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Dunes, wetlands, forests, savannas, prairies, farms and vineyards – it’s this diverse beauty that makes the landscape of southwest Michigan so special. Many of us have a sizeable investment in southwest Michigan, and we are  passionate about the future of our area.
The Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) is a tax-exempt organization created by local residents in 1991. Our mission is to permanently protect the natural, historic and scenic landscapes to ensure the health and quality of life for the people of southwest Michigan. We are dedicated to protecting natural areas, historic sites and open spaces through gifts, purchases or conservation easements; encouraging ecologically sound land practices; enabling individuals and organizations to protect land important to wildlife and people; and providing opportunities and sites for education, research, outdoor recreation, and nature study.
 Governed by an unpaid board of directors with a professional staff and dedicated volunteers, SWMLC works with landowners who voluntarily want to preserve their land. Together, we protect endangered and threatened habitats and species, rural character and open space, agriculture and passive recreation, and the extraordinary vistas that give this region its distinctive character. We are currently engaged in land preservation activities throughout southwest Michigan, including collaborative planning efforts with local governments and other environmental organizations.
We are supported by members, foundations, governments and organizations -- all committed to conserving land.
SWMLC works in the nine counties of southwest Michigan: Allegan, Barry, Berrien, Branch, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph, and Van Buren. Click here to see a map showing our preserves and easements. Check back, as we will be adding county maps showing a more detailed view of each protected property.
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