Give to Nature and SMLC this Holiday Season
LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve.
Photo by Charles Scott
Calling all nature lovers - help SMLC stay sustainable with your donation today. Your 2025 charitable gift will support local land conservation in the midst of turbulent times and fund public trails, fun outreach events, and an organic garden too. SMLC's goal is to raise $33,000 or more by December 31st and you can help. Click here to read more.
Ways to Give:
- Online:
-
Mail:
- Send a donation check made payable to "Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy" to 8383 Vreeland Rd., Superior Township, MI 48198
Help save local woods, wetlands, prairies and farmland with your donation today! Please make your 2025 gift by December 31st. THANK YOU!
GOOD NEWS!! We achieved our campaign goal thanks to all of you! Your gifts support SMLC and help save, protect, and steward local lands today and in the future.
SMLC is Hiring a Part-time Office Specialist
Conservancy Farm
Photo by Wendy Pellerito
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy is looking to hire an Office Specialist as our current staffperson is retiring. Join our dedicated friendly staff and engage with our committed volunteers and supporters. Work at the historic Conservancy Farm surrounded by nature preserves and beautiful quiet scenery. Help SMLC implement our new strategic plan and support local land conservation through your staff role.
This position requires an Associate's degree in Business or related field and experience in CRM database management and office management. This is a part-time, non-exempt position. Some weekends and nights are required (usually 5-10 per year). For the full job posting click here.
If interested, please email a cover letter, resume, and three (3) references to Jill A. Lewis, Executive Director, jlewis@smlcland.org. The position will be open until filled, however all applications received by January 26, 2026 will be reviewed. No unsolicited phone calls and no mailed applications please. SMLC is an equal opportunity employer.
SMLC is proud to be a recipient of the 2025 Columbia Retail Store Grant Program — a program that supports local land trusts by raising funds through customer donations at Columbia Sportswear retail stores.
Through the Tough Mother Funder charity checkout program, donations made at store checkout in December and January will support SMLC's work to save natural areas and open spaces in southeast Michigan. Shop your local Columbia store (Auburn Hills, Birch Run, Byron Center, and Howell) to support local woods, wetlands, prairie and farmland at the same time!
GOOD NEWS! Due to fantastic results so far, Columbia has extended this opportunity through January 31st – looking for ways to spend Holiday money? Need new gear for this fun Michigan winter? Consider going shopping for outdoor apparel from Columbia 😊
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: more than 3,400 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)
LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve
Photo by Mark Even
Michigan's Forest-to-MiFaucet Initiative
SMLC is one of 20 grant recipients of the Forest to Mi Faucet Initiative administered by the Michigan DNR’s Forest Stewardship Program and funded by the USDA Forest Service / National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.
SMLC's grant work will:
- empower landowners to manage/conserve their woodlands
- contribute our share of the DNR goal to plant 60,000 trees in forest riparian zones, and
- educate the public about how forests contribute to their drinking water quality.
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
See the event calendar below for upcoming tree planting events and other opportunities to help protect the sources of your drinking water!
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
Lots of Downy Woodpeckers make Superior Township their home. Photo by Charles Scott