The city of Southfield received a Conservation Award from the Oakland Land Conservancy at its annual meeting at the Southfield Public Library. The Rochester-based non-profit conservation group recognized Southfield for the recent acquisition of 16 acres that will be used to complete the trail where the Rouge and Franklin rivers meet.
“Southfield has been a very good partner with us,” remarked conservancy president Lorna McEwen, referring to the City’s long-term commitment to both historic and natural to preservation efforts.
“Environmental stewardship is a very important value of the City,” said Southfield Parks and Recreation Director Bill Waterhouse. “The (16 acre) parcel will remain a nature preserve.”
Mayor Brenda Lawrence accepted the award on the City’s behalf. Southfield’s latest environmental effort is the Rouge Green Corridor Project, a winding 12-mile stretch of Rouge River and River Valley that extends from northern Birmingham to southern Southfield. The Corridor contains nine public parks and preserves, extensive woodlands, wetlands and prairie meadows that provide opportunities for quiet enjoyment for thousands of Southeast Oakland County residents.