Thursday March 19, 2009
6:00pm Reception
7:00pm Full-course local-foods dinner & program
At Cobblestone Farm, 2781 Packard Street, Ann Arbor
Map (pdf)
RSVP by March 5, 2009

All proceeds go to protecting local lands!

Please join us for -
Guest Speaker: Rand Wentworth, President, Land Trust Alliance
Official unveiling of the Land Trust's new name and logo
Silent auction (NEW: See what's on offer & place your bid!)
Delicious hearty food & drink from local kitchens, fields, and farms, featuring:

- RSVP by March 5, 2009 -
Call 734-302-5263
or email suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org

About our Speaker
  Rand Wentworth is president of one of the nation’s leading land conservation organizations, the Land Trust Alliance in Washington, DC. The Land Trust Alliance unites and champions local groups working to save natural areas by providing policy, lobbying, and training services for America’s 1,600 land trusts. Rand has provided expert testimony before committees of both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, and within the non-profit community he serves on the Ethics and Accountability Committee of the Independent Sector. Among other honors, he has received the Urban Land Institute’s Community Leadership Award. An engaging storyteller, Rand will share inspiring tales, thoughts, and experiences from his work with land trusts across the country.

Tickets and Sponsorship Levels
To purchase tickets: Please call Suzie Heiney at 734-302-5263 or print and mail the Ticket Order Form (pdf).
To sponsor this event and learn details about sponsor benefits: Please see the Sponsorship Packet & Reply Form (pdf).

• NEW: Program Sponsorships! You and your business or organization are invited to show your support through a program sponsorship. You will receive recognition with your logo/listing in the event program and acknowledgment in the Land Trust’s Journal (regional distribution: 2,000) and on our website. Program sponsorships are $100. Program Sponsorship Form
• Soaring: $5000 for eight tickets ($4,420 tax-deductible donation) Benefits include eight gala tickets, full-page program ad, full case of commemorative wine, and sponsor recognition in pre- and post-event materials.
• Flying High: $2500 for six ($2,160 tax-deductible donation) Benefits include six gala tickets, half-page program ad, three bottles of commemorative wine, and sponsor recognition.
• Taking Wing: $1000 for four ($760 tax-deductible donation) Benefits include four gala tickets, quarter-page program ad, a bottle of commemorative wine, and sponsor recognition.
• Floating on Air: $500 for two ($340 tax-deductible donation) Benefits include two gala tickets and eighth-page program ad.
• Individual supporter: $100 per person ($70 tax-deductible donation)
• Not able to attend? If you'll miss the party, but you'd like to make a contribution to the Land Trust’s land protection program, thank you! You may print and mail the Reply Form with your gift, make a gift online through Network for Good, or call us at 734-302-5263 to make a credit card gift over the phone. Thank you!
  

Update: New wine in honor of the Land Trust
  We're pleased to announce that Sandhill Crane Vineyards will be launching a brand-new, limited-edition wine to benefit the Land Trust. This wine, a delicious blend of chardonnay and vignoles grapes, will be first released at the March 19 Legacy of Trust gala. Join us and be among the first to taste it!

Update: Auction items
 The silent auction is now open! You, yes you, can place a bid now! The Washtenaw Land Trust's "Legacy of Trust" Gala is sold out -- but even if you're not attending, you still have a chance to get in on some wonderful gifts through our silent auction. Bid now on one of the following great packages:

A - "We'll bring the green thumb" Gardening Package- Start the growing season off right with a selection of gardening tools from Radius Tools, gorgeous heirloom flower bulbs from Old House Gardens, and up to two hours labor from Land Trust volunteer and Master Gardener Janet Crone.

B - A Weekend Away Up North- This auction package includes an off season long-weekend retreat at The Birches, a 4-bedroom 2-bath vacation property in the village of Northport on Grand Traverse Bay. Bonus: As a guest of the Leelanau Conservancy, join one of their regularly scheduled hikes or programs to learn more about their conservation and land preservation work. (More information: www.northportlodging.com/birches.html; courtesy of Three Rivers Properties, LLC - Karl Wizinsky and Marcia Boynton)

C - The Best of Autumn*- Your group of up to 10 people will enjoy a personalized hayride in the countryside behind an antique tractor restored by your driver and guide, local landowner Peter DeLoof. You'll visit the protected Ludwig farm to meet the land owners and savour one of the most breathtaking autumn vistas in the entire region. Then, continue across the street to Alber Orchard & Cider Mill for some of their delicious cider, fresh-pressed on site. * = Great for all ages - kids with supervision are welcome! This item works well for groups of adults, too. Labor Day through Thanksgiving.

D - Specialty wine gift basket- Local grapes make delectable wines! This specialty wine gift basket includes a collection of treats courtesy of Sandhill Crane Vineyards, maker of the wine served at the gala, and of our own commemorative label.

E - Fun and Fine Food: Making a Day of it in Waterloo*- For wild nature nearby, you can't do better than Waterloo's forests, lakes, and trails. Enjoy southern Michigan's largest public natural area all year long with a 2009 annual parks pass, good at the 98 Michigan state parks. Visit the Waterloo Historic Museum for a special docent-led tour of the historic home and farm. End your day with the help of a gift certificate toward a delectable dinner at the Common Grill in Chelsea. * = Great for all ages - kids with supervision are welcome! This item works well for groups of adults, too.

F - For the Birds- Feed your backyard birds what they love best! This package includes a birdfeeder andthree 25-pound bags of premium wild bird-seed, courtesy of Waterloo's The Songbird Company, whose products are also available in local feed and hardware stores. Learn more about the bird seed varieties

G - A Sure-fire Cure for the Blues- Let's face it, we're getting hammered with bad news lately. So imagine this: First, fifty dollars to spend on fine wines at Everyday Wines (plus a stylish wine-carrying bag and two wine glasses). Then, the luxury of a twenty-minute massage at Relaxstation. Top it off with decadent chocolates from not one but two area confectionaries: Jackson's Gramer's Old-Fashioned Chocolates and Gilbert's Chocolates. This package makes a fantastic gift - or, better yet, a well-deserved treat for yourself!

To bid on any of these items, send an email with the word "Auction" in the subject line to suzie@washtenawlandtrust.org. Please include the title of the item, the dollar amount you wish to bid, and your name, email, and telephone number. Winning bidders will be announced at the gala and/or contacted as appropriate. Attendees can bid during the gala itself. Non-attendees can bid up until Wednesday night at midnight -- so put in your bid now! Bid Deadline for non-attendees is Wednesday, March 18, at Midnight!

Honorary Hosts
  Jim Adams & Naz Edwards
  Rob & Patty Aldrich
  Rosanne & Tom Bloomer
  Gavin Clabaugh & Margaret Engle
  Peter DeLoof & Sara Bassett
  Janet & Charlie Crone
  Suzanne DeVine & John Koselka
  Rob & Beth Ewing
  Bob & Cindy Helber
  Jim Govert
  Carol & Wade Peacock
  Susan Roth
  Scott & Frankie Simonds
  Charity & Bill Steere
  Phil & Ann Surratt
  Bob Tetens
  Rocky & Judy Ward
  Guy & Susan Williams

Hope you can join us!

~~

The first local land trust established in Michigan, Washtenaw Land Trust protects the natural areas and rural landscapes that make our community a great place to live.  Since 1971, this growing organization has directly protected 72 properties totaling 3,756 acres throughout Washtenaw, Jackson, and Ingham counties through voluntary land conservation. 

The Washtenaw Land Trust is a private, non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization. For more information please visit www.washtenawlandtrust.org, or contact the Land Trust at info@washtenawlandtrust.org or 734-302-LAND (5263).

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