Heart of the Lakes
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    • Advancing Urban Conservation
A working collection of resources to assist in capacity building and amplifying urban conservation in Michigan. 

Local Voices + Projects

Conservation leaders in Southeast Michigan gathered to discuss regional challenges and successes. 
Heart of the Lakes and Parallel Solutions hosted a session at the mParks Conference & Tradeshow in Lansing to discuss increasing accessibility to natural areas near urban centers and ensuring these centers are welcomed, culturally relevant, designed with environmental conditions and climate impacts in mind, and co-created with the community members for whom these areas will serve should be a priority to ensure the outdoors are enjoyed by everyone, regardless of ZIP code, background or income.
Detroit shares their stories about their work to protect and promote open spaces in populated areas.
Partners: Sigal Hemy, Detroit Parks Coalition and Alex Allen, Chandler Park Conservancy
Muskegon shares their stories about their work to protect and promote open spaces in populated areas. Partners: Pete DeBoer, Community Foundation for Muskegon County and Bob Lukens, Visit Muskegon
Saginaw shares their stories about their work to protect and promote open spaces in populated areas. Partners: Brian Keenan-Lechel, Saginaw County Parks and Rob Brown, First Ward Community Center

Sammy Time Sessions

Megan Motil, Parallel Solutions' Founder and Principal, presents observations and themes from recent one-on-one interviews and small group stakeholder conversations with those working on conservation efforts in populated areas across the state. The session closes with the capacity and tools identified as necessary to advance this work at the individual and organizational levels.
​What is urban conservation? Why does it matter and who benefits? What does it take to make it work? Learn from the experiences of northern Ohio-based Western Reserve Land Conservancy in this 60-minute Sammy Time session. This Sammy Time session was hosted by Heart of the Lakes with support from the C. S. Mott Foundation.​

Research + Presentations

RESEARCH
Outside in 5 - REI
Research and report
on understanding issues around environmental justice and DEI - Dr. Jalonne White-Newsom
Urban Conservation Assessment - Parallel Solutions
​

​PRESENTATIONS
Local partners + programs - Detroit projects
Local partners + programs - Muskegon projects
Local partners + programs - Saginaw projects

Opportunities for Urban Conservation - Western Reserve Land Conservancy

Public Spaces + Private Money - Heart of the Lakes and The Conservation Fund
Urban Parks, Programs + Partnerships - Heart of the Lakes and Parallel Solutions


Out of State Projects

Former construction and demolition debris landfill in Cleveland, OH developed  into a public park. ​
Virtual tour of the Garden of 11 Angels.​ The tragic murder of 11 women in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio between 2007 and 2009 is the sad genesis of this important neighborhood project. ​
Overview of urban programs featuring work and properties in Slavic Village.  ​
Combining all 30,000 vacant and abandoned lots in Cleveland into vibrant spaces. ​
Local community activists, residents, elected officials, business owners, and family members of the 11 Angels were on hand to witness the grand opening of the Garden of Eleven Angels.​
Construction of a gravel bed to temporary home over 70 trees that will be planted around Cleveland.​

Heart of the Lakes strengthens the collective efforts of organizations dedicated to the conservation of Michigan’s environmentally and economically significant land and water. We provide leadership, innovative ideas, and advocate for smart public policy for the benefit of our communities and for generations to come.
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Heart of the Lakes
PO Box 1128
Bay City, MI  48706
Heart of the Lakes is a statewide organization that concentrates and strengthens the efforts of Michigan’s land conservation community. Founded by Michigan’s land conservancies, Heart of the Lakes does what no individual organization can do on its own-- unites them under the common goal of protecting Michigan’s land. 

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Heart of the Lakes
P.O. Box 1128 Bay City, MI  48706
989-292-3582

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