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.

Seasonal Preserve and Public Trail Closures

Due to the wet winter and spring weather, three of SMLC's preserves have closures. These closures help ensure: visitor safety, sensitive natural areas thrive during the early growing season, and better trail quality in the future as repeating foot-traffic in wet soil can result in ruts and trail-widening.

Recent Trail Flooding at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. Photo by George Kasdorf

Recent Trail Flooding at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve
Photo by George Kasdorf

  • NEW-LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve: The Preserve is now closed due to unusual and unprecedented flooding on some of the trails. This is for visitor safety and to help with trail integrity. Please do not attempt to use the trails at this time. The preserve will be closed until the waters recede and trail use is safe and not damaging
  • Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve:: A segment of the public trail is closed due to seasonal flooding. If you are heading south from the public entrance, the closure is just south of the first footbridge over the creek until the next footbridge further south. You may still hike the Superior Greenway Nature Trail from either direction and turn around at the closure. Please do not go around it.
  • Sibley Prairie Nature Preserve-West Prairie:: The Preserve is closed due to seasonal due to seasonal flooding, including the public trail. This temporary closure protects the rare and sensitive wetland plants during their early growing season and is in accordance with the State of Michigan EGLE management plan.

SMLC stewardship staff and volunteers thank you for your understanding.

SMLC's Conservation Principles for Land Use

The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) works to conserve natural areas and open space (including farmland) across southeast Michigan. As communities evaluate proposals for new or expanded development - including but not limited to data centers - questions can arise about potential impacts to local lands and waters. The following points summarize SMLC's conservation principles for land use regarding the protection of natural areas, farmland, and open space.

Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve. Photo by Charles Scott

Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve
Photo by Charles Scott

  • SMLC's mission is to conserve natural areas including woods, wetlands and prairies (grasslands) and open space including farmland. We promote the preservation of these invaluable natural and community resources.
  • SMLC encourages thorough evaluation of all real or possible negative impacts to wetlands and waterways, woodlands and grasslands, and agricultural lands. If there are alternate locations that would not impact (or lessen the impact to) these natural and agricultural areas, SMLC encourages land use decisions that promote siting on and development of these alternate locations.
  • SMLC believes that re-use of urban locations including brownfields and former developed sites, rather than development of natural areas and agricultural lands, should be encouraged.
  • SMLC believes that all required federal and state regulatory and local approval processes should be followed; plus, whenever development of a natural area is proposed there should be adequate time afforded to allow for public input and consideration of all relevant information.
  • Additionally, SMLC encourages the review of potential climate change and environmental justice factors when considering site locations.
  • SMLC encourages all landowners to consider land preservation as an option when contemplating the future of your land. Conserving your land is a great way to preserve family legacy, rural or cultural heritage, local natural and agricultural areas.

SMLC is Hiring a Stewardship Field Assistant (Seasonal Intern)

Red Truck Photo Credit C. Scott

Red Truck
Photo by C. Scott

We're hiring a Stewardship Field Assistant for summer 2026! Work is conducted outdoors and is likely to include invasive species removal, sign posting, trail clearing and lawn maintenance. This job is ideal for college students (juniors or seniors) looking for land conservation field work experience and wanting to supplement other part-time work or obtain work experience in this field. Click here for a copy of the job description.

Email your application (a cover letter, resume and two (2) work/academic references) to Alan McTaggart, Stewardship and Outreach Specialist, amctaggart@smlcland.org by Friday, April 8th. However, the position is open until filled. The selected candidate will be notified in May and start work in June. SMLC is an equal opportunity employer.

Give to SMLC

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

SMLC's 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: nearly 3,500 acres have been protected in this region through our efforts. You too can do your part by giving to SMLC.

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 

Click here to read SMLC's latest appeal letter (PDF)

Click here to read our Fall 2025 Landmarks newsletter (PDF)

Yellow Coneflower 3 by Wendy Pellerito

Yellow Coneflower
Photo by Wendy Pellerito


Michigan's Forest to Mi Faucet Initiative

Click here for SMLC's project fact sheet

Forests are the best land use to provide clean drinking water.

  • Permanent vegetation slows water velocity from the sky and along ground
  • Undisturbed soils and leaf layer reduce runoff and erosion
  • Forests regulate timing and magnitude of stream flow
  • Minimal infrastructure and impermeable surfaces
  • Infrequent and small chemical spills
  • Soil and vegetation filter pollutants

What can YOU do to protect Michigan’s forests and drinking water?

Here are a just a few examples: plant trees, grow a garden, advocate for better policy, build a rain garden, buy certified lumber, shop at local farmers markets, and maintain your septic system.

Learn more at Michigan.gov/ForestToMiFaucet

Forest to Mi Faucet is a Michigan Department of Natural Resources program supported by the USDA Forest Service and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. All partners are equal opportunity providers.

Local Chapter News


Superior Township Chapter

The Superior Township Chapter is dedicated to supporting SMLC's conservation efforts in Superior Township.

Click here to read the 2025 Superior Township Chapter Update Newsletter(color PDF).

See the Calendar of Events below for Superior Township Chapter and SMLC events, posted as they are scheduled.

For more information about the Superior Township Chapter, click here or contact Brenda Baker at bakerpartin@aol.com or Bill Secrest at (734) 482-5957

Springhill Nature Preserve. Photo by Luke Tracy

Springhill Nature Preserve. Photo by Luke Tracy