|
|
| Nature Preserve Update - Ice Alert! |
| With all of the freeze-thaw weather we've had lately, LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve parking lot and trail are completely covered in ice. Please remember to use caution this time of year when visiting LeFurge or any of our other open preserves with parking lots or trails: Lost Lake, Conservancy Farm, and Jack R Smiley. |
|
Many Thanks!
|
A special thanks to all of our donors, funders, partners and supporters for all of the gifts you gave to Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy of your time, talents and contributions last year.
We are especially grateful to the following SMLC funders and partners for their continued support and recognition that Conservation is in our Nature:
|
Advanced Disposal
Amazon Smile
Boisvenu & Company
Busch’s, Inc.
Capstone Tax and Financial
Community Foundation of SE MI: Fred G & Stephanie Secrest Fund
Country Garden Club of Northville
Couzens Lansky
DePorre Family Foundation
Domino’s Pizza
Ducks Unlimited
ECT, Inc.
EarthShare (SMLC is a member of this workplace giving federation)
Frederick & Priscilla Smith Charitable Foundation
the James A. and Faith Knight Foundation
Johnson Hill Land Ethics Studio
King & MacGregor Environmental
Kroger Community Rewards
ITC Transmission Co.
Michigan Botanical Foundation
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Michigan Nature Association
PGE (employee matching gifts)
Pittsfield Township Government
Plymouth Orchards
Reynolds Water Conditioning Company
The City of Ann Arbor’s Greenbelt Program
The Green Ribbon Initiative
The Nature Conservancy
Sierra Club – Huron Valley Group
Six Rivers Land Conservancy
Speckhard-Knight Charitable Foundation
Superior Township Government
The Carls Foundation
United Jewish Foundation - Howard & Nina Abrams Philanthropic Fund
US Fish and Wildlife Service – Conservation Partners
Washtenaw Audubon Society
Washtenaw County Natural Areas Preservation Program
Washtenaw Ski Touring Club
| .JPG)
Lupine by Wendy Pellerito |
|
We would also like to express appreciation to all of the renewed and new members of SMLC’s Eco-Logical Leadership Club (ELLC). Thank you for your initiative, generosity, and friendship. Through your leadership, you are demonstrating that sustaining SMLC’s capacity to do the work of our mission is Elevating Local Land Conservation.Thank You!
Finally, to everyone who helped make our 2018 Red Barn Bash a smashing success, thank you, thank you, thank you!
|
We're Hiring for Summer 2019! Stewardship Field Assistant Position Now Open
|
| The Stewardship Field Assistant will work with the Stewardship & Outreach Specialist and volunteers on land stewardship projects and tasks. This person will work primarily in the Superior Greenway in Superior Township, with occasional projects at nature preserves in Oakland, Livingston, and Wayne Counties.
Click here for the full job posting and information on how to apply! |
 Crew Hiking by Taylor Myatt |
|
SMLC's 2018 Red Barn Bash - Thank You! |
|---|
| SMLC extends our deepest appreciation to all of the volunteers, vendors, donors and sponsors who helped make our bi-annual Red Barn Bash a spooktacular success. If you missed the party, you can still champion Conservation with your 2019 gift of support today by clicking here. Hope to see you at the next one in 2020 :)
|
"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 the SMLC "We Care" Campaign.
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:
Click here to read SMLC's
latest
appeal letter (PDF)
Click here to read our Fall 2018 Landmarks newsletter (PDF)
Springhill Nature Preserve, Superior Greenway, Washtenaw County.
Photo by Charles Scott
|
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.
|
Henslow's Sparrow at the Conservancy Farm.
Photo by Andy Dettling. |
 |
|
|
|
 |
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
|
SMLC Stewardship News
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: jmclaughlin@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).
|
|
|
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. |
|
Lots of Downy Woodpeckers make Superior Township their home. Photo by Charles Scott 