SAGINAW MI, — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service intends to take over the 135-acre former Germania Town and Country Club's golf course, 1 Germania Platz in Saginaw.

Germania ended its 154-year history as one of the oldest private clubs in the country when it closed Dec. 31, 2010.

The Nature Conservancy purchased the golf course and land from 1st State Bank of Saginaw Township in summer 2012, a bank official said. Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge would manage the land.

"This tract will be a tremendous addition to the refuge. The paved cart paths offer ready access to the community for handicapped accessible, wildlife oriented outdoor recreation," said Shiawassee National Refuge Center Manager Steve Kahl.

“Further, this tract is adjacent to the refuge’s Green Point Environmental Learning Center. Consequently, it will significantly enhance environmental education and interpretive activities. The refuge is very grateful to the Nature Conservancy for this opportunity. It is a big win for the refuge, the watershed, and the community."

The land would be converted into a “diversity of native grasses and wildflowers, and be maintained in an open meadow or prairie condition, and managed by the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge," refuge officials said in a news release.

“We are looking for review and comment for public use activities that could occur on this tract, including fishing, wildlife observation and photography, environmental education and interpretation,” Kahl said.

Kahl said a review and comment period gives residents the opportunity to protest or show support for the refuge's plans.

“This isn’t one that we think is going to have a lot of strong opinion on, but we have to go through the process,” Kahl said.

Comments will be accepted until Feb. 22, 2013. Comments can be sent by email to Shiawassee@fws.gov or by mail to Shiawassee NWR, 6975 Mower, Saginaw, MI 48601-9783.

Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority bought the former Germania building for $280,000 in July and renamed it the Albert and Woods Professional Development and Business Center, in honor of two of the authority’s founding board members: Raymond Albert and Robert “Moe” Woods.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats. Additionally, the agency manages the 560 national wildlife refuges and thousands of small wetlands

For information, call 989-777-5930.