Great news! The Leelanau Conservancy is part of a group that will receive $7.9 million to preserve farmland that helps to protect the water quality of northern Michigan. We are grateful to the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians as the lead partner in this endeavor, partnering with the Leelanau Conservancy, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, the Conservation Resource Alliance and a host of conservation partners to apply for the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) grant. RCPP is part of the 2014 Farm Bill and was authored by U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
“With respect to land and watershed conservation efforts, we expect that the Leelanau Conservancy’s share of the RCPP grant will protect between 500 and 800 acres in Leelanau County,” says Director Tom Nelson. “This is fabulous news. It’s a new day for protecting water quality and working farms which are at the epicenter of the region’s economy and quality of life.”
Senator Stabenow made the annoucement in a joint press release last week, adding that the nearly $8 million in public investment will be matched by nearly $8 million in private sector investment to support land and water conservation.
“Our community owes a deep debt of gratitude to Senator Stabenow for her dedication to conservation and her leadership in creating the Regional Conservation Partnership Program in the 2014 Farm Bill,” concludes Nelson. Read Senator Stabenow’s full press release here.
Posted 2-16-2016
