Spring 2012 Newsletter - Land Conservancy of West Michigan

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Page 8 35 years Land Conservancy of West Michigan Keeping Nature Nearby 2011 Report to Supporters & Friends 2011 was a very successful year for land protection, highlighted by the final transfer of the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area to the City of Saugatuck in December 2011. The Land Conservancy also added five new conservation easements that preserve important habitats on private land, and we made a small addition to our Minnie Skwarek Nature Preserve. Equally important is the continued success of our land stewardship and outreach programs. Protected acreage now stands at 7,985. Membership reached 2,020 households by December 31, 2011 with contributions totaling $345,029. These individuals, families, corporations, and foundations contributed 2,100 hours of their time volunteering. Financial contributions as well as the time and talents devoted to our organization keep nature nearby. Founded in October 1976 as the Natural Areas Conservancy of West Michigan, we celebrated 35 years of land protection in 2011 with the unveiling of a 35th anniversary campaign. Thank you to the many supporters who have increased their financial contributions in honor of our milestone anniversary (page 6). Land Protection Successes In 2011 the Land Conservancy protected 627.5 acres of natural land on private properties. In addition, the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area project was completed (page 3) and land was added to the Minnie Skwarek Nature Preserve. These projects, shown on the map below, protected land in five counties. Outcalt Conservation Easement • 37 acres protected north of Ludington • 5,000 feet on Lincoln River & two tributaries • Woods and fields slope into a wetland • Protects trout fishery Campbell Conservation Easement • 360 acres protected on Otto Township • Located in the White River Watershed • Includes large swamp known as Lidkey Swamp • Large heron rookery protected Lake Michigan Conservation Easement • Protected 26.5 acres • Information to come in our fall 2012 newsletter Mason Lake Oceana Muskegon Ottawa Stewardship Nature Preserves: In 2011 over 570 dedicated volunteers contributed 950 hours toward restoring wildlife habitat and the natural beauty of our preserves. Volunteers were on the front lines in the ongoing battle to reduce the impact of invasive plants at our preserves as well as helping with restoration activities. Our 25 preserve stewards devote their time and knowledge toward monitoring and caring for their adopted preserves. Students from area schools participated in service learning projects at many of our preserves. Restoring pine-oak savannah for the federally endangered Karner Blue butterfly, improving turtle habitat at our prairie fen, and expanding grassland plantings at Saul Lake Bog were among the many projects at our preserves this past year. An eagle scout installed an osprey nesting platform at our Lamberton Lake preserve. A hydrology study was completed at our Lamberton Lake preserve in preparation for a planned restoration project due to begin in spring of 2012 (page 7). Sustain Our Great Lakes: Through a grant from the US Fish and Wildlife Foundation, we worked in partnership with conservation organizations around the state to continue to remove invasive lyme grass, oriental bittersweet, Newaygo Allegan Kent Belke Conservation Easement • 94 acres protected downstream of Scottville • Pere Marquette River & Swan Creek shoreline protected • 8th straight year of Pere Marquette protection for the Land Conservancy Gilmore Conservation Easement • 110 acres protected in Ada Township • Nearly 1.5 miles of Grand River shoreline protected • Near other protected public and private lands (page 1 & 6) • Protects Bald Eagle habitat Minnie Skwarek Nature Preserve • Addition of two acres • Total of 26 acres open to the public • Details on page 3 • 173 acres protected
and Japanese knotweed along the Lake Michigan shoreline. Invasives were removed from 48 public lands and 98 private properties in our service area. This grant was extended into 2012- 2013. Conservation Easements: All of our 72 easements were monitored in 2011. Annual monitoring of these properties, which total 5,670 acres, is a critical component of ensuring the protection of these properties in perpetuity. Community Connections • 23 volunteer events were hosted at our preserves. • Presentations on invasive species were given to groups such as the Muskegon Shorescapers and Earth Partnership for Schools. • Nearly three hundred people joined us at Post Family Farm for our annual membership meeting featuring Dr. Rolf Peterson, who presented on the Wolves and Moose of Isle Royale National Park. • Over 150 community members attended the June 2011 dedication of the Meinert County Park expansion property. • Hikes introduced park visitors to the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area, including a New Year’s Eve hike with 80 guests. • We had a display booth at Newaygo Nationals, the 2011 USCA Canoe & Kayak Championships on the Muskegon River. • We participated in Alcoa’s 60th anniversary event in Whitehall. Partnerships 2011 partners in conservation: • The Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Coastal Management Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, The Conservation Fund, the City of Saugatuck, the Frey Foundation, Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation, Todd & Liz Warnock, the Meijer Foundation, Jim Brooks, and the J.A. Woollam Foundation for work with the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area. • West Michigan Cluster of the Michigan Stewardship Network. • Grant Partnerships: Grand Rapids Community Foundation, Frey Foundation – Increasing the Pace of Conservation; Land Trust Alliance/Heart of the Lakes – Advancing Conservancy Excellence; Michigan DEQ – White River & Crockery Creek Watershed conservation projects; Fremont Area Community Foundation, Herman Miller – Muskegon River Watershed projects; Wolverine World Wide – Rogue River Watershed projects; The Nature Conservancy – Sustain our Great Lakes. • Muskegon River Watershed Assembly, Annis Water Resources Institute, Muskegon County Conservation District, Rogue River Watershed Council, Pere Marquette Watershed Council, Conservation Resource Alliance, Ada Open Space Task Force, and many others. Land Conservancy of West Michigan Sources of Funds (July 2010 - June 2011) Includes Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area & other project related funds Grants & Other Gifts Membership & Contributions Donated Materials & Services Investment Income Expenses (July 2010 - June 2011) $3,476,165 $19,423 $41,830 $103,823 $61,608 $3,233,871 $345,029 Program Services General & Management Fundraising Strengthening the Organization In 2011 the Land Conservancy applied for national land trust accreditation. A pre-application due in August 2011 included basic documents proving our readiness for the 44 page final application submitted in November 2011. The full final application addressed many questions about our policies, procedures and practices and required backup documents to substantiate our answers. We expect a final decision from the accreditation commission in the fall of 2012. In fall 2011 the Land Conservancy’s Board of Directors led a nationwide search for an executive director. By December 2011 the search was near completion. In February 2012 Vaughn Maatman began as the Land Conservancy’s new executive director (pages 2 & 4). Financial Report to Donors The generosity of individuals, families, businesses, and foundations to the Land Conservancy remains the critical element for continuing to meet our mission. A list of 2011 donors can be found on pages 12 and 13 of this newsletter. An audit was prepared by the independent certified public accounting firm of Ferris, Busscher, & Zwiers, PC. The 990 Report to the Internal Revenue Service for fiscal year 2011 can be found on our website. Page 9
Page 1 and 2: View from the Grand River near the
Page 3 and 4: After years of negotiations, planni
Page 5 and 6: Land Conservancy of West Michigan L
Page 7: Lamberton Lake Fen hydrology restor
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Page 13 and 14: Darrell & Debbie Gritter Barbara Gr
Page 15 and 16: 35 years Keeping Nature Nearby •

Spring 2012 Newsletter - Land Conservancy of West Michigan

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