Day One on the Wetland
Celery Pond is one of the last unspoiled wetlands in Michigan’s Black River Watershed. Located near the mouth of Black River, this habitat is critical for breeding, migration and wintering of over 21 species of birds. It is fillled with their song and sounds of wildlife. Should it be kept as a wetland or converted into a marina?
The City of South Haven owns much of Celery Pond, along with a large quantity of land nearby. These public land holdings are called the Dunkley Redevlopment Project in the City’s Master Plan. They offer the possibility of preserving the Celery Pond and adjacent properties for recreational use for future generations of residents and visitors. The City Council is in favor of turning most of this land over to private developers while other City Commissioners, especially on the Parks and Harbor Commissions, recommend to keep the land in public hands.
Public input is needed to determine the future of this area of public holdings.
If you are interested in learning more about the issue, email celerypond@lycos.com and be sure to bookmark this page - http://celerypond.blog.com - and join in the dialogue with the other Celery Pond Advocates. It’s easy: just leave your comments below!
“We abuse land because we regard it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”
Aldo Leopold
