We now have 60 members in our Heritage Society – a special group of people who have named the Leelanau Conservancy in their will or created an estate plan with the Conservancy as a beneficiary.

Meet the newest (and youngest) member of our Heritage Society, Courtney Miller, 28, who moved to Leelanau County six years ago, right after college. “Originally, I was going to move to Chicago,” says Courtney, “but, I decided that what Leelanau had to offer was more in line with what I was looking for in my life. Small community, nature, not a lot of hustle and bustle. I really wanted the kind of lifestyle that living in Leelanau could provide me. Growing up, I spent my summers here, just as my dad did when he was growing up. I played summer softball, and when I was old enough, went to work at Carlson’s. I worked there every summer through college. After I graduated, I moved here, and was lucky enough to stay, find a job as a financial advisor with Merrill Lynch, and buy a house.”

Courtney says she joined the Heritage Society “because I want to make sure that when I am gone I have done my small part to ensure that the things I love about Leelanau will still be around for future generations to enjoy.”

The Heritage Society is just one of the many ways Courtney gives to our organization. She is heading up our Picnic Local Foods Committee and, like last year, will be serving appetizers under the big tent. She has also, for three years, recruited colleagues at Merrill Lynch for Picnic underwriting, raising $2,350 each year in individual, regional and corporate matching funds from Merrill Lynch!

To learn more about the Heritage Society, please call our Director of Charitable Giving, Anne Shoup (231-256-9665) or email her at ashoup@theconservancy.com