KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Environmental and conservation group “Stewards of Kleinstuck” is raising funds to purchase and preserve 12 acres of woods next to the Kleinstuck Preserve in the City of Kalamazoo.
“We are thrilled to announce that we’ve entered into a purchase agreement to preserve this woodland for our community,” organization president Erin Fuller said. “We have one chance to raise the funds needed to purchase this property. If we complete the purchase, our goal is to keep this property in its natural state and open to the public forever. Humans need wild spaces, and we are fortunate to have so much nature here in the City of Kalamazoo. The private land we are purchasing has long been used by families, schools and YMCA members as though it was already a part of the public land of the Kleinstuck Preserve; anyone who has visited Kleinstuck coming from the YMCA has crossed this property. Keeping it wild and open to the public will ensure more people have access to nature.”
The 12 acre property at 2000 Hudson Avenue was listed for sale in October of 2019 and is currently zoned for single-family and multifamily development.
The Stewards hosted a community meeting in October 2019 and gathered input from over 150 stakeholders, neighbors and community members.
Following that meeting, the Stewards resolved to purchase the land and preserve it in its natural, wild state. The Stewards launched their Keep Kalamazoo Wild™ campaign in May 2020 to focus on the preservation and conservation of Kalamazoo’s natural spaces. The Stewards believe the Keep Kalamazoo Wild motto aligns with the City’s current Strategic Vision which prioritizes environmental sustainability and inviting public spaces.
Earlier this month, the Stewards of Kleinstuck signed a purchase agreement for the property and are now focused on raising funds to close the sale.
“Even before we had a signed purchase agreement, an anonymous donor offered to match the first $250,000 in donations. We have had significant community support but still need donations large and small from foundations and individuals,” Fuller said. “We are grateful for early financial support from the Jim Gilmore, Jr. Foundation, the Beim Foundation, and the Giving Well Family Foundation for grants for the acquisition and the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation for a grant to build organizational capacity to conduct a capital campaign.”
More information about the campaign and how to contribute can be found at https://www.keepkalamazoowild.com/.
