Courtesy Photo An aerial view of the Hess Nature Preserve is seen in this provided photo.

ALPENA — HeadWaters Land Conservancy was awarded $5,000 from the Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan (CFNEM) to put toward acquiring an additional 210 acres for their Hess Nature Preserve located in Ocqueoc.

Julie Rubsam, HeadWaters Land Conservancy executive director, told The News that the conservancy group has to raise $500,000 in total for the entire project. Currently, the organization has raised $125,000 for a matching grant of $200,000 from the Carls Foundation, according to Rubsam.

In addition to the CFNEM and Carls Foundation grants, Rubsam stated that the Hess Nature Preserve project has also been funded by ​​the Walters Family Foundation, The Wege Foundation, Alpena Walmart, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, and Consumers Energy.

Rubsam stated that the parcels of land will come from two private land owners and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR). She explained that HeadWaters Land Conservancy is close to finalizing the sale of the land from the DNR.

“The DNR has approved the sale and we are waiting to schedule a closing,” Rubsam said.

According to Rubsam, the final parcel to acquire is located east of the current Hess Nature Preserve and “will add 1,500 feet of shoreline.”

Rubsam explained that the reason HeadWaters is seeking to acquire these parcels of land is to preserve the ecosystem that is present there.

“The habitats we are trying to acquire are rare dune and swales,” Rubsam said.

The DNR states that a dune and swale ecosystem is a series of sandy ridges and low, wet swales formed from irregular cycles of high and low water levels. These ecosystems are known “for their high concentration of biodiversity in a small area,” according to the DNR.

Rubsam noted HeadWaters Land Conservancy’s mission to improve access to the preserve for the public.

“Our efforts are for the community,” Rubsam added. “A long-term goal is to lengthen the trail system.”

In the meantime, Rubsam stated that the group is hosting several educational events for the community to attend at Hess Nature Preserve.

At 10 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 12, HeadWaters Land Conservancy will be hosting a geology education event that will cover the coastal geology of Northeast Michigan.

A maritime heritage event will take place at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Participants will learn about the history of shipwrecks along Michigan’s northeast coast.

Community members can also attend a dark sky event at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25. Attendees will learn about tips for spotting planets and constellations, the science of stars, and the stories behind constellations.

Those who wish to attend a HeadWaters Land Conservancy event should register at headwatersconservancy.org.

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