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The Origin: Several years ago local lake
residents became concerned that the nearby environs were
becoming threatened by the encroachment of commercial
businesses (trucking). In the past 10 - 15 years there
has been a proliferation of truck-related businesses on the
southern part of old Hwy 27 just north of the toll road
These businesses have materially affected the traffic in the
area and polluted our skies in the southeast with night
lighting.
Fortunately, the establishment of a land
Conservancy with tax-free status had been accomplished.
The IRS has granted the Conservancy a public charity status,
exempt from income tax. The application has also been
approved by the IRS giving the organization a 501 (c)(3)
standing.
In the early months of 2005 it
was learned that one of the largest truck stop developers in
the US had visions of establishing a new truck stop by
purchasing 65 acres of nearby land, the closest corner of
which would come to within 200 yards of the lake. Through
an almost unbelievable response to a request for funds, the
newly founded Conservancy raised money and purchased the
land in question. After two years of work on the
property, the "Preserve" as it is now known is
returning to the beautiful site it once was.
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MISSION STATEMENT
The Lake George Conservancy
exists to protect and preserve the quality of the
ecosystems of Lake George and its watershed through
education, research, and procurement of sensitive
land, by gift or purchase.
PURPOSES
The Lake George Conservancy is a
public benefit corporation. Its purposes are three-fold:
1. To perform periodic
environmental testing and scientific analysis on Lake
George waters and the surrounding ecosystem.
2. To develop systems for the protection of the water
and ecosystem of Lake George from environmental
pollution and deterioration. These goals are achieved by
acquiring (by gift or purchase) ecologically significant
parcels of land.
3. To disseminate information to the general public and
to the State of Indiana (and political subdivisions or
agencies thereof) regarding the preservation and
improvement of Lake George.
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ACTIVITIES
ACTIVITIES of the Lake George
Conservancy include beautification projects, public education programs,
nature study programs for children, fundraising events,
water
quality testing, and land acquisition and management .
MEMBERSHIP
MEMBERSHIP in the Lake George
Conservancy is open to those persons and
organizations who evidence an interest in and
support of the purposes and programs of the
Conservancy. Annual dues are currently $25.00 per
person.
Click
here to print a membership form.
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MORE WAYS TO HELP KEEP LAND PROTECTED
In addition to annual giving, you
can choose to remember the Conservancy in your will or donate stocks or
mutual funds. Many land-protection methods have been used by thousands
of landowners to protect millions of acres across our nation. Two of
these are:
• Conservation easements – a
voluntary, legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust that
allows a property owner to permanently limit or prohibit development on
his/her property. This legal document becomes part of the deed, so when
the land changes hands, the new owner is bound by the terms of the
easement. The Conservancy will enforce compliance.
• Land donations – used when a
landowner wants to conserve his/her land in its natural state by selling
or donating it to a land trust. Land conservation is an area where
individuals can truly make a difference. What the Midwest will look like
in 100 years is being decided day-by-day, parcel-by-parcel, by
landowners like us.
The Conservancy cannot offer legal, financial, or
estate planning advice. Discuss these matters with your own legal and
financial advisors.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Members of the Board of Directors serve three-year,
alternating terms. The current Board includes the following fourteen
members:
President:
Don Parrish
Vice-president: Linda Hagerman
Secretary:
Cindy King
Treasurer: Ed
Hasler
Directors: Tom Blackburn, Jane Hamlin, Craig Johnson, A. William
King, Jonathan Larimore, Tracy Martin, Don Parrish, Stan Parrish, Ed Uslar,
and Gary Zandstra.
THE LAKE GEORGE CONSERVANCY, INC.
Steuben County, Indiana & Branch County, Michigan
Mailing address: Lake George Conservancy, Inc. , P.O. Box 564 Fremont,
IN 46737
For more information,
contact Linda Hagerman,
Vice-President, at (260) 609-5932
or email:
linha@frontier.com
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