Text Box:   Text Box:   Highland Equestrian           Conservancy           The Land Conservancy and Educational Resource In Horse Friendly Highland Township

Text Box:   The mission of Highland Equestrian Conservancy is to conserve and protect our natural resources while preserving the rural character and equestrian heritage in and around Highland Township

Text Box:  This website is best viewed with Internet Explorer.   Chair           Bob Hoffman Vice Chair   Red Holman Secretary     Amanda Poxon Treasurer    Ty Cochell Directors     Tom Connelly                      Sharon Greene                       Paula Weaver                      Mike Maher                      Jan Nastovski                      Susan Raymer                      Beth Lewis                      Margot Bloomfield    

Text Box: HORSE-FRIENDLY HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP “THE HIGHLAND MODEL” We are losing our farms and open space to development and subdivisions.  Fortunately, we are not losing our number of horses.  In fact, the interest in horse related activities is on the rise.  Michigan has a 3.5 billion dollar horse industry.  Oakland County has the highest concentration of horses in Michigan with 7,000 equine. Highland Township, in a recent study, showed over 775 horses.  Each horse generates approximately 500 dollars monthly to our economy.  Highland is home to Milford High School, where 34 years ago the first high school varsity equestrian team in the United States was started.  In 2002 Sharon Greene piloted the first Junior Division equestrian team with 12 kids in a test program with MIHA (Michigan Interscholastic Horsemanship Association) at Highland Middle School.  Today, there are 25 plus juniors signed up for Huron Valley School’s spring practices.  There are about 800 middle school riders across Michigan  signed up for spring, 2005.  The incredible growth in a short period of time reflects the incredible horse-interests in our state.  In 2002 the Highland Equestrian (Land) Conservancy, the first of its kind in Michigan, started as a small grassroots group of concerned area residents with a mission to conserve and protect natural resources while preserving the rural character and equestrian heritage of Highland Township.  Merle Richmond, Coordinator of the Oakland Equestrian Coalition, Paula Weaver from Highland Trail Riders, Sharon Greene, a 4H, US Pony Club and Equestrian Team mom, (all Michigan Horse Council members), and Dr. Fay Hansen of Oakland University and the Oakland Land Conservancy, spearheaded an effort to create a partnership with horse facilities, trail clubs, equestrian groups (4H, Pony Club, Equestrian Teams), Highland Business Association and the township DDA, Planning Commission and Highland Township Board.  The “Highland Model” was established to promote conservancy space, interconnecting greenways and wildlife corridors that include (multi-use and) equestrian trails around new developments.  The Highland Township officials voted in December of 2002 to support Michigan’s first equestrian conservancy mission.  The goal is for Highland Township to create a unique identity and to become a unique destination in Michigan.   An economic impact survey has been completed with noteworthy results.  One quarter of the township is made up of state land, Highland Recreation Area.  Highland’s downtown area sits immediately adjoining the 6,000 acre park with 12 miles of horse trails and an overnight camping facility for horses.  This offers some exceptional opportunities because Livingston Road leads directly from the heart of the park to the saddlery and feed store in the new-to-be-restored downtown.  Plans are currently underway to include hitching posts and a stabling facility that will allow riders to literally ride into the horse-friendly town where plans are underway for new restaurants and shopping.  The Highland Equestrian Conservancy has already been successful in establishing two new greenways in Highland with equestrian trails around new subdivision developments.  The HEC is currently working on two more locations with a hope that multi-use and equestrian trails will create a linking network, allowing safe passage for equestrians and pedestrians and lead to the revitalized DDA (downtown development authority) district.   The “Highland Model” is now a recognized plan, a strategy for preserving the rural character of developing townships.  With planning, we can leave a legacy of horses and greenways for future generations to enjoy what we take for granted today!  For information, contact Sharon Greene of the Highland Equestrian Conservancy at 248.887.3970 or visit our website at www.highlandequestrians.org .

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