A Livingston County family whose land has remained intact for more than two centuries is being recognized for turning long-term stewardship into a modern-day model for conservation.
Jonathan and Jennifer Prince of Groveland were presented the 2026 Earth Day Award this week by the Livingston County Environmental Management Council, an annual honor given to those who go above and beyond to protect and improve the local environment.
The award was presented during the Livingston County Board of Supervisors’ regular meeting, where EMC Chairman Alexander Pierce cited the family’s ongoing commitment to preserving their 175-acre homestead — a mix of farmland, wetlands, streams and woodlands — as a key factor in the recognition.
The property, which has remained a contiguous parcel for more than 200 years, is also protected under a conservation easement established in 1999 through the Genesee Valley Conservancy. That easement safeguards open space and scenic views while helping protect the Genesee River watershed.
When the Princes acquired the property in 2014, they assumed responsibility for maintaining those protections, continuing a legacy of land stewardship tied to both agriculture and environmental preservation.
Jennifer Prince said the recognition reflects more than just her family’s work, pointing instead to a broader philosophy rooted in everyday action.
She described conservation as something that starts at the household level, emphasizing that meaningful environmental progress doesn’t rely solely on large-scale policy or institutional efforts, but also on consistent, small decisions made over time.
The Environmental Management Council serves in an advisory role to the Livingston County Board of Supervisors on issues affecting environmental quality, and presents the Earth Day Award annually to highlight local contributions to conservation and sustainability.
County officials said the Prince family’s efforts stand out not only for their scale, but for their continuity — maintaining both the ecological and historical integrity of a property that has shaped the landscape for generations.
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