We have good news for the Leelanau Township community and all those who have helped support the acquisition of the Lighthouse West Lake Michigan shoreline property at the Tip of the Peninsula.

In the first week of December 2005, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) met in Lansing and awarded a substantial grant for Lighthouse West: $330,000. In December 2004 they also awarded a $632,000 grant toward this project.

We had originally sought $1.25 million from the Trust Fund to help cover our project cost of $1.89 million, and ultimately have been awarded $962,000. This means that the State is providing more than 50% of the total project costs, and we are grateful. Coupled with the local donations, we have in hand two thirds of the funds needed to finish the purchase. Our budget for completion of the project is as follows:

Project Cost: $1,890.000

Funding Sources: $962,000 (State of Michigan – committed)

Private Donations: $327,000 (received prior to December 2005)

Conservancy Land Acquisition Funds: $260,000

Still need to raise: $350,000

We’re grateful to all who have supported this important project. If we can raise $350,000 in gifts and pledges in the next seven months, this land will be preserved as a critical link in the bird migration route along the Leelanau shoreline, and it will be available to the public forever. We know this can be done, and we need your help.

Please consider a gift or a pledge to help us finish this project.

The tip of the Peninsula is one of the premier migration routes for songbirds and raptors in North America, says birding expert, Kay Charter of Omena. Charter, founder of the organization Saving Birds Thru Habitat, has led hikes at Lighthouse West to educate others and help fundraise for its purchase. “The forest, cobble beach and coastal marsh present on this property are really essential to the survival of these birds,” says Charter. Come spring, some of the birds that use the tip to rest and forage before the arduous journey across the lake are on their way from as far south as Argentina to as far north as the Artic Tundra."The protection of the Lighthouse West property insures that our migrating birds will continue to find the resources this land has always provided,” adds Charter.

To make a donation to help protect land at the tip of the peninsula, click here.