Support Our Work
There are many ways to help the Leelanau Conservancy in its day to day mission of protecting the land, water and scenic character of Leelanau County. You can make an unrestricted general donation that will be used where it is most needed at the time it is given. Realizing that everyone has a special area of interest, we have also created a number of “Ways to Give.” If you are interested in seeing all of our needs and current projects that are in need of funding, you may peruse the information below, or simply hit the donate button now.
We are always interested in hearing from our donors, and we place a high value on transparency and honoring donor intent. We welcome you to view our Privacy Policy and Financials pages. Thank you for supporting our work!
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Join/Renew Membership
Membership donations are critical to the success of the Leelanau Conservancy. Members fund 70% of our operating budget, helping to pay for our talented staff who negotiate land deals, monitor and maintain our Natural Areas and conservation easements, write the grants that double or triple land protection donations, and work with our volunteers who provide [...]
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Use Where Most Needed at Time Donation is Given
There are many ways to help the Leelanau Conservancy in its day to day mission of protecting the land, water and scenic character of Leelanau County. Realizing that everyone has a special area of interest, we have created a number of “Ways to Give.” We are always interested in hearing from our donors and want to [...]
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Land Protection Fund
You love the whole of Leelanau, and want to see the best parts preserved. This fund gives us the flexibility and the wherewithal to save the lands we deem most critically in need of protection NOW. In today’s overheated real estate market, this ready source of funds allows us to move quickly to seize conservation [...]
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Clay Cliffs Natural Area Fund
The Conservancy is working in partnership with Leland Township to purchase a spectacular piece of property two miles north of the village known as the “Clay Cliffs.” The 104.5-acre property is sandwiched between Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan. It features sweeping views of both lakes, and 1,700 feet of frontage on each lake. In addition [...]
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The Richard O. Ristine Heritage Society
The Heritage Society recognizes donors who have shared in the mission of the Leelanau Conservancy by making a gift through a will, bequest, trust, annuity, insurance or other planned or deferred gift. Over 100 individuals and couples have notified the Conservancy that they have made such a commitment. The Society is named after Richard O. [...]
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Memorial or Honorarium Gifts
Many people like to make a donation to the Leelanau Conservancy in memory or in honor of someone. Some people make donations to celebrate an event, such as a wedding, retirement, birthday or birth of a child. The reasons to give are limited only by your imagination! We recognize each gift in honor or memory [...]
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Leelanau Preservers: A Gift That Lasts Forever
When you give a gift through the Leelanau Conservancy Preservers Program, you can preserve land in a child’s name, and instill in them at an early age that they have a stake in what Leelanau is to become. You can also give a gift to friends or family who live far away, but have Leelanau [...]
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Sustainers Circle
Consider joining the Sustainers Circle… This crucial group pledges a minimum annual gift of $500 to support the operations of The Conservancy, ensuring that the long-term goals of conserving Leelanau’s land and water resources can be met. Knowing that the Sustainer support is there on an annual basis has allowed us to hire bright, passionate, [...]
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Stewardship Fund
When you visit a Conservancy Natural Area, you might not think of all that has happened to make your hike enjoyable and safe. There is a lot that goes in to creating and maintaining trails, information kiosks, viewing platforms and access areas. In addition, we have a duty to restore, protect and maintain lands for [...]
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Community Farmland Fund
Agriculture is an important part of Leelanau County’s landscape, economy and cultural heritage. Farms and farmland contribute to the scenic beauty and rural character that make Leelanau such a desirable place to live and visit. A growing population (Leelanau experienced a 28 percent growth between 1990 and 2000) and a housing boom (2,400 new homes [...]
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Tip of the Peninsula Fund
The tip of the Leelanau Peninsula presents a landscape unlike any other in the region. Here, the bedrock lies just inches below the surface and the influence of Lake Michigan and Grand Traverse Bay is pervasive, affecting climate, vegetation patterns, and wildlife. Historic lake levels have shaped the dune and bluff features of the land [...]
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Lake Leelanau Watershed Initiative Fund
In 2004 we began something called the Lake Leelanau Watershed Initiative (LLWI). In a nutshell: Working to ensure the health of Lake Leelanau by protecting the surrounding land and encouraging good stewardship. We had the help of some generous state grants, which we enhanced through private fundraising and have been able to protect critical areas [...]
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Leland Fund
Established in February, 1994, in memory of Bill and Sally Hall, this fund is used for land preservation projects in Leland Township. Special emphasis is placed on projects which challenge the local community to raise matching funds. To date, timely contributions from this fund have matched grants and many private donations to complete projects including [...]
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Glen Lake/Crystal River Fund
The Glen Lake/Crystal River area is blessed with the majestic Sleeping Bear Dunes to the west, high water quality and hardwood forests along its ridgelines. This area is indeed one of the most beautiful and pure parts of the county, the state and undoubtedly our country as a whole. The overall health of the Glen [...]
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Omena Fund
It’s a true statement to say that few communities have gone to the lengths that Omena has to protect its natural and historical features and small town charm. Over the years, different groups have formed to preserve a cherry farm and several historic structures including the social hub of this small berg – the post [...]
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Watershed Council Fund
The Leelanau Watershed Council was established in the summer of 1989 as a working partnership between the four major lake associations in Leelanau County, the Conservation District and the Leelanau Conservancy. The water resources of our county are a public treasure demanding judicial stewardship and leadership that is representative and sensitive to the concerns of [...]
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Endowment Fund
Gifts made to the Endowment Fund have a lasting impact. All memorial and honorarium gifts are directed toward our Endowment Fund. To that end, your gift helps to put a layer of stability under the Conservancy, and ensure its strong and lasting future. Interest income from our Endowment Fund is used for ongoing Conservancy expenses [...]
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Adopt a Natural Area
There are many stewardship costs associated with maintaining our Natural Areas. Your contribution would be used for trail and kiosk maintenance, restoring native species, signage and all other activities essential to keeping our natural areas beautiful and pristine for generations to come. Those who donate a minimum of $5,000 to an “Adopt a Natural Area” [...]
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Intern Fund
When Founder Bobbie Collins retired from our board in fall, 2006, co-founder and husband Ed suggested we create an Intern Fund in her honor. It was just one of a hundred visionary ideas to come from the Collins. Since then, and because of the generosity of many donors to the Barbara Collins Intern Fund, we’ve [...]
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Conservancy Wine
Every bottle sold raises funds for farmland preservation. Think hostess gift, employee gift, the mailman, neighbors…Leelanau vintners interested in being a part of this program are welcome to contact the Conservancy to learn how this program can benefit your winery: 256-9665. Choose from: L. Mawby’s Extra-dry Sparkling Wine. ‘Candied fruit aromas… moderately full-bodied… classy, lingering [...]
25 Years: Celebrating Our Living Legacy