From Vision to Conservation:

A 2-Year Journey to Protect 650 Acres

By Jeff Wellman

Preserving What Matters: Our Journey to Help Protect White Mountain’s 650 Acres

Two years ago, I had a vision — not of a sale, but of a legacy.

While working as a listing broker for a unique and ecologically rich parcel of land just outside Boyne City, I couldn’t shake the feeling that this property deserved more than development. It deserved preservation.

Known to locals as “White Mountain,” the 650-acre stretch of rolling hills, dense forests, and quiet meadows seemed destined to remain wild — if we could find the right partners.

That’s when I approached the Little Traverse Land Conservancy with an idea: what if they were the ones to steward this land into the future?

At the time, there were no guarantees. But after two years of conversations, vision-sharing, and persistence — I’m beyond honored to say the sale is complete.

“The 650 acres is the group’s largest single purchase of a working forest preserve in the Lower Peninsula.” – Little Traverse Land Conservancy

The importance of this place cannot be overstated. With views of Lake Charlevoix and Boyne City, vital wildlife corridors, and diverse forest ecosystems, White Mountain is home to thriving species and resilient landscapes.

I didn’t do this alone. Conservation is always a collective act — of people, organizations, and donors who care deeply about the future. But I’m proud to have been the one to help start this conversation and to see it turn into something so enduring.

“In a time when the world often feels fast-paced and uncertain, helping preserve White Mountain reminds me why I fell in love with Northern Michigan in the first place — and why I work in real estate not just for transactions, but for transformation.”

– Jeff Wellman