MyNorth News Service

(Press Release provided by MDNR)

ROSCOMMON: The Department of Natural Resources has honored Brian Price – recently retired after 26 years as executive director of the Leelanau Conservancy – with a Partners in Conservation Award at Thursday’s meeting of the Natural Resources Commission in Roscommon, Michigan.

Price, who was nominated for the award by former Leelanau State Park lead ranger Al Ammons (now retired), said everyone in the Leelanau Conservancy is deserving of the accolade.

“I think the award is primarily for all the work we have done together over the years to expand Leelanau State Park and what it has to offer its visitors,” Price said.

Leelanau State park has two units — one with a lighthouse and campground, and a more expansive area about three-quarters of a mile to the south. The conservancy, under Price’s leadership, has been instrumental in helping acquire land – either by helping the DNR negotiate for its acquisition or by acquiring the land on its own – to try to connect the two parcels.

“We negotiated with landowners and we actually own several pieces of land in the area that the state has a conservation easement on, so the visitors would hardly know they are on conservancy land,” Price said. “We’re still working to try to connect the areas; we still have a couple of parcels to go.”

Price said that throughout the many years he has been involved with the Leelanau Conservancy, the DNR has been a great partner. Department of Natural Resources staff couldn’t agree more.

“We are very pleased to recognize an excellent partner who has for years enriched the natural resources and quality of life for our state,” said Ron Olson, chief of the DNR Parks and Recreation Division.

Partners in Conservation Awards are given to individuals or organizations for exemplary contributions to conservation in Michigan. Award nominations are made by DNR staff.

Photo(s) by Michigan DNR