Michigan - It's in Our Nature

Here at The Nature Conservancy in Michigan, we want to take a moment to celebrate the successes of the past six years—successes that happened because of you. While 2020 has brought new challenges that each of us is learning to navigate and adapt to, I’m both heartened and humbled by the depth of the commitment that TNC’s supporters have shown to conserving Michigan’s lands and waters.  

That’s why gratitude is at the forefront of my thoughts as we close this incredibly successful campaign. I’m grateful for all of you—everyone who’s made a gift to see nature and people thrive in Michigan, from kids sending saved-up coins, to folks joining or renewing their membership, to long-time supporters making larger campaign commitments. Every one of you has taken action for nature and conservation, and made great things happen as a result.

The work we do at TNC in Michigan, we do for all, together. Michigan: It’s in Our Nature.

In the future I hope to look back on this year, despite its challenges, as a beginning—a new decade, a great new chapter for conservation in Michigan. Thanks to you, it’s possible. 

In Gratitude,

Jeremy Wittrock
Director of Development 

Barbara Piper, a longstanding supporter, donated her beloved cabin and acreage of old growth trees at Deer Lake in the U.P. to TNC in 2019. This 234-acre property will now provide a haven for migratory songbirds and other wildlife among its beech and hemlock forests, as a TNC nature preserve in perpetuity. 

Why? “Because nature is green! Green is peaceful, green is a calming color, green is restful and agreeable, green is being able to sit in the woods and let the world disappear for a while. The world needs more ‘green!’ And maybe others will find the same solace that I did: marvel at the old growth trees, listen to the birds, hear the barred owls calling, sit by the little waterfalls and think of nothing. We are here but a brief time, but nature endures.” — Barbara Piper

Karen and Don Stearns have generously supported many U.P. projects over the years, including helping to ensure that TNC was able to act on the opportunity to protect Wilderness Lakes Reserve. They have also demonstrated their commitment to conservation through several types of planned gift intentions.

“Properties we've helped save in the U.P. are still undeveloped and wild. That, for us, is a very comforting thought. We hope to preserve some of Michigan's wild places for present and future generations, and we’re glad that conservation groups like TNC are working to make that happen.” — Karen and Don Stearns

The J.A. Woollam Foundation has played one of the most impactful roles in TNC’s land protection efforts in Michigan to date, providing incredibly important support to TNC during this campaign and beyond. In fact, the J.A. Woollam Foundation has been helping to conserve lands throughout Michigan and beyond for decades, thanks to Dr. John Woollam. Dr. Woollam was born and raised in Michigan where his love for its lakes, dunes, forests and streams began.

“Michigan is blessed with large, undeveloped landscapes. These special places need to be preserved—we have an obligation to protect them. TNC is really good at large-scale conservation, and I enjoy working with TNC on projects like Wilderness Lakes.” — Dr. John A. Woollam

“An avid outdoorsman, C.S. Mott believed deeply in the power of people connecting to their communities and environment,” shares Mott Foundation trustee Ridgeway White. “Michigan has incredible natural resources — the Great Lakes, world-class trout streams, vast forests and towering sand dunes, to name just a few. But these are more than nice places to visit. They also are critically important to our economy and quality of life, and the Mott Foundation is doing what it can to help protect them for future generations.” The Mott Foundation has supported TNC’s work in Saginaw Bay for many years, enabling system-wide impact for both people and nature in their own backyard. 

“We are pleased to see The Nature Conservancy working with farmers in the Saginaw River basin to reduce soil erosion and polluted runoff. The result is a new way of spending federal conservation dollars for greater impact – it’s a win-win for the environment and farming.” —Ridgway White, President and CEO

Dave Kepler, whose business is based in the Saginaw Bay area, has supported TNC for many years. Many of his contributions recognize and celebrate the importance of water, from agricultural conservation work in the Saginaw Bay to the protection of North Point on the shores of Lake Huron. 

“Living in Michigan, I admire the beauty and diversity of nature in our state and the uniqueness of its water—which is everywhere. When I give to The Nature Conservancy, I am helping to protect another piece of our world.” —Dave Kepler

When it comes to transformational giving during this campaign, the Carls Foundation stands out among our most generous supporters, with a gift to the protection of both North Point Peninsula and Wilderness Lakes Reserve that was vital to making these achievements a reality. 

“These two special places are everything we look for in our giving to protect nature in Michigan—beautiful forests, clear lakes, important wetland habitats, and a rich cultural and natural legacy. These places capture both ecological and human benefits, and I am proud that we’ve been able to work with TNC to protect them for Michigan.” — Elizabeth Stieg, Executive Director

The Elizabeth, Allan and Warren Shelden Fund has been a consistent and impactful supporter of TNC for well over a decade, but went above and beyond to support the acquisition on North Point Peninsula with a large gift that helped close out the remaining need for the protection of this unique place. 

“There are such special places in Michigan...Route 2 in the U.P., a couple of bends in the Black River, a stretch of dirt road in the Pigeon River State Forest that is simply glorious—a tunnel of yellow in the fall. Keeping another special place—North Point—wild, keeping that side of Michigan wild, is just a great thing. Visitors can be revived by being in such a beautiful and peaceful setting.” — Bill Shelden, President and Treasurer

Peter Walters, former chair and current member of TNC’s board of trustees in Michigan, has often been known to lend a hand with on-the-ground conservation, working alongside our stewardship staff to help maintain and restore Michigan’s habitats. This commitment is also demonstrated through the gifts he and his wife Carol have made to TNC to support rare conservation opportunities, including a 0% interest loan to help protect the North Point Peninsula when TNC had just a narrow window to act. This loan was later forgiven, turning it into a gift.

We can think of no higher conservation priority than restoring and preserving Michigan’s shoreline wetlands. The Great Lakes need these essential wetlands for both wildlife preservation as well as the improved water quality of the lakes themselves. Surrounded by so much of the world’s surface freshwater, with a true four-season climate, Michigan maintains a unique stature in our globe’s natural landscape.” — Carol and Peter Walters

The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation has been supporting TNC’s work in Detroit since 2017, not only as funders but as collaborators as well, helping us connect with partners and develop innovative, impactful solutions to support our shared goal of healthy, livable communities.

“We are thrilled that The Nature Conservancy’s work in Detroit has resulted in the adoption of a landmark plan for equitable development in Eastern Market. It’s a great example of true partnership between the public and private sectors with non-profits and residents.” — David Egner, President and CEO

When TNC set out to begin our green stormwater infrastructure work in Detroit, we turned to the Fred A. and Barbara M. Erb Family Foundation, a leader in this effort. Their vision and support have been critical as we collaborate with the Detroit community to determine equitable, effective and economical solutions for protecting Michigan’s vital freshwater resources. 

“Michigan means ‘great water’ and that is what truly makes nature here so special. We are beautifully surrounded by water and some of the most biodiverse ecosystems in the world, and Michiganders cherish it.” — Dr. Neil Hawkins, President

Karen and Drew Peslar run a family foundation, through which they support many nonprofits in southeastern Michigan. Over the past decade they have invested in TNC’s efforts to protect Michigan’s waters for future generations. This long-term alignment accelerated when TNC began our work in Eastern Market, for which they have made a generous multi-year pledge.

 “All of my life, one of the major ecological struggles in southeastern Michigan has been pollution caused when rainwater overwhelms our local sewage treatment capability. When TNC offered an alternative approach for Detroit, I was mindful of their often demonstrated vision and tenacity. We made our pledge to help TNC continue to provide science-based leadership and passion while the project moves forward.” — Drew Pesla

The Kresge Foundation has been a key supporter of TNC’s work in Eastern Market as an integral part of the revival that the foundation has been working toward in Detroit. By incorporating nature’s benefits into the redevelopment of Eastern Market, TNC can help further the equity that is a core part of The Kresge Foundation’s vision.

 “We should all have the opportunity to be connected to nature and be grounded in nature, but our access is inequitable; that’s no surprise given our legacy of racism and our decades of devaluing the very community assets that we should be celebrating in common. I’m reminded of James Baldwin’s words: ‘Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.’ This is the time to face these issues.” — Wendy Lewis Jackson, Detroit Program Managing Director

For years, the Meijer Foundation has been a consistent supporter of TNC’s work to address aquatic invasive species and ensure sustainable fisheries. This represents a truly impactful collaboration to address the critical environmental challenges faced by a system vital to Michigan’s future.

“You can be anywhere in Michigan, and you’re close to a Great Lake. This is a wonderful gift we should all cherish! The Great Lakes fisheries are a tremendous asset that we need to protect. If fisheries are threatened, then so is the entire ecosystem of the Great Lakes. Keeping fisheries in balance by supporting TNC’s sustainable fisheries work is our way of preserving and protecting the waters of the Great Lakes.” — Hank Meijer, Trustee

The Joyce Foundation generously supported sustainable fisheries through TNC’s launch of Blue Accounting (see page 26) to give Michigan and other Great Lakes states the tools they need to keep invasive species from spreading in the region’s waterways, sharing TNC’s commitment to protecting the Great Lakes for all.

“The Joyce Foundation is committed to helping organizations like The Nature Conservancy ensure that the Great Lakes can provide for future generations as they have provided for us. Michigan, the traditional land of the Three Fires Confederacy of Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi peoples, plays a central role in that vision. And Michigan’s location in the heart of the Great Lakes makes it a leader in protecting a resource so special to all of us.” — Elizabeth Cisar, Co-Director, Environment

As an annual supporter of TNC for over 20 years, Randy Baidas epitomizes the commitment to Michigan’s lands and waters that TNC’s donors share. Inspired to push back against the loss of the natural world that he’s seen in his lifetime, his generosity and that of others like him gives TNC the ability to take concrete action for habitat protection and restoration.

“The Nature Conservancy has consistently pushed forward to address the social and political missteps of the past with a focus on ecological systems—the mechanism of our planet Earth. Gathering various groups of people, from farmers to corporate boards, to achieve tangible results is a wonderful thing. We support The Nature Conservancy, as a champion of the Great Lakes waters: its mission, its accomplishments and those who work so diligently.” — Randy Baidas and William Reeves

It’s because of people like Tom Cook and Anna Owens, who have spent many years thoughtfully working to support and protect Michigan’s special places and all its natural systems, that TNC is able to accomplish so much for conservation. Thanks to their support, and those of others like them, we will continue to lead the way on important issues like climate change. 

“We became supporters of The Nature Conservancy because of their efforts to preserve special places. Now we see that protecting natural areas like forests and wetlands also helps reduce climate impacts. We believe TNC’s ability to connect a diverse group of people around a common, and common-sense, set of policies and practices will help lead the way for impactful natural climate solutions." — Tom Cook and Anna Owens

The DTE Foundation looks for ways to align their giving with impactful and credible environmental partners like TNC, to help lead the people of Michigan, and the natural resources we depend on, to a sustainable future. The new Conservation Fellowship Program that the DTE Foundation has facilitated is a great example of what collaborating around these values can achieve. 

“We’re very excited about the new fellowship. Diversity, equity and inclusion have been a focus of the DTE Foundation for a very long time. We wanted to provide an opportunity for talented individuals to work with a great organization to gain conservation experience and build a valuable network, and to provide a springboard for their future success.” — Lynette Dowler, President

For the past fifteen years, Jeffrey and Cynthia Littmann have consistently supported conservation through TNC, with a special focus on the Upper Peninsula and the stewardship of TNC’s protected lands there. Recently, they collaborated with TNC to support two generous programs that enable graduate students to gain unique experience in their fields, including an AmeriCorps VISTA position and a joint TNC/Michigan State University conservation law internship. 

“Michigan is blessed to be surrounded by some of the world’s largest bodies of freshwater, to have so much public land, to have funding and programs that promote responsible stewardship and conservation of private lands and to have the rich diversity in ecosystems that comes with the different climate zones represented here. We believe that access to nature, be it on a lake, in a river or forest, or in an urban center is critical to human comfort and fulfilment.” — Jeff and Cynthia Littmann

Essel and Menakka Bailey provided a generous and creative multi-stage gift, including real estate and stock gifts, to endow the Bailey Conservation Fellowship. Not only does this create a lasting career opportunity for emerging leaders, it also provides TNC with valuable capacity and expertise to augment our science and resources. 

“We are committed to scientific research to promote protection of our natural resources, the education of the next generation on the importance of preserving our environment and encouraging others to support the work of TNC.” — Essel and Menakka Bailey

Terry Barclay, who also serves on TNC’s Michigan Board of Trustees, established a living trust with TNC as a lasting commitment to preserving Michigan’s natural beauty and resources. We are honored to have our Legacy Club supporters like Terry journeying with us on a path to a sustainable future.

“Michigan has been my home for 40 years. The Great Lakes are breathtaking and initially were hard to comprehend for someone who grew up in the desert and mountains. The lakeshore, rivers, waterfalls, farmlands and boreal forest in the Upper Peninsula are stunning and important ecosystems. The city of Detroit and other urban areas are so important to Michigan’s economy, and it’s exciting to see the work being done to ensure livable communities and a sustainable future. Michigan is simply a stunningly beautiful state that has captured my heart and imagination.” — Terry Barclay

Barbara Van Dusen has served the Michigan chapter as an active board member for decades, and was honored as the chapter’s first-ever life trustee in 2001 for her dedication to saving the state's last great places. She continues to demonstrate leadership by example, and generously supports many campaigns and calls to action on the most critical conservation issues. 

"Climate change is the biggest issue we’re facing today, and the most imminent threat. We need to do all we can to make a difference. We need to let people know the little things we can do to help the environment—the things we can each do to shape our future, one step at a time.” — Barbara Van Dusen

A resident of the Keweenaw Peninsula, Richard Hoeger knows the value of the Upper Peninsula’s vast, wild forestlands. He found a creative way to support the conservation of this place so near and dear to him through a charitable IRA rollover. 

“Giving to TNC by means of the required IRA minimum distribution is a win-win proposition, helping to advance wilderness preservation while reducing my federal income taxes. Funds going to TNC are applied to specific and measurable projects, while funds going to the federal government are spread over a plethora of projects. My IRA distribution to TNC gives the biggest bang to my conservation buck.” — Richard Hoeger

In 2020, Nancy and Tadd Seitz established an endowment that will provide long-term support for TNC’s conservation work on land and water protection, sustainable forestry and restoring critical habitats for wildlife, particularly in western Michigan. Tadd and Nancy were both born and raised in Grand Rapids, and desired to make a difference so that other people could enjoy the beautiful places they loved for years to come. 

“Michigan and especially western Michigan have been a formative influence on our lives, from when we were kids playing in the sand to retirement on the shore of Lake Michigan, that we want to help preserve and improve for the future.” — Nancy and Tadd Seitz

So, what’s on the horizon for The Nature Conservancy in Michigan?

Of course, TNC’s work during the Michigan: It’s in Our Nature campaign will continue, as strong as ever, thanks to the continued commitment and support of our staff, our partners and donors like you. Here are just a few of the exciting things to come:

• We’ll be scaling up the way we work with partners around the state to protect an interconnected network of resilient lands and waters, based on TNC-led science and research.

• Our preserves have always been an important way for people to engage with TNC and conservation. We will continue updating our preserve infrastructure and expanding our resources and events so that all Michigan residents can connect with nature.

• We will drive an ambitious set of policy priorities forward, working with Michigan leaders to see measurable—and critical—progress made for Michigan’s lands and waters and the wildlife and people who depend on them.

• Our work to address climate change will be bigger and more comprehensive than ever, advancing nature-based solutions such as our Working Woodlands program, coastal resilience and carbon capture opportunities—just to name a few!

• We will work to realize a future of providing food sustainably in Michigan—looking beyond the short-term to provide a strong scientific basis for the lasting resiliency of our state’s agricultural lands and fisheries.

• We will deepen our collaboration with people who live and work in Michigan’s cities by bringing neighborhood scale- GSI to Detroit—demonstrating a new way to integrate the benefits of nature into our lives.

• And, of course, we will fight for what is perhaps Michigan’s most precious resource—water. We will work from the halls of government to the heart of Detroit to each of our Great Lakes to ensure access to clean and plentiful water for people and nature, now and in the future.

I couldn’t possibly fit all our plans onto this page, but know that there are great things ahead for TNC’s Michigan chapter—backed by science, by our strength as a global organization and by our supporters.

TNC could not do what we do in Michigan without you, and you have our deepest thanks for your support and your trust. We pledge to honor that trust, and work every day for the future of our world.

In Nature,

Helen Taylor

TNC Michigan State Director