Trailblazers for SMLC

a Campaign to support local land conservation now

Jack R Smiley Nature Preserve
Photo by Charles Scott

Times are turbulent, environmental giving is trending low, natural areas and semi-wild places face challenges every day. You can Help! SMLC is raising $20,000 in needed funds this summer. Generous donors are incentivizing giving by offering a $10,000 match for all new donor and new money donations received by September 28.

New donors are individuals and organizations who have not given to SMLC in the past year. New money is the amount of this year’s donation from current supporters that is greater than last year’s total gift.

Campaign goals:

1. To help SMLC stay sustainable in 2025 by supporting local land conservation in the midst of turbulent times.
2. To raise awareness about the importance of land conservation and SMLC’s mission.
3. To encourage people to visit SMLC’s nature preserves this summer.
4. To move SMLC forward faster through new donor engagement – tell your friends!

Click here to read the Case for Support and the Donor Story.

How to participate:

• Give a donation and become an SMLC Trailblazer today.
• Connect with your friends and family by sharing the campaign details on social media and visiting an SMLC Nature Preserve together.
• Help Raise Funds by setting up your own fundraising page as part of SMLC’s Givebutter site. See your progress compared to other Trailblazer Team Members.

How to give:

• To donate online, click the links below:

	Givebutter
	Paypal
	Network for Good

• Mail checks payable to "Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy" to SMLC, 8383 Vreeland Rd,Superior Township, MI 48198
• Please note :Trailblazers for SMLC" and make donations by 9/28/2025
• Help SMLC raise funds by creating your own fundraising page here: here

Lost Lake Nature Preserve
Photo by Charles Scott

Examples of what Trailblazers for SMLC support:

• Land Protection: working in partnership with local and state governments, environmental groups, and other conservancies on shared goals increases the pace of local conservation efforts.
• Land Acquisition: a process of identifying lands to conserve, working with willing landowners, investigating feasibility and determining financial capacity, and evaluating readiness to close on selected properties.
• Land Stewardship: includes habitat management and restoration, public trails and amenities upkeep, and buildings and equipment maintenance.
• Community Outreach: includes volunteer engagement, public events and communications (social media, newsletters and this website are a few examples).

Give to SMLC

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 2025 Landmarks newsletter (PDF)

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.

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.