Dyke and Phyllis Heinze Conservation Fund

Dyke and Phyllis Heinze moved to Mt. Pleasant in 1990 and quickly fell in love with the beautiful landscape of Isabella County. In 2001, the Heinzes decided to create a fund to preserve this beauty. Dyke grew up in a similar county in southeast Michigan with small towns, open spaces, farms, and plenty of woodlands, but as the years passed he saw it slowly turn to urban sprawl.

“I would hate to see that happen to Isabella County,” he said. “There aren’t many organizations that focus on conservation in our county, and the Heinze Conservation Fund is an avenue we can use to try to preserve the environment in Isabella County.”

The Heinzes hope the fund will be able to support the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy’s land preservation initiatives and create an increased awareness of the need for conservation in Central Michigan.

"This is something we couldn't perhaps do on our own," Phyllis said. "But under the umbrella of the Community Foundation, we've been able to receive the support we need to get the fund established and going in the right direction."