge and learned some of the finer points of forest management.

Beach Bark Scale

 

 

 

We found the first signs of beech bark scale during our walk in Tom’s woods.

 

 

 

 

Member's Day 2011

Cadillac Michigan Logging

The Tom Harris property was once the setting of a lumber camp many years ago. For our tour Harris’s set up a small cottage as a mini-museum with artifacts collected over the years. Many of those items are believed to be from that lumber camp. It was fun to be on land where the past felt not far away. The Harris’s provided everyone
handouts that described life in the lumber camp in the words of those that lived it.

The below excerpt is from the Bay-Journal Web site on “Michigan Lumbering History (1868)

LUMBERING LIFE

“From the opening of the season in April or May to the close in November the stir of industry is incessant. But the summer life of the river depends upon the winter life of the forest. Year by year, as the wood is cut off, the lumberman has to go farther in from the main stream, and the log has a longer journey to make before it gets to the mill. The first party of woodmen usually go out in November, as soon as the ground begins to freeze; they select a place for their camp as nearly as possible in the centre of the “lot” which they are to work upon, taking care to get a dry soil, in the neighborhood of some spring or brook; they build a log-house, and cut a road to the nearest stream, on which the logs must be floated down.”

“The work of wood-cutting begins as soon as the road is finished and the ground becomes hard enough to haul the logs, — usually early in December, — and it is continued until the streams break up in the spring. The daily wood-chopping begins with the early morning, and is kept up so long as there is light. They are paid by the day, and supplied with suitable food by their employers. Pork and beans, dried fish, bread, and tea are the most approved articles of diet. Coffee is not generally provided, and the delicacies consist chiefly in the wild game which the woodmen themselves may chance to catch. There is plenty of this to be had, if there were time to take it; for the woods are still full of squirrels, rabbits,
coons, deer, and black bears, whose flesh is not unpalatable: the streams, too, are full of fish. But the men are too busy in their craft to do much fishing or hunting, and are content with their simple, but nourishing, regular fare.”

“In addition to their “nourishment,” they get, on an average, about a dollar a day for their labor. The whole gain of a lumberman, in his winter’s work, is about a hundred dollars, which a new suit of clothes and a few weeks of sport in the spring generally exhaust. The life of lumbermen is like that of sailors, and very few lay up the fruits of their toil.”

“A gang of forty men, it is estimated, will cut, in the course of the winter, three million feet of lumber, the product of about five hundred acres, and draw it to the streams. Only the trunks of the trees are saved for lumber. These are sawed into logs of twelve, fourteen, or sixteen feet in length, according to their diameter and the width of the stream down which they are to be floated. It needs some art to launch them properly, and to place them so that they will float freely when the ice breaks up in the spring. A few inches of snow upon the ground greatly assist the lumber operations, by enabling the men to substitute sledges for the drag with its heavy weight and its friction.” (Source: http://bay-journal.com/bay/1he/writings/mi-lumbering-1868.html)