The Land Conservancy was interested to learn that there is a local effort to have the Karner blue butterfly designated as the State butterfly. Lori McElrath Eslick, a children's book author and illustrator, learned about this rare and beautiful butterfly while participating in the Land Conservancy’s Preserved! program. Now, she and a group of West Michigan...
By Nick Sanchez, Conservation Easement Stewardship Specialist Trout season starts today, and what better time to recognize the support of our communities and the families who have worked with us to protect almost 12,000 acres of natural land in our eight-county service area. These lands are primarily comprised of family-owned forests under legal protection through conservation agreements, also known as conservation easements. Being land-dwellers ourselves, we...
This year's spring newsletter centers on the topic of health, and the many ways nature supports our health. In the midst of a global pandemic, we are seeing these benefits in a whole new light—and appreciating them more than ever. We talk with a conservation...
Exploring the Harters' peaceful creekside getaway—protected by a conservation easement. Susi Harter prefers to walk off the beaten path. “It’s a very refueling kind of feeling to go out in the woods and just wander around and not have a plan,” she said. That is why she decided...
Dr. West will tell you that exercise is one of the most important preventive measures he can recommend to his patients, but he says it’s one of the hardest things to get them to do. “We all understand that we need to exercise. The problem is,...
David and Diana Morgenstern decided to include the Land Conservancy of West Michigan in their estate after David served as a co-chair for The Highlands Phase One campaign. David and Diana Morgenstern are members of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s “Circle of Oaks” society. They...
Those who are not so inclined to work up a sweat in a humid, fluorescent-lit gym might be happy to know there is an alternative option—and it smells a whole lot better. Land Conservancy supporter Cari Draft is a fitness trainer and the owner of EcoTrek...
My initial letter for this page, written six weeks ago, is now in digital heaven – conceived long before COVID-19 changed the face of our current reality. Ironically, if not prophetically, the theme for this spring’s newsletter – health – was chosen last year, well...
By Alexandra Sixt Spending time in nature is known to have many benefits; most notably the incredibly positive effects it can have on mental wellbeing! In this time of social distancing, a walk outdoors may be even more beneficial as we find ourselves indoors more often...
After retiring from a career in social work, Caroline Clark found she had time to explore new opportunities. One avenue that sparked her interest was becoming a master naturalist through Michigan State University Extension. The program requires prospective naturalists to complete a certain amount of...