Leelanau Conservancy

Leelanau Conservancy Conserving the land, water and scenic character of Leelanau 🌲🌊🍒

Another win for Leelanau's wetlands! 🎉⁠⁠Meet the newest addition to the Cedar River Preserve: 10 acres of undeveloped we...
08/31/2026

Another win for Leelanau's wetlands! 🎉⁠
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Meet the newest addition to the Cedar River Preserve: 10 acres of undeveloped wetland in Solon Township, made possible by the generosity of landowner Doug Fierberg.⁠
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This land is a vital wildlife corridor for the Victoria Creek Basin, which flows into Lake Leelanau. 🌊 ⁠Wetlands like this one are rich in biodiversity—home to countless plants and animals, including rare, endangered, and threatened species. ⁠
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Thank you, Doug, for your generosity! We're grateful to protect this place forever. 💚⁠

Pictured:⁠
1: A view of the Fierberg addition⁠
2: From left: Farmland Protection Director Kim Hayes, Doug Fierberg, Board Secretary Nancy Popa, Executive Director Tom Nelson⁠
3: Water channel feeding Victoria Creek⁠
4: Wildlife pathway through dense vegetation⁠
5: Inside the middle of the property⁠
6: Farmland Protection Director Kim Hayes during a recent visit

Work on Sugar Loaf Scenic Area is underway, and we're inviting the public to get involved! ⛰️⁠⁠Join Conservancy staff fo...
08/22/2026

Work on Sugar Loaf Scenic Area is underway, and we're inviting the public to get involved! ⛰️⁠
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Join Conservancy staff for a Sugar Loaf workbee on Tuesday, Aug. 25, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. as we clear sticks and brush from newly created trails.⁠
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This will be easy work on flat terrain. The Conservancy will provide some hand tools.
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All volunteers must complete a questionnaire and sign a waiver prior to participating. Click the link below to fill these out and save your spot:
leelanauconservancy.org/events/sugar-loaf-trail-workbee

Catch the most unique sail of the season aboard the schooner Inland Seas!Join us for a four-hour voyage to Gull Island (...
08/20/2026

Catch the most unique sail of the season aboard the schooner Inland Seas!

Join us for a four-hour voyage to Gull Island (Bellow Island), a protected sanctuary off Northport Bay, home to thousands of nesting herring gulls. On this special excursion, you’ll take in sweeping views of Suttons Bay, learn about the island’s unique history and avian ecology, and observe the sanctuary from the deck. You can even lend the crew a hand hoisting the sails and taking the helm!

Special guest birding experts Dr. Keith Grasman (Wings Over Water Research Institute) and Nate Crane (Grand Traverse Audubon Club) will be on board to share their insights and answer questions throughout the trip. A special thanks as well to the Leelanau Conservancy for protecting Bellow Island for future generations of humans and gulls!

Book your tickets: https://fareharbor.com/schoolship/items/734901/?flow=22458

08/19/2026

Ready for a morning full of birdsong? 🐦🎵🎶

Join us for a docent-led hike at Clay Cliffs this Saturday. This trek is beginner-friendly, and a unique chance to hike in silence while in a group setting. We'll soak in the sights, sounds and smells of the forest, and share our observations during a couple breaks. 🍃

When: Saturday, Aug. 22 | 9 a.m.
Where: Clay Cliffs Natural Area | 4755 N. Manitou Trail, Leland

Save your spot:
leelanauconservancy.org/events/the-sounds-of-silence-at-clay-cliffs/

Interested in tuning out the noise and soaking in the natural world? 🌳🐦🎵⁠⁠Join us for a docent-led hike at Clay Cliffs o...
08/14/2026

Interested in tuning out the noise and soaking in the natural world? 🌳🐦🎵⁠
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Join us for a docent-led hike at Clay Cliffs on Saturday, Aug. 22—with a twist. We'll walk in silence, giving each hiker space to take in the forest's sounds, sights, and smells. This is a rare chance to experience nature in a group setting without the usual chatter.⁠
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At a couple points along the hike, we'll take time to share what we noticed, and turn our solo observations into a collective experience.⁠
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Sounds relaxing, right? 😌⁠🍃
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When: Saturday, Aug. 22 | 9 a.m.⁠
Where: Clay Cliffs Natural Area | 4755 N. Manitou Trail, Leland⁠
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Register here:
leelanauconservancy.org/events/the-sounds-of-silence-at-clay-cliffs
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📸: Mark Smith

Looking for a relaxing way to wrap up the week? 🚣‍♀️⁠⁠Join us tomorrow morning (Friday, 8/7) for an out-and-back paddle ...
08/06/2026

Looking for a relaxing way to wrap up the week? 🚣‍♀️⁠
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Join us tomorrow morning (Friday, 8/7) for an out-and-back paddle at the Cedar River Preserve! ⁠
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We'll look for herons, wood ducks, loons, bald eagles, beavers and otters, while exploring microhabitats that support diverse plant life.⁠
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Where: Meet at Solon Township Beach Park to start our paddle along Lake Leelanau to the mouth of the Cedar River, where we will enter the Preserve.⁠
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When: We will meet at 8 am to off-load boats, prepare equipment, and park before a quick safety briefing; we will plan to launch at 8:30 am.⁠
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Bring your own kayak or canoe, PFD required. Plan for about 2 hours on the water. ☀️🌊⁠
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Register here: leelanauconservancy.org/events/morning-paddle-at-cedar-river-preserve

Leelanau is, by any measure, special. Working farms, clean water, dunes at the edge of forests. These places of emotiona...
07/30/2026

Leelanau is, by any measure, special. Working farms, clean water, dunes at the edge of forests. These places of emotional and ecological value require intention and care.⁠
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Here at the Leelanau Conservancy, we’ve made a promise to protect the land, water, wildlife, and scenic character that define the Leelanau we love. To care for this place, forever.⁠
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And today, we’re proud to announce that we’ve embarked on our most ambitious campaign yet in order to keep that promise.⁠
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Leelanau, Protected: A Campaign for Today and Tomorrow⁠
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This $75 million effort prioritizes:⁠
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🌿 protecting natural lands and working farmland⁠
🌿 restoring ecological health and resilience across conserved habitats⁠
🌿 and expanding meaningful access to nature for all people⁠
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Because of the extraordinary generosity of early supporters, $66 million has already been raised. Those contributions protected Sugar Loaf, expanded Kehl Lake Natural Area, reduced invasive species, and so much more.⁠
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With $9 million left to raise, we’re inviting the community to help us complete this transformative initiative. ⁠
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Over the coming months, we'll be sharing stories about the lands we're protecting, the habitats we're restoring, and the people who are making it all possible. We hope you'll follow along, share what resonates with you, and, when the time feels right, consider how you might add your own chapter to this story. ⁠
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For more info on how you can help protect Leelanau, visit: leelanauconservancy.org/leelanauprotected

Raise a glass to Sugar Loaf!⁠⁠Join us this Friday, July 31, from 7–9 p.m. at French Valley Vineyard for an evening of wi...
07/28/2026

Raise a glass to Sugar Loaf!⁠
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Join us this Friday, July 31, from 7–9 p.m. at French Valley Vineyard for an evening of wine, live music, great food, and celebration. It's free, open to everyone, and the perfect way to toast what we've protected together.⁠
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A portion of every bottle of the new Sugar Loaf-inspired red and white wines sold will support the long-term care and stewardship of Sugar Loaf.⁠
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We hope to see you there! 💚⁠
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RSVP at the link:

https://www.exploretock.com/leelanauwineexperiences/event/616410/toast-to-the-mountain-at-french-valley

07/16/2026

With an active hazardous air quality warning in effect across the region, all Leelanau Conservancy events are cancelled for today, July 16.

We appreciate your understanding, and hope everyone is staying safe. 💚

Address

105 N 1st Street
Leland, MI
49654

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+12312569665

Website

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