Land Conservancy of West MIchigan - Fall 2012 Newsletter

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan is excited to announce our newest nature preserve: Flower Creek Dunes, a significant natural area in northern Muskegon County.

Flower Creek Dunes will be the Conservancy’s 14th nature preserve

and the first in Muskegon County. It will add to protected land already in the immediate vicinity.

“With the recent commitment of a significant estate gift, we have now reached our fundraising goal for this $1.75 million project,” said LCWM Executive Director Vaughn Maatman, “and we expect to complete the purchase by year end.”

Flower Creek Dunes features open foredunes immediately

adjacent to the lakeshore, as well as forested dune ridges that rise as high as 180 feet above the Lake Michigan water level. Within the foredunes, the property boasts habitat for the federally threatened Pitcher’s thistle. Only located on the Great Lakes dunes, the thistle depends on the extreme conditions of the Lake Michigan shoreline for its survival.

This significant project was made possible because of several partners. One of these major partners is the Crooks family, a supporter of the Conservancy for 15 years. The family has owned the Flower Creek Dunes property for several decades and have always had their eye toward conservation. They are selling the property to the Conservancy for a purchase price significantly below its fair market value.

“This Lake Michigan property has been a favorite place for our family for generations,” said Cathy Huling, a member

Flower Creek Dunes: Our newest nature preserve along the lakeshore

Autumn 2012Newsletter

At a glance: Flower Creek DunesLand features:

Open foredunes and forested dune ridges1,000 feet of Lake Michigan frontageCritical dunes designationHome to the threatened Pitcher’s thistle

Location: Northern Muskegon County 1/4 mile north of Meinert Park.

Size: 14 acres

Total project cost: $1.75 million

Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve

Continued on page 3...

View of Lake Michigan at Flower Creek Dunes - photo: Nealy Molhoek

Flower Creek Dunes - photo: April ScholtzFlower Creek Dunes - photo: Pete DeBoer

www.naturenearby.org

From the Executive Director

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What land should we protect, and why?

Those were questions from a recent day focused on farmland protection sponsored by the Wege Foundation and the Kent County Purchase of Development Rights (KCPDR) group. There has been much discussion of late about local and organic farm movements, people wanting to know where their food comes from, and the importance of a varied land-use landscape for vital communities and economic devel-opment. LCWM is looking at where those concerns fit within our land protection priorities.

Our land protection efforts are carefully prioritized, with deep historical roots. Preservation of natural places, restoring plant and wildlife habitat – keeping nature nearby – is at the center of what we do. Most land conservancies like ours that got their start in the “save the environment” 1970’s were protecting land from some-thing; from development, from people. To quote Rand Wentworth, the president of the Land Trust Alliance, “I thought people were the problem and my job was to keep them out.” Now land trusts everywhere are looking for ways to re-connect people to the land we have protected, articulating the connections between land protection and economic development and quality of life, and finding ways to make land protection relevant to the communities we serve. Land protection is not only protection from something, but for something.

As our recent accreditation reminds us (see page 16), being a “trust” means hold-ing something for the benefit of others. Land trusts across the country are working with communities to build public trails, providing access to and education about the importance of watersheds and wetlands, working with local food groups and farm markets, establishing programs where people cannot only see critical habi-tats from a distance (or on their TV’s), but walk with a naturalist through those habitats to learn why they are critical to our survival and quality of life. Some protected lands are not suitable for public access or use because the ecology or habitat is too fragile, too threatened. Yet, finding a balance with our protection from and protection for activities is important to re-connecting us to the land and defining why healthy land is important to building a healthy life.

LCWM is entering a strategic planning phase where we will set priorities that will guide our work for the future.

I invite you to contact me with your answer to, “What land should we pro-tect, and why?”

Tell us how you think we can balance our protection from and protection for activities. Make us aware of new initiatives that have captured your attention. Put your sug-gestions on our radar screen as we set our course for the future.

Email me at [email protected].

In this issue:From the Executive Director.....................................2

Preservation:

Flower Creek Dunes:..............1

Beach association preserves dunes..........................................3

News & Events:

Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area dedication........................4

Meet our new Communica-tions Coordinator.....................5

Fifth Third River Bank Run...6

Annual meeting........................6

LCWM earns national recognition..............................16

Stewardship:

Volunteers.................................7

Lamberton restoration............8

Eagle Scout projects................9

Summer fun at Saul Lake Bog...........................................10

Donor Spotlight:

Supporters and doners....11-12

Memorials & honorariums...13

Did You Know?

Nocturnal animals..................14

Upcoming Events:

4th Saturdays with LCWM...15

Hike North Ottawa Dunes..15

Vaughn Maatman, LCWM Executive Director. photo: Tom Crowe


Preservation

Beach Association preserves dunes: A first for the Land ConservancyThe 110-year-old Shorewood Association became the first beach association in the Land Conservancy’s service area to create a conservation easement for its 26.5-acre property. Shorewood’s conservation easement will preserve forested dunes and natural shoreline and it will limit future residential development of the property.

The dunes in Shorewood comprise the southern-most extension of an ecosystem that runs from Holland down through Saugatuck. This is the seventh land protection project completed by the Land Conservancy in this Holland-to-Saugatuck dune ecosystem. Other projects include the Castle Park and Dune Pines Nature Preserves, the Saugatuck Dunes State Park Natural Area, the Saugatuck Harbor

Natural Area, and the Tallmadge Woods and Muzzy Farm conservation easements.

It is our hope that this conservation easement will encourage other shoreline residential associations to consider making a permanent commitment to conserving the special natural habitats of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

We applaud the Shorewood Association members for their conservation leadership.

of the Crooks family. “We desire to save and preserve this beautiful setting. It has, indeed, been a longtime wish to preserve it.”

The other major partners on this project were an anonymous lead gift and the J.A. Woollam Foundation. A familiar partner of the Conservancy, the Woollam Foundation has previously partnered with us in both fundraising and securing land projects, most recently serving as a major lender and donor to the Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area (see page 4 for more about SHNA). The Woollam Foundation made a significant matching gift to the Flower Creek Dunes project so that the money raised by the Conservancy during our public fundraising initiative was matched dollar for dollar.

Flower Creek Dunes represents some of the best that West Michigan has to offer. Stay tuned for information about an organized hike to see this property for yourself.

Flower Creek Dunes, continued from page 1

Shorewood Association conservation easement

Flower Creek Dunes - photo: Pete DeBoer

Shorewood Association conservation easement - photo: April Scholtz

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Celebration and dedication at Saugatuck Harbor Natural AreaDespite the hot weather in early June, more than 150 people turned out at Oval Beach City Park to celebrate the completion of the $22.1 million Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area project.

Speakers, including Governor Snyder’s representative Bill Rustem, Director of the Office of the Great Lakes (and former State Senator) Patty Birkholz,

and Saugatuck City Mayor Jane Verplank praised the remarkable public-private conservation effort that resulted in the preservation of 3,650 feet of undeveloped Lake Michigan shoreline, and 173 acres of dunes and wetlands, now in the public trust and open for quiet recreation.

The dedication ceremony capped off this project which was several years in the making and made possible by our generous donors.

Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area

Recent News & Events

Vaughn Maatman addresses the audience photo: Dawn McDonald

Brigham and Crandall family and friends photo: Ellie Scholtz

Surveying SHNAphoto: Ellie Scholtz

The new sign at SHNA - photo: Dawn McDonald

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Celebration and dedication at Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area


Keri Amlotte recently joined the Land Conservancy as Communications Coordinator. In this position, Keri manages external communications with the organization’s

members and the general public. Her responsibilities include the Land Conservancy website and social media, newsletters and publications, media relations, special events, and general organizational communications.

A native of “Up North” Michigan, Keri is originally from Alpena where she grew up enjoying Lake Huron, the Thunder Bay River, and the forests and inland lakes of northern Michigan. She moved to West Michigan in 2004 to attend Grand Valley State University where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Public Relations. Prior to joining the Land Conservancy, Keri spent seven years working in the marketing department at the Grand Rapids law firm of Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge.

Keri’s interest in protecting West Michigan’s

environment and resources dovetails with her volunteer work with West Michigan Cooperative, a nonprofit online farmers market which supports sustainable agriculture and the local food system. Actively involved with the organization since 2008, Keri has served in a number of volunteer capacities, including a term on the Board of Directors. She is currently chair of the organization’s Community Relations Committee.

Keri lives in the Grand Rapids area with her husband, Brandon. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, hiking, cooking, traveling, and practicing yoga.

“I enjoy traveling and exploring different cities and environments,” Keri said. “When flying home, I often find myself peering out the plane window as we approach Michigan. Even from the sky, the beauty of West Michigan is palpable. I watch as we fly over Lake Michigan, the shoreline, dunes, forests, and all of the trees surrounding the airport in Grand Rapids and I think about how happy I am to call this area home. And now, as a member of the Land Conservancy team, I am so happy to be working with a group of likeminded individuals toward a common cause: protecting West Michigan land for generations to come.”

Meet our new Communications Coordinator: Keri Amlotte Conservation Easement DonorsAda TownshipCharles Anglin TrustThe Belke FamilyBarney & Elsie BetkaKen & Judy BetzThe Bigford FamilyJeanine BieseChuck & Pat BloomManuel & Barbara ButzowJeff & Anya ByamBruce & Ann CampbellChrist Community ChurchCity of Norton ShoresCity of SaugatuckThe Cok FamilyElizabeth J. CrosbyThe Duffing/Henrikson/

Anderson/Bunch FamilyThe DeWys-Gilbert FamilyThe Elliott FamilyThe Freeland FamilyGiammalva-Wallace FamilyGene & Tubie GilmoreThe Heasley FamilyHMA Development, L.L.C.Mrs. David HoweMargaret P. Hoyle TrustManuel & Lilah Huyser TrustF. Martin & Dorothy JohnsonE.L. Ladd & CompanyJoseph & Irene LarsonBill & Jeanne LeaverJohn LevingsThe Lewis FamilySam & Jean MartinPaul McEnroeThe Muzzy & Lerchen FamiliesJill & Lori NerheimBob & Carla OhseOttawa CountyHerman OutcaltOx-Bow School of Art &

Artists’ ResidencyDouglas & Gretchen PaprockiParkland Investments, Inc.The Rasmussen FamilyMark & Tami RedfieldThe Reed FamilyPaul & Christine SantoroDick & Lu SchwikertThe Scripps FamilyKenway & Deloras SmithRobert Smith & FamilyPeter & Joan SteketeeSouthwest Michigan Land

ConservancyJohn Sutton & FamilyCecilia VanderboutThe Veit FamilyThe Gary Vos FamilyPeter M. WegeMrs. Joseph WeingartnerWillard & Joan WolfeSnakemouth orchid (Pogonia ophioglossoides) - photo: Jacqueline Bilello

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Keri Amlotte, Communication Coordinator



Aquinas College Center for Sustainability

Calvin College Biology Department & Plaster Creek Stewards

Catalyst PartnersCompuCraftDMH ArchitectureFifth Third Bank

Grand Valley State University Biology Department

MK & AssociatesReusch Design ServicesRooks LandscapingStridersWilliams & Works

Bronze SponsorsPlatinum Sponsor Gold Sponsors

Silver Sponsors

Part of the Land Conservancy team poses before the race - photo: Austin Harris

Land Conservancy team members Elise Roe and Jeanne Ferro photo: Michelle Harris

Our 2012 Annual Meeting was held on April 26 at Aquinas College. Guest speaker Dr. Gary Alt, a nationally recognized expert on the ecology of black bears, had the large audience in stitches with his amusing yet informative presentation, relating years of up-close and personal experiences with bears in the field.

Following the presentation, LCWM Executive Director

Vaughn Maatman gave the annual report, new board officers were elected, and special awards were given to Jim Benson (Volunteer of the Year) and Bill Martinus (Mary Jane Doc-keray Award).

Thank you to all of our sponsors who helped make this a successful event.

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Fifth Third River Bank Run: A success for LCWM!The Land Conservancy was a charity partner in the 2012 Fifth Third River Bank Run. Sixty runners and walkers participated in the Run on May 12 as part of the Land Conservancy team. Our team even included the winner of the 5K race, Tyler Emmorey. These runners and walkers sought support from their family and friends to help us raise almost $12,000! Also, the event brought 99 new members to the Land Conservancy.

In addition to these tangible results, we hope that our participation in the event brought more awareness of our land protection efforts to the community at large.

We would like to thank our sponsors, Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus and Village Bike & Fitness. Also, thank you to Forest Hills Foods for providing snacks and refreshments for our team.

Annual meeting


Selecting the volunteer of the year is always a difficult decision. The Land Conservancy has so many very dedicated volunteers who help us out in such different ways that it is hard to single out one individual for this honor.

However, there were a couple of notable actions that led us to select Jim Benson this year. Most important for the majority of the LCWM staff was the fact that he stepped forward to help out with stewardship issues during the critical transition period before the new stewardship coordinator joined the organization last year.

If anyone needs anything on short notice, we know we can count on Jim.

We are not sure Jim realized what would evolve out of his interest in becoming a preserve steward at our Brower Lake Preserve. He probably envisioned it as little more than a hike in the woods every now and then. But with a little encouragement, he has taken it upon himself to learn about the plants and animals that make Brower Lake special and he has become a one-man army in his efforts to eradicate invasive plants there as well. Learning more about this

preserve has raised his awareness about the threats to natural areas elsewhere, and now as a member of our stewardship committee, he makes significant contributions to decisions being made concerning stewardship of all of our preserves.

Interestingly, for as much as he is out there helping out, it is hard to find a really good photo of him. It isn’t that he isn’t present, but you really have to look for him. But that sums up Jim. Soft spoken, not needing special attention, but quietly getting the job done.

Volunteer of the Year: Jim Benson

StewardshipVolunteers help keep nature nearby! (March 2012 - July 2012)

James ArringdaleTodd AschenbachLawrence & Christine BaerJohn BagleyDwight BakerJerry BakkeJacob & Andrew BallNancy BennerJames & Lynn BensonEric BergmansJim & Meribeth BoltKathy BowlerMichael BrugginkErnie & Carole BrumbaughDavid CairoliCalvin College StudentsRon CammelJanet Carbonneau-JonesRick ChaplaSusan ClementsDotti CluneLynn DandridgeKelly DeBaarVirginia DehaanJan DeurWillard & Carol Doezema

David DornbosMartin DuganFrank G. DuntenJim FerroDaniel & Penny FolsomJohn FoxAlexandra FunkBob GambleKari GibbonsMarjorie GildeDaniel GradyJudith GrantzBarbara GriffinGVSU - Alumni RelationsGVSU Biology DeptGVSU Honors CollegeRobert & Tammy HartmanMichael HayesAmy HeilmanJill HenemyerLukas & Teresa HillSusan HoekemaDawn HoltropMaurie HousemanMargaret Idema CheffMark Iverson

Jon JellemaAnne KellerRamah KiddJoann KlooteFred KraftMaigunn KristensenKathy KurtzJamie & Penny LaddNancy LambValerie LindemanTimothy LundgrenMartha MacClearyNeil MacdonaldJillian MartindaleBill MartinusClaudia & John McAinshTom & Dawn McDonaldGreg McKernanPatrick MillerSteve MulderBernie MulderMarti O’BrienKaren OlsonLarry PiatekDoug PolandElise Roe

Barbara RohwerDean & Elaine SalisburyPeter SchmidtLaura SikkengaMike SmithNathan Smith & friendsDick StaffordClay StaufferSteelcase Care Volunteer CenterAlan SteinmanDeb SteketeeAnnalisse SteketeePamela StonehouseValley City Environmental

ServicesJeff VandenbergeRobert VanderkampRandy VandragtCharlotte VeenstraGinny WantyDave WarnersBarb WegenerMarcia WiersmaJason WolfGeorge & Gretchen Zuiderveen

Grand Valley State University Biology Department

MK & AssociatesReusch Design ServicesRooks LandscapingStridersWilliams & Works

Jim Benson with Jacqueline Bilello and Nealy Molhoek photo: Michelle Harris

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StewardshipLand Donors

Weldon & Marilyn Brummels

Castle Park Association

Valerino & Maria Castro

Anne & Natasha Cridler

Reginald & Diane Cridler

Gerry & Peggy Ann DePersia

Lake Breeze Protection Group

Joan Lerchen Trust

Muzzy Family Partnership

RED Investors, LLC

Mrs. James Sebastian

Ruth Skwarek

South Highlands Beach Assoc.

Edith Van Til Trust/

Blackburn Family

Wege Foundation

Evangeline White

Business MembersAlcoa Howmet

Baker Publishing Group

Bata Plastics

Bill & Paul’s Sporthaus

BISSELL Inc.

Cardno JF New & Associates, Inc.

Commercial Manufacturing &

Assembly

Dairy Dock Too

Jack Dykstra Excavating

Elzinga & Volkers, Inc.

First General Credit Union

Forest Hills Foods

Forever Fossilized Videography

Founders Bank & Trust

Growco Indoor Garden Supply

Jawor Bros Blueberries Inc

Consumers Energy

Moore & Bruggink, Inc.

Patriot Realty

Quaint Cottages

Reagan Marketing & Design

Reliant Professional Cleaning

Contractors

The Hideout Brewing Company

Trillium Haven Farm

Universal Forest Products

URS Corporation - Great Lakes

Valley City Environmental Services

Village Bike & Fitness

Williams & Works

Willson Insurance

Installing new culverts at Lamberton Lake Fen - photo: Jacqueline Bilello

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This past spring, we took a big step forward in the restoration efforts at our Lamberton Lake Fen nature preserve. Larry Austin, of Aqua-Tech Consultants, along with Dennis Cole and Frank Blackman installed two culverts (with water control devices) along the berm that has long bisected the wetlands located on the preserve.

On a drizzly day in late April, the first trickle of water in over 50 years flowed from the southern marsh and out into the fen.

Over time, this more natural wateflow will impact the entire preserve and it will again begin to resemble the high quality prairie fen (a rare type of wetland) that once existed here. It will be an inviting place for the rare and unique plants and animals that call this special environment home.

Over the past few months, an unusually severe drought has reduced water levels throughout the preserve, but with the return of more normal rainfall, Jacqueline, LCWM Stewardship

Coordinator, is anticipating that the culverts will allow water to flow more evenly across the entire preserve. This will improve the quality of the rare and unique prairie fen that makes this preserve such a special place.

As part of the follow-up efforts, a group of Calvin College biology students came out in July and gathered seeds and native plant cuttings from the fen and transferred them to newly exposed areas south of the berm.

More volunteer events are planned for the fall as work continues at this “gem” of a preserve. (See page 15.)

Lamberton restoration: New culverts improve waterflow

Calvin College students gather seed at Lamberton Lake Fen photo: Jacqueline Bilello


Stewardship

In order to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, scouts must perform a service project as ultimate application of all that they have learned in scouting including leadership, responsibility, project management, and helping other people. Over the past several months, the Land Conservancy has been fortunate to have three scouts choose service projects that will benefit our preserves.

Take a trip out to either our Saul Lake Bog preserve or Lamberton Lake Preserve and you might notice something new. For his Eagle Scout service project, Nathan Smith coordinated the construction and installation of outdoor message boards at both of these preserves. Nathan showed great leadership and initiative in turning construction plans provided by Mike Bruggink (one of LCWM’s stewardship committee members) into practical and functional outdoor message boards. He reached out to local experts, fellow scouts, his church, and other volunteers to make this truly a community volunteer effort.

Another scout, Paul Sampson, is in the process of completing his service project. He also chose the construction and installation of outdoor message boards as his project and he has already organized several construction workdays to build the boards. He plans to install them soon at our Wege Natural Area and for a local Lion’s Club property.

Jacqueline Bilello, LCWM Stewardship Coordinator, is excited about the opportunities these boards offer to provide timely information to our members and neighbors about restoration projects, upcoming events, and other information about the preserves.

Finally, swing by our Minnie Skwarek Preserve and you will notice that the boardwalk and bridge network has been repaired. For his service project, Lucas Pierkarski planned how the network needed to be restored, coordinated fundraising, and arranged for supplies for the repair work. Then, with help from Spring Lake Boy Scout Troop 14, family, friends, and neighbors, he put in long hours replacing and rebuilding this network to insure that visitors will have a safe and pleasing hiking experience through the wetland trail for years to come.

“I am always eager to work with scouts on LCWM preserves because I can count on them to have the skills and organization necessary to accomplish big projects that we might not otherwise have the time or funds to achieve,” said Jacqueline.

Scouts interested in service projects at LCWM’s preserves are encouraged to contact Jacqueline at [email protected].

Nathan Smith and Jacqueline Bilello with one of the new message boards - photo: MaryJo Smith

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Eagle Scout projects at LCWM’s preserves


Summer fun at Saul Lake BogRecently, members and friends of the Land Conservancy came together for a fun-filled weekend of activities at our Saul Lake Bog Preserve.

The annual recurrence of the Perseid meteor shower (described below) on August 11-12 prompted the Land Conservancy to open the preserve after hours for a rare opportunity to view this spectacular event beyond urban lights. The clouds finally cleared around 11:30 p.m., and all were amazed by the beauty of the nighttime sky. The meteor shower was spectacular.

Kite flying, family games, and campfire stories were some of the many other activities that occurred during this weekend celebration. Forest Hills Foods provided plenty of fresh food and refreshments to keep the hungry campers going.

“Being able to camp out so close to home made this a great first time adventure for our kids,” Kari Gibbons, a volunteer with LCWM, said. “And I loved the idea of being out at night at one of my favorite preserves.”

Fireflies, bats, and even the resident barred owl contributed to this unique experience. Those who spent the night were awakened by the early morning activities of the cranes and geese out on the bog, something few had ever had a chance to experience before at Saul Lake.

Jacqueline hopes to have many other family fun events at LCWM preserves in the future, so if you are interested, email her at [email protected].

Perseid meteor shower

The Perseid meteor shower, arguably the most viewed of any in the northern hemisphere, is spawned by icy, dusty debris streaming from the comet Swift-Tuttle as it orbits the sun. During each orbit, every 130 years, more debris is laid along the comet’s path, resulting in a permanent cloud of debris. When the Earth travels through this cloud late in July and early in August each year, the debris interacts with the Earth’s atmosphere resulting in a spectacular nighttime light display. The Perseid meteor shower is so named because meteors appear to fall from a point in the constellation Perseus. Most of the dust today is around 1,000 years old, though the earliest recorded observance of the meteor shower dates back 2,000 years. The debris is about the size of a grain of sand and enters the Earth’s atmosphere traveling about 132,000 mph. The resulting friction makes them glow until they disintegrate.

Stewardship

Flying kites - photo: Jacqueline Bilello Enjoying the campfire - photo: Jacqueline Bilello Setting up the tents - photo: Jacqueline Bilello

photo: David Ribbens

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Welcome new Land Conservancy supporters (March 2012 - July 2012)

Judy & Roger AbbottEmily AndersonDouglas & Stephanie AndersonBrandon ArmstrongAmy Bannink-BurmeisterMary Ann BardDouglas BeltmanKathi BensonKatherine BensonJerry & Cheryl BentleyHarry BleckerCortney BoesNancy BoeseJim & Meribeth BoltGary & Mary BreukerRyan & Christine BridgesElizabeth BrouwerMike & Lisa ByamCarol BylsmaGinnie CarterJim & Martha ChalmersMatt ChalmersShirley & Jim ChambersMarion ChardoulTodd ChasseeBrent ChristyBruce CohanMichael ColeKenneth CornellMark CybowskiAnne DakeNicholas DatemaKelly DeBaarDonald DempseyMelissa Dettloff

Phil & Kim DeurJess & Alma DeYoungKeith DisselkoenDavid DornbosKathy DoyleJames DuncanJeffrey DupreySandy & Doug DuttonTyler EmmoreyJulie FiebigJoanne FowlerJason FrinkSarah FrinkJames FritschNate FullerMichelle GallerySeth GalliganErica & Derek GroendykDave & Shari GroendykEvan GroendykJean GroenhofThomas GroteTina HarrisKristen HintzCory HoernerJennifer HoffmanJames HosslerJason HuiDaniel HunsbergerDee JasickBrooke JohnsonJoy JohnsonDon & Penny JohnsonLawrence JulsonMichael & Suzanne Kelly

Nancy KolendaWilliam & Carol KooistraPaul KratochwillKim KrauseGordon LachnietDavid LaPlanteStephanie LergSeth LergJames & Denise LergDavid LindPatricia LineJill MayTricia McPheronMike MeyerJoan MeyerSue MillerMargaret MoceriTravis MorganAndrew MuellerThom MyersSteve & Mary NagengastCraig & Joan NeckersHannah O’BrienGabrielle O’BrienMike & Kay OlthoffKim OvaittDanielle OvaittCorinne & Erich PagelMarion PetersonGeorge PostmusNancy PriebeKaren PrimroseDave RaguseKay ReickKristen Reick

Karolyn RillemaKenny RobertsJessica RuppertStephen SangerBeth SchaapBrad SchnotalaKindy SegoviaDavid & Mary SnyderPam St. AmourRobin StackpooleThomas & Marta StanleyAshley StrotbaumLaura SummerfieldHeidi SytsemaTrish TaylorKeri TrayersLinda & Stanley TruskoskiNorma TunnellTanya UganskiPatrick UmphreySteven & Althea UnderwoodAlisha VanderLaanRobert & Barbara VanderWalGina VanDyneRolland VarnerVillage Bike & FitnessTom WalkerDeb & Greg WeaverAmanda WelshSandra WhiteKevin WhiteDavid WienerCharles & Sally WilsonMike & Dorothy WolfSteve & Michelle Zaworski

Donor Spotlight

At the Land Conservancy, we are working to transition more of our member communications to email. In do-ing so, we will save money in printing and postage and be able to direct a higher percentage of funds directly to our preservation efforts.

But we need your help.

Help us build our email database by providing us with your email address. In the future, you will receive more newsletters, announcements, and correspondence electronically.

Email us at [email protected] to give us your email address.

Thank you for your help.

Help us build our email database

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Pink Lady’s Slipper - photo: Jacqueline Bilello


35th anniversary donors (November 2011 - July 2012)

A number of our supporters have made contributions in honor of the Land Conservancy’s 35th anniversary this year. We want to express a special thank you to these donors as we reflect on our past 35 years and look forward to the future.

35th Anniversary Landmark Leaders$3,500+AnonymousHenry BerghoefAnne CoppsJan & Christine DeurW. Dale CrooksJohn & Kristine FoxSandy & Dick HansenHansen Charitable FoundationJ.A. Woollam FoundationKorth Family Foundation, Inc.Jamie & Penny LaddTom & Dawn McDonaldSmith Family Legacy

FoundationValley City Environmental

ServicesWege Foundation

35th Anniversary donors$350+Robert & Cindy AckermanDonald & Cindy AndersonWilliam & Jennifer BaguleyDwight & Tamara BakerBaker Publishing GroupJerry & Linda Bakke

Steven & Tiffany BalkBata PlasticsDouglas BeltmanJudy & Kenneth BetzMike BilyMark & Cathy BissellBISSELL Inc.Thomas BlairConrad & Margaret BradshawScott BrewJohn & Shelley BrocciBrooks Family of HollandChuck & Mary Jo BurpeeJohn CameronCardno JF New & Associates,

Inc.Tom ClintonDotti CluneDennis ColeCommercial Manufacturing &

AssemblyDouglas & Leigh ConantDavid & Janice CorneliusElizabeth CrosbyDan & Cecilia DecookDenise Dewys-GilbertDole Family FoundationPat & Julie DonahueDave DunnebackFrank G. DuntenForest Hills Foods

Founders Bank & TrustRobert & Ruth FountainTom & Mickie FoxFrey FoundationGrand Haven Area Comm FndDoris GriffithGrowco Indoor Garden SupplyMichael HayesHelen J & Allen I Hunting FdnMartin & Dorothy JohnsonSusan JohnsonChristina & Andy KellerKeller FoundationJack & Martha KetchumFred KraftSteve & Mary KretschmanBlake & Mary KruegerScott & Donna LachnietKeith & Bernice LamkinLouise & Jan LeestmaScott & Elisabeth LoosHorace LothmannVaughn & Jan MaatmanBruce & Cathy MartinStephen & Victoria McCarthyTom & Dawn McDonaldPhil MillerJohn & Gretchen MouselBernie MulderCraig & Jennifer NiemannW. Baldwin Ogden

Shelley PadnosRandolph PaschkeTimothy PenningsJohn PimmRudolph & Fernande PrudenBarbara & Milt RohwerTom RooksFritz & Carol RottmanSaint Mary’s Health CareDean & Elaine SalisburyJean Santa MariaKaren & Robert SchermerRubin & Mary SchmidtDoug & Nancy SchrankJennifer SchuhamWilliam & Mary SeegerClay StaufferArthur TaiSteve TenelshofThe Vogt FoundationValley City Environmental

ServicesJeff & Nancy VanwinkleVarnum LLPKeith WalkerGeorge WickstromJohn WorstBruce & Susan YoungBob Zylstra

If you’d like to make a donation in honor of 35 years of land protection, please visit www.naturenearby.org or mail in the donation form on page 13. Thank you!

Donor Spotlight

12 photo: Todd Reed


Gifts were made in honor of:

Their grandchildren, Luke, Cole, & Will BraymanBy Todd & Jackie Brayman

Richard W. Christian & William R. CallowBy Nora Callow & Barry Christian

Tim Langholz’s graduationBy Paula Gaylord

Nancy GrantBy Sofie Grant

Her childrenBy Patricia Line

The Niffenegger families from West MichiganBy Fr. David Neven

Gifts were made in memory of:

Anne CoppsBy Judy & Roger AbbottJerry & Cheryl BentleyConrad & Margaret BradshawJim & Martha ChalmersMatt ChalmersShirley & Jim ChambersMichael ColeJoan DonnellyJames FritschGrand Rapids Community FndD.G. (Peter) & Priscilla HallasSue JabinMichael & Suzanne KellyRaymond & Louise KenagaJamie & Penny LaddSarah LeonardMargaret MonahanPat & Ann MonahanJoann OttMarion PetersonRudolph & Fernande PrudenStephen SangerNorman & Marjorie TubbsGina VanDyneCharles & Sally Wilson

Art HollandBy Mary A. HollandVicki Tingley

Don McKierseBy Mary Zoe Remien

Jack NortonBy Mary A. Holland

Nate StanselBy Thomas Bigford

Stanley KendraBy Marge Stidham

Memorials & honorariums (March 2012 – July 2012)

Thanks to our year-end matching gift donors!

To help us reach our fiscal 2012 year-end fundraising goal, The Korth Family Foundation and an anonymous donor stepped forward to issue two $10,000 matching gift challenges to our members. Each challenge needed to be met by June 30, 2012 in order to be fully matched. With help from our loyal donors and members, we met both challenges by the deadline.

Our thanks goes out to the Korth Family Foundation and the anonymous donor, and to all who contributed to help us reach our goal!

Donor Spotlight

Keeping Nature Nearby

35 years

• Landmark Leader $2500

• Patron $1000• Sponsor $500• 35th Anniversary

donor $350• Benefactor $250• Sustainer $100• Supporter $50• Contributor $30• Other $_______

Please help the Land Conservancy protect West Michigan’s forests, fields, wetlands, & dunes!

Donate by credit card online at www.naturenearby.org, or make your check payable to the Land Conservancy of West Michigan and mail to: 1345 Monroe Ave. NW, Ste. 324, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

□ Yes! I want to help keep nature nearby with a gift of $___________.Name____________________________________________________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________

City_________________________________________________State________Zip______________

Phone____________________________________________________________________________

Email____________________________________________________________________________

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Pere Marquette River - photo: Pete DeBoer


Did You Know?

• Fireflies generate “cold light” which produces 100% light and no heat. Compare that to a light bulb which can pro- duce up to 90% heat.• Male moths can detect a single molecule of a female moth pheromone up to six miles away, using sensory organs located on their broad feathery antennae. • Moths can detect the age of a scent.• Having two antennae allows moths to locate the direction of a scent.• Some insects have “ears” on their forelegs which they can wave in the air to listen for sounds.• Cicadas make sounds by expanding and contracting special plates on their abdomens.• Katydids rub zipper-like serrations on their wings together.• Crickets use a knob on one wing to rub against a row of serrations located on the opposite wing to make their dis- tinct call.• Frogs have acoustic sensors especially tuned to pick out

the calls of their own species to the exclusion of most other sounds.• Frogs can hear vibrations through their skin.• Bats vocalize in the ultrasonic range and can echolocate using information received by the returning signals.• Bats can create complex spatial images of their environment, which they rapidly update.• Owls have the most forward facing eyes of any bird, giving them greater depth perception in low light.• Owls have a concave surface of stiff feathers which fun- nels sounds toward each ear. • In combination with asymmetrical ears (one higher than the other), owls use differences in timing and frequency of sound heard by each ear to build a 3-D auditory map of their environment.• Owls are far-sighted and rely on special sensory feathers around their beak and talons to tell them if they have captured prey.

To learn about bats, join us: October 27, 2012, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Learn about Michigan’s only bat species and build bat houses for LCWM preserves and to take home.

To learn about owls, join us:January 12, 2013, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Learn about Michigan’s owl species and build owl boxes to put up at LCWM preserves and take home.

Barred owl - photo: Melanie Manion

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For more information, contact Jacqueline at [email protected].

Nocturnal animals and their unique senses


It’s been seven years since LCWM partnered with Ottawa County to acquire what is now North Ottawa Dunes County Park.

On this hike, we will explore part of the extensive trail system and climb the stairs to the top of the dune for incredible views of Lake Michigan and the lower Grand River. This will be an “energetic” hike – some portions of the trail are loose sand, we’ll climb stairs, and we’ll go at a brisk pace.

Meet at the parking lot of Coast Guard Park on North Shore Drive in Ferrysburg.

Fourth Saturdays with LCWMGet outside and help keep nature nearby

Join LCWM volunteers on the fourth Saturday of every month to learn more about the amazing animals and unique plants that can be found on our preserves. Then stay to help with ongoing restoration work. Contact Jacqueline at 616-451-9476 or [email protected] for more information or to register. All events run from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

September 22 at Saul Lake Bog in Grattan Township We will be collecting seed from our prairie as well as preparing the site for the fall planting and spring burn. We will also be performing other maintenance tasks as time allows. Work is appropriate for ages 6 and up. Supplies and equipment will be provided. Wear long pants and sturdy shoes.

October 27 at Wittenbach/Wege Agriscience and Environmental Education Center Our “Homes for the Holidays Series” begins as we learn about little brown bats and then build bat houses for LCWM preserves and to take home. Construction will involve some use of power tools, so children must be accompanied by adults. Registration is required to make sure we will have enough materials on hand. A donation of $5 per person to offset material costs is appreciated.

November 24 at the Lamberton Lake Preserve in Grand Rapids Learn about the unique plants and animals that call the fen home and then stay to help remove woody invasive plants using hand tools and herbicide. Work is appropriate for ages 15 and up. Supplies and equipment will be provided. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather.

Hike North Ottawa DunesSunday, October 14, 1:30 p.m.

Calvin College students volunteer at a recent stewardship event - photo: Jacqueline Bilello

Upcoming Events

North Ottawa Dunes - photo: April Scholtz

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MissionTo keep nature nearby, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan permanently protects natural and scenic lands.

Board of DirectorsPenny Ladd, ChairJon Jellema, Vice ChairDeborah Steketee, Secretary Jan Deur, TreasurerDwight BakerMargaret Idema CheffDavid DornbosJohn FoxSusan HoekemaDawn HoltropDawn McDonaldMarti O’BrienPeter SchmidtClay StaufferJeff VandenBergeRobert VanStright

StaffVaughn MaatmanExecutive DirectorApril ScholtzLand Protection DirectorPete DeBoerLand Protection CoordinatorJacqueline BilelloStewardship CoordinatorNealy MolhoekConservation Easement SpecialistBrian ObitsDevelopment OfficerKeri AmlotteCommunications Coordinator Diane SampsonMembership CoordinatorGretchen R. MouselAccountant & Office Manager

LCWM is a recognized 501(c)(3)non-profit organization. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent of the law.

Land Conservancy of West Michigan1345 Monroe Ave. NW, Ste. 324Grand Rapids, MI 49505Phone: 616-451-9476Fax: 616-451-1874www.naturenearby.org [email protected]

Land Conservancy of West Michigan1345 Monroe Ave. NW, Ste. 324Grand Rapids, MI 49505

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDGrand Rapids, MI

Permit No. 906

Newsletter printed on recycled paper16

Each year, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission grants accreditation to land trusts throughout the country that have

achieved the highest standards of excellence, uphold the public trust, and ensure that conservation efforts are permanent. The bar for accreditation is set high. The application process is lengthy, arduous, and requires the submission of extensive records about the organization’s policies, procedures, finances, structure, and projects.

It is with great pleasure that we at the Land Conservancy announce that we have achieved accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation Commission.

“We are excited to be an accredited land trust,” said Vaughn Maatman, Executive Director. “It confirms to our members and landowners that we are using the sharpest, modern standards from the land protection community across the country, and we are bench-marking ourselves against the best practices in the nation. Accreditation is both affirmation of who we are and what we do, as well as a continuing goal to become the best practitioners of land protection and stewardship we can become.”

The accreditation process is administered by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance.

The Land Conservancy is one of only 181 land trusts (roughly 10 percent of all land trusts) in the United States that has been awarded accreditation since the program’s inception in 2008. Accredited land trusts are able to display a seal indicating to the public that the organization meets the highest level of standards. The seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation.

“The Staff at the Land Conservancy, as well as the Board of Directors and all of our volunteers, have worked diligently to make our organization the well-respected land protection institution in West Michigan that it is today,” said Penny Ladd, President of the Land Conservancy’s Board of Directors. “We are thrilled to have earned this recognition at the national level and we will display the accreditation seal with pride.”

The accreditation awards ceremony will be held in late September at Rally, the national land conservation conference. Land Conservancy staff members April Scholtz and Jacqueline Bilello will be on hand to accept our accreditation award.

Land Conservancy of West Michigan earns national recognition

Documents

Land Conservancy of West MIchigan - Fall 2012 Newsletter