The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy is seeking two seasonal part-time Stewardship Interns to assist stewardship and land protection efforts including trail development, invasive species management, assisting volunteer workforce and general tasks associated with the conservancies preserves and land protection projects. The seasonal position operates from May to September 2021. Full job description and how to apply here. Deadline to apply is March 15, 2021.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is seeking two seasonal (April - November) full-time Field Crew Leaders to oversee field staff and to perform site maintenance and habitat management of their nature preserves and sanctuaries. The position also performs sign management, trail maintenance and construction, recreation infrastructure management and invasive species control.  Full job description and application details here. Deadline to apply is February 24, 2021.

The Little Forks Conservancy is seeking a full-time Executive Director who will serve as the public face of the organization to the community, foundations, and key contributors, and is responsible for building financial and public support for our mission. Review the full job description and application details here. Deadline to apply - April 15, 2021.

The Central Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CM-CISMA) is seeking a full-time Project Coordinator that will be based at the Chippewa Nature Center. This position will develop and deliver educational programming for landowners on the prevention, identification and best management practice for invasive species, expand partnerships with regional and state organizations to work on invasive species issues in the region, and complete tasks and deliverables outlined in the Strategic Plan for the grant year. Full job description and application details here. Deadline to apply - February 28, 2021.

The Leelanau Conservancy is seeking a full-time Communication Specialist to tell the stories of the conservancy, connect with their target audience and maintain the organization's branding. This position will also be responsible for coordinating printed newsletters, contribute to the creation of weekly emails and daily social media posts and transform complex scientific and legal information into compelling and digestible content. Full description and how to apply here. Deadline to apply is February 19, 2021.

The Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy is seeking a full-time Director of Development and Communications to coordinate all membership and fund development activities. This position also oversees organizational communications ensuring a consistent message with our print media, website, and social media platforms while serving as the staff lead for the Communications and Outreach Committee. Full description and application details here. Deadline to apply is February 12, 2021. 

As we eagerly welcome a new year, we take a moment to look back on a year with so many buzz words — Unprecedented. Uncertainty. Challenging. But Heart of the Lakes would like to share a different list of words that can be summed up by the events below — Community. Opportunity. Restlessness. Gratitude.

​In November, Michiganders overwhelming passed Proposal 1 to update and expand the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund so it can continue supporting the places that make Michigan unique – from Great Lakes beaches and public lands to our trails, paths, parks and playgrounds. 

The success was shared with a group of conservation partners, including Heart of the Lakes, who spent countless hours speaking with local and state officials, community foundations, news outlets, media and within our own networks.

Heart of the Lakes and the other partners launched an educational campaign geared towards telling the stories of the projects funded by the MNRTF. protectMI is still actively sharing stories and urging the protection of our public lands. A political campaign was also launched to educate voters on the proposal. 

​When the Stay Home order was enacted, Heart of the Lakes scoured the internet to provide up-to-date resources on federal, state and local policy, business tools, inspiration to keep you active in or outdoors, COVID-19 statistics and responsible and safe outdoor activities during the pandemic. The Adventure Hub was widely used by Michiganders throughout the state (and some outsiders!) to help navigate restrictions and for ways to occupy their time. 

​Newcomers and veteran outdoorists alike were spending more time outside and on public lands over the duration of the year's events. This prompted a national group of conservation-minded folk to develop and share guidelines to promote safe recreation. Heart of the Lakes joined the national Recreate Responsibly coalition early on and later became the champion for the state's coalition. 

​The year of virtual events and zoom calls! Heart of the Lakes was no stranger to the new phenomenon and hosted multiple virtual events including film screenings. In the Spring, Heart of the Lakes held a virtual gathering for our members and supporters to celebrate the passion and purpose that drives Michigan's outdoor culture. Heart of the Lakes was also involved in the screenings of Purple Mountains and The Ground Between Us.

​Heart of the Lakes, in partnership with Six Rivers Land Conservancy and Land of Outsiders, launched the first Outsiders Film Festival this past October. The film festival was held at a drive-in theater in Novi and featured films on outdoor adventure, conservation and family. The film festival is set for an annual appearance in Southeast Michigan!

POSITION FILLED: The Chippewa Nature Center is seeking a full-time Natural Resources Technician to perform the necessary work to properly maintain land-related resources in a safe and secure manner with emphasis on invasive exotic plant removal. Other responsibilities include trails and ground maintenance, land management, safety and security maintenance and program support. Full job description and application details here. Apply by January 29, 2021.

Heart of the Lakes is proud to stand with a diverse group of environmental, conservation, business, labor and community leaders from across the partisan spectrum to endorse Proposal 1 to invest in protecting and expanding access to our natural spaces for future generations.

For decades, the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF) has been protecting our drinking water sources, wildlife habitats and outdoor spaces by receiving oil and gas royalties and directing them towards land acquisition and public recreation projects in all 83 counties across Michigan. However, the MNRTF reached its cap in 2011. These royalties are now directed to the State Park Endowment Fund to fund land acquisition for state parks and maintenance, operations and capital improvements of state parks. But that has a cap too.

This November 3rd, Michigan voters have a historic opportunity to update and expand the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund so that it can continue supporting the places that make Michigan unique – from Great Lakes beaches and public lands to our trails, paths, parks and playgrounds. Best of all, it achieves this as it always has, without tax dollars from Michigan families.

Proposal 1 will protect our water, wildlife & parks by:

• Removing the cap on the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, allowing it to again receive revenues from the royalties on oil, gas, and mining on state-owned land once the SPEF reaches its cap – safeguarding a constitutionally protected revenue source for conservation and recreation for future generations.
• Adding renovation and redevelopment of public recreation facilities as an allowable use of Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund dollars, allowing it to help communities reinvest in their aging recreation infrastructure in addition to creating new facilities.
• Requiring at least 25% of Trust Fund disbursements be made available for development, renovation and redevelopment of public recreation facilities to match the minimum 25% for land acquisition and protection, allowing the flexibility needed to fund and update trails, playgrounds, parks and more in communities across the state, while continuing to prioritize land conservation and protection.

These changes were put on the ballot with unanimous support from the Michigan Legislature and are endorsed by a wide range of environmental, conservation, business, labor and community leaders from across the state. You can learn more about the proposal and the organizations endorsing it at www.miwaterwildlifeparks.com. Join us in voting YES on Proposal 1 to protect Michigan’s water, wildlife & parks on November 3rd or by absentee ballot.

Legacy Land Conservancy is seeking a full-time Easement Stewardship Coordinator to provide oversight and leadership to all facets of Legacy’s conservation easement stewardship program. Primary responsibilities include conservation easement landowner education and engagement; facilitation of annual conservation easement monitoring objectives including coordination of Legacy’s large volunteer photo-monitoring team; and management of conservation easement violations. Deadline to apply is September 28, 2020. For full job description and details to apply here.