Online archive of the Land Trust News:
April 2008
March 2008
February 2008
January 2008

April 2008 Land Trust News

In this issue:
1) Press Conference Friday April 18 at protected farmland, 2pm
2) April Volunteer Opportunities -- Come lend a hand April 26-27
3) Spring Wildflower Workshop May 3
4) Rapid Field Assessment Training May 10
5) Beckwith Nature Preserve Grand Re-Opening May 17
6) The Land Trust in the news - AND making news!
7) The Nature Spot: A hopeful sign of spring

1) Press Conference at protected farmland April 18, 2pm
Join the Land Trust and Sen. Randy Richardville to kick off Michigan Conservation Week at the historic Geddes farm. Location: Historic farmland co-owned by Joan Geddes Rose and Carole Geddes-Engel, 2730 E. Morgan Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. See you there!

2) April volunteer opportunities - Come lend a hand April 26-27
We are looking for a few good men and women to represent the Land Trust at upcoming community events. The more people who learn about land protection, the more land can be saved!
Saturday April 26, 9am-1pm or 12:30-4pm. Earth Day - Chelsea. Could you help with a shift?
Sunday April 27, 11am-2pm or 1:30-4pm. Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival (at Leslie Science & Nature Center). Could you help with the Land Trust's kid-friendly activity?
If you can help with a shift, please contact Suzie at 734-302-5263 or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org. Hope you can help!

3) Spring wildflower workshop May 3
Saturday May 3, 9am-Noon- Identifying Michigan Spring Wildflowers. Back by popular demand! This workshop will begin with a background on plant identification, an introduction to ‘indicator species’, and a discussion of threats to wildflower areas. Then we’ll hit the trail to see what we can find and identify! All workshop attendees will also receive a handy flower identification book to take home. Leader: Catherine Marquardt, Naturalist. Location: Reichert Nature Preserve (you'll receive directions after you register). Cost: $10 for members/ $15 for non-members. SPACES ARE LIMITED AND GOING FAST! To register, visit www.stewardshipnetworkonline.org or call 734-996-3190. See you there!

4) Rapid field assessment training May 10, 10am-4pm
The Huron River Watershed Council is seeking interested people to volunteer for the Bioreserve Project, to help identify the remaining natural areas in our watershed. Volunteers will complete a 4-hour training session that covers the ecology of the watershed, some basic ecological concepts, and details on doing field assessments. You'll then be trained to help with assessments of natural areas in the field! For more information about the bioreserve program, go to www.hrwc.org/text/bioreserve or call 734-769-5123.

5) Beckwith Nature Preserve Grand Re-opening May 17
Saturday May 17, 11am - Beckwith Grand Re-opening! Join us to celebrate the completion of the brand-new (and beautiful!) pedestrian bridge at the Land Trust’s Beckwith Conservancy in Stockbridge. Festivities include a trail hike, ribbon-cutting, bridge walk, and snacks. FREE and open to the public. More information and directions Hope you can join us!

6) The Land Trust in the news - and making news!
The Land Trust has been in the headlines recently. Check out the following articles:
Land protection grows to 7,765 acres in county (from Saturday's Ann Arbor News)

The Land Trust was mentioned in a recent Ann Arbor Business Review column which touched on the importance of local farmland to the availability of fresh, healthy food.

Executive Director Susan Lackey also authored an opinion column in the Business Review.

Meanwhile, we've been making news, too! Our latest newsletter is now available online for download. For photos and stories about a few of the most recently-protected lands in our community, download the newsletter! (pdf format)

BONUS: Here are some brand new stories and maps of protected properties in Washtenaw County!

7) The Nature Spot: A hopeful sign of spring
Through the mud, a patch of lingering dirty snow, and the dead leaves left over from last fall...a delicate blue-purple flower unfurls. Learn more
(Thank you for sending this, Ellie!)

See you outside soon!
The Washtenaw Land Trust Staff,
Susan, Suzie, Mark, and Megan
Thank you for your help in protecting local natural areas and farms!
Washtenaw Land Trust, 1100 N. Main St. Suite 203 Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 734-302-LAND(5263), info@washtenawlandtrust.org, www.washtenawlandtrust.org

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March 2008 Land Trust News

In this issue:
1) Two Drop-In Question & Answer Sessions for Landowners, March 25 & 27
2) Join the green team - Volunteer Ambassador Training March 25
3) Volunteer Party a Great Success!
4) Paid Internship and Volunteer Coordinator Positions Available
5) Land Trusts in the News: NPR's "Shifting Ground" Series
6) The Nature Spot: A tree that tells a story

1) Two Drop-in Q&A Sessions for Landowners, March 25 & 27
Have you ever thought about leaving a legacy for future generations? Curious about the tax incentives and other benefits of land protection? Here’s an opportunity to learn more about how land protection works. Drop by anytime during one of the two sessions below. You’ll have the opportunity to speak one-on-one with a Land Trust staff member, who will help you learn more about your land protection options. Light refreshments will be served. The Land Trust will be available:
Tuesday, March 25 - 6:30-8:30 – Freedom Township Hall – 11508 Pleasant Lake Road, Manchester (corner of Pleasant Lake and Lima Center Rd)
Thursday, March 27 - 6:30-8:30 – Lodi Township Hall — 3755 Pleasant Lake Road, Ann Arbor (near corner of Pleasant Lake and Ann Arbor-Saline)
Both events are free and open to the public. All local landowners are welcome. See you then!

2) Join the green team: Volunteer Ambassador training March 25
*Have YOU wanted to learn more about how the Land Trust works?
*Do YOU like going to community events and chatting with neighbors?
Then come volunteer to help bring the Land Trust's display to community events! The more volunteer ambassadors we have, the more we can reach out to our community. At the Volunteer Ambassador training you can:
*Learn the basics about the land trust
*Learn easy responses to the most frequently-asked questions
*Learn about how to staff our display at an event

DATE/TIME: Tuesday, March 25 at 7 pm.
TO SIGN UP: Contact 734-302-5263 or suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org. Interested, but can't come on the 25th? Just contact Suzie & we'll find a time that works for you.
LOCATION: Washtenaw Land Trust office, NEW Center Building, 1100 N. Main Street #203, Ann Arbor, South conference room (upstairs).

3) Volunteer Party a great success!
On Tuesday, March 11, the Land Trust thanked our volunteers for their hard work and dedication in 2006 and 2007 and kicked off a great year of volunteering in 2008! We had a great evening overlooking the beautiful 17-acre natural area next to Glencoe Hill Apartments which will remain beautiful permanently.
Photos, plus the Michigan-inspired recipes from the event

4) Job postings
The Washtenaw Land Trust has two positions open: Stewardship Intern (part-time paid position) and Volunteer Coordinator (part-time volunteer position). Details

5) Land Trusts in the news: NPR's "Shifting Ground"
Last week, National Public Radio aired the second piece in its "Shifting Ground" series on land conservation issues. The NPR report raised an unsettling question: when a landowner protects their land, does "forever" really mean "forever"? Over 1,600 land trusts across the country work hard every day to ensure that the answer to that question is a resounding "yes."

That's why we at the Washtenaw Land Trust took the bold step of being among the first land trusts in the nation to go through the accreditation process. With every easement we write, we hold ourselves to the highest, most rigorous standards of our profession. In order to ensure permanence, the Land Trust:
* Writes each protection agreement carefully;
* Performs due diligence for every transaction;
* Has multiple committees, our full board, and legal counsel review every agreement; and
* Raises funds to help ensure we can maintain and defend all our protected lands.

In other words, the Washtenaw Land Trust is committed to ensuring that "forever" really does mean forever. For more information, visit: http://www.shifting-ground.com/conservation_easements_links.html

6) The Nature Spot: A tree that tells a story
When you see a large, old tree whose branches reach out to all sides, spreading out wide rather than reaching mostly upward, you know something about this tree, and about the land it grows on. Learn more

Happy Spring Equinox,
The Washtenaw Land Trust Staff
Susan, Suzie, Mark and Megan
Thank you for your help in protecting local natural areas and farms!
Washtenaw Land Trust, 1100 N. Main St. Suite 203, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 734-302-LAND(5263)

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February 2008 Land Trust News

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) Volunteer Party & 2008 Kickoff! - March 11
2) Free land protection workshop in Ingham County - March 3
3) Wanted: Volunteer Coordinator
4) Thank You to Our Local Business Partners
5) Market Maker: A New Tool for Local Agriculture
6) The Nature Spot: Eclipse Watch!

1) VOLUNTEER PARTY & 2008 KICKOFF! - MARCH 11
On Tuesday, March 11, from 7-9 pm, the Washtenaw Land Trust will be hosting a party to thank our many 2007 volunteers and to kick off our 2008 volunteer season! Everyone is welcome. There will be:
*food and fun
*a celebration of jobs well done
*a preview of 2008 Land Trust activities
*and more...
PLUS you will enjoy the evening overlooking one of our newly protected properties -- the McKinley conservation agreement, a 17-acre natural area in Pittsfield Township. Tuesday, March 11, 7-9 pm, Glencoe Hills Clubhouse, 2201 Glencoe Hills Drive. Thank you to McKinley Properties for hosting this event!
To RSVP, please call 734-302-5263 by Friday March 7th. For more information, including directions, please visit our Events Calendar. We look forward to seeing you there!

2) FREE LAND PROTECTION WORKSHOP IN INGHAM COUNTY - MARCH 3
Monday March 3, 6:30-8:30pm - Protecting Your Land: Making "$" and Sense of the Options.
Do you own land that you would like to protect for your kids or grandkids, but you don’t know where to start? Have you ever wondered about the financial benefits of protecting your land through a conservation easement? Or, would you like to find out how to permanently protect your farm or wetlands from development? Join us for a FREE panel discussion of these topics. A tax professional will be on hand to answer all of your questions!
Location: Ingham Conservation District, 1031 W. Dexter Trail, Mason, MI 48854, across the street at the Glassen Education Building. Sponsors: Ingham & Jackson County Conservation Districts, Washtenaw Land Trust, Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. To RSVP: 517-676-2290. See you there!

3) WANTED: VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
Here at the Land Trust we are looking to ramp up our volunteer efforts by creating a new Volunteer Coordinator position. The Volunteer Coordinator will be responsible for designing and implementing a high-quality volunteer program while learning about how land protection works. The position is approximately 4 hours/week year round and is a volunteer position. A healthy sense of humor is definitely required! To learn more, please see the job listing.

4) THANK YOU TO OUR LOCAL BUSINESS PARTNERS!
The Washtenaw Land Trust is fortunate to have a broad support from many businesses and organizations in Washtenaw and Jackson counties. Here are three of our business partners who support the Land Trust when you work with them.

Rose Chiropractic
The Songbird Company
Todd's Services

Details on these programs, and other ways to support local land protection

Thanks!

5) MARKET MAKER: A NEW TOOL FOR LOCAL AGRICULTURE
The Land Trust supports our region's farmers in preserving their land and keeping agriculture local. The Ann Arbor News recently featured a brand new online tool--named Market Maker--for businesses and consumers alike. This user-friendly website helps match local producers of produce, meat, and other agricultural products with interested businesses and consumers.
Link to the article
Michigan Market Maker website

6) THE NATURE SPOT: ECLIPSE WATCH!
A total eclipse of the moon is coming on Wednesday night. A great way to stand in awe of nature!
To learn more

Stay warm, outside and in,
The Washtenaw Land Trust Staff
Susan, Suzie, Mark and Megan
Thank you for your help in protecting local natural areas and farms!
Washtenaw Land Trust, 1100 N. Main St. Suite 203, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 734-302-LAND(5263)

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January 2008 Land Trust News

IN THIS ISSUE:
1) 2007: Our First 1000 Acre Year!
2) Historic Farm, River Frontage Protected
3) Free Workshop: Keeping it Green in Jackson County
4) Stewardship Network Conference 2008 is Almost Here!
5) The Nature Spot: Winter Wonderland

1) 2007: OUR FIRST 1000 ACRE YEAR!
2007 was a record year for the Land Trust. We protected 1088 acres, more than doubling our previous 2006 record of 488 acres. With those newly protected lands, the Land Trust increased its total preserved properties in 2007 by almost 45%! We thank all of you for making 2007 such a successful year. Throughout the spring we will be bringing you stories of the properties saved in the last quarter (the first installment is below). Thank you for your support! We couldn't do it without you!

2) HISTORIC FARM, RIVER FRONTAGE PROTECTED
A generous landowner has donated a conservation easement on 107 acres in Manchester Township. The property includes nearly a mile of River Raisin frontage and an historic farm protected by the Washtenaw County Historic District Commission. The property also links directly to 21 acres of already protected land. This partnership with the HDC allows the owner to ensure that the land and the historic farm, both so cherished, will be protected forever.

3) FREE WORKSHOP: KEEPING IT GREEN
Property owners and the general public are invited to a FREE workshop to learn more about the Upper Grand River watershed and how you can help "keep it green." WHAT: Keeping it Green in Jackson County: Conserving Your Future through Land Use Planning WHEN: Saturday February 9, 8:30am-1:00pm - Registration begins at 8:30am. WHERE: Tompkins Township Hall, 9999 Tompkins Rd, Rives Junction, MI. Agenda and registration (Upper Grand River Implementation Project website). See you there!

4) STEWARDSHIP NETWORK CONFERENCE 2008 IS ALMOST HERE!
Friday, January 25 and Saturday, January 26 are the dates for "The Science, Practice, and Art of Restoring Native Ecosystems." Join over 200 fellow naturalists, volunteers, and land professionals in East Lansing to learn about restoration techniques for grasslands/savannas, forests, wetlands, and much more. Online registration is closed, but you can still attend! To learn more and for registration information, visit www.stewardshipnetwork.org. See you there!

5) THE NATURE SPOT: WINTER WONDERLAND
A recent walk on one of our nature preserves yielded a snowy treat. When the air is moist, the temperature is cold, and the wind is low, hoar frost can form on branches, coating the trees and berries in a layer of delicate, intricate crystals.
Photos of this delightful winter phenomenon

May the New Year rejuvenate your spirit,
The Washtenaw Land Trust Staff
Susan, Suzie, Mark and Megan
Thank you for your help in protecting local natural areas and farms!
Washtenaw Land Trust, 1100 N. Main St. Suite 203, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, 734-302-LAND(5263), info@washtenawlandtrust.org, www.washtenawlandtrust.org

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Photo by Barry Lonik