Our Forests Are At Risk

Written By Ruth Walker

Fifty years ago a few neighbors on the Omena peninsula formed Omena Woods Association to acquire available woodland acres on the peninsula to preserve and enhance its natural beauty and rural character.

The woods are part of what makes Omena a place where we strengthen family ties, protect and value nature, and create a healthier community now and for future generations.

Our neighboring forests are at risk as downstate and out-of-state developers seek to buy adjacent undeveloped woodland tracts.  Attached is one of the many unsolicited “offer” letters and contracts recently received. 

The prospective buyer – a professed out-of-state real estate investment company  – wants to purchase our neighboring woodlands for unspecified purposes, as do many others who have sent similar letters to many of us.

Of concern, the volume of solicitations is increasing and from parties who have no connection to Omena or Leelanau.

Please be aware that those of us who live here, who grew up here, or who found this glorious place by design or good luck would like to protect our forests today and for the future for our families to continue to enjoy. 

If you or someone you know is interested in these or any other type of offers, please contact one of the OWA Board members listed below.

We cherish our beautiful woods and the peaceful, rural nature of our peninsula and are concerned for their survival.

Ruth Walker

Creative and targeted programs that make an impact are the hallmark of experienced marketing professional Ruth Steele Walker. Focusing on results that improve the bottom line, she accelerates projects from conception to implementation with a mastery of writing, production, placement, budgeting and coordination.

During more than 25 years with Foremost Corporation of America, the nation's leading insurer of manufactured housing and recreational vehicles, Walker consistently produced effective communications programs that resulted in increased net written premium. Her expertise in crisis communications was a vital part of Foremost's exemplary customer service in the wake of hurricanes, floods and earthquakes. Walker specializes in communications targeting the 50+ demographic, with an emphasis in communications for the 65+ segment.

Among other achievements, Walker developed communications for the merger of Foremost and Farmers Insurance, addressing audiences including customers, employees, trade and consumer media. For Foremost's 50th anniversary, she created a celebration program of internal and external promotions, special events, recognition and a 162-page commemorative book.

Earlier in her career, Walker was a newspaper reporter, a TV and radio producer, and worked in national sales and traffic at network TV affiliates. Walker earned a BA in journalism from Michigan State University and an MS in communications from Grand Valley State University.

She and her husband Scott operate a small vineyard in Michigan's Leelanau Peninsula, producing premium vinifera wine grapes. The vineyard has been the largest local supplier for Suttons Bay wine label L. Mawby, recently named one of the world's top producers of sparkling wines.

https://www.duenorthmarketing.net
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