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Each year Heart of the Lakes' Board of Directors has the honor of awarding individuals who have gone above and beyond in their volunteerism and leadership for the conservation community. This year we celebrate the Conservation Hero. The Board has selected two individuals from several nominations — congratulations to Jim Lloyd and Sara Woodruff!
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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!

The Outdoor Recreation Advisory Council is modeled on similar efforts in eight other states. The Michigan council will be the first in the Midwest. 

When asked about the connection between outdoor recreation and conservation, Jonathan Jarosz said, "It's simple.  We believe that the precedent exists for the adventurers of today to become the fiercest defenders of wild places tomorrow." 

Jarosz continued, "The common narrative of outdoor recreation and conservation is one of relevancy.  How we address issues of outdoor access, stewardship, and next generation leadership are all key to the future of Michigan's natural resources.  The places we protect, the organizations we support, and the communities we call home — all say something — about who we are, our values, and our passions." ​

Susan Lackey has been appointed Chair of the Board of Directors at Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy.  Lackey is the Executive Director of Legacy Land Conservancy, and brings brings a significant amount of land trust expertise to her new position.

In addition to her position as Executive Director of Legacy, Susan was President of the Washtenaw Development Council and first president of the Ann Arbor IT Zone.  In those positions, she was twice recognized by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation as their economic development partner of the year. She is one of just two people to win both of the Michigan Economic Developers Association awards in lifetime achievement and for further professional education.  

During her tenure with Legacy Land Conservancy, the organization became one of the first in the nation to receive accreditation from the Land Trust Alliance Accreditation Commission, a third party organization that evaluates professional and technical best practice in the conservation community.  Over the past 10 years, Legacy has increased its conservation holdings by 230%, through creative partnerships with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation, Dahlem Conservancy, Raisin Valley Land Trust, Huron River Watershed Council and others.  


Susan resides in Chelsea, on the edge of the Waterloo Recreation Area, with her husband, Steve Daut, and dog, Chili.

Heart of the Lakes is pleased to announce that its member land conservancies are protecting 588,000 acres of natural, scenic and working farms and forest lands in Michigan.   Based on data collected from 27 organizations in its annual Protected Lands Survey, the total cumulative acreage reflects an increase slightly less than 10,000 acres since the last survey conducted at this time in 2013.

“These protected lands support a wide variety of critical conservation purposes, including improved water quality, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, local foods and healthy forests, “ said Jonathan Jarosz, Heart of the Lakes’ Executive Director.  “Moreover they contribute to the economic vitality of our communities and regions, creating exceptional places to live and work.”

Heart of the Lakes Center for Land Conservation Policy, a statewide support organization serving Michigan's nonprofit land conservancies since 2004, has announced the selection of Jonathan Jarosz as its new executive director. Jarosz will fill the vacancy created by Rachel Kuntzsch's departure in September of 2012. Julie Stoneman, who has been serving as Interim Director will continue to play a key role in the Heart of the Lakes Advancing Conservancy Excellence (ACE) program. Jarosz's appointment was made after a national search and selection process. He begins his new position April 1. 

No stranger to Michigan's land conservancies, Jonathan Jarosz has worked as a conservation planner and consultant to non-profits throughout Michigan for the past fifteen years. Jonathan earned his graduate degree in Resource Development from Michigan State University; and holds graduate certificates in Watershed Management and Geographic Information Systems. Prior to joining Heart of the Lakes, Jarosz was employed as the Director for University Outreach at the University of Michigan-Flint. Jarosz has also served as the Midwest Field Representative for the Land Trust Alliance and as a conservation planner on behalf of The Little Forks Conservancy in Midland, MI. 

Jarosz has had the opportunity to work in collaboration with staff from national non-profits, state, and federal agencies on a variety of community and non-profit based conservation initiatives. His focus has primarily been organizational capacity building in the areas of technology, strategic planning, and public engagement. Through all of his employment experiences his work has been focused on the development of collaborative solutions to community issues, with the dual purpose of public empowerment and capacity building for environmental and place-based organizations. 

"We are very pleased and excited to announce this appointment," reported Tom Bailey, Heart of the Lakes Board Chair and Executive Director of the Little Traverse Conservancy. "Jonathan will bring leadership and creativity to Heart of the Lake's programs and a deep sense of commitment to our state's land conservancies. He has served nonprofits at a variety of program and leadership level, and has a breadth of perspective and experience as related to our state's natural resources."

"I look forward to continuing to serve and partner with Michigan's land conservancies in this new capacity," remarked Jarosz. "I am dedicated to this work because it provides critical services tied to the health and economy of the state. Heart of the Lakes plays a key role in supporting and developing conservancies' contribution to our state's quality of life." 

Jarosz also commented "The sustainability of Michigan's land conservancies is built on a culture of conservation that is fueled by people's desire to preserve the open spaces and natural resources that characterize their communities around the state. The future success of Michigan's land conservancies will ultimately be judged by how effectively they unite their individual actions around a common goal - protecting Michigan's land." 

Bailey added: "Now more than ever, Michigan needs thoughtful leadership, innovative ideas, and sound management of our environmentally and economically significant natural resources. Michigan needs effective land conservancies to ensure the permanent protection of critical land assets. Heart of the Lakes is positioned to meet those needs, ensuring a prosperous future for Michigan."