Former Mayor Hopes to Develop 250-acre Nature Center in Inver Grove Heights

Vance Grannis isn’t one to wax poetic about the beauty of his 40-acre property along the Marcott Lakes chain in Inver Grove Heights.

But it’s easy to see why the longtime Inver Grove resident feels a close connection the rolling wooded hills and pristine lake outside his back window — property that Grannis’ family has owned for four generations.

Farmhouses, fields and cabins dot the landscape. In the afternoon, flocks of wild turkeys meander across Grannis’ yard, on their way to roost in the woods. The largest of the Marcott Lakes — adjacent to Grannis property — is spring-fed with water clarity to a depth of 20 ft. or more, which makes it among cleanest lakes in Dakota County and the metro area.

Grannis, who raised wild ducks and pheasants for years in a barn near his home, wants to protect and preserve the land, which is why he is working with his neighbors, local legislators and Dakota County officials to establish a 250-acre nature center around his property.

Under his plans, the Darvan Nature Center, as it is known, would become an outdoor classroom — a place for students and adults to learn basic outdoors skills and become familiar with nature. Already, District 39B Rep. Joe Atkins (DFL) and District 39 Sen. Jim Metzen (DFL) have thrown their support behind the plans by issuing in the Minnesota Legislature for funding for the center.

Grannis also applied for funding through Dakota County’s Farmland and Natural Area Program (FNAP) and is looking for funding from several other sources, including the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Metro Greenways program and the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources’ Metro Conservation Corridor program.

Because of its many natural features, the land around the Marcott Lakes has long been considered a “high priority” area for protection, according to Dakota County FNAP Manager Al Singer, who has worked closely with Grannis on the nature center.

The county sought to include the clear, undeveloped lakes into its 200-mile greenway corridor system several years ago, Singer said. But Grannis, who didn’t want to see trails developed through the lake chain, fought the designation, Singer said. Now, Singer and Grannis are working to establish a conservation easement on the 250-acre site, half of which is owned by the Grannis family.

Conservation easements, which effectively prevent further development on a site, also lower the value of the land, Singer said. Lowering the land values would allow the Darvan Nature Center to purchase and consolidate adjacent lots owned by neighbors who have agreed to take part in the project. The county, Singer said, would compensate those involved for the lost land value.

Once the lots are consolidated and a non-profit nature center established, Grannis plans to construct a single “Education Center” facility on a hilltop overlooking the lake. The proposed facility would be constructed to LEED standards using recycled materials and solar and wind energy. Similar to the Dodge Nature Center in Mendota Heights, the Darvan Nature Center would offer a variety of classes, including plant and animal identification, nature photography, camping and even canoe portaging, Grannis said.

Grannis is a believer in "nature deficit disorder" — a term a term popularized by author Richard Louv in his book "Last Child in the Woods." The center and its classes could help metropolitan residents become reacquianted with nature.

Grannis has been in discussions with the Wildlife Rehabilitation Center of Minnesota, Pheasants Forever, Ducks Unlimited and other organizations that may eventually use the facilities in a partnership with the nature center.

“If it ends up getting bulldozed and houses are built there, that’s one thing, but if there’s the chance to try and save it…that would be absolutely unique,” said Inver Grove Heights Mayor George Tourville, who has visited the property and supports the project.

“It’s a very special area that’s worth protecting, and the project that Vance has developed is really multi-dimensional,” Singer said.