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Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve
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This 49-acre nature preserve is located in Columbia Township. The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy purchased the property in 1996.
The Olson family has lived in the area since the early 1900s. Willie and Marjorie Olson moved to the farm at Jeptha Lake when they married in 1937. The property had been part of the family's farm, and Willie worked the farm with his father until the early 1960s. Marjorie continues to live in the home where they raised two daughters, Barbara and Kathleen.
Marjorie had been looking for an organization to take care of the property for some time. In November 1996, she signed a bargain sale agreement with SWMLC for 49 acres. SWMLC completed the purchase in December 1997.
The benefits of protection of the fen, restoration and management of the open field, and easy access to the preserve for nature education and research made this an ideal project for SWMLC.
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Page Last Updated: 7/15/2003
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