GIVE!

The Leelanau Conservancy first spoke with farmer Louis DeYoung about purchasing his historic farmstead in 1988. With nearly a mile of frontage on Cedar Lake and beautiful upland forests and streams, we knew how important this property would be to the residents of Elmwood Township and Traverse City. When we were finally able to enter into a purchase agreement at the end of 2005, we had to move quickly… though the DeYoung's granted the Conservancy a generous bargain sale, a number of developers were waiting in the wings! The Conservancy officially purchased the property in May 2006 with the help of local financing. The property is open to the public, but we are actively fundraising to pay off loans on this $2 million project.

Our partner, Elmwood Township, has applied for just over $1 million from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund to support this project. (Thank you, Elmwood!) The Leelanau Conservancy has raised over $681,759 in additional gifts and pledges, thanks to the help of Rose Oudemolen (who left us her house!), the Edmund & Virginia Ball Foundation, the Oleson Foundation, the Dole Family Foundation, the Feather Foundation, Rotary Charities of Traverse City… and MANY, MANY local individuals and families who have given generously to show their support for this project.

Please join them by making a "stop and think" donation to this wonderful project today.

VOLUNTEER!

The Leelanau Conservancy has lots of Work Bees planned to help restore the cedar forest and wetlands at the DeYoung Natural Area. These Work Bees require physically fit folks, who can lift 30 lbs, drag brush and use a brush cutter. Look for "DeYoung Work Bees" here!

Other opportunities to help the Conservancy can be found here.

Please email us or call 231-256-9665 if you'd like to volunteer! We really value your help and would love to meet you.