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SMLC is a participating member of SEMIWILD as a Protector.
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SMLC's 2018 Red Barn Bash -
Save the Date and Become a Sponsor
What: SMLC's Red Barn Bash goes to Detroit for our 30th Anniversary! Join SMLC friends as we celebrate Creatures, Costumes and Conservation on the Detroit Riverfront! Our bi-annual Red Barn Bash is always a good time with delicious food, fun entertainment, and a celebration of local conservation accomplishments. You can help SMLC make this year's event a spooktacular success. Please plan to join the party, dressed up in your favorite costume (optional), and invite your friends!
When - Saturday, October 27, 2018; 6 pm - 9:30 pm
Where - DNR Outdoor Adventure Center, Detroit (on the Detroit River, next to Milliken State Park)
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SMLC recently hired two new staff members: Katherine (Kay) Blair and Julie McLaughlin. Kay is the new Office Specialist and Julie is the new Stewardship and Outreach Specialist.
Kay comes to SMLC from Marygrove College and has a Bachelor's of Fine Arts from Wayne State University. Julie recently moved back to Michigan following employment in Montana with The Nature Conservancy. She has a master's degree from the University of Michigan's School of Natural Resources and the Environment.
Please help us welcome both!
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New Staff Members Kay Blair (L), Julie McLaughlin (R)
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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 the SMLC "We Care" Campaign.
To make a safe and
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Springhill Nature Preserve, Superior Greenway, Washtenaw County. Photo by Charles Scott |
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.
You can continue the momentum and help SMLC become even stronger:
Click here to read SMLC's
latest
appeal letter (PDF)
Click here to read our Spring 2018 Landmarks newsletter (PDF)
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Location: Take Holly Road to Evans Road, turn east and travel about 1.5 miles. Look for the Lost Lake Nature Preserve trail entrance and parking area on your left. You'll see a trail map and rules sign a few steps in from the trail entrance. Follow trail markers and please stay on trail. Click here for a map.
Click here to see a LLNP Dedication event handout including trail map.
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Water lilies on Slack Lake at Lost Lake Nature Preserve.
Photo by Charles Scott
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UPDATE: The seasonally closed trails are now OPEN to public access
Location: West Prairie parking area is located on the north side of West Rd. between Beech Daly and Inkster Roads. The trailhead is located along West Road approximately 200 feet east of the parking area.
Click here for a map.
Click here to see a SPNP-WP Dedication event handout including trail map.
UPDATE: The seasonally closed trails are now OPEN to public access
Location: Park at the Townhship Hall located at 3040 North Prospect Road, Superior Township, MI 48198. Look for the trailhead sign on the south side of Cherry Hill Road. This trail is often closed in spring due to flooding, so please check for trail closures before starting your hike. Click here for more info on the Superior Greenway.
Click here to see a SGNT-JRSNP Dedication event handout including trail map.
For more about these places, please see the event calendar or contact us at info@smlcland.org / 734-484-6565.
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Rare Grassland Birds at Conservancy Farm
SMLC has been thrilled to report a number of rare grassland bird species that have taken up residence in the grassland at the Conservancy Farm the past few years. Bobolink, Dickcissel, Eastern Bluebird, Sedge Wren, Savannah Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, and the state-endangered Henslow's Sparrow were seen and heard throughout the breeding season last year. The Bobolinks, Bluebirds, and Savannah Sparrows have returned this year, and we're keeping an eye out for any other species that may still pop up. Over the winter, a few Short-eared Owls took up residence along with the occasional Northern Harrier, and many other raptors can often be seen in the area.
Less than 1% of Michigan's native prairie remains in the state, so we're thrilled to see our management efforts provide these birds with suitable habitat. Historically, the grassland was maintained as a hay field harvested by local farmers. With the arrival of these special birds last year, however, we have postponed mowing of the fields until September to give them a safe haven to finish breeding and increase their populations.
The Conservancy Farm is open for all to enjoy dawn to dusk, so please come out to see these special birds... but hurry, they'll be headed south for the winter before we know it! Stop in the SMLC office to say hi and get some birding tips from staff.
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 Henslow's Sparrow at the Conservancy Farm. Photo by Andy Dettling. |
 Taylor Myatt with Jim and Michelle McIntyre. Photo by Corey Seeman.
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Without our volunteers, we couldn't be successful in land conservation. At our Picnic at the Farm event this past September, we honored some of our most dedicated volunteers. They deserve even more attention, though, so here they are again:
Richard Kent - Jack R. Smiley Legacy Award
Jonathan Trevathan - SMLC Board Appreciation Award
Brenda Baker - Volunteer Appreciation Legacy Award
Carla Bisaro - Volunteer Appreciation Legacy Award
The McIntyre Family - 2016 Volunteers of the Year
George Kasdorf - 2017 Volunteer of the Year |
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Dixboro United Methodist Volunteers did an AWESOME job removing invasive buckthorn at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. Summer is a great time to combat invasive species.
Ask SMLC how you can help. Photo by T. Myatt
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Volunteers help SMLC in many important ways. You can continue the progress of natural community care and restoration! Individuals or groups are welcome to pitch in - please let us know how you would like to help.
If you would like to volunteer with SMLC
call 734.484.6565
or email us: tmyatt@smlcland.org to find out how you can help.
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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The Superior Township Chapter is dedicated to supporting SMLC's conservation efforts in Superior Township.
Click here to read the 2017 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
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 Lots of Downy Woodpeckers make Superior Township their home. Photo by Charles Scott
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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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Superior 
