Non-profit raising money to preserve shoreline

ALABASTER, Mich. — A local non–profit wants your help to protect part of the shoreline in Iosco County.

Huron pines officially launched a fundraiser to protect a 145–acre property on Tuesday. The drive, in collaboration with Alabaster Township, hopes to establish a mile of Lake Huron shoreline in Alabaster as a nature preserve.

Huron Pines Executive Director Brad Jensen said they purchased the property from US Gypsum in December to protect the habitat from real estate development.

“Property was going at 25% more than it had been. So we saw, this past fall, an opportunity to save almost a mile of shoreline that otherwise would be developed into lots… This is the largest stretch of undeveloped, intact land that was for sale from Alpena all the way down to Saginaw Bay.”

Jensen said they’re not just preserving this shoreline for wildlife, but for the community as well.

“We’re also on a stretch of shoreline where there’s not a lot of big parcels for the public to access Lake Huron. As you drive south here and down to Bay City, you just don’t see as many open areas along the lake.

Huron Pines’ vision for the area includes improved paths, a public park, and more. Jensen said they will use funds to finalize the purchase and set up an endowment for maintenance.

Huron Pines and the township have so far raised about $1 million towards the $2.5 million goal. Jensen said he hopes the public can rally behind them on this project and establish a lakeshore for everyone to enjoy.

You can learn more about how to help on the Huron Pines website.