For 25 years, volunteers have helped rescue wildflowers and native plants, cultivating community and nurturing biodiversity in Leelanau’s woodlands. Every spring in Leelanau County, a group of dedicated volunteers quietly […]
Category Archives: News
Deer Impact on Forests: Inside Leelanau Conservancy’s Deer Exclosure Experiment
Biodiversity is important for all natural landscapes. Plant and animal wildlife impact each other in various ways, with deer having a particularly powerful effect on plant life. Within Palmer Woods […]
Multigenerational Nelson Farm Permanently Protected
At the tip of the peninsula, Gene and Kathy Garthe’s commitment to land conservation paves the way for continued sustainable agriculture and environmental preservation. Photos by Mark Smith Many of […]
Omena Heights Smith Orchards Permanently Protects 134 Acres
Omena Heights is a picturesque area nestled within Leelanau County, renowned for its natural beauty and panoramic vistas overlooking Grand Traverse Bay. The Smith Orchards are part of the idyllic […]
Letter from our Board President
There is no shortage of tasks on the to-do list at the Leelanau Conservancy. Whether it is collaborating with a trusted partner, deepening our understanding of the natural world through […]
Eighty Acres Adjacent to Villa Marquette Permanently Protected
On a summer day in Omena, you might hear hymns from a boat in the bay. Villa Marquette is a Jesuit property sitting on the shores of Omena Bay where […]
New Trails; New Adventures
Photos by: Mark Smith We’re excited to offer four new trails for you to explore this fall. Whether they’re within a natural area you already love, or a brand new […]
Parker Family Protects 153 Acres of Farmland
By: Brighid Driscoll More than 150 acres of Solon Township farmland was recently protected with a perpetual conservation easement. This project is possible thanks to Wes Parker, his siblings, the […]
Going The Distance
“Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast,” Martin and Stacy Kimpston kept in their heads while training for the 35 Miles for 35 Years Trail Challenge. The Trail Challenge is […]
Letter from our Executive Director
I don’t even remember the season. I just remember walking between them and feeling for the first time that I belonged somewhere.― Stephen Chbosky Do you recall the first time […]