Victory: Battle Creek, MI Residents Protect Local Nature Preserve

If you're a regular reader, you know that I've been covering a controversial story regarding the Ott Biological Preserve in Calhoun County, Michigan as it's developed over the past several months.  It's not your typical environmental controversy. A small, local organization and local officials wanted to use state money to put a biking and walking trail through the biological preserve.

While in most cases, a biking and walking trail is widely embraced by nature lovers, a few local Ott lovers brought attention to the threat a paved (or even unpaved, but dramatically graded) trail would have posed to the preserve. They started a petition here on Change, which garnered more than 1,000 signatures, and helped to educate people in Calhoun County and around the country about the difference between a preserve and a park, and about the threat this unique biological preserve was facing.

While opponents to the trail explained on numerous occasions in op-ed articles, at public meetings, and on Facebook that other trail options existed that went around the preserve, proponents were quite adamant that they thought a trail was a good idea. Those wanting to protect the preserve, though, even went to the relevant state officials to confirm that the grant money for the trail did not stipulate that the trail needed to go through the preserve.

After dozens of articles in the local paper, a number of public meetings, and a walk through the preserve with key decision-makers, biological experts, and citizens, the County Commissioners voted this month to build the trail on the outskirts of the preserve. The trail will be built on Consumers Energy's right of way, private land, and along an old road bordering Consumers Energy's right of way.

As the Protect Ott Coalition writes:

"It has been clearly stated that the general public will not tolerate construction/development in the interior of the Preserve, and our elected officials have taken those concerns seriously. A BIG thanks to everyone that signed this petition and did additional actions, like sending personalized emails, meeting with Commissioners etc. Our united voices made a difference!

The issue of trail development seems harmless, but in reality, trails can have numerous negative impacts in natural areas. Attention needs to be paid to this, and the benefits weighed. Our advice for anyone fighting a similar battle elsewhere: mobilize, and do not give up no matter who or what you are challenged by."

The specific details are yet to be announced, and those who were concerned about the trail cutting through the preserve are still cautious in their enthusiasm. But, overall, the controversy seems to be over. Everyone is calling this a win-win solution from what I've seen. Why this solution wasn't the initial plan, who knows, but this shows once again how a little sustained citizen action can create change. And I'm happy we were able to be a part of this story.

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Photo via Nick Garrison