When you add it all up the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy is now watching over more than 10,400 acres. And more than 1,500 of those were added in the past year, its 20th protecting natural areas and animal habitats.
The organization added property in five counties in 2011 -- three preserves and 12 conservation easements.
SWMLC executive director Peter Ter Louw says it was the land conservancies most successful year ever considering the number of acres protected and in the conservation value and financial value of the land protected.
The land conservancy is currently working on plans for the largest piece donated in 2011. The public offered its views last fall on appropriate ways people could use Pilgrim Haven Natural Area, a gift from the estate of Suzanne Upjohn DeLano Parish. The 26-acre property, with 800 feet of beach frontage along Lake Michigan, features open fields, forest, and a small creek that flows into Lake Michigan just south of South Haven.
Another gift being readied for the public is the KL Avenue Nature Preserve in Oshtemo Township. Once initial work and site assessments are done the 70-acre property will be opened to the public. This rolling oak woodland has diverse topographical features. The property was a gift from Dr. Richard Malott, a professor at Western Michigan University.
Federal and state funding intended to protect Great Lakes water quality helped with the purchase of four of the easement properties.
Today the land conservancy has seven full-time and one part-time staff and 150 active volunteers and is supported by over 1,100 household memberships.
Writer: Kathy Jennings, Second Wave
Source: Peter Ter Louw, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
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