HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!
Heart-felt thanks to all the folks who sent their thoughts on SWMLC’s 30th Anniversary.
Your positive energy keeps us going!
As a volunteer, I got a front-row seat at all the wonderful stewardship work this organization has accomplished. Starting with Nate, Randy – and now Mitch and Dave – I have learned so much about how all the pieces have to fit together to restore a habitat. And after 20 years, I love seeing the results of all that planning and perseverance. Looking across a field of lupine, and saying, “we did that!” reminds me what this organization has brought into my life and the community.
— Kristi Chapman
Wednesday Warrior Co-Leader/ Organizer/Volunteer
Portage, MI
“Aldo Leopold wrote in A Sand County Almanac that “One of the penalties of an ecological education is that one lives alone in a world of wounds.” As naturalists, this rings true and speaks to why we are SWMLC members. Their dedicated professionals have chosen to be doctors that help heal these wounds and preserve wild and scenic places. They invite us to join them so we are not alone, but instead working together spreading hope along with prairie seeds to make Southwest Michigan a better, more ecologically rich place to live. Happy 30th Anniversary!”
— Dan and Stacy Burton
Land Protection Team,
Blue Green Society Members
Kalamazoo, MI
“1). The key element to living in SW Michigan is healthy and excellent ecological resources – and SWMLC’s vision and mission statement incorporates those values.
2). SWMLC is very competent, capable, and vision driven.”
— Dana and Teresa Getman
Blue Green Society Members
South Haven, MI
“What great satisfaction I have personally received over the years from being involved with this group of devoted, hard-working individuals, striving to provide the people of southwest Michigan with a lasting endowment of beautiful places!”
— Jim Birkes
Former SWMLC Board Member,
Blue Green Society Member
Glenn, MI
“I first experienced the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy from the landowner end back in the mid-2000s when I worked with Jody Simoes to complete a conservation easement on the land our family owns in Barry County. It took no time at all for me to feel comfortable that the conservancy was exactly the right group to protect our land. It was later as a board member that I really understood all that SWMLC does from outreach to stewardship to donor relations to VERY long-term planning to ensure that the beautiful landscapes of southwest Michigan are protected forever. Now as a member and donor, I get incredible satisfaction each time I head to a SWMLC preserve to birdwatch with my son or hike with my husband. Thirty years seems both long (more than half my life!) and short (the impact will be felt for hundreds of years!).”
— Donna Keller
Conservation Easement Owner,
Former SWMLC Board Member,
Blue Green Society Member
Kalamazoo, MI
“Friends of ours, a young couple with two children, recently wrote to us about how much they enjoy Spirit Springs Sanctuary. She is a cancer patient and walking is a part of her therapy that they can do together. We are thankful we were able to work with SWMLC eleven years ago to establish the sanctuary.”
— Vernon Miller
Spirit Springs Sanctuary Land Donor
Winona Lake, IN
“What a treat it was to find Jeptha Lake Fen Preserve right down the road from our farm way back in the day. I’ve been a fan ever since of SWMLC’s work conserving and sharing our beautiful Southwest Michigan countryside with the world. Here’s to 30 more years of this extraordinary commitment.”
— Rebecca Sive
Blue Green Society Member
Chicago, IL
“Living on a piece of land without spoiling it is an inspiring goal. But with the Wednesday Warriors I learned that you can go even further, you can revive a spoiled piece of land, and I learned how to do the work to start that land on its way back to thriving health. We can live with the land, not just on it.”
— David Riggs
Wednesday/Winter Warrior Volunteer,
Seed Collectors/Pluggers Group Leader
Kalamazoo, MI
“Major donor, donor, member, volunteer, preserve visitor – all are treated with equal respect as they enjoy the incredible preservation of nature’s beauty in the collection of pristine properties that are part of the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy.
Visit over 51 properties to learn of intriguing natural features and history of sites like Black River, Bow in the Clouds and Coon Hollow Preserves. Spend time at Pilgrim Haven Natural Area where you can wheel your chair along an amazing accessible curved paved path right down to the lakeshore.
These are just a few reasons why we send our congratulations to the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy on their 30th anniversary.”
— Dick and Lois Brunvand
Pilgrim Haven Advisory Committee
South Haven, MI
“While I do so much enjoy Michigan’s north woods, I’m comforted knowing that when I’ve returned home, I’ll be just minutes away from the natural beauty of some of the best of southwest Michigan. I’m so grateful that it continues to be protected by the efforts of SWMLC’s staff and volunteers.”
— Jeff Fleming
Wednesday/Winter Warrior Volunteer,
Seed Collectors/Pluggers Group Leader
Augusta, MI
“When we moved to SW Michigan from the East Coast about 30 years ago, we were amazed by the area’s natural beauty, and we are grateful for all SWMLC has done during this time to protect its special places.”
— Sue and Curtis Houseman
Former SWMLC Board Member,
Blue Green Society Members,
Richland, MI
“We’re happy to support SWMLC as it preserves and repairs the natural landscape here at home.”
— Joyce and Bob Leppard
Land Protection Team,
Blue Green Society Members
Plainwell, MI
“This is an observation from a lifelong educator who has worked to make the world a better place in our Southwest Michigan community. If you too wish to make the world a better place, become a supporter of SWMLC in some way large or small: volunteer, donate, take part in one of their many their programs. Enjoy a better, healthier life for yourself and others. SWMLC makes it possible for everyone to be a difference maker; to heal and replenish the earth for now and the future. An investment of your resources is a long term investment in the future for all of us as well as generations to come.”
— Bill McNulty
Portman Preserve Advisory Committee
Kalamazoo, MI
“One of my favorite things about SWMLC is the way they have led strategic efforts to conserve land. I have been involved with their Barry State Game Area Group for over seven years, as Emily Wilke and the folks at SWMLC have worked to coordinate efforts between different stakeholders to maximize what we can all do together. Between coordinating outreach efforts to helping play matchmaker for folks who normally wouldn’t work together very often, SWMLC has helped all of the conservation groups in the area recognize that we can do more together. I appreciate all the staff at SWMLC and the work they do for our community and for future generations.”
— Sara Syswerda
SWMLC Member
Middleville, MI
“Our support of Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy expresses our gratitude for nature’s resilience, diversity and remarkable beauty.”
— Julie and Rich Wyrwa
Portman Preserve Advisory Committee
Paw Paw, MI
“What impresses me even more than the amount of land SWMLC has been able to preserve, is their scientific and professional awareness and commitment to managing it well. Aldo Leopold would be proud of their work. Thanks for 30 years of significant results, and wishing you another 30 years just as good.”
— Bryan Burroughs
Volunteer Preserve Steward
DeWitt, MI
“Plain and simple, I’ve been a member for 20 years or more, on the board for 15 years, and it’s been a chance to do something good for the places we’ve come to know. It’s been a lot of fun to be involved and work with people who are united over a common cause, especially during these politically divisive times. Even the people who don’t know who we are benefit from what we do.”
— Dave Coleman
Former SWMLC Board Member,
Blue Green Society Member
Hastings, MI
“I believe in Eden and would tend the sacred garden of this Earth, rooted and grounded in the love of Nature, choosing to live in perpetual wonder and the freedom and power of beauty, ever open to the divine invitation, “Come see the works of God,” contending we stand upon holy ground and, as steward for my time, would share with future generations the treasures of my heart.”
— Alfred J. Gemrich
Conservation Easement Owner,
Former SWMLC Board Member,
Blue Green Society Member
Delton, MI
“I am grateful for and delighted by SWMLC’s work both to preserve so many diverse ecosystems and, at the same time, creating ways for all kinds of people to access natural areas and be rejuvenated by their visits.”
— Sister Virginia Jones, CSJ
Created Bow in the Clouds Natural Area for Nazareth Community
Kalamazoo, MI
“As our natural and unique spaces are disappearing, we are grateful to the SWMLC’s mission of acquiring and preserving a variety of ecosystems for all to enjoy. They have a remarkable ability to work with local governments, schools, state/environmental groups and families to procur grants to ensure each property is preserved according to the original intent.
When visiting Pilgrim Haven Natural Area, don’t be surprised when observing a praying mantis, it did use to be a church camp!”
— John and Maureen Lewandowski
Wednesday Warrior Volunteer,
Blue Green Society Members
South Haven, MI
“Since I was first invited to join the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy’s Board of Directors, the organization has been dear to my heart and my love of land and the environment. My years on the board and 3 times Chair has been memorable.”
— Betty Lee Ongley
Former SWMLC Board Member
Portage, MI
“Land is the sculpture we leave behind to illustrate our ethic. Generations from now, everyone will marvel at SWMLC preserves – the few places they know where wildlife still thrives, wetlands remain healthy, and centuries-old trees survive – and ask, “Why wasn’t everyone part of SWMLC?”
— Gary Stock
Former SWMLC Board member
Lawton, MI
“I enjoy volunteering for SWMLC because of the long-term commitment and mission to conserve ecologically important properties via purchases or donations of conservation easements across this corner of the state. My family has enjoyed volunteering at workdays to collect native plant seeds, remove invasive species, and fix/improve infrastructure like boardwalks and signage so that others can also enjoy the wonderful native habitats this area has to offer. It is greatly satisfying to know that with the dedicated staff and other volunteers that the preserves and easements will be conserved over the next 30 years and beyond.”