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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.
 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 12-31-11 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)
Winter landscape of LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. Photo by Charles Scott
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SMLC is proud to announce that we protected an additional 240 acres in 2011 through the receipt of two generous conservation easement donations.
In February 2011, Mr. Harold Henry donated a conservation easement over 152 acres on his Livingston County farm. This donation was the culmination of 10 years of work on this project. Mr. Henry's Unadilla Township farm is adjacent to the SMLC 242-acre Morris-Reichert Nature Preserve and the State of Michigan's Lakelands Trail State Park. The farm contains rolling topography with a combination of interesting natural features including a woods, wetlands, meadows and working agricultural lands. Mr. Henry's family has farmed the property since the 1940s, raising beef and dairy cattle and crops for the animals.
In October 2011, Mr. Henry Newnan donated a conservation easement over 88 acres in St. Clair County. This former farm contains a forested wetland area and fallow farm fields that belonged to his mother, Mrs. Edna S. Newnan, a long-time supporter of the Michigan Nature Association. MNA received a land donation from the estate at the same time. SMLC and MNA will work in partnership on this new nature preserve, a wonderful legacy to all the work that Mrs. Newnan did through the years for Michigan land conservation.
These successfully completed land donation projects were made possible by SMLC's generous supporters. Thank You!!
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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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SMLC needs your help this spring with building a foot bridge and a boardwalk along a nature trail in LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. Groups or individuals are welcome to pitch in. Details about these REI sponsored workdays can be found here.
Starting again in April and May, volunteers are needed to search SMLC nature preserves for invasive garlic mustard. We also need lots of helping hands to pull the garlic mustard too. Keep the momentum of past years going and keep SMLC preserves garlic mustard free!
 In summer and fall, our stewardship efforts turn to removing invasive woody plants like buckthorn and autumn olive. In the early fall, we work on removing phragmites.
To sign up and volunteer to help with any of these important stewardship projects, call 734.484.6565 or email Scott Tyrrell, SMLC Volunteer Coordinator at styrrell@smlcland.org.
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).
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Volunteers giving a helping hand at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. You can continue the progress by signing up for volunteer projects.
Photo by Scott Tyrrell
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| 2012 SMLC Calendar of Events |
Thank you to everyone who came out and pulled, picked, mowed, cleaned, or otherwise helped us with SMLC's work in 2011. We couldn't do it without you! Check back for our updated 2012 calendar coming soon.
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 |
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02/18/12 |
| Saturday, February 18 at
1:15pm - 3:30pm |
| Meet at Superior Township Hall, 3040 N. Prospect Road (at the corner of Cherry Hill Road) |
| Walkabout begins at 2:00p.m. - 1 mile south of Township Hall. Button up your overcoat and come on out to enjoy SMLC's 19th annual "Winter Walkabout". Thanks to your help, we'll be celebrating 19 years of protection on what has grown to be a wonderful 424-acre nature preserve. Gather for snacks, warm drinks and socializing with Conservancy friends at the Township Hall. Then we'll drive 1 mile south for a walk through the preserve to look for animal tracks and enjoy the winter landscape. We'll be walking a little over a mile. This event is open to everyone so bring friends and family. Please, no pets. Membership is not required, donations welcome. Make sure to dress for variable winter weather, snow, mud and be mindful that we will be walking for about 1.5 hours. We will leave to go on our walk promptly at 2:00 p.m. In case of inclement weather, alternate walkabout will be Sunday February 19 -- watch email/ website/ facebook or call. Contact Scott Tyrrell (styrrell@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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