Community Conservation

The Land Conservancy assists local communities and governments in their efforts to create parks and preserve open space. The Land Conservancy works in partnership with these groups by identifying important natural areas, negotiating transactions, writing grants, and coordinating and assisting project fundraising.

Community conservation is a term that has been used in recent years to describe a project that is community-born and protected through group efforts of local citizens. Projects like these are completed only through the passion of local individuals who step up, speak out, and tenaciously work to make sure their beloved places will be protected for those who come after them.

We are grateful for a passionate conservation community in West Michigan that allows an organization like ours to facilitate the most important conservation work we can do–that is, conservation work that you have identified as important. We are excited to grow our community ever bigger, to listen deeper to the conservation needs of West Michigan and to help you protect the places you love.

The following case studies highlight some of our recent community conservation projects:

Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area Case Study

Due to the natural and historic significance, the Land Conservancy partnered with the City of Saugatuck to permanently protect this treasured natural area. In December 2011, Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area transferred to Saugatuck to become a city park.

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Upper Macatawa Natural Area Case Study

In 2005 and 2007, the Land Conservancy helped Ottawa County Department of Parks & Recreation acquire a total of 314 acres along the Macatawa or Black River just east of Zeeland and Interstate I-196 by purchasing conservation easements on the property.

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North Ottawa Dunes Case Study

In 2005, the Land Conservancy worked with the Ottawa County Parks Department and the Grand Haven, Spring Lake, and Ferrysburg communities to protect these 500 acres and turn them into a county park.

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Other Ways We Protect Land

Conservation Easements

Conservation easements provide landowners with a way to permanently preserve their land while maintaining private ownership.

Nature Preserves

The Land Conservancy protects land that it owns and manages as nature preserves throughout West Michigan. These preserves are open to the public and include hiking trails and scenic outlooks.

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