Chuck and Pat Bloom Commit to Nature Nearby
Chuck and Patricia Ann, ‘Pat,’ Bloom have lived in Grand Rapids their entire lives. Chuck worked as a Certified Public Accountant and Pat practiced and taught nursing. The pair know a thing or two about commitment. This September, they celebrated their 67th wedding anniversary.
Chuck and Pat are also committed to supporting the permanent protection of natural land. They have been supporters of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan for over 30 years. In addition to many years of supporting the organization’s mission through annual and planned giving, they have also permanently protected their 160 acres in Bitely with a conservation easement.
Chuck & Pat Bloom
Chuck’s father acquired the property, which features frontage on McDuffee Creek, in 1955. He paid $2,000. He built a one-room cabin there and used the property primarily for hunting.
“We inherited the place, and then we had four kids and nine grandchildren. A one-room cabin didn’t do it,” Chuck said. “We rebuilt the place. We call it our cabin, but it’s really a house.”
The land, which they call the McDuffee Creek Club, has been a place of respite for the whole family.
“It has been a life saver,” Pat said. “It is so relaxing. To be able to listen to all these birds—it even gives me goose pimples.”
When he was younger, Chuck fished and hunted the property for deer, partridge, and woodcock. These days, Chuck and Pat enjoy hosting their family and sitting on the porch to watch the creek and wildlife. They recounted sightings during a recent visit:
“Every day we’d see a turkey and its little ones in the yard. A mother deer and its fawn,” Chuck said.
“Two! See, that even gives me goose pimples,” Pat said.
In 2008, Chuck and Pat worked with the Land Conservancy to protect the land with a conservation easement.
“I can’t recall how we first heard about the Land Conservancy,” Chuck said. “After we did, we thought about it, and thought, ‘Gee, this land is very dear to us, and it’s always been natural. It would really be nice to protect this forever.’ We talked it over with our kids before we entered into the agreement to see if they were on board, and they all were, totally.”
Chuck and Pat believe that the conservation easement, which restricts certain kinds of activities to promote the health of the land, is what helps ensure it continues to be a restorative place to visit.
“It’s very important to both of us,” Pat said.
They want McDuffee Creek Club to continue to be a place where family and friends can visit, experience the restful benefits of nature, and see the unique plants, birds, and wildlife that make their home in the area. The conservation easement helps make that possible.
“By doing this, it’ll help preserve those 160 acres for wildlife,” Chuck said.
Both Chuck and Pat hope their appreciation for nature and their land carries forward for generations to come.
“I think it’s just wonderful what the Land Conservancy is doing. I can’t say enough about it,” Chuck said.
The Land Conservancy of West Michigan sincerely thanks Chuck and Pat for their three decades of support for keeping nature nearby and protected for future generations.