In the early 1970's oil companies took an interest in the land under the sanctuary. They wanted to start testing. The Michigan Audubon Society President in 1975, Robert Bradburn, favored oil drilling. He saw a tremendous income potential for the Society. Among those much opposed to the drilling was Mabelle Isham - later bequeathed land to expand Baker Sanctuary.
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| Hubert Zernickow |
In 1976 Mobil Oil offered MAS a 2 year lease offering $2,000 in rental fees, $18,000 incentive bonus and 1/8 of oil production revenue. The Society also had a new President - Hubert Zernickow. incidentally he died in Jackson, MI Aug 2019 at age 97.
An amendment to prohibit oil testing was rejected by the board who was concerned it would restrict future drilling requests in other sanctuaries. The proposal was submitted to the membership. How did they vote?
By Nov 12, 1976 Mobil Oil gave up. They said they "lost interest" in the plans to drill at Baker.
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