Representatives from New Community Vision (NCV), the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (GTB), and Peninsula Housing were all on hand this past Monday for the first-ever “open house” event at the 200-acre parcel of land previously planned for the development of the Timber Shores RV resort. NCV, the nonprofit working to purchase that land for preservation, provided a progress report on the fundraising process, while GTB and Peninsula Housing – both partners in the endeavor – shared their perspectives on why figuring out a way to save the land is so important.

“The name for this land is Mashkiigaki, which means marsh lands, but it also means the ‘place of medicine’ because this is where, in times past, tribal members would find food and medicine and connect with the earth,” GTB River Restoration Project Manager Naomi Louchouarn (pictured) said at the event. “To collaborate with NCV and everyone in the area is important for the ecological restoration of this place, but also for the restoration of the irreplaceable cultural and spiritual connections to the land as well.”

NCV is currently working to raise $5 million to purchase the Timber Shores property. As of Monday’s event, the nonprofit still has $2.9 million left to go toward that goal, according to NCV President John Sentell. Beth Verhey, the organization’s vice president, told the Leelanau Ticker earlier this month that NCV is trying to raise that money by the end of the summer to take advantage of its option to purchase the land.

“This is like a marathon: We’ve crested the hill, but we still have to run hard to cross the finish line,” Sentell said on Monday. “Our current pledges of support, when matched with what we believe is a very promising opportunity to receive a substantial federal grant, sponsored by GTB, suggests we are well within reach. What I can tell you tonight is that raising an additional $2.9 million will get this deal done. It’s realistic; it’s achievable. Every single donation matters.”

According to a press release, if NCV can raise the necessary funds, GTB would “lead the restoration and stewardship” of the property, while Peninsula Housing – the Suttons Bay nonprofit founded by Larry Mawby – would collaborate with NCV “on the 24-acre attainable housing portion of the project.”

Speaking at Monday’s event, Mawby explained that a 24-acre portion of the property has been designated for a potential attainable housing project, due to its lower conservation value and its  accessibility from M22 and Camp Haven Road. NCV and Peninsula Housing would plan to carry out significant community consultation to determine the right approach for developing that land – including housing mix and number of units – but that process would come after an acquisition.

“Step one is for NCV to buy the property, and to do that they need your help,” Mawby said. “So, open your wallets, please!”

Beyond the open house, NCV is also hoping to gather donations by hosting a series of guided walks on the Timber Shores property throughout the summer.