The nonprofit Little Traverse Conservancy wants to purchase a 160 acre lot of forest near Harbor Springs and create a wildlife corridor.

The current owners are on board. They’ve allowed public access to the land for years, and plan to donate an additional 20 acres to the organization.

Emily Hughes, chief development officer for the conservancy, says that they’ve raised $2.7 million of the $3 million goal. Many supporters are apart of the local community, who have been using the property with permission of the owners.

“As of today, 69 families have supported this effort,” says Hughes. “So this is now an opportunity to include even more people who want to help protect this land forever.”

The land is adjacent to 80 acres of public trails. After the purchase, Little Traverse Conservancy plans to add new trails and build a parking area.

This story is a part of WDET’s ongoing series, the Detroit Tree Canopy Project.