The Agricultural Lands Preservation Advisory Committee (ALPAC) is recommending that the Parks Commission enter into a sales contract with the McCalla family trusts for the purchase of a conservation easement on a 121.534‑acre farm in Lima Township. An appraisal completed in March 2026 valued the easement at 915000, and the project is partially funded by a 372000 grant from MDARD’s Farmland Preservation Fund, leaving Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC) to contribute 543000 split between ALPAC and NATAC. This recommendation indicates the County is moving ahead with a significant land preservation transaction involving appraisals, grant administration, legal work, and future stewardship responsibilities. While the main acquisition vendor decision (landowner and price) is effectively set, there is ongoing potential for professional services related to easement drafting, baseline documentation, monitoring, GIS mapping, and potential partnership with Ann Arbor’s Bluebelt program if they participate. Vendors in conservation planning, environmental consulting, and land stewardship technology can position services around implementation, monitoring, and future easement portfolio management as additional properties are prioritized in subsequent rounds.

WCPARC’s total local contribution is 543000 (approximately 391000 from ALPAC and 152000 from NATAC),...