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Picnic and Accreditation Celebration at the Conservancy Farm - Thank You!!
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The 2024 Picnic at the Farm, held in September, was a lovely event! Participants were treated to good food and fellowship, tours of the historic farm buildings and Conservancy Farm prairie and wetlands restoration, and a “Nature’s Nightlife” presentation from the Leslie Science & Nature Center. During the event we also presented our biennial SMLC Awards – see list below (click here to read the Press Release).
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SMLC's 2024 Award Recipients*
Community Organization Awards: Ducks Unlimited and US Fish & Wildlife Service
(for their help with the Conservancy Farm and Lost Lake Nature Preserve prairie/wetland restorations)
Volunteer of the Year 2023: Joel Geffen (photography)
Volunteer of the Year 2024: George Kasdorf (stewardship)
Volunteer Legacy Award - Members of the Event Planning Committee:
Misty Callies, Heidi Gunther, Allison LaPlatt-Weaver, Michelle McIntyre, and Maria Vicini
Executive Director Legacy Award: Jill A. Lewis
(for 15 years of service through 2023)
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*SMLC’s awards are given out biennially. |
SMLC's Community Organization Awards were presented to staff representatives of Ducks Unlimited and US Fish and Wildlife Service at the 2024 Picnic at the Farm event. Photo by Jim Weiner
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Shawn Severance, SMLC Stewardship Committee Chair, leading the prairie restoration tour at the 2024 Picnic at the Farm event. Photo by Alan McTaggart
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SMLC is Nationally Accredited! |
Lost Lake Nature Preserve—Photo by Charles Scott
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Today, SMLC announced that it has achieved national recognition—joining a network of more than 470 accredited land trusts across the country that have demonstrated their commitment to professional excellence and to maintaining the public's trust in their work. |
“The Land Trust Commission’s accreditation certifies and elevates SMLC’s ongoing work to conserve local woods, wetlands, prairies, and open spaces”, says Jill A. Lewis, SMLC’s Executive Director. “SMLC is helping the planet where we live, work, and recreate, here in Southeast Michigan, and the Commission has recognized our adherence to land trust standards and best practices as part of what we do.”
Click here to read more
After undergoing a rigorous application and submitting extensive documentation, SMLC was awarded accreditation by the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission in February 2024. SMLC has demonstrated that it meets the highest standards for land trusts.
To learn more about land trust accreditation, visit landtrustaccreditation.org.
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Give to SMLC
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"Southeast Michigan: a beautiful place where people and nature
coexist in healthy, sustainable balance."
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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 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:
Click here to read SMLC's latest appeal letter (PDF)
Click here to read our Spring 2024 Landmarks newsletter (PDF)
LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve.
Photo by Mark Even.
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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
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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.
Does your drinking water come from a well, river or lake? Find out at MiDrinkingWater.org
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.
Superior
Township
Chapter
The Superior Township Chapter is dedicated to supporting SMLC's conservation efforts in Superior Township.
Click here to read the 2024 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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