Courtesy Photo Susanna Glass, HeadWaters Land Conservancy land protection specialist, is seen giving a presentation at a Landowner Workshop. This series of workshops was a year-long initiative that concluded in June of this year, but more will be planned going forward.

ALPENA — HeadWaters Land Conservancy wrapped up their Landowner Workshop Series this June and are planning to have more workshops in the future.

Susanna Glass, HeadWaters Land Conservancy land protection specialist, led the series to inform landowners about available conservation services in Northeast Michigan. These included cost-share programs, stewardship planning, and management techniques, according to a HeadWaters Land Conservancy press release.

Glass told The News that HeadWaters Land Conservancy works with landowners to ensure that their property is maintained and protected long after they are no longer owners. Glass explained that when entering into a conservation easement, landowners sign over the “conservation value” of their land. This usually restricts levels of development allowed.

“The landowner is voluntarily doing this,” Glass added.

Glass explained that the conservancy agreement is tied to the deed, so even as new owners acquire the land, the agreement holds true.

“Any future landowners would have to follow the guidelines,” Glass explained.

She noted that conservation easements are incentives for landowners who want to ensure that their land is taken care of after they pass or after they release ownership of the land.

“We don’t physically own the property,” Glass said.

Glass’ workshop series was a year-long initiative, beginning in 2024, according to the release. The release states that the workshop series was supported by the Americana Foundation, a conservation and agriculture nonprofit based in Michigan.

The American Bird Conservancy, The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Conservation District Foresters, Huron Pines’ Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA), and Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program (MAEAP) provided information for landowners throughout the series.

“Whether someone owns ten acres or several hundred, landowners are vital partners in conservation,” Glass said in the release. “These workshops were about making information accessible, connecting people to local experts, and helping them take the next steps to manage their land more intentionally.”

Glass told The News that going forward, the organization will continue to host workshops for landowners.

“These workshops reflect our belief that conservation is not something we do alone,” Julie Rubsam, HeadWaters Land Conservancy executive director, said in the release. “It happens through relationships with landowners, with community organizations, and with the land itself.”

According to the release, HeadWaters Land Conservancy will offer workshops several times each year, with at least one virtual session annually.

Glass explained that the virtual option will help include landowners who live throughout the HeadWaters Conservancy’s 11-county coverage area, including Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, and Presque Isle counties.

Glass added that a number of landowners that work with HeadWaters Land Conservancy are seasonal residents and some do not live in the state during portions of the year.

Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.