In 2022, the Grand Traverse Conservation District launched two landmark initiatives that–together–will reconnect and revitalize our region and enhance how you engage with the natural world.
Our goal, with your support, is to create an innovative incubator farm on the east side of the Boardman-Ottaway River and build a footbridge that spans the river where the Sabin Dam once provided an east-west crossing, providing the missing connection to over 10 miles of trail, a user-friendly trail loop within the Natural Education Reserve (NER), and access to the new incubator farm.
Since 1941, the Grand Traverse Conservation District has been working to connect the community to the land in an active way through restoring natural areas, training future generations of conservation leaders, supporting sustainable, local agriculture, and stewardship of the Boardman-Ottaway River.
We now have the unique opportunity to not only connect all aspects of our work, but also enhance how you engage with the natural world with two remarkable projects.
a 160-foot pedestrian bridge that spans the Boardman-Ottaway River at the location of the former Sabin Dam, providing public access from our Boardman River Nature Center on the river’s west side to the 3 miles of recreational trails on the east, including the TC Bay Soccer Complex and our newest program, the Great Lakes Incubator Farm.
an active, land-based agricultural program that fosters the growth and development of new and beginning farmers in northwest Lower Michigan. The Incubator Farm will reduce the risk of an agricultural start-up by providing business development services and agricultural management, mentoring, and training.
Campaign Budget
Campaign Funding Projections
Based out of the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City, Michigan, the Grand Traverse Conservation District is a community-serving organization that cares for the people and places that make northwest Michigan so special.
The Ottaway Crossing and Great Lakes Incubator Farm fulfill a promise we made to the community over 80 years ago - to serve the people and natural areas in Grand Traverse County by providing gateways to the natural world. We actively connect the community to the land by restoring natural areas, training future generations of conservation leaders, supporting sustainable, local agriculture; and caring for the Boardman-Ottaway River.
During the dam removal phase of the past decade, the Grand Traverse Conservation District expanded our stewardship of the Boardman-Ottaway River and its surrounding natural lands, as well as our promise to connect the community to these incredible natural treasures. We must continue this trajectory and fulfill our commitment to our community and to the natural resources in our care.
Our opportunity to lease the historic Meyer Farm property to develop the Great Lakes Incubator Farm comes at a time when regional agricultural land has never been more threatened and the need for farmers invested in innovative, future-thinking methods has never been more urgent.
With your support, we can connect all aspects of our work and enhance how our community engages with the natural world.
Your generosity will provide:
Contact Us
Campaign Leadership