HARBOR SPRINGS, Mich. (AP) - An anonymous donor has helped a northern Michigan conservancy buy a large, undeveloped stretch of Lake Michigan shoreline.
The Petoskey News-Review reports this week that the Little Traverse Conservancy has closed on the deal that includes roughly 2,400 feet of shoreline between Harbor Springs and Cross Village in the northwestern Lower Peninsula.
The deal also includes 2,300 feet along what's called the Tunnel of Trees.
Conservancy director Tom Bailey says his organization has raised all but $250,000 of its $1.8 million goal. The remainder will complete the acquisition and pay the mortgage coming due next year.
Bailey tells The Associated Press it was the largest piece of privately owned lake frontage in the area. He adds that its steep, forested sand dunes are fragile and will benefit from protection.
It will become a publicly accessible nature preserve.
