donate / membership
SWMLC members are a Force for Nature – and with your support, the possibilities are endless!
When you make a donation, you automatically become a member of our Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy community for the year! It’s that simple – your generosity helps protect the lands we love, and in return, you’re officially part of a community that works together to conserve our region’s most important natural areas.
Thank you for your support!
Through your tax-deductible membership in Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, you will join the many other folks who also love nature and are taking action to make sure that it will always be here for people and wildlife.
In return for your generous gift, you will receive:
♦ a subscription to the print version of our newsletter Protecting Nature delivered to your mailbox three times a year.
♦ invitation to our Annual Members’ Meeting
♦ the satisfaction of knowing that you’re part of a growing movement to protect, restore, and care for the vital natural lands and waters of Southwest Michigan for current and future generations.
♦ All membership donations come with a complimentary sticker for you to use or share to help us promote our work!
SWMLC caps, beanies, and shirts are available for purchase here and are not automatically included with memberships. At our annual membership meeting in August, all members who attend will receive a complimentary t-shirt.
Members who contribute $500 or more may request a complimentary shirt by emailing Erin Decker.
membership levels
Blue Green Wayfinders
$1000+ sustaining
- Blue for the abundant waters that surround us here in southwest Michigan, green for the rich and diverse land with which we’re blessed. Join the Blue Green Wayfinders, an amazing group of supporters who pledge to support SWMLC’s mission annually at $1000 or above.
Your commitment to giving at this level on an annual basis provides us with much-needed financial security, knowing that we can count on these gifts to provide the resources, strength, and flexibility we need to continue (and grow) our vital conservation work into the future.
In addition to the regular membership perks listed above, Blue Green Wayfinders receive invitations to attend special outdoor experiences that are not available at other giving levels.
Mitchell's Satyr Butterfly
$1000+
- This inconspicuous little brown butterfly only lives in prairie fen wetlands, and is a federally- and state-endangered species. SWMLC protects and manages habitat at several of its remaining strongholds and does annual surveys to monitor its populations. The biggest threats to Mitchell’s satyr butterflies are habitat loss and chemical runoff from pesticides and fertilizers that pollute fens.
Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
$500+
- Our native Michigan “swamp rattler” is a shy, secretive creature that lives in prairie fen wetlands and flees or freezes when approached. It is federally endangered due to habitat loss, poaching for pet trade, inbreeding, disease, and persecution. SWMLC has received feceral funding to help protect and restore habitat at several properties where massasaugas live, and we conduct monitoring surveys to study their populations.
Cerulean Warbler
$250+
- This beautiful blue songbird is listed as “Threatened” in Michigan and its very sensitive to human disturbance. SWMLC conserves several properties that include the large, unbroken forests of mature trees located near waterways that this bird needs to thrive, and has worked with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to protect others. The biggest threats to cerulean warblers are are habitat loss and forest fragmentation.
Spotted Turtle
$100+
- Spotted turtle are small, sweet-faced creatures that live in bogs, fens and grassy marshes. They are so adorable that their locations must be kept secret to prevent poachers from collecting them for the pet trade. They are listed as “Threatened” in Michigan due to habitat loss, pollution, and collection. SWMLC protects and restores habitat for spotted turtles and works with researchers to study their populations.
Little Brown Bat
$50+
Students and seniors receive an additional 50% discount!
- This tiny mammal weighs less than ½ an ounce and lives in buildings, under bridges, in hollow trees, under loose bark, and inside piles of rocks and wood. It prefers sites near bodies of water since it feeds largely on aquatic insects. The little brown bat is listed as “Threatened” in Michigan because its populations are plummeting due to a fungal disease called white nose syndrome. SWMLC has been working with bat researchers to study bat populations at several of our preserves.
Group/Club/Organizational Membership
$200+
- Actively supporting nature in southwest Michigan with a SWMLC membership is a great way to show that your group, club, or organization walks the talk!
- In addition to the regular membership perks listed at the top of the page, your business or organization logo will be added to our website (along with a live link to your website or social media account) and in the summer Annual Report edition of SWMLC’s Protecting Nature newsletter.
Business Membership
$
Please contact us for suggested donations for businesses of your size.
- Make a difference for local nature while also bringing purpose and meaning to your business by joining this generous community of business supporters.
- In addition to the regular membership perks listed at the top of the page, your business or organization logo will be added to our website (along with a live link to your website or social media account) and in the summer Annual Report edition of SWMLC’s Protecting Nature newsletter.
Gift Memberships
$
- Gift memberships tell the recipient that you recognize and honor their love for nature and may be purchased at the SWMLC Swag Store.
Matching Gifts
$
Double your gift to help protect nature in southwest Michigan!
- Many corporations match contributions made to SWMLC. Are you an employee of – or retired from – a company with a matching gift program?
- Gifts may be made through the website by following the Join! link below, then emailing us your company’s forms.
- Or, you may send a check along with your company’s forms by mail to our office at 8395 East Main St., Galesburg, MI. 49053.
Either way, will be happy to follow-up!
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