The Leelanau Conservancy announced last week that another key natural ecosystem in the county – Suttons Bay Forest – has officially been protected. Preservation of that property was one of the major remaining pieces of the Leelanau, Protected campaign, which the conservancy publicly unveiled earlier this summer.

Spanning 184 acres between Suttons Bay and Lake Leelanau, the Suttons Bay Forest is defined by the Leelanau Conservancy as “a vital wildlife corridor, contain[ing] high biodiversity and healthy wetlands.” The land was owned for generations by the Bahle family, before siblings Lois, Bob, Rich, Karl, and Chris enrolled it in the state’s Commercial Forest (CF) program.

“For about 40 years, the forest was managed for timber production, and in exchange, the property was open to the public for hiking, hunting, mushrooming,” the conservancy wrote of the Suttons Bay Forest property on its website. “When the Bahles recently decided to remove the property from the CF program, they approached the conservancy with an opportunity. They wanted their land to remain publicly accessible and preserved for future generations… The Bahless graciously agreed to a bargain sale, laying the foundation for the potential Suttons Bay Forest Natural Area.”

Speaking to The Ticker last month when Leelanau, Protected went public, conservancy Development Director Paris Morse said the campaign had already raised $66 million of its $75 million goal, in a quiet phase that kicked off in 2023. That $66 million include money already raised and spent for conservancy projects, including the acquisition of the former Sugar Loaf ski area. Morse identified the Suttons Bay Forest acquisition as one of the still-outstanding projects that would be covered out of the remaining $9 million left to raise.

In an email announcing the acquisition, the conservancy thanked its supporters and shared general plans for the future of the property.

“Over the coming months, we'll begin assessing the land, improving access, and expanding the trail system,” the email said. “We look forward to letting you know when you can explore, join docent-led hikes, and volunteer at this lovely new Leelanau Conservancy natural area.”