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Little Traverse Conservancy announces new nature preserve in Harbor Springs

Little Traverse Conservancy
Brian Leonard Granger

The Little Traverse Conservancy in Emmet County has announced a new nature preserve in honor of one of its longtime members, Brian Leonard Granger.

Granger grew up in the Petoskey area and was an avid outdoorsman who loved to spend his time boating and hunting.

He was a part of the Ruffed Grouse Society in Michigan, which works to protect the habitats of bird species such as the ruffed grouse and the woodcock. Because of this, he also worked closely with the Little Traverse Conservancy.

He was a part of Little Traverse Conservancy’s finance committee, helping the organization to raise money for its projects.

Granger unexpectedly passed away in late 2021. Those who were close to him have since looked for ways to honor him. It was from this that the idea of dedicating a nature preserve for him was born.

Anne Fleming with the Little Traverse Conservancy says the organization was glad to be able to name a preserve in Granger’s honor.

“Brian was just that kind of person that just loved it. He was so proud of where he was from and ya, just doing a nature preserve in his memory and honor is just really perfect, you know. Very suitable.”

The Brian Leonard Granger Nature Preserve is 31 acres and located between Petoskey and Alanson near crooked lake. It is also a potential habitat for the birds that Granger was passionate about.

Fleming says the preserve will be open to the public for hunting, hiking, and for anyone hoping to simply enjoy nature.

Renae is a newsroom intern covering northwest Lower Michigan for WCMU.