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The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy has helped to establish 17 nature preserves in southeast Michigan.
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Volunteers take a moment to pose at a Conservancy Farm work day - by Chris Fielding
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 In February 2010, The Carls Foundation awarded SMLC a $150,000 2 year challenge grant. If SMLC can raise $75,000 by 12-31-10, The Carls Foundation will match that dollar-for-dollar. You can help!
Every dollar southeast Michigan residents, corporations, and foundations donate to SMLC prior to the end of the year counts towards our "We Care" campaign and helps us secure this matching grant.
Please do your part to help protect local nature by giving to SMLC today.
Click here to read SMLC's Spring Appeal Letter
Click here to make a secure online donation
Click here to read the Spring issue of the SMLC newsletter Landmarks.
Photo by Charles Scott
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SMLC recently completed our 2009 Conservation Easement monitoring and evaluation process. Letters and monitoring reports have been sent out to all landowners with SMLC-held easements on their property. SMLC helps landowners keep compliant with their easements by annually reviewing their properties and letting them know if the easement terms are being upheld. Since conservation easements are of benefit to wildlife and the general public, SMLC's involvement ensures permanent quality protection.
If you are interested in exploring a conservation easement on your property, please contact Jack R. Smiley, Director of Land Protection.
Swallowtail butterfly photo by Chris Fielding |
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Many Thanks to the volunteers came out to help free SMLC preserves of garlic mustard this spring. All together, volunteers pulled 72 thirty-gallon bags of garlic mustard from 3 preserves!
SMLC is competing with other groups to win the Stewardship Network's state-wide Garlic Mustard Challenge contest.
While pulling season is over, there is still some time to scout the preserves to look for new garlic mustard infestations. For more information on how you can help please contact Scott Tyrrell, Stewardship Coordinator.
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Good News! Since 2006 members of the Monroe County Land Conservancy, a local division of Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, have been involved in a large conservation project that is located in the heart of the city of Monroe, the Academy Preserve project. This project seeks to conserve 127 acres of natural areas, farmland, and open space including valuable river frontage for use as a public nature preserve and education center. The property is currently owned by the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM). The IHM Sisters have agreed to work with the Friends of the Academy Preserve and the property would be held by the County of Monroe once the project is completed.
In December 2008, the Friends of the Academy Preserve secured the second part of a Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund Grant. This grant totals $2.2 million and covers 75% of the purchase price of the land. The Friends continue to work hard to raise the required 25% matching funds needed for the purchase. Current project work includes a land survey and two separate land appraisals, which are requirements of the State grant. When these items are complete purchase negotiations with the IHM Sisters can begin.
Gifts in support of the Academy Preserve project can be given to either the Community Foundation of Monroe County (734-242-1976) which has set up a project fund or to SMLC which will pass on the gift to the project fund.
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New events are 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 oportunities, please contact
Wendy Pellerito at wpellerito@SMLCland.org |
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07/31/10 |
| Saturday, July 31 at
11:00a.m. - 1:00p.m. |
| LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve, 2376 N Prospect Road, Superior Township, MI 48198 (parking area is on Prospect Road between Geddes and Vreeland Roads - a couple miles north of Ypsilanti) |
| Come help keep invasive woody plants like buckthorn and autumn olive from taking over this very nice meadow. Lots of helpers will mean we can keep this special open space habitat rich in wildflowers and grassland birds. We'll have gloves, loppers and cold drinking water available or bring your own. Shrubs will be small and relatively easy to cut. All ages and skill levels welcome. Long sleeve shirt, long pants, and closed-toe shoes recommended. All ages and skill levels welcome. Contact Scott Tyrrell (styrrell@SMLCland.org / 734.484.6565). |
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08/21/10 |
| Saturday, August 21 at
7:00pm - 11:30pm |
| 2252 N Prospect Road, Ypsilanti, MI 48198 (entrance to campfire site is on Prospect Road half way between Geddes and Vreeland Roads in Superior Township) |
| All are welcome to join SMLC friends for a summer campfire at the LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve just north of Ypsilanti. Enjoy the sights and sounds of an August night on the preserve. The campfire will be lit at dusk but the gate will open by 7 pm, so feel free to show up early to walk the trails. There is no charge but donations to support the work of the Conservancy will be gladly accepted. Bring friends, family, blankets, chairs, and campfire refreshments -- please, no pets. Contributing locally cut firewood is helpful and appreciated. Contact Scott Tyrrell (styrrell@SMLCland.org / 734.484.6565). |
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09/12/10 |
| Sunday, September 12 at
1:00pm - 5:00pm |
| Conservancy Farm, 8383 Vreeland Road, Superior Township, MI 48198 |
| Pot luck and barbecue: We'll provide hot dogs, brats, veggie dogs, and soft drinks for everyone. Feel free to bring a favorite dish to pass or something to put on the grill. Please bring your own place setting to reduce waste. This event is open to everyone - bring your friends and family. Donations to support the Conservancy will be accepted. RSVP to Wendy Pellerito by Sept. 11th (wpellerito@SMLCland.org / 734.484.6565) |
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Map to Conservancy Farm (8383 Vreeland Rd., Superior Twp., MI 48198) click here
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