The Land Conservancy of West Michigan and White River Township worked together on this community partnership project to expand Barrier Dunes Sanctuary and remove a decades-long threat of development.
In 2005, the Land Conservancy worked with the Ottawa County Parks Department and the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg communities to protect these 500 acres and turn them into a county park.
In 2005 and 2007, the Land Conservancy helped Ottawa County Department of Parks & Recreation acquire a total of 314 acres along the Macatawa or Black River just east of Zeeland and Interstate I-196 by purchasing conservation easements on the property.
Due to the natural and historic significance, the Land Conservancy partnered with the City of Saugatuck to permanently protect this treasured natural area. In December 2011, Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area transferred to Saugatuck to become a city park.