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 "You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
— Mahatma Gandhi
Learn More About These Issues:
Perhaps the best way to learn more is to acquaint yourself firsthand with the Saugatuck Dunes. You can access the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area from the City of Saugatuck’s Oval Beach. Just hike north from the park and then up over the foredune.
If you want to see the North McClendon property yourself, park at Oval Beach and hike north 3/4 of a mile along the beach to the pier. When you reach the pier, hike east along the river. Everything to the north is the North McClendon property. The other land access point is to hike to the beach at the Saugatuck Dunes State Park and hike south along the beach to the pier. It is within your rights to walk on the beach; however, please stay off any private property.
In the late spring, summer, and early fall, you can take a tour on the Star of Saugatuck or the Saugatuck Dune Rides. While neither of these will put you on the North McClendon property, both offer remarkable views and informative commentary about the natural and human history of the area.
Find out more about these issues from Keith Schneider’s report Fever of Development, Frontier of Recovery, the Tri-Community Comprehensive Plan, and the biological surveys of rare and endangered plants, animals, and habitats found in the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area and the North McClendon property.
Rare Species of the Denison Property. A survey of rare, threatened, and endangered birds, plants, fish, reptiles, and amphibians found on the both the South and the North Denison property from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. View Report
Natural Communities of the Denison Property. A survey from the Land Conservancy of West Michigan of unique habitats including coastal sand dunes; inter-dunal wetlands; Great Lakes shore, beach, and marsh; and riparian shoreline and adjacent marshes. View Report
Fever of Development, Frontier of Recovery: Securing the Saugatuck Dunes Coastal Region was written by Keith Schneider, a New York Times reporter and founder of the Michigan Land Use Institute. An investigative reporter, Schneider digs into development issues in the Saugatuck Dunes coastal region. View PDF Report
Tri-Community Plan 2005. This visionary document ten years in the making by the people of Saugatuck, Douglas, and Saugatuck Township is the foundation for our goals and mission. View PDF Report
The Economic Benefits of Land Conservation. The Trust for Public Land study explores the economic benefits of how open space improves home values, reduces taxes, and is a draw for new businesses. View PDF Report
The Health Benefits of Parks View PDF Report
Write a Letter to the Editor
Your opinion on public policy matters is a necessary part of our system of democracy. The power of the pen will continue to make a significant difference in helping to protect and preserve the natural geography, historical heritage, and rural character of the Saugatuck Dunes coastal region. Please make your voice heard!
The Local Observer
Deadline: Mondays, 6 am
sobserv@macatawa.org
PO Box 1154 Saugatuck, MI 49453
The Commercial Record
editorcommrec@allegannews.com
PO Box 246 Saugatuck, MI 49453
The Holland Sentinel
Maximum: 400 words
Deadline: Wednesdays, 6 am
54 West 8th Street Holland, MI 49423
newsroom@hollandsentinel.com
The Grand Rapids Press
Maximum: 250 words
Pulse@grpress.com
209 East 8th Street Holland, MI 49423
Kalamazoo Gazette
Maximum: 150 words
Online: www.mlive.commailforms
Lansing State Journal
opinions@lsj.com
Detroit Free Press
letters@freepress.com
Allegan County News
Deadline: Monday, noon
editor@allegannews.com
Speak Out
Discuss complex issues with your neighbors, friends, and family. Attend city or township, planning commission, and zoning board meetings.
City of Saugatuck
The City of the Village of Douglas
Saugatuck Township
Laketown Township
Casco Township
Ganges Township
Manlius Township
Contact your Representatives about Saving the Dunes
Patricia L. Birkholz
Republican of District 24
Office Phone: (517) 373-3447
Office Location: 805 Farnum Building
E-mail Address: SenPBirkholz@senate.michigan.gov
Bob Genetski
Phone: (517) 373-0836
Toll Free: (888) MICH-088 [888-642-4088]
Office Location: Anderson House Office Bldg.
E-mail Address: BobGenetski@house.mi.gov
Visit the State of Michigan Website for more contact information
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