Working to Protect Highland's Land and Natural Resources
To encourage and facilitate the conservation of land and natural resources to preserve the rural character of Highland Township.
Highland has many lakes, parks, and other beautiful natural features that make it a unique place to live. The Highland Conservancy strives to protect land throughout Highland and protect our rural atmosphere. Sometimes our work involves cleaning up roadside litter. At other times, we work with local officials to try to help establish ordinances that will provide open spaces, roadside buffers or protect woodlands. The Highland Conservancy worked alongside others to create a greenway plan which is now the model for other communities throughout Michigan. We were instrumental in the creation of Highland Oaks, one of our first successful land-protection projects. Currently we are working with Six Rivers Land Conservancy to identify land in Highland that would benefit from a conservation easement. Finally, we seek to educate the public about the importance of propagating native plants and removing invasives such as garlic mustard, Asian bittersweet or swallow wort that can rapidly overtake our parks, fields and woodlands if left unchecked.
Green Infrastructure Plan
Highland was one of the first communities in Oakland County to develop a Green Infrastructure plan. Key stakeholders from Highland met to establish this important plan. The Highland Conservancy, Highland Equestrian Conservancy, Oakland Land Conservancy (now called Six Rivers Land Conservancy), Oakland County Planning Department members, township officials and Highland Business Community members poured over maps and discussed ideas to create a vision to protect Highland’s natural beauty and resources. This process began in 2004 when the Natural Area advisory group formed to share and coordinate conservation interests. Highland is part of the larger green infrastructure plan for Oakland County (and surrounding counties) led by this advisory group that worked hard to generate a roadmap for our future.
Why create a Greenway plan? As Highland gradually becomes more developed, by planning for an infrastructure of green, interconnected natural areas, we can encourage the protection of habitat for a wide diversity of plants and animals and preserve wildlife corridors. To keep animals from being trapped in fragmented areas, it is crucial to have connected open spaces in as many forms as possible. Even hedgerows and forested areas in subdivisions are important connections to less developed areas like Highland State Rec or nearby fields, lakes and rivers. Though this often goes unnoticed, the benefits of a green spaces come free of charge. Greenways provide protected habitat for animals, natural water filtration and water recharge areas, storm water control, scenic areas, higher property values, protection from habitat fragmentation, and they provide outdoor recreation opportunities.
When the township reviewed and revised its master plan, members of the Highland Conservancy monitored the process and gave ongoing input, often referring to the Greenway Plan. In addition, we pushed hard for a Natural Features ordinance, for creation of roadside buffers (plants, trees, etc), and soil erosion protection. We supported maintaining the site plan review process that can be used to prevent needless clear cutting of woodlands, or other damage to the environment during the construction process.
Currently, the Highland Conservancy is working closely with the Six Rivers Land Conservancy to coordinate greenways and establish conservation easements in Highland and nearby communities. Our goal is to continue working together with others to achieve common conservation goals.
Highland Township is a community dedicated to the idea of open space development, wetlands protection, use of native landscaping, land donation and parks acquisition, lake and stream buffers, and the creation of trail links. We encourage and welcome your help to protect our natural resources and maintain the rural character of Highland.
For more information on greenway planning and infrastructure, visit this website: www.oakgov.com/es
For a complete map of Oakland County's Green Infrastructure Vision, follow this link: http://www.advantageoakland.com/ResearchPortal/Documents/Maps/gi_poster.pdf
Why create a Greenway plan? As Highland gradually becomes more developed, by planning for an infrastructure of green, interconnected natural areas, we can encourage the protection of habitat for a wide diversity of plants and animals and preserve wildlife corridors. To keep animals from being trapped in fragmented areas, it is crucial to have connected open spaces in as many forms as possible. Even hedgerows and forested areas in subdivisions are important connections to less developed areas like Highland State Rec or nearby fields, lakes and rivers. Though this often goes unnoticed, the benefits of a green spaces come free of charge. Greenways provide protected habitat for animals, natural water filtration and water recharge areas, storm water control, scenic areas, higher property values, protection from habitat fragmentation, and they provide outdoor recreation opportunities.
When the township reviewed and revised its master plan, members of the Highland Conservancy monitored the process and gave ongoing input, often referring to the Greenway Plan. In addition, we pushed hard for a Natural Features ordinance, for creation of roadside buffers (plants, trees, etc), and soil erosion protection. We supported maintaining the site plan review process that can be used to prevent needless clear cutting of woodlands, or other damage to the environment during the construction process.
Currently, the Highland Conservancy is working closely with the Six Rivers Land Conservancy to coordinate greenways and establish conservation easements in Highland and nearby communities. Our goal is to continue working together with others to achieve common conservation goals.
Highland Township is a community dedicated to the idea of open space development, wetlands protection, use of native landscaping, land donation and parks acquisition, lake and stream buffers, and the creation of trail links. We encourage and welcome your help to protect our natural resources and maintain the rural character of Highland.
For more information on greenway planning and infrastructure, visit this website: www.oakgov.com/es
For a complete map of Oakland County's Green Infrastructure Vision, follow this link: http://www.advantageoakland.com/ResearchPortal/Documents/Maps/gi_poster.pdf