Mackenzie Scott was hooked on volunteering with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan from the first time she tried it. Her coworker and friend, a member of Grand Rapids Young Professionals, invited her along to a special event the organization hosted with the Land Conservancy.
LCWM Executive Director Joe Engel will retire in February 2021.
PeggyΒ Falk is a Land Conservancy of West Michigan volunteer and supporter and a member of the Michigan Bluebird Society. She spearheaded a project to install bluebird boxes at The Highlands last fall and monitored them throughout the year.
Norm FergusonΒ has been a volunteer with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan since 2015. HeΒ firstΒ heard about the organization on NPRΒ and got hooked onΒ theΒ regularΒ Second Saturday Workdays.Β βJustin usually gives a rundown of what Michigan used to be like. Itβs fun learning about that stuff, but I also
Enchanted with a rare Lake Michigan lakeshore forest community, Douglas and Gretchen Paprocki devoted themselves to ensuring its permanent preservation. In 1986, Douglas Paprocki and his late wife Gretchen purchased a cottage on the Lake Michigan lakeshore.Β Much like today,Β it was at aΒ timeΒ when waterΒ levels had reached historic
By Alexandra Sixt Itβs summer, which means pool days, backyard barbecues, and . . . bugs! Yes, right around this time of the year, millions of bugs can be seen flying about, typically near flowers, and enjoying the warm summer sun. You may cringe at the
Volunteer Preserve Stewards Jill Henemyer and Dotti Clune share their experience caring for Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve and why they value this rich landscape. It doesnβt take much time at Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve toΒ realize thatΒ itβs aΒ veryΒ special place.Β Dotti Clune and JillΒ Henemyer, who have volunteered
In 2015, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan worked successfully withΒ theΒ localΒ communityΒ to protect Anderson Woods Nature Preserveβ73 acres of beautiful, contiguous forest in Muskegon County. The quiet, serene preserve provides important habitat for migratory birds and wildlife.Β BecauseΒ of theΒ preserveβs gentle terrain, it presented a perfect opportunity to
LCWM Board Member and duneΒ geoecologistΒ Suzanne DeVries-Zimmerman shares her thoughts on one of West Michiganβs most iconic landscapes. Lake Michiganβs scenic sand dunes were a part of Suzanne DeVries-Zimmerman's lifeΒ wellΒ before she was born. Her parents met at a beach party,Β and whenΒ Suzanne's mother was pregnant with her, she
By Alexandra Sixt Though some restrictions related to COVID-19 are lifting here in Michigan, it is still important to practice caution when going to public spaces. Social distancing guidelines recommend that people limit travel and avoid larger crowds, possibly making visits to natural areas less feasible.