Preserving Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan is a region defined by its natural beauty—rolling forests, sparkling lakes, fertile farmland, and breathtaking shorelines. Yet with thousands of acres of undeveloped, privately owned land, the question arises: how do we ensure that these landscapes remain intact for future generations? The answer often lies in the work of land conservancies and trusts.

These organizations quietly, yet powerfully, shape the future of our region. They preserve sensitive ecosystems, maintain working farms and forests, and create miles of trails, preserves, and public spaces. At the same time, they partner with private landowners to craft lasting protections that keep land undeveloped and ecologically healthy.

In this article, we’ll look at what land conservancies and trusts are, how they work, the ways landowners can partner with them, and highlight several of the organizations protecting Northern Michigan today.

What Are Land Trusts and Conservancies?

You may have heard the terms “land conservancy” and “land trust” used interchangeably. That’s because they are essentially the same thing: nonprofit organizations dedicated to protecting land for its ecological, agricultural, recreational, or cultural value.

These organizations achieve conservation by:

  • Acquiring land (through purchase or donation) to permanently protect it.
  • Establishing conservation easements—legal agreements that restrict development while allowing the landowner to retain ownership.
  • Managing land for wildlife habitat, forests, farms, recreation, and scenic preservation.
  • Engaging the community through education, volunteer opportunities, and public access to natural areas.

Their mission is straightforward: safeguard land and water resources for today and tomorrow.

Ways Landowners Can Work with a Conservancy

Land conservancies offer flexible ways for property owners to ensure their land is protected according to their wishes. Here are the main approaches:

Land Donation

A landowner can donate property outright to a conservancy with the understanding that it will remain undeveloped and stewarded forever. These donations can occur during the donor’s lifetime, as part of an estate plan, or via a life estate (where the donor retains use of the property during their lifetime).

Land Sale

Sometimes a landowner wishes to sell, and a conservancy steps in to purchase land deemed too ecologically or culturally significant to risk development. These sales may involve a part-cash/part-donation arrangement or a full market-value transaction, often with fundraising efforts by the conservancy.

Conservation Easement (CE)

Conservation easements are one of the most common and powerful tools for land protection. With a CE, the land remains privately owned, but the landowner agrees to limit certain types of development. Easements are custom-tailored—farmers can continue farming, forest owners can practice sustainable forestry, and families can still enjoy their property. However, the easement ensures that no matter who owns the land in the future, its conservation values remain protected.

This differs from simple deed restrictions, which can lapse or be unenforceable over time. Easements are legally binding, monitored by the conservancy, and designed to last in perpetuity.

Endowment Contributions

In many cases, landowners or donors provide endowment funds to ensure that conservancies have the resources to monitor and steward protected lands forever. These funds generate income that covers long-term care.

Why This Matters for Northern Michigan

The pressures on land in Northern Michigan are real. Development, rising land values, and changing ownership can quickly alter landscapes that have remained untouched for generations. Without proactive protection, family farms may disappear, wildlife habitat may be fragmented, and public access to natural spaces may be lost.

Conservancies are the safeguard. They work with willing landowners, one property at a time, to ensure Northern Michigan remains a place of forests, farmland, open space, and clean water for future generations.

Northern Michigan is fortunate to have an outstanding network of conservancies and trusts—each serving specific regions and focusing on the unique needs of their communities. From shoreline restoration in the Upper Peninsula to farmland protection in Leelanau County, these organizations make an extraordinary impact. Below is an overview of the major land trusts and conservancies in the region, along with highlights of their accomplishments.

Northern Michigan Land Conservancies

Cadillac Area Land Conservancy

Serving Missaukee, Osceola, Wexford, and northern Lake and Mason Counties, this conservancy has protected more than 2,800 acres through conservation easements. They also manage four public preserves, ensuring permanent protection of forests, fields, and waterways.

Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy

Working across Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, and Manistee Counties, GTRLC has protected 48,000+ acres of land and 150+ miles of shoreline. With 80 public properties and more than 125 miles of trails, it’s one of the largest and most active land trusts in Michigan.

HeadWaters Land Conservancy

This conservancy protects land in 11 northeastern Michigan counties, including Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon. To date, they’ve safeguarded over 18,000 acres and 37 miles of shoreline through 98 conservation easements and nine nature preserves.

Keweenaw Land Trust

Focused on Michigan’s western Upper Peninsula—including Baraga, Houghton, and Keweenaw, Counties. This trust has protected more than 7,000 acres. Its efforts include scenic shorelines, wetlands, and forests critical to wildlife and community access.

Leelanau Conservancy

Since 1988, the Leelanau Conservancy has worked exclusively in Leelanau County, protecting over 14,000 acres of farmland, forests, and wetlands. They’ve created 26 natural areas with 25 miles of hiking and biking trails, and partnered with more than 200 families to permanently conserve cherished landscapes.

Little Traverse Conservancy

Serving Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, and Mackinac Counties, LTC is one of the most active land trusts in the Midwest. They’ve permanently protected 330 private properties with conservation easements, established nearly 400 nature preserves, and created 38 working forest reserves. Their lands include more than 120 miles of public trails.

Superior Watershed Partnership and Land Conservancy

Dedicated to conservation across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, SWP addresses not only land protection but also watershed health. Projects include stormwater management, dune and beach restoration, and conservation land protection, benefiting both communities and ecosystems.

Upper Peninsula Land Conservancy

This conservancy focuses on preserving the natural character of the Upper Peninsula. They currently manage nine preserves and forest reserves, as well as 26 conservation easements protecting over 3,000 acres of land.

Walloon Lake Association and Conservancy

Dedicated to protecting both the land and water of the Walloon Lake watershed, this organization stewards more than 2,300 acres. Their work includes 54 preserves and 20 conservation easements across two counties and five townships.

Support Land Conservancies in Northern Michigan

The landscapes of Northern Michigan are part of our shared heritage—an inheritance of forests, lakes, dunes, and farmlands that enrich our lives and define our region. Land conservancies and trusts work behind the scenes to ensure these places endure, not just for us, but for future generations.

For landowners, working with a conservancy offers a powerful way to leave a lasting legacy, whether through easements, donations, or sales. For the public, these organizations provide trails, preserves, and open spaces that make Northern Michigan one of the most beautiful and accessible places in the country.

Whether you own land or simply love to explore it, supporting these conservancies ensures that Northern Michigan’s natural beauty is safeguarded for decades to come.