Land Stewardship: Protecting the Lands Entrusted to Our Care

Land Stewardship

One of the primary goals of the Land Conservancy of West Michigan is to own high quality natural areas for the public to enjoy and study. Many of these properties are habitat for species that are endangered, threatened or of special concern. Therefore, it is critical that once in our ownership we “steward” these properties to maintain or restore their natural features through the best practices available.

Stewardship Volunteer

“Many hands make light work.” John Heywood

Invasive plant species management (see below), along with the numerous other stewardship needs involved with owning 13 preserves and monitoring 28 conservation easements, can easily become overwhelming. Fortunately, LCWM successfully manages their properties though the great efforts of the many stewardship volunteers and organizations that come to workdays; make regular monitoring visits; and provide leadership and oversight. 

If you would like a hands-on experience that gets you into some of West Michigan’s most beautiful natural lands to make a difference, download a Volunteer Brochure, complete the volunteer application, and mail to the address listed on the brochure.  We also encourage you to attend one of our next Stewardship Workdays found on our Events Page.

Give Back to the Land

Donations to the Land Conservancy of West Michigan not only fund the protection of additional land, but also provide resources for the long term care of these properties. Visit the Support Us page for additional information about how to make a tax-deductible contribution.

Stewardship Issues

There are many issues that face not only LCWM’s properties, but also private landowners. From vandalism to poaching, there are always situations that must be dealt with in maintaining the high natural value of these lands. 

Invasive plant species and habitat destruction (through development) are categorically the greatest threats to biodiversity. Therefore, on the properties we own, we are in constant battle with the invasives that threaten to degrade the integrity our preserves. From the direct threat of the glossy buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) on the white lady’s slipper orchid (Cypripedium candidum) at Lamberton Lake Fen to the threat of autumn olive (Eleagnus umbellata) on the entire mixed hardwood ecosystem of the Wege Natural Area, we continuously need to monitor and manage for these invasive species. To learn more about invasive species and the serious ecological problems they create visit one of the following websites.

http://www.mipn.org/

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/forestry/invasivetutorial/List.htm

Education

Throughout the year LCWM naturalists lead educational hikes at our preserves or properties that were protected in partnership with LCWM. These hikes focus on the natural features of the property and often include how they are being managed. These hikes provide information that hopefully inspires participants to be good stewards of the land through helping with land protection and/or caring for their own land.  For a list of upcoming hikes visit our Events Page.