Michigan Conservancies Reach Half Million Acre Mark!
After tallying the numbers from the annual Heart of the Lakes Protected Acres Survey, we are pleased and excited to announce that our members, surpassed an all-time half million acres protected! As of December 31, 2009 our member land conservancies have protected a total of 509,125 acres of natural, scenic and working farms and forest lands throughout Michigan.
February 23, 2010
By Heart of the Lakes
After tallying the numbers from the annual Heart of the Lakes Protected Acres Survey, we are pleased and excited to announce that our members, surpassed an all-time half million acres protected! As of December 31, 2009 our member land conservancies have protected a total of 509,125 acres of natural, scenic and working farms and forest lands throughout Michigan.
“Protecting more than one half million acres is an exciting achievement for Michigan,” said Rachel Kuntzsch, Executive Director of Heart of the Lakes. Heart of the Lakes is a statewide coalition of individuals and organizations dedicated to land conservation, including 27 member land conservancies. “The lands protected by Michigan’s conservancies provide significant public benefit for local communities and for the state.”
Land conservancies are community-based nonprofit organizations that partner with landowners, units of government, and organizations to permanently protect and serve as stewards of Michigan land. Every county of Michigan is home to at least one land conservancy dedicated to protecting its valued land. Land conservancies use non-regulatory tools such as purchase of nature preserves or sanctuaries for use and enjoyment by the public, voluntary legal agreements with landowners called conservation easements, and assistance to communities and the state in their efforts to acquire publicly accessible parks and open space. Projects undertaken by land conservancies are selected because they provide a public benefit such as protecting water quality and wildlife, keeping working farms and forests in production, or supporting community goals for scenic lands and outdoor recreational opportunities.
Kuntzsch added, “The protection of Michigan land and natural resources is not only beneficial for Michigan’s environment, it is absolutely critical for our economy. Combined, Michigan’s land-based industries (agriculture, tourism and forestry) contribute more revenue to Michigan’s economy than any other industry. The protection of the land on which these industries depend is crucial for the future success of Michigan’s economy. Protecting more than one half million acres of Michigan land is a tremendous success for Michigan residents and businesses.”
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Congratulations Michigan land conservancies for reaching this great achievement!
