The staff and board of the Leelanau Conservancy have a lot to celebrate as the year comes to a close.

This year’s land protection projects total 509 acres protected. Nearly 5,500 acres and 10 miles of shoreline have been permanently protected since the Conservancy opened its doors in 1988. Among this year’s highlights:

On December 6, 2006 the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund awarded just over $2 million for the purchase of 51 acres and 1,400 feet of natural, undeveloped shoreline at the Tip of the Peninsula that is adjacent to and will be added to the Leelanau State Park. The Conservancy wrote the Trust Fund grant and holds the option on this land and will transfer and assist in this important purchase. “This is one of four larger parcels at the Tip that we’ve always felt were critical to this part of Leelanau – lands that provide important habitat and a flyway for our migrating birds,” says Director Brian Price. Two years ago, the Conservancy also protected the 42-acre Lighthouse West property, which is just across from this newest parcel. In addition, the Conservancy has also protected through conservation easements private lands nearby that are part of a wildlife corridor. North of the village of Northport, the Leelanau Conservancy has protected a total of 625 acres including the newest acquisition for the state park, lands at Cathead Bay, Kehl Lake Natural Area, Finton Natural Area and Lighthouse West.

An important 20 acre property in the Hatlem Creek area of Glen Lake was protected via conservation easement just before year end. “This land is particularly critical to the health of Glen Lake and we’ve been very interested in seeing it protected for years,” says land protection specialist Matt Heiman. “There is a hillside with many delicate springs seeping out of it every 100 feet or so—water that eventually makes its way into the lake. It’s also part of an area that has the largest known population of Michigan monkey flower, a federally endangered species.” The Hatlem Creek project is the first in an effort to protect land that surrounds Glen Lake and its critical to its health. This effort was launched this year with the help of a $375,000 Clean Michigan Initiative (CMI) grant. (The Conservancy also received CMI funds for Lake Leelanau—see entry below.) The CMI grant, along with matching funds that the Conservancy must raise, helps to purchase conservation easements from private landowners. The grant funds are earmarked for lands around the lake that play an important part in keeping it healthy such as wetlands, stream corridors and upland groundwater recharge areas. (A conservation easement is a legal agreement between a landowner and the Conservancy that permanently limits a property’s uses in order to protect its conservation values.)

Although the Conservancy is still fundraising for its new DeYoung Natural Area, the organization closed on the $2 million property in June. This 145-acre historic farmstead includes nearly a mile of frontage on Cedar Lake. Since then, the Conservancy has put a new roof and porch on the old farmhouse. Over 100 volunteers, including members of Traverse City Youth Corps, helped to clean out and repair the large hay barn, create a beautiful new trail near Cedar Lake and care for the grounds around the house. “Their long hours have really paid off – we now have enchanting spaces to stand in and marvel at the rough-hewn timber frames and architecture of these old working barns,” says Conservancy Development Director Anne Shoup.

Temporary restroom facilities were installed along the TART trail and grants were written and awarded that will fund a water source, bike racks and fishing pier for visitors to DeYoung in 2007. So far the Conservancy has raised $640,000 toward the $2 million purchase price, including grants from Rotary Charities, the Ed and Virginia Ball Foundation, Feather Foundation and the Oleson Foundation totaling $150,000. In addition to partnering with TART trails on amenities to enhance the property, the Conservancy hopes to also work with Wings of Wonder. This non-profit group may use a part of the DeYoung property to rehabilitate and ultimately release injured raptors. The public will be able learn about these birds at special presentations held at DeYoung Natural Area. Plans for an upland cross-country ski trail and the eradication of invasive species are also on the drawing board.

Duck Lake Corner, the junction where M-22 and M-204 intersect near Leland, was forever protected when the Conservancy purchased a conservation easement on 23 acres along the roads there. Over half of Duck Lake’s shoreline will remain a sanctuary for several species of frogs, turtles and waterfowl nesting along the shore.

The Conservancy’s Teichner Preserve doubled in size. Famous newswoman Martha Teichner helped to preserve additional beloved lands of her youth that include 13 acres and 200 feet of natural shoreline and wetlands on Lime Lake. Neighbor Jean Raymond also donated 10 acres between the old Teichner Preserve and the new addition, helping to create this expanded, contiguous 40-acre preserve.

The Conservancy’s ongoing quest to protect the Lake Leelanau Watershed got a big boost when a second Clean Michigan Initiative $447,500 grant was awarded for Lake Leelanau this fall. These funds, along with matching funds raised by the Conservancy, help to purchase conservation easements from private landowners on and around the lake that play an important part in keeping it healthy such as wetlands and forests. (A conservation easement is a legal agreement to protect the natural qualities of land by restricting development.) The Conservancy spent 2006 wrapping up projects from the first CMI grant that had been awarded back in 2003. Total land protected in the watershed through the first grant: 362 acres. The second grant is projected to protect at least an additional 220 acres.

The Conservancy continued work on protecting three farms and signed options to purchase development rights on two other large farms—one along Center Highway near three already protected farms and the other in the Bohemian Valley on scenic Co. Rd. 669. Funding for the two new projects is uncertain given that the farmland millage did not pass and the county commissioners rescinded the Farmland Preservation Ordinance that allows farmers to access state funds. “In the short term, we won’t be able to protect nearly as much farmland as we had hoped to,” says Director Brian Price. “But we will do what we can—including completing the 3 farmland projects we currently have in the works. When those are finished, we will look to the next one. Our goal to protect working farms has not changed. Longer term, we are committed to finding a way to make sure that Leelanau County farmers have an option to preserve their land.”

The Kehl Lake Natural Area near Northport was the focus of a major upgrade this summer. Volunteers built a new upland trail, repaired boardwalks, removed invasive species, planted 600 rescued wildflowers, re-graded the parking area and more.

Over 800 people attended the Conservancy’s Annual Friends Picnic and Silent Auction at the DeYoung Natural Area—the largest turnout ever for this event. Over 100 people or businesses, including famed chef Mario Batali, made a donation to the auction, raising $75,000 for land protection efforts. Local foods were showcased at the picnic, with seven area chefs preparing appetizers using local produce and products.

Director Brian Price, working with members of the Heart of the Lakes Center for Conservation Policy, helped to write groundbreaking legislation that created new tax incentives for landowners wishing to conserve their land through donations of conservation easements. The legislation, championed by Sen. Michele McManus and Rep. David Palsrock, was signed into law by Gov. Granholm on Dec. 2. “We expect these new changes to keep us very busy in the coming year and have high hopes for protecting more critical pieces of what makes Leelanau so unique,” says Price. “One of the new tax laws may sunset at the end of 2007 so we’re working hard to meet with as many landowners as possible in the coming months.”

46 guided hikes were led at Conservancy Natural Areas; over 200 volunteers helped to build trails, lead hikes, work at events and stuff envelopes. Nearly 4,200 people made a donation to one or more Conservancy funds; in 2006 public support (individual donations) topped $1.6 million.

The Leelanau Conservancy was founded in 1988 by a group of dedicated residents concerned about impending development and its impact on the beautiful Leelanau peninsula. Its mission: “To conserve the land, water and scenic character of Leelanau County.” Since its inception, the organization has earned a reputation as one of the premier land trusts in the country. The Conservancy has since protected land and touched lives in each of Leelanau’s eleven townships. The Conservancy accomplishes its goals by means of purchases of gifts of land, conservation easements, water quality monitoring and environmental education.