History
Cadillac Area Land Conservancy History & Founders
Our History
CALC was founded by George Rock and Tom Rensberry in the fall of 1995. Both men had a strong land ethic and wanted to protect their property from future development. When the search began for an organization to partner with, they realized that no one was concentrating their efforts in the west central region of Michigan. Thus, they made it their goal to create a Land Conservancy to serve this area of the state and its broad variety of demographic and land use patterns. As founding members both individuals donated conservation easements on their lands to the newly formed organization.
CALC has now grown to include individuals, families and businesses that believe the protection of our land is critical in retaining the quality of life that makes this region unique. Our goal is to enhance the beauty and diversity of our communities through the preservation of natural land.
CALC is supported entirely by people willing to give of their time, talent and financial support to attain the vision of protecting our natural and irreplaceable land resources. We are proud to be the steward of many beautiful and environmentally important properties, ranging from riverfront to farmland, lakefront, forests and scenic vistas.
Join us in being caretakers of the land for future generations.
Our Founders
Tom Rensberry
Tom Rensberry spent most of his life in northern Michigan communities of Alpena, Gaylord, Cadillac, and now Traverse City. He had a successful trial law practice in both Gaylord and Cadillac for 23 years before retiring in 1993.
It is not surprising that Tom is a strong supporter of any efforts to preserve open, undeveloped land. Almost all of his spare time has been spent outdoors. His activities include bird hunting and hunting for big game, downhill and cross-country skiing, hiking and biking, fishing, gardening, and farming. He has managed his private properties for the purpose of conserving wildlife, soil, and timber.
Tom and his wife, Diane, divide their time between Traverse City and Beaufort, South Carolina. They have seven children who live throughout the United States.
Tom co-founded CALC and served as chairman of the board and past president. He has served several terms on CALC’s board since its incorporation in 1995.
He gifted a conservation easement on his 360 acres in Cherry Grove Township. Tom remembers well what Cadillac and other northern Michigan communities were like many years ago. He understands population growth is inevitable and land become targets for development. His philosophy is that once a community is overdeveloped, it loses its overall appeal not only to newcomers but also to those residents who live there. Any and all efforts to preserve open spaces, wildlife, and our environment are beneficial to all the individuals who live in our community. Some think we have unlimited space and resources and that one more insult to the environment will not hurt it much, but it is that attitude that has destroyed a very large number of beautiful places.
George Lee Rock
In Loving Memory (1925 – 2014)
As CALC’s esteemed Director Emeritus, we honor George’s legacy—a legacy of foresight and dedication. It was George’s visionary idea of establishing a non-profit organization dedicated to land preservation that gave rise to the Cadillac Area Land Conservancy.
George was a tireless advocate for the cause, tirelessly educating others and spreading awareness. He shared his passion with anyone willing to listen, embodying his beliefs through action, serving on the board until his term concluded.
To Margo Copley, George was known as “Lee,” as he preferred his middle name in church circles. Her family affectionately regarded George and his wife Vicky as their “Church Grandparents,” filling the void left by absent grandparents and making Margo’s daughters feel cherished.
Over coffee after church, George introduced Margo to the concept of conservation, his enthusiasm infectious. Margo fondly remembers George as the epitome of an ambassador for the conservancy, acknowledging his pivotal role in its establishment and ongoing success.
As we reflect on George’s contributions, we strive to honor his memory and carry on his legacy.
George’s Legacy Highlights:
1995 – Co-founded the Cadillac Area Land Conservancy with Tom Rensberry
1996 – Established an easement on Waldeck Island
1998 – Secured an easement on a lot adjacent to Waldeck Island
2001 – Established the CALC endowment fund
2003 – Secured an easement on a lot with a view of Stone Ledge Lake
2006 – Placed an easement on his 80-acre farm
2007 – Donated Waldeck Island to CALC for public preservation
In George’s Own Words:
“I had the unique privilege of growing up on a 111-acre farm including the west shore of Stone Ledge Lake and a 9-acre Island, in Clam Lake Township of Wexford County. It was an “idyllic” experience where a neighbor boy (Bud Lemon) and I spent our days roaming the land with “Huckleberry Flynn” experiences, fishing, rafting, hunting, etc. in general avoiding our parents to stay away from “work” projects.”
“The farm was established by my grandfather (Frederick Rock) homesteading 80 acres in section 28 in 1870, with the 40 acres in section 33 through his father, Heinrich Rock, who purchased the property from a Railroad Land Grant. Frederick later sold 30 acres of his homestead to a brother-in law and acquired the 11 acres on the lake in 1891. After discovering the island property had not been platted in the original government survey, he acquired the property from the railroad in 1898 who originally owned the property through a land grant. Generations passed in the Rock family, but the property continued to be held in extended family ownership.”
“Fast forward now to 1950 when my father, George Rock, died leaving only the 40 acres he inherited to his widow. Facing the prospect of another property sale out of the family, I went to my brother, Frederick, and convinced him that we should buy the farm from our Aunt Ella which we did with our mother staying on the farm during the summers. The land was leased to neighbor dairy farmers where farming continues with feed crops to this day. Over time life around the rural areas in northern Michigan changed dramatically. The new highways and demand for recreational property (especially water based) changed life dramatically. Farm owners were overwhelmed with the demands from developers with sub-divisions popping up everywhere. Stone Ledge Lake, formerly thought to be a local enclave, was soon overwhelmed with newcomers! Where at one time visitors were allowed to open the pasture gates on the lake fields, owners had to seal the gates and install “No Trespassing” signs.”
“After retiring to the family farm in 1990, Vickie and I, pursued information on Conservation Easements that we had acquired in past years from the Little Traverse Land Conservancy. Tom Rensberry of Wexford Co. was also interested in donating a Conservation Easement on his property. So, in 1995, with the help of John Rohe, of the LTLC, we drew up the charter for the Cadillac Area Land Conservancy, so that our friends & neighbors could preserve their farms and woodlands for future generations!”
— George Rock
Currently, CALC continues to add to the amount of land preserved under conservation easements and with four preserves open to the public. Thanks to the efforts, vision and determination of George Rock and Tom Rensberry, founders of CALC.
