The 8-acre parcel of undisturbed conservation land located along the southwest corner of Pickerel Lake has long served as an important component of the lake’s watershed, as well as habitat for wildlife. The land had previously been owned by the state’s Game, Fish and Parks Department. It was purchased at a September 2021 auction by a group of Pickerel Lake property owners who wanted the land to continue to be utilized as a natural runoff filter to preserve Pickerel Lake’s water quality.
PLC President Dan Loveland said that the donated land fits nicely with the nonprofit organization’s mission to protect the water quality, natural resources and ecosystems of Pickerel Lake by promoting conservation, research and education, so that the lake may be preserved for the enjoyment of people today and for generations to come. “We hope to take advantage of other future opportunities to acquire land that protects Pickerel Lake’s critical watershed,” Loveland said.
PLC has been involved in funding other projects to protect the lake’s watershed, but this is the first time that the nonprofit organization has taken ownership of real estate. The donation carries a donor stipulation that the land must be used solely for conservation purposes and cannot be sold or used for commercial, residential or agricultural development.
The PLC Board of Directors has discussed raising funds to incorporate a nature trail and additional native pollinator plants to provide both public recreation and conservation education opportunities, similar to an existing nature trail along the east unit of the State Park at Pickerel Lake.
Closing on the real estate transfer is expected to take place by the end of 2021.