Following a $4.1 million fundraising campaign, the 707-acre Palmer Woods Forest Reserve is now owned by the Leelanau Conservancy. The 14 contiguous parcels near Glen Arbor occupy a sizeable footprint in both the Glen Lake and Good Harvor Bay watersheds. Protecting this forest will help to keep the water quality of both bodies of water high, according to Conservancy officials.

The Palmer Woods Reserve is the largest and most expensive land protection project in the Conservancy's 27-year history.

"We have been talking with the Palmer family for over two decades, hoping to have the chance to keep this forest intact and we are grateful for their partnership in this project," says Executive Director Tom Nelson. "Now that Palmer Woods is in our care and open to the public, we are going to work quickly to make is accessible for visitors."

Nelson says the Conservancy plans on installing signs, marking already existing trails for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing and creating a parking area. It also hopes to expand the trail system further and begin innovative forest management techniques.