Headquartered in Grand Ledge, the
Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy (Heart of the Lakes) member land conservancies have permanently protected 509,125 acres of natural, scenic and working farms and forest lands throughout Michigan.
“This is an exciting achievement and major milestone for Michigan,” says Rachel Kuntzsch, the group's executive director. “The lands protected by Michigan’s conservancies provide significant public benefit for local communities and for the state.”
Heart of the Lakes is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to land conservation, with 27 land conservancies across the state. Projects undertaken by land conservancies are selected because they provide a public benefit such as protecting water quality and wildlife, keeping working farms and forests in production or supporting community goals for scenic lands and outdoor recreational opportunities.
“The protection of Michigan land and natural resources is not only beneficial for Michigan’s environment, it is absolutely critical for our economy," adds Kuntzsch. "Protecting more than one half million acres of Michigan land is a tremendous success for Michigan residents and businesses.”
Source: Abby Brengle, Heart of the Lakes
Writer: Suban Nur Cooley
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