Spring 2013 Conserving the woods, fields, streams, wetlands and

other natural resources in the headwaters of the

Clinton, Flint, Shiawassee, & Huron Rivers.

Stewardship is For Everyone!

As NOHLC has grown, so have its needs for stewardship. There are demands for care of our fifty-five

properties every week. Some involve planning and research, some are outdoors. We can keep up with the

ongoing demands with your help.

NOHLC is fortunate to have so many dedicated volunteers - here are just a few:

Emily Duthinh leads students from Oakland Technical Center in hands-on stewardship at nearby Knorr

Preserve. The students inventoried, cleared and restored portions of this moraine and wetland sanctuary.

Emily created interpretive signs along the trails. New volunteers are invited to copy the easy-to-make signs

and install them on other NOHLC properties.

Melanie Foose and Dustin Skavang are creating a database to help monitor the spread of invasive plants or

insects, recording new plantings and comparing how we are doing on each of the properties we manage.

Melanie also writes the online NOHLC Frog Blog.

More News Inside:

NOHLC Stewardship pg 1-2

Exec Director Rpt pg 2

Thank-you Donors,

Partners & Volunteers pg 3-4

Sustainers Circle pg 4

GPS Campaign pg 5

Annual Mtg Review pg 5

Tom Bullen Award pg 5

SAVE THE DATE pg 5

Estate Planning pg5

Continued on pg 2

Volunteers at the Knorr Preserve

Richard Rotramel photographs and places boundary posts at the corners of our properties. He is aided by

Dennis Terry and Zak Simpson. Zak is an NOHLC intern; one of his first projects is to upgrade our use of

GPS in all aspects of stewardship work.

Lora Perkins and Gisela Lendle-King are part of a team that explores new properties after NOHLC is con-

tacted by potential donors. If the Board approves a new acquisition, planning & research is completed and an

extensive Baseline Document is created by this team.

Chuck Julian has been cutting autumn olive bushes where they block access in our forests and fields and,

through their root toxins, prevent native plants from growing. Chuck cuts the plants in the colder months, from

October to March, when the bushes are not actively growing.

Jean Gramlich has pioneered an inexpensive way to grow new native plants and will be assisting Sue Julian

with “nursery days” in the spring and fall of the year. NOHLC replants disturbed areas with native plants on its

own lands and advises landowners how to do so on lands where we have conservation easements.

Theresa Celusta led the effort to place bluebird houses at the Knorr Preserve overlooking the prairie. The protection of grassland birds is im-

portant because open land is shrinking. Placing bird houses on this beautiful property is a family friendly project; NOHLC would like more volun-

teers to become engaged in this important work.

Cory and Robyn Johnston helped rescue plants when a safety path was being installed at the edge of the Voorheis-Beardsley preserve on Clinton-

ville Road in Independence Township. From time to time quick efforts like this are needed; having a “bank” of volunteers that NOHLC can call on

to help at a moment’s notice makes our work much more successful!

Doug Lanyk is knowledgeable and skilled in chain saw use. Among other things, Doug helped NOHLC when one of our trees fell near a neigh-

bor’s house. Chainsaw safety is vitally important so NOHLC is organizing a chainsaw safety clinic and is looking for volunteers to sign up as

trainees. NOHLC inspects each one of our 55 properties at least once a year.

Property inspection is a critical family friendly volunteer opportunity. Become a Property Inspector at the Saturday, March 23 Inspector Train-

ing at 10:00am at the Springfield Township Civic Center. If that date is not possible we’ll sign you up for a different time to learn how to monitor

the landscapes we work so hard to protect.

Call us at 248-846-6547 or volunteer through our website www.nohlc.org. Your efforts make all the difference!

From The Executive Director

I am thrilled to have been asked to join the NOHLC family as its new Executive Director.

Before coming to NOHLC I served 3 terms in the Michigan House of Representatives after a 15 year career with the

City of Farmington Hills as that community’s landscape architect. I have a Master's in Landscape Architecture from the

University of Pennsylvania.

My appreciation for the natural environment was shaped by my mentor Ian McHarg, the founder of ecological plan-

ning, the author of ‘Design with Nature’ and the Chairman of Penn’s Department of Landscape Architecture and Re-

gional Planning. He’s in the same category as Rachael Carson and Aldo Leopold - people who made ecological con-

cepts part of mainstream thought. Becoming a member of the land conservancy community and leading NOHLC has reinforced the values I learned

long ago. Ian McHarg would have loved Northwest Oakland County’s streams, wetlands, woods and prairies and would have been its biggest sup-

porter!

With accreditation and the successful Camp Wathana campaign under our belt I will focus my attention on:

Engaging people outside of north Oakland County who believe in land preservation and conservation but don’t know who we are.

Sustaining an ongoing and growing organization that involves more volunteers, trains new property inspectors, and engages additional board

and committee members to carry on NOHLC’s mission.

Land acquisition and conservation.

Demonstrating good stewardship by spending our money wisely and by continually committing the organization to the protection and manage-

ment of properties and rights entrusted to our care.

Keeping an eye on Lansing. NOHLC’s mission demonstrates the importance of good land management policies and the ability to manage our

properties in a way that’s ecologically sound and reflects the values of the organization and the communities we serve.

Leveraging our resources by engaging in cooperative efforts with our neighboring conservancies and partner organizations to find additional

opportunities to protect our region’s valuable land and water.

Thank you for welcoming me and my family into your community; I look forward to working with all of you. You can reach me at the NOHLC

office at (248) 846-6547 or via email at mariedonigan@nohlc.org.

Continued from pg 1 …….

Page 2

Families volunteering together.

NOHLC Donors

North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy would like to thank every donor who supported us in 2012. Whether you donated

financially, in-kind or volunteered - we thank you for supporting clean water and open spaces. * Blue Heron Sustainers Circle

Conservators ($1000 and above)

Ellen Bates-Brackett

Anthony & Jane Burton

Evelyn Burton

Lee Burton

Pete & Alexandria Burton

Stephen & Loren Burton

Timothy & Carol Burton

Tony & Jane Burton

Richard & Bonnie Firestone

Jean Gramlich

Robert & Joanne Inskeep

Susan Jones

Chuck & Susan Julian *

Cecilia Junkerman Benner

Jim & Gail Kure

James LoPrete

Lois Maharg

Ron & Bette Moen *

Evelyn Raskin

Janet Rex

David & Marilyn Robison

Richard Rotramel *

Robert & Susan Sajdak

Daniel M. Share

David & Kate Share

Roberta Shaw-Reeves

Joseph & Jody Slowins

Judy Studer

Don & Sue Topping *

Sustaining ($500 -$999)

Bill & Katie Anderson

Chris & Rebecca Benedict

Russ Burns

Ken Chmelko

June Detrisac

Highland Equestrian Conservancy

James & Rhonda Fackert

Kirk & Sheri Falvay

Gleeson, Hopkins &Evert Families

Jean Gramlich

Celeste Kukurugya

Tom & Anne Pytel

Paul & Betty Rabaut

David & Sherry Regiani

Todd & Lina Roeser

Bob & Marilyn Zigarac

Guardian ($250 -$499)

Gary & Carol Chandler

Karen Dalton

Art Douglas

John & Cheryl Gault

Thomas & Loraine Hall

Joan Harbaugh

Richard H. & Carola Huttenlocher

Chester & Jan Koop

Mark Maurice

June MacBride

Carla Olson-Bellf

Lorenzo & Lora Perkins

Richard Petherbridge

Jim Pistilli

John J. & Barbara Reed

Mark & Nancy Stesney

David & Belinda Sweet

Beth Sulek-La Housse

Protector ($100—$249)

Don & Marjorie Arsen

Edith Assaff

Roger & Carolyn Bailey

Kenneth & Jeanette Barks

Michael & Pam Bars

Fred & Connie Baumann

Virginia Becker

Dave & Judy Benedict

Tom Biehl

Charles Craves

Clint & Emily Crook

Louis De Gennaro

Mike & Pamela Dougherty

Jack Dugger

Bill Edwards & Sherri Hall

Susan Edwards-Haesler

John & Etta Feltes

Earl & Bernita Fenner

Joseph & Joyce Figa

Melanie Foose

Gerald & Janet Frericks

Janet Frericks

Tim Green & Susanne Les

Edward & Joan Hanpeter

John & Patricia Hazen

Dave & Barbara Hendershot

Robert & Sharon Hurlbert

Doug Icenhower

Michael & Pamela Kilbarger

Gisela King

Timothy Kish

Christine Koop

Frank Julian

Kenneth & Cheri Klostermeyer

William Knapp

Roger & Kathryn Knoebel

Margaret Kogstrom

Takao & Sylvia Kojima

Michael MacGregor

Dan Mantz

B.J. &Lorraine Martin

Janet Martin

Darold & Judith McCalla

John & Jan Merz

John Meyland

Anthony Montgomery

Dan O’Donnell

Steven Riga

Sue Ring

Lois Robbins

Mary Robert

Douglas & Judy Roeser

Ann Rose

Janet Rose

Christine Samida

Bob Schmelzer

Joe Sleva

Beverly Steffens

Dan & Sue Stencil

Diana Wagner Chapman

Hannah Wagner Chapman

Collin Walls

Dr. Robert D. Walters

Tanagra Weaver

Supporting ($50—$99)

Aaron & Arlene Badgley

Dan & Karen Badgley

John & Mary Blanchard

Steven Briggs

Julia Bristor

Arlene Casey

Craig Cotter

Brain & Carla Covert

Allan & Doris Edwards

Gunars & Baiba Ejups

Stanley & Kathy Garwood

David & Alice Lewandowski

Robert Good & Robert MacKay

Sharon Gardner & Robert Huth

Kurt Haines

Carolyn Izzo

Jan Martin

Ken Palka

Dr. William Rittenger

& Ann Lehman

Pamela Lewis

William & Eloise Liddicoat

Delbert & Joan McCrary

Doug & Ann McInnis

Bradford & Heather Muzzy

Dr. Helen Nutting

Mr. & Mrs. Salisbury

Tim & Sharon Sherrow

Worley & Audrey Smith

Eleanor Snyder

Mary Szymkowski

Fredrick & Alycemae Townsend

Lee Truitt

Terry & Susan Underwood

Ronald & Elizabeth Wagner

Robert Warren

Ronald & Laurie Wurst

Subscribers ($25 - $49)

Betty Atkinson

Doris Avery

Carol Bainbridge

Earlene Barringee

James & Lucy Bishop

Jay Blair

The Covert Family

Anthony & Delores Czach

Linda Eastman

Henry & Barbara Eckfeld

Teri Flores

Paul Gambka

Ken & Carolyn Gill

Bud & Pat Harlow

Mike Jarbo

Donnie Lytle

Robert & Marilyn McCliment

Carol Miller

James Miller

James Millis

Susan Raymer

Mary Reed

Lisa Rutledge

Sue Zanotti

Adam Zuelke

We make every effort to include all who

donated & volunteered. If we have omit-

ted a name, please accept our sincere

apologies & kindly notify the office so

we may correct the error.

Page 3

Partners In Conservation Advance Capital Mgmnt.

Advanced Eye Care of Michigan

All-Points Construction

All Saints & Preserve Cemetery

A Reasonable Facsimile

Art Concepts

Avanti Salon

Arvai & Associates, P.C.

Aaron Badgley

Bats, Birds, Yard

Deanne Bednar

Boomers Bike Shop

Boomers Tavern

Bordine’s Nursery

Bridge Lake Bluffs Homeowners

Broadway Auto Sales

Burdick Street Equipment

Bytner Designs

Camp Fire USA

Cedar Crest Academy & Early

Childhood Center

Theresa Celusta

Charles S. Mott Foundation

City Aluminum Foundry

Clarkston Farm & Garden

Clarkston Hot Yoga

Clarkston Union

Clarkston Wood Shop

Coats Funeral Home

Da Edoardo

Encompass Financial Partners

Falvay, Marcus & Weston, PC

Melanie Foose

French Laundry

Gary Campbell Enterprises

Glitz Salon of Clarkston

Green Parrot Beach Houses

Holly Hotel

Hubbell Roth & Clark

Imagine That Hypnotherapy

International Abrasives

Jim Douglas Auto Sales

K.H. Home

Rep. Eileen Kowall

Kruse & Muer

Kurt & Maura Jung

Larson Land Trust

Lesperance Apiaries

Lewis Wint & Son Funeral Home

LoPrete Family Foundation

Lula Wilson Trust

Lynn Duffey Studio

Maggiano’s Little Italy

Mason Studio

Edwin J. McCauley

Merrill Lynch

Mesquite Creek

Montgomery & Sons

Novara Tesija, PLLC

Oakland County Credit Union

Oakland County Parks & Rec.

Oakland Wildflower Farm

On-Site Specialty Cleaning

Plum Hollow Design

Pytel Veterinary Clinic

Regiani Dental DDS, PC

Lois Robbins

Roeser Dental Assoc., P.C.

Dorie Shwedel

Smiths Disposal

Julie Thomas

Via Bologna

Wisdom Modalities

Zulu Nyala Group

Volunteers Aaron & Arlene Badgley

Jo Bang

Chris & Becca Benedict

Elizabeth Benedetti

Mary Blanchard

Mathew Boynton

Donna Coffman

Jo Coleman

Jacqueline Douglas

Emily Duthinh & family

Theresa Celusta

Jo Coleman

Sandra Drogmiller

Bill Edwards

Kirk Falvay

Melanie Foose

Syndey Fortin

Janet Frericks

Sabrina Fricks

Jean Gramlich

Natasha Gupta

Jessica Haden

Joan Harbaugh

Andrea Hepner

Bob & JoAnn Inskeep

Molly Jeffers

Cory & Robin Johnston

Susan Jones

Chuck Julian

Susan Julian

Hailey Kilbarger

Miaya Kilbarger

Mike Kilbarger

Pam Bytner-Kilbarger

Olivia Lazor

Clare Kaiding

Gisela Lendle-King

Ken & Cheri Klostermeyer

C. A. Kog

Doug Lanyk

Lori Marino

Jan Martin

John & Penny Mason

David & LeLane McCarty

Seth Meyers

Linda Myers

John Meyland

Rick McAvinchey

Linda Meyers

Mary Pellerito

Lora Perkins

Todd Pershon

Paul & Betty Rabaut

Richard Petherbridge

Michael Ray

Kelsey Riemenschreider

Lois Robbins

Kathy Rollins

Richard Rotramel

Zak Simpson

Dave Sisson

Dustin Skavang

Katie Sperry

Beverly Steffens-Claudio

Carrie Stroup

Dennis Terry

Bob Zigarac

Marilyn Zigarac

NOHLC Partners & Volunteers

Blue Heron Sustainers’ Circle People who deeply understand and believe in action that preserves the bio-diversity of Southeast Michigan and the gifts of

nature to our well-being are invited to belong the Blue Heron Sustainers’ Circle. You may be a birder, hiker, photographer,

gardener or farmer. You may be an industrialist, politician or artist. Sustainers understand that Nature heals and beckons us

to be on her side. Sustainers possess knowledge of the Earth’s living systems and the threats to those systems. This under-

standing calls us to action. Blue Heron Sustainers accept this responsibility by supporting the fundamental operations of

North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy.

Your long-term commitment of a minimum yearly $1,000 donation will help us ensure the stewardship of water and land conservation, for this and

future generations, utilizing the dedication of our skilled staff and many volunteers. Your pledge to work with others to fund NOHLC’s on-going

work makes you a member of a distinguished club of visionaries who think globally and act locally.

We welcome our 2012 Blue Heron Sustainers– Ron & Bette Moen, Chuck & Susan Julian, Richard Rotramel, and Don & Sue Topping, and look

forward to those who join us in 2013. We are planning exclusive events and activities that might include engagement in our land acquisition projects,

private tours, films and special events. Enjoy the camaraderie of other committed conservationists within NOHLC’s community!

Tell us about your interest in being a Blue Heron Sustainers’ Circle member. Contact Bette Moen at 248.877.4172.

Page 4

GPS Fundraising

Campaign

Mapping For a

Greener Tomorrow

Later this month, NOHLC will begin

raising the necessary funds to purchase

three GPS units to aid us in our con-

servation efforts. We will be using the

website http://www.Indiegogo.com.

If you wish to make a donation or

would like to know more, simply visit

the Indiegogo website and type in

"Mapping for a Greener Tomorrow"

under the search bar.

Please Save the Date:

Biggest Week in Birding

Destination Lake Erie shores. 2nd week of May.

Wild Ride in the Countryside

Motorcycle ride with Boomers

Bike Shop to promote land

conservancy awareness. Sunday, June 9, 2013

Donigan-McLogan Wing Ding

in Royal Oak Save the date for the best chicken

wings in Oakland County!

Saturday, June 15, 2013

Great Blue Heron Golf Outing Save the date for great golfing at Atlas Country Club in Grand Blanc July 30, 2013. For more information:

www.NOHLC.org

Public Welcome! at www.NOHLC.org

Check It

Out!

Join the Conservation Conversation at the

A FUN way to Support

NOHLC

Our second annual

WILD RIDE in the

COUNTRYSIDE Sunday, June 9th 2013

A motorcycle (or car ride) to support

LAND CONSERVANCY

AWARENESS

As motorists ride through the countryside

they are not always aware that land

conservancies are working hard to protect

the beautiful open spaces we adore.

If you don’t own a motorcycle, rent one

for the day …Or take the ride in your car.

IT’S ALL FUN!

For more information checkout

www.NOHLC.org

NOHLC 2013 Annual Meeting ….. was a blast!

NOHLC’s Annual Meeting, held on February 23 at the Springfield Civic Center, was a blast! New and returning

friends mingled with the NOHLC’s new Executive Director Marie Donigan, Board members, partner organizations

and Jim Nash, Oakland County’s newly elected Water Resources Commissioner. The meeting’s high energy reflected

the long term passion for, and dedication to, the organization’s mission to conserve the woods, fields, streams, wet-

lands and other natural features in the headwaters areas of the Clinton, Shiawassee, Huron, and Flint rivers.

NOHLC’s President Chris Benedict welcomed the crowd and reviewed the organization’s 2012 achievements. Marie

outlined goals for 2013 and challenged attendees to renew their commitment to NOHLC by volunteering their time

and talent to ensure that the land entrusted to us is properly maintained, and that we have sufficient funds to achieve

our mission and goals.

The meeting’s special guest, Jim Nash, shared his plans for the coming year, which include a regional stormwater

summit and a series of town hall meetings to discuss fracking in Oakland County. He is looking to groups like

NOHLC to become partners in preservation and sustainability. Many people said this was the best NOHLC meeting

they’ve attended in years; let’s build upon that good will and make this the best year in NOHLC’s history!

Tom Bullen Achievement Award

Each year NOHLC awards this prestigious achievement award to someone who exemplifies standards of vision, service

and continuing support to land conservation. This year we have presented Susan Jones, our volunteer extraordinaire, with

the Tom Bullen Award for her continued support inside and outside of the NOHLC office. Every week she has helped

NOHLC with some project. We’ve come to list her as staff.

Whether its computer work, organizing an event, building a bookcase, outside field work or just plain financial support -

this gal does it all. NOHLC is lucky to have Susan step in and help whenever and wherever things need to be done!

Susan Jones receives her award from NOHLC President Chris Benedict

Page 5

Have you ever thought about a lasting way to make a

difference? By including NOHLC in your will or estate plan-

ning, you will leave a lasting bequest for future generations

to come.

For more information on making a bequest, please contact

your attorney. Let us know of your intentions to include us in

your estate plan by calling Marie Donigan at 248.846.6547

or email mariedonigan@nohlc.org.

PO Box 285

Clarkston, MI 48347

Non-Profit

US Postage

Paid

Clarkston, MI

Permit No. 60

You are the power behind local

conservation.

To DONATE or VOLUNTEER

Visit our website at

www.NOHLC.org or call the office

at 248.846.6547

Conserving the woods, fields, streams,

wetlands and other natural resources in

the headwaters of the Clinton, Flint,

Shiawassee, & Huron Rivers.

A Naturally Beautiful

Setting for Natural Burial

NOHLC thanks All Saints Cemetery for underwriting the production costs of this newsletter.

The Preserve at All Saints Cemetery introduces true natural burial to Michigan. The land is left in its

natural state, with mowed paths to invite visitors in. Only biodegradable materials are allowed and

fieldstones from the prairie mark loved ones’ graves.

North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy supports the concepts and principles of preservation in

this endeavor including the use of native plants, natural grave markers, biodegradable containers and

other eco-friendly procedures.

Members of the Conservancy who choose to support natural burial at The Preserve, will be given $200

off the cost of a grave when pre-arranging before April 30, 2013.

For more information on natural burial or to schedule a tour, please call (800) 989-9633 or visit

www.michigannaturalburial.com.