Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy

Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy news and reports.

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Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy
The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy conserves natural land and open space --
including forests, wetlands, meadows, agricultural lands, and places of scenic beauty --
to provide habitat for wildlife and to enrich the lives of people.

 
 

 


SMLC Current News

2012 Acquisition Success

Pellerito Land Acquisition
Sitting L to R: Mr.Frank Pellerito, Mr. Bill Bowman. Standing: James T. Weiner, SMLC President; Jill Lewis, SMLC Executive Director; Jack Smiley, SMLC Land Protection Committee member; Robert Tetons, WCPARC; Tom Freeman, WCPARC; Richard Kent, WCPARC.
Photo by Scott Broshar
Superior Greenway adds 100.33 acres - Pellerito Land Project Successful!

In April 2012, Lakeside Oakland Development, LLC owned by Frank Pellerito, sold 100.33 acres located in Superior Township to SMLC.  This purchase was made possible by our project partners:  the City of Ann Arbor Greenbelt Program and the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission (WCPARC).  The County purchased the conservation easement on the property.  The property is a special place due to its location in the Superior Greenway, a 2,007 acre wildlife and public recreation corridor.  The Greenway is a partnership project of the organizations listed above and Superior Township. SMLC garnered short-term financing so that we could meet the purchase timeframe.  Now we need your help to raise the funds to complete this purchase. 

Donate to SMLC

  Please specify “Pellerito Project” in the memo line.
To learn more about the purchase and partnership, please click here to see the Press Release (PDF).

Click here to see our 2011 Acquisition Successes.

SMLC on TV

In honor of Earth Day, public television stations recently re-ran a documentary program called "Michigan Land Conservation". The documentary was produced in 2009 by Central Michigan University Public Television (WCMU). You can watch very interesting interviews with people involved in land protection and conservancies (including SMLC!) from around the state. Click here to view the video.

Note that you will need the Quicktime Viewer Plugin which you can get here. Enjoy!


SMLC Honors Representative Dingell

Dingell Award
L to R: Little Forks Conservancy Trustee William Gebo; GTRLC Trustee Bob Marshall; Brian PriceLeelanau Land Conservancy (LLC), Rep. John Dingell, Glen Chown (GTRLC), and LLC Chairman John Erb.
Michigan Representative John D. Dingell was presented with an award from SMLC this past month while Heart of the Lakes (HOL) representatives were in Washington D.C. for a Land Trust Alliance (LTA) policy event. SMLC is a member of HOL and LTA. Glen Chown, HOL Board President and Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (GTRLC) Executive Director, presented the award to Rep. Dingell for his work on the Conservation Easement Tax Incentive.

Give to SMLC in 2012

"Southeast Michigan: a beautiful place where people and nature coexist in healthy, sustainable balance."

SMLC's new vision statement expresses how we feel about this special place we call home. Preserving natural areas and farmlands is good for all of us. SMLC is doing our part: 2,739 acres have been protected in this region through our efforts. You too can do your part by giving to the SMLC "We Care" Campaign.

daffodil
Early spring daffodil and hyacinth at the Conservancy Farm. Photo by Scott Tyrrell
To make a safe and secure online donation to SMLC, click here. To download a printable form you can mail to our office along with your personal check made payable to "Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy", click here. 

A big thank you! to everyone who contributed to SMLC in 2011. We more then met The Carls Foundation challenge of raising $75,000 from local donations by 12-31-2011 and will receive their final $75,000 grant payment soon. The Carls Foundation grant is funding SMLC's Land Protection Program.

You can continue the momentum and help SMLC become even stronger:

Click here to read our most recent Appeal Letter. (PDF)

Click here to read our Fall 2011 Landmarks newsletter (PDF)


Kroger Community Rewards



You can support SMLC every time you use
your Kroger Plus Card.
It's easy to sign up!
Click here to link or re-link
your Kroger Plus Card to SMLC
.

 



SMLC Stewardship News

The 2012 Stewardship Season is here and your help is needed!

SMLC needs your help this spring with building a foot bridge and a boardwalk along a nature trail in LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. We also need lots of helping hands to pull garlic mustard in various preserves, too. Keep the momentum of past years going and keep SMLC preserves garlic mustard free! Groups or individuals are welcome to pitch in - please let us know how you would like to help.

LeFurge Volunteers
Volunteers repair bluebird nest boxes at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. Photo by Scott Tyrrell

Click on the SMLC Events Calendar below and let us know how you would like to help with any of these important stewardship projects, call 734.484.6565 or email Scott Tyrrell, SMLC Volunteer Coordinator at styrrell@smlcland.org.

Or sign up through Facebook by clicking here.

Be sure your email address is on the SMLC Events email list to get event notification of upcoming conservancy news, events, and volunteer opportunities. It's easy, just send an email to: info@smlcland.org.

(Note that SMLC never gives or sells personal info to anyone).


 

Local Chapter News

Superior Land Conservancy Superior Land Conservancy

SLC invites you to the 21st annual Spring Has Sprung at Springhill Nature Walk
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Time: 1:15pm - 3:30pm
Location: 3345 Berry Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

See Calendar of Events below for more details.


For more information about SLC, click here.

gray coneflower
Gray-headed Coneflower
photo by Charles Scott

 

SMLC has a Facebook page - check it out and "like" us.

Sign up for SMLC Events, keep up with the latest SMLC news, and hear stories about the benefit of SMLC's work at our new Facebook page.  If you are new to Facebook, signup is free.  If you are already on Facebook, you know what to do - "like" us and see what's new at SMLC.

 
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2012 SMLC Calendar of Events

New events will be added to the calendar as they are scheduled. If you would like e-mail notification of SMLC news and upcoming hikes, tours, campfires, and volunteer opportunities, please contact Wendy Pellerito at wpellerito@smlcland.org
Garlic Mustard Pull at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve
05/23/12
Wednesday, May 23 at 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m.
8253 Geddes Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (1/2 mile east of Prospect Road)
Contact Scott Tyrrell (styrrell@smlcland.org / 734.484.6565).

Garlic Mustard Pull at Kosch Headwaters Preserve
05/20/12
Sunday, May 20 at 10:00am - 12:00pm
3298 N Prospect Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (1/8 mile south of Ford Road)
Superior Land Conservancy, local chapter of SMLC, invite you to spend a couple hours helping maintain the high-quality Blue ash tree woods in this County-owned nature preserve. Pulling over past years has really made a difference - you can continue the success by donating a couple hours of your time so we can keep this woods Garlic Mustard Free! We will have cotton gloves, snacks and cold drinking water available or bring your own. Work will be physically light to moderate. All ages and skill levels welcome. This event held in partnership with Washtenaw County Natural Areas Protection Program. Contact Scott Tyrrell (styrrell@smlcland.org / 734.484.6565).

Garlic Mustard Pull at Bell Creek Nature Preserve
06/06/12
Wednesday, June 6 at 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m.
27630 Terrence, Livonia, MI 48154
Pulling invasive garlic mustard is a great way to enjoy springtime in the woods while helping maintain forest diversity and health. Pulling over past years here has really made a difference - with enough help we can make this wonderful woods Garlic Mustard Free! Your help is needed to continue the progress. We will have cold drinking water, snacks, and cotton gloves available or bring your own. Look for the SMLC sign and park at the above location. All ages and skill levels welcome. Contact Scott Tyrrell (styrrell@smlcland.org / 734.484.6565).


Map to Conservancy Farm (8383 Vreeland Rd., Superior Twp., MI 48198) click here

   

   
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy  |  8383 Vreeland Road, Superior Township, MI 48198  |  (734) 484-6565
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