Macomb County Establishes New Conservation Easement

Conservationists in Macomb County have reason to celebrate:  a 33-acre site in Clinton Township has been set aside to create a new outdoor education laboratory.

To be officially designated as the James B. & Ann V. Nicholson Nature Center and Floodplain Conservation Easement, the site is located along the east banks of the North Branch of the Clinton River adjacent to the Macomb County Public Works Office on Dunham Road.

The property has been relatively untouched by development and remains rich in natural flora and fauna.  MCPED Senior Planner Gerard Santoro confirms that the property – located within a floodplain – is home to deer, fox, heron, coyotes and raccoons.  With access to the North Branch of the Clinton River, the property meets the goals of the 2007 Macomb County Recreation and Open Space Plan to increase public access to Macomb County’s rivers and waterfronts.

Centrally situated, the property will help to provide a link with a county-wide network of hiking/biking trails.  Eventually, Macomb County Public Works will develop an outdoor classroom and education center on the site.  There will also be two bridges, restrooms, and wayfinding signage added to the easement.

The easement was made possible through several important accomplishments.  First, the opportunity to preserve the space captured the attention of James Nicholson, CEO of Detroit based PVS Chemicals.  Nicholson grew up on family property near the site and was eager to help establish a permanent conservation easement.  He generously donated funds to establish the property as a Nature Center that preserves it as a floodplain easement.

Secondly, the Macomb County Board of Commissioners approved the establishment of a conservation easement. 

The next step is for the County to enter into a contract with the Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy to finalize the conservation easement thereby protecting the property for generations to come.