Together we protected 1,143 beautiful and ecologically significant acres in 2008, bringing our total acres preserved to 7,279, one of our biggest years ever in land protection! Thanks to our 3,296 donors, hundreds of volunteers and caring landowners. It was a record-breaking year for conservation easements. Twelve thoughtful and committed landowners permanently protected a total of 914 acres in seven townships. Our natural areas increased by 178 acres, enhancing those public places for both wildlife and the humans who visit. In September, the Leelanau Conservancy was among the first group of land trusts to recieve national accreditation.

2008 Highlights by Township

Bingham

A sweeping valley and wetland complex in the Lake Leelanau Watershed is protected under a 60-acre purchased conservation easement

A 29-acre vineyard visible from the Leelanau Trail and Co. Rd 633 is forever preserved through a donated conservation easement

Centerville

Important wetlands and groundwater springs that give rise to a branch of Rice Creek, a Type 1 trout stream, protected by purchase of a conservation easement on 40 acres off Mikowski Road

35 acres with a long history of productive farming and visible from Co. Rd 651 was preserved through a donated conservation easement

Empire

Nearly a mile of frontage on M-72 and one of the most scenic vistas near Empire has been forever protected by a purchase of a 286-acre conservation easement

Stunning views of the Empire Valley and Lake Michigan will forever be available for farming and can pass on to the next generation with the protection of 158 acres through a purchase of development rights

Glen Arbor

Crystal River lovers rejoice when a large portion of the long peninsula that stretches to Glen Arbor containing 2,446 feet of Crystal River shoreline and 6.5 acres are forever protected through a purchased conservation easement

22 acres of rare dune and swale wetland and high quality lowland forest adjacent to the National Lakeshore preserved through a donated conservation easement

Leland

The preservation of a century-old 80-acre farm in Leland Township protects a treasured landscape and wetlands important to the health of Houdek Creek and Lake Leelanau through a purchased conservation easement

Leelanau

Our Soper Preserve, home to hundreds of showy lady slippers, doubled in size with the purchase of 38 acres that contains the headwaters of Northport Creek

Kehl Lake Natural Area is enhanced by a 131-acre conservation easement adjacent to the Natural Area.

Conservancy transfers 51 acres and 1,400 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline to the Leelanau State Park, ensuring that this important habitat for migrating birds is forever protected

Freeland Creek and our nearby Frazier Freeland Preserve near Omena is enhanced with a donated conservation easement on 37 adjacent acres

The Jeff Lamont Preserve, containing 40 acres near Kehl Lake, becomes a reality and a dedication is held

Charter Bird Sanctuary completes third phase of donated conservation easement that forever protects 26 acres of ideal bird habitat

Solon

The purchase of 100 acres of forest and wetland that straddles the Cedar River gives the public direct access to 275 acres of adjacent state forest that was previously inaccessible by foot