We have the chance to permanently protect a beloved community forest by creating a new natural area between Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau. But we can only do it with your support.
As late summer fades into fall, towering hardwoods sway in the gentle bay breeze. Warm hues of red and yellow begin to peak through a bright green canopy, and clusters of delicate maidenhair ferns adorn the forest floor. Beyond the rustle of the dancing leaves and the occasional birdsong, it’s quiet. Peaceful.
Nestled discreetly between Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau, this place feels special—and it is. Having grown up in Suttons Bay, Land Protection Specialist Jenee Rowe recounts coming here often with friends for walks and conversation. This forest, she says, has long been a place where people wander.
“This is where locals would come out to cross-country ski,” Rowe says. “People drive out and they walk their dogs here along the seasonal road. It’s been a community place to see the hillsides of trillium.”
Owned by the Bahle family for generations, siblings Lois, Bob, Rich, Karl and Chris have fond memories of “The Alps”—their nickname for these hilly woods. During their childhood, Herman Road was an “almost-impassable, sandy two-track” Rich says, making the property an “inaccessible haven.” Their parents would take them back into the woods for picnics and treasure hunts, or to cut down Christmas trees. But it wasn’t all fun and games, the siblings say—there was plenty of hard work to go around in the family’s cherry and peach orchards.
Eventually, the siblings enrolled the 184-acre property in the state’s Commercial Forest (CF) program. For about 40 years, the forest was managed for timber production, and in exchange, the property was open to the public for hiking, hunting, mushrooming—all of it was welcomed.
When the Bahle’s recently decided to remove the property from the CF program, they approached the Conservancy with an opportunity. They wanted their land to remain publicly accessible and preserved for future generations. Rowe spoke at length with the family about their land—not only about its community importance, but its staggering ecological value as well.
The Bahle’s graciously agreed to a bargain sale, laying the foundation for the potential Suttons Bay Forest Natural Area.
OUR VISION
In order to make this potential new natural area a reality, Leelanau Conservancy must first raise the funds necessary to purchase and care for the land.
Our team quickly understood that the Suttons Bay Forest project will call for careful management in order to balance public access and conservation goals. This northern mesic hardwood forest is rich in biodiversity and sits in a vital wildlife corridor. (Rowe can tell you all about the bear tracks she’s found, the red-tailed hawks nesting overhead, and the porcupines that enjoy munching on maple trees.)
The woods are home to lush wetlands as well—crucial habitats for amphibians and invertebrates like frogs and salamanders. These important spring and groundwater recharge areas support healthy Lake Michigan and Lake Leelanau watersheds.
In terms of public access and recreation, this property will be great for hiking via a network of old logging trails (expect stunning views of Lake Leelanau from the western ridgeline), dog walking, mushroom foraging, cross-country skiing, seasonal hunting, and wildflower viewing (ephemerals like trillium and ramps carpet the forest floor each spring). Rowe adds that there are plenty of raspberries to snack on in the summer, and a gorgeous color display in the fall.
“It’s a really fun place,” Rowe says. “It’s hilly. It starts at a high point, and it has a long, beautiful valley with all of these ridges and little trails. So you have great topography and an important wildlife corridor.”
Rowe’s excitement for this project is palpable. She says the Bahle siblings have been “the best project partners.”
“They’re so supportive and want this to happen,” Rowe says. “This is a dream come true.”
HOW YOU CAN HELP
With your support, we can permanently protect this ecological gem and continue to welcome the public to this quintessentially northern Michigan forest for generations to come.
To donate to this project, contact Development Director Paris Morse at pmorse@leelanauconservancy.org or 231-994-3212.
