Leelanau Conservancy

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

- Sugar Loaf Opening Day PSA -⁠⁠The excitement is incredible! We're anticipating more than 1,000 visitors for tomorrow's...
10/08/2026

- Sugar Loaf Opening Day PSA -⁠
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The excitement is incredible! We're anticipating more than 1,000 visitors for tomorrow's Sugar Loaf opening.⁠
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With such a large turnout expected, we ask everyone to pack a little patience as our team helps direct traffic and parking. We have plenty of parking available, and we'll get you parked. It may just take a little extra time.⁠
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Please do not park along public roads. Per the Leelanau County Sheriff's Office, roadside parking is not permitted. Follow the directions of our parking team when you arrive.⁠
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We're so grateful for the enthusiasm surrounding Sugar Loaf. Thank you for helping us make it a safe and enjoyable celebration for everyone!⁠
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Planning to attend? Please RSVP at the link:

https://leelanauconservancy.org/events/sugar-loaf-opening/

Join us for a fall hike at DeYoung Natural Area, where we'll read from the poetry of Wendell Berry—farmer, essayist, and...
10/06/2026

Join us for a fall hike at DeYoung Natural Area, where we'll read from the poetry of Wendell Berry—farmer, essayist, and one of America's great agrarian writers, who passed away this year at 92.⁠
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Berry's work is rooted in place: respecting the land and knowing its history, and understanding the names of the plants, animals, and people who live there. His writing invites us to see the world as an "immeasurable gift."⁠
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This easy-paced hike winds through a historic farmstead, and all are invited to an optional gathering in the farmhouse to dig deeper into Berry's work. If time allows, we'll try some place-based writing of our own!⁠
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📍 Wednesday, Oct. 7 | 4 p.m. | meet outside the DeYoung farmhouse⁠
⏱️ Allow for 2 hours if staying for the farmhouse gathering

RSVP: leelanauconservancy.org/events/hike-with-a-poet-the-poetry-of-wendell-berry

Tomorrow morning! Meet us at Kehl Lake for a docent-led hike and see if you can think like a bear. 🐻⁠⁠We'll wander throu...
10/02/2026

Tomorrow morning! Meet us at Kehl Lake for a docent-led hike and see if you can think like a bear. 🐻⁠
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We'll wander through the century-old hemlocks and towering white pines of this Old-Growth Forest, while asking questions, making observations, and deepending our gratitude for this diverse ecosystem. ⁠
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When: Saturday, Oct. 3 | 10 a.m.⁠
Where: Kehl Lake Natural Area | Northport⁠
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Register here:
leelanauconservancy.org/events/think-like-a-bear-at-kehl-lake⁠

Photo: Mark Smith

After years of anticipation, Sugar Loaf Scenic Area is opening to the public!⁠⁠Join us on Friday, October 9, from 5 p.m....
09/30/2026

After years of anticipation, Sugar Loaf Scenic Area is opening to the public!⁠
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Join us on Friday, October 9, from 5 p.m. until dusk to celebrate this long-awaited community moment. Explore the new Summit Trail, take in the views, chat with Conservancy staff, and spend an autumn evening experiencing Sugar Loaf together. 🍁🍂⁠
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Address: 4500 S. Sugar Loaf Mountain Road, Cedar⁠
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Let’s gather, explore and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter for this special place. We can’t wait to welcome you to Sugar Loaf! ⛰️✨

Let us know you're coming: leelanauconservancy.org/events/sugar-loaf-opening

Enjoy an early fall hike at Houdek Dunes! 🍃🍂⁠⁠Join us this Saturday for a docent-led trek that's all about kinship and c...
09/24/2026

Enjoy an early fall hike at Houdek Dunes! 🍃🍂⁠
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Join us this Saturday for a docent-led trek that's all about kinship and communication in the natural world. We'll keep a moderate pace, with a few stops throughout. (Don't worry, you'll be done in plenty of time to get to Leelanau Uncaged!)⁠
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When: Saturday, Sept. 26 | 10 a.m.⁠
Where: Houdek Dunes Natural Area | Leland⁠
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Register here: leelanauconservancy.org/events/looking-for-connections-at-houdek-dunes

Join us this week for an early fall hike at Chippewa Run! 🌿🍂⁠⁠The songs of summer are diminishing as the birds migrate t...
09/21/2026

Join us this week for an early fall hike at Chippewa Run! 🌿🍂⁠
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The songs of summer are diminishing as the birds migrate this time of year. We will listen and look for the ones that are still here, as well as other signs of fall. ⁠
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When: Wednesday, Sept. 23 | 9 a.m.⁠
Where: Chippewa Run Natural Area | Empire⁠
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Register here:
leelanauconservancy.org/events/bird-migration-and-signs-of-fall-at-chippewa-run

Join us for Harvest!We’re gathering at the DeYoung Natural Area farmstead on September 25 from 5–7 p.m. for an evening o...
09/15/2026

Join us for Harvest!

We’re gathering at the DeYoung Natural Area farmstead on September 25 from 5–7 p.m. for an evening of food, music and community.

Bring a picnic (or pre-order one from our friends at Farm Club or Lakeview Hill Farm), bring your friends, and settle in for music from Little Dipper, kids’ art activities by Tearwater T, and a chance to catch up with friends and meet some of the folks who help make conservation happen around Leelanau.

Not this Friday but next✨️ RSVP at the link:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/harvest-a-community-of-conservation-registration-2000602391608

We have more Sugar Loaf workbees coming up!⁠⁠Volunteers are invited to help us clear former ski runs on the following da...
09/11/2026

We have more Sugar Loaf workbees coming up!⁠
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Volunteers are invited to help us clear former ski runs on the following dates:⁠
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Thursday, Sept. 17 | 5-7 p.m.⁠
Sunday, Sept. 27 | 10 am-2 pm⁠
Sunday, Nov. 8 | 1-5 pm⁠

⛰️ These backcountry ski workdays are a collaborative effort between the Leelanau Conservancy and Michigan Backcountry Alliance.
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⛰️ This work is considered difficult due to the steep, uneven slopes we’ll be traversing. Work will include removing deadfall and debris, moving brush, thinning vegetation, and limbing up tree branches on former glades and ski runs to create a safe backcountry ski environment.⁠
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⛰️ Please leave your chainsaw at home. If you have a favorite set of loppers or a non-motorized handsaw, feel free to bring that. All other tools will be provided by the Conservancy. Volunteers should bring their own gloves, safety glasses, water, sun protection, and wear long pants and closed toe shoes.⁠
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⛰️ Work sessions are open to new and current volunteers, however it is not recommended for minors. Age 16 and above accepted with a parent/guardian in attendance.⁠
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⛰️ Please note: All volunteers must register in advance, complete a volunteer questionnaire, and sign a waiver prior to participating: leelanauconservancy.org/events/sugar-loaf-workbee-ski-run-clearing/

We're excited to continue our Indigenous Knowledges series with stories from Tanya Raphael and Patrick Concannon, citize...
09/08/2026

We're excited to continue our Indigenous Knowledges series with stories from Tanya Raphael and Patrick Concannon, citizens of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians. ⁠
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In "Akiing Gikendaasowin: Knowledge of the Land," we visit with Patrick Concannon on his ancestral land near North Lake Leelanau, where hunting, gathering, and caring for the land connect family across generations.⁠
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"Ziinzibaakwad: Maple Sugaring" follows Tanya Raphael through maple season—a time for family and friends to gather and continue a tradition carried forward for generations.⁠
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Produced by Mark Wilson of New Leonard Media, both films are part of the Conservancy's Indigenous Knowledges Project, an ongoing initiative dedicated to elevating Anishinaabe voices through conversation. Whether you’re familiar with Anishinaabe cultural teachings or just learning, this series is an opportunity to listen, reflect, and grow together. ⁠
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We're also excited to share that Tanya and Patrick's stories will screen at this year's Fresh Coast Film Festival, Oct. 15–18 in Marquette! For tickets and more info, visit freshcoastfilm.com. ⁠
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Can't make it to the festival? You can watch both films on our YouTube channel, or on our website: leelanauconservancy.org/indigenousknowledges

Backcountry skiing and splitboarding are the fastest-growing segments of the ski industry, and Michigan is no exception....
09/04/2026

Backcountry skiing and splitboarding are the fastest-growing segments of the ski industry, and Michigan is no exception. This session traces a line from Michigan's original ski pioneers, who climbed snow covered hills on foot long before chairlifts existed, to today's growing community of human-powered skiers and riders. Learn about the gear, techniques, and safety practices that keep the sport sustainable as more people discover it, and where the real opportunities for partnership lie among public land managers, nonprofits, and the backcountry community.

Leading the conversation:

Matthew Emeott, President & Co-Founder, Michigan Backcountry Alliance. Over two decades in the snowboarding and outdoor community, channeling his passion for winter recreation into advocacy and education for backcountry touring.

Caleb Garone, Stewardship Project Manager, Leelanau Conservancy. Focused on the revitalization of Sugar Loaf, he believes that abundant access to the natural world is the foundation of a healthy community.

More sessions, tickets, and experiences - michiganoutdoor.org

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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