Chikaming Open Lands

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Chikaming Open Lands began in 1999 as a small idea in the minds of concerned community members. Today, we have grown to an organization with over 800 members. In early October of 2009, we celebrated our tenth anniversary of land preservation, acknowledging those who have helped along the way and renewing our motivation for the future. Chikaming Open Lands is the invention of founding members Peter and Jean Van Nice and Steve and Jean Smith. Together they created and nurtured what would become the first land trust in Berrien County, with the idea and conviction that more needed to be done with respect to preserving open space and the diverse natural characteristics in southwest Michigan. So on Saturday, October 10, some 175 people gathered at Chikaming Country Club to celebrate the tenth anniversary of Chikaming Open Lands. It was a wonderful way to acknowledge the people and organizations that brought COL to this point, and to enjoy the company of people who share the mission of this growing organization. Many notables were in attendance – current and past board and committee members as well as representatives of organizations who have worked with COL to do the work it does. Randy Rood, Executive Director, recollected for the crowd where it all began by presenting “A Decade of Land Protection”, a program designed to remind people that COL started with a good idea and a few dedicated individuals. He recounted the early easements which were completed and ended by telling those in attendance that COL is close to realizing 1000 acres preserved in Berrien County. It started as an all-volunteer organization and has now grown to include a full-time Executive Director, full-time Land Protection Specialist, and 3 part-time employees. A special display was created at the celebration to honor and acknowledge individuals and organizations who, over the years, leant extraordinary financial support of COL’s mission to preserve open space and the diverse natural character of southwest Michigan. For a detailed listing of these individuals, please click the image to the left of this paragraph to open a PDF of the program. The delicious food coupled with the lovely setting made for an inspiring evening for everyone in attendance. This celebration will help COL spring into its next decade with enthusiasm and passion to preserve the scenic vistas and farmland we all love and enjoy.

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