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.
Sibley Prairie Nature Preserve - West Prairie site
West Prairie is located in Brownstown Township, Wayne County on West Road (to find the parking lot when mapping use 26400 West Rd., Brownstown Township, MI 48174 - the trailhead requires travel along West Road for ~150 feet. Stay tuned for exciting news about the relocation of the trailhead and a new footbridge expected later this year.
Superior Greenway Nature Trail – Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve
Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve is located across from Superior Township Hall on Cherry Hill and Prospect roads. Preserve visitors may park at the Township Hall parking lot located at 3040 N. Prospect Rd., Superior Township, MI 48198. Visitors will enjoy a work-in-progress prairie restoration - many thanks to the Superior Township Chapter for leading this effort!
The public trails at both preserves are temporarily closed each spring due to seasonal wetness. Thanks for your patience and enjoy these peaceful beautiful sites!
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
You can continue the momentum and help SMLC become even stronger:
Good News!! SMLC exceeded the goal to raise $75,000 before the end of 2021 for the new public Stewardship Fund. As of this week, SMLC has raised more than $87,500! Thank you to the many supporters who gave to this Campaign and helped realize the dream of funding the Stewardship Program needs. The Carls Foundation will match this with another $75,000 resulting in more than $162,000 in initial seed funding and much needed help for the next 5 years and beyond. This new public fund will help pay for ongoing conservation easement and nature preserve stewardship, and equipment and building repairs and maintenance. Click here if you'd like to learn more.
In September 2021, SMLC held a special Dedication Event to preview the new public Trail, honor the Secrest Family - whom the preserve is named after - and acknowledge the Superior Greenway partners who have worked with SMLC through the years to protect more than 2,700 acres of woods, wetlands, prairies and farmland in Superior Township, Washtenaw County. Click here to read the press release.
Staying Safe when participating in SMLC Events / Activities
SMLC’s Position Statement regarding COVID-19: Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy cares about the health and wellbeing of our communities and visitors. The ongoing COVID-19 health crisis has presented us with challenges to holding our normal events and activities the way we have before. However, we desire to foster fellowship at our current gatherings in as safe a manner as possible. We know that uniting for conservation in the Naturehood requires getting together at times. To facilitate our ongoing commitment to community and individual safety, SMLC is following the CDC recommendations and local, State of Michigan, and federal requirements for all of our public activities. Please refer to specific SMLC event and activity protocols to learn more.
General COVID Event Protocols:
- Plan to wear a mask (masks may be removed while eating/drinking)
- Practice safe health actions such as socially distancing and washing hands
- Please don’t attend if you are sick
Note that the SMLC Farmhouse Office remains closed to the general public for the time being.
Local Chapter News:
Superior
Township
Chapter
The Superior Township Chapter is dedicated to supporting SMLC's conservation efforts in Superior Township.
