Accomplishments

Your support is key to the permanent protection of our most significant resources.  Together we have protected over 33,215 acres of significant natural, scenic and farm lands, and nearly 100 miles of shoreline!    Here are a few highlights:

Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve is our largest conservation project ever!  Arcadia Dunes contains sandy beaches, dunes, forests, grassland and working farms, along with 15 miles of trails for hiking and biking. Check it out!  Arcadia Dunes Trail Map

Old Mission Peninsula land protection includes farmland, natural areas,   

shoreline and even a unique collaboration with the Michigan Historic Preservation Network, a statewide nonprofit organization, which preserved a beautiful 11-acre site on Lake Michigan that holds the historic Bowers Harbor Inn, a beloved local landmark. The project was given the 2008 Historic Preservation Community Award by the Grand Traverse Heritage Center.  Read more here - Bowers Harbor Inn.  Current efforts on Old Mission Peninsula include a critical addition to the Pyatt Lake Natural Area.  Take a video tour of Pyatt Lake Natural Area with Executive Director Glen Chown (video is just over 3 minutes in length).

Community assists - the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has assisted more than a dozen units of government in creating or expanding public natural areas and parks. Since 1991, we have helped secure over $55 million    from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) on behalf of community-led land conservation efforts across our service region.  Most recently, the MNRTF awarded over $3 million in support of the Acme Shoreline Preservation Initiative – another preservation effort that will not only enhance the quality of life for the residents in our region, but will also boost tourism and the local economy.  Read more here (link to updated acme handout [see note below].

Farmland - Agriculture is a critical component of Michigan's, and our local, economy. Our Farmland Preservation Program is vitally important to our economy, our heritage, and our sense of place.  Read more here.
The American Farmland Trust has recognized our work with Peninsula Township in a national publication.  To read the story, click Farmland Preservation Trailblazers.

Support our work: We depend on the support of landowners, individual donors, businesses, foundations, and government to continue to protect significant natural, scenic, and farm lands and provide public access to the natural world in northwest Lower Michigan!