Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Mission Statement

Northern Michigan's landscapes inspire and restore us. They are the vital and irreplaceable heart of our communities, as well as our economic base. The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy's mission is to protect significant natural, scenic, and farm lands---now and for all future generations.

Brief History

In 1991, Rotary Charities of Traverse City determined that protecting natural resources was critical to our region's quality of life and created a steering committee designed to establish a local land trust---the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Since then the Conservancy has worked diligently to protect the important and significant landscapes that make our region special. To date, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and its volunteers and donors have protected over 30,000 acres of land and over 74 miles of lake, stream, and river shoreline.

Goals

Our efforts are focused on conserving critical watersheds (and thereby the water quality of our region); high-quality, productive farm lands; valuable and scenic forests; crucial wetlands and other wildlife habitat and corridors; and Lake Michigan's beautiful and endangered shore and dunes. We protect strategic parcels of land, using state-of-the-art tools to insure the permanent protection of the land.

Volunteer Opportunities

Our many volunteers undertake projects and tasks including, but not limited to, trail building, site clean-up, leading hikes, map making, research, monitoring property, and identifying new lands for protection. Volunteers form the backbone of our mission and we literally could not protect land without their help.

Giving Opportunities

Individuals, foundations and businesses can choose to support specific land protection projects or to sustain the important work of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Flexible giving options include one-time or monthly donations, planned giving, pledges, and gifts of real estate, charitable annuities, and securities. Details are available through our website or by contacting us by phone.

Donate Now!

Fundraising Events

Come see the land the Conservancy has worked diligently to preserve. We offer scheduled hikes as listed on our website and our preserves are also open for use at your leisure.

Biggest Need in 2009

Our success in protecting vital community resources depends on the support of landowners, individual donors, businesses, foundations, and government. Financial support provides the solid foundation the Conservancy needs to do its work--the identification of significant lands, the relationship-building with landowners and farmers, the stewardship of our existing natural areas and preserves, and the monitoring of private conservation easements. These day-to-day activities are the nuts and bolts of providing lasting protection for our most cherished landscapes and natural resources. Critical protection efforts are underway in the Chain of Lakes, the Old Mission Peninsula, the Acme Shoreline, the Lake Michigan Coast, and for farmlands throughout our region.