The Lake Michigan Shorelands Alliance: Collaborative Land Conservation Protecting Critical Natural

Resources in the Lake Michigan Basin

Kate Zurlo-Cuva, Land Trust Program Director

Wisconsin Land Information Association Spring Regional ConferenceJune 3, 2010

people protect

the places that make

We help

Wisconsin special.

We strengthen Wisconsin’s land trusts

Overview

1. An update on important issues affecting professionals in the land trust community: Lake Michigan Shorelands Alliance

2. Recent technological, social, or political advances specific to land trusts

3. How the land trust movement uses land information

1. Update on Important Issues to Land Trusts

Lake Michigan Shorelands Alliance (LMSA) GOALS:

1. Focus on critical sites;

2. Coordinate resources;

3. Increase capacity of LMSA members; and

4. Build local and regional public support for protection of critical natural resources.

1. Update on Important Issues to Land Trusts

LMSA Partners:Baird Creek Preservation FoundationCaledonia ConservancyDoor County Land TrustGlacial Lakes ConservancyKenosha Racine Land TrustMilwaukee Area Land ConservancyThe Nature Conservancy – WI ChapterNortheast Wisconsin Land TrustOzaukee Washington Land TrustRiver Revitalization Foundation

1. Update on Important Issues to Land Trusts

• A conservation plan completed in 2003

• 18 Priority areas for conservation

• Stimulates partnerships and collaboration

• Increases funding opportunities

Landscapes of Opportunity

1. Update on Important Issues to Land Trusts

Landscapes of Opportunity Summary:•Setting joint priorities•Coordinating resources in the basin•Promote partnerships & collaboration•Promote creative solutions for land and water protection•Build local and regional support

2. Recent Advances

Four Successful Community Forums

Wingspread ConferenceLMSA Strategic Plan

2. Recent Advances

An Update to Landscapes of Opportunity

A Critical Resource Evaluation (ACRE) – Trust for Public Land’s GIS tool that combines conservation science with the art of working with stakeholders to identify community values around land conservation.

2. Recent Advances

• Updated and expanded the Landscapes of Opportunity

• Map-based plans that summarize priorities of the land trusts & current resources/reports from the region.

• Combined the science goals with stakeholders input

• Community values around land conservation • Common, targeted conservation messages.• Future use recruiting partners & finding new

funding.

A Critical Resource Evaluation model (a GIS tool for conservation planning)

•ACRE model results to land trusts

•Accompanying brochure to outline common messages

3. How the land trust movement uses land information

Goal: More GIS resources to land trusts

Goal: Tech summit 2011 opportunities

Goal: Address capacity issues for land trust members

www.gatheringwaters.org