In this episode, we welcome Marie Orttenberger, advancement manager with The Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

The Land Conservancy of West Michigan works to keep nature nearby and conserve West Michigan’s ecologically critical land.

Marie told us they do this work by creating public nature preserves, providing support to communities and local governments in creating natural areas, and helping private landowners protect their own land.

Their focus is on three areas:

Protected Land: Working with families & communities to protect ecologically critical land.

Healthy Habitats: Maintaining and restoring health to the landscapes we work together to protect.

Inspired People: Offering inclusive opportunities for people to connect with nature and each other.

We spoke about:

* The history of the organization and how it was started.

*The finish of a 25-year project at Saul Lake Bog Preserve…in Rockford, MI. Saul Lake Bog Nature Preserve is one of West Michigan’s flagship natural areas. Visitors can appreciate the bog, prairie, forests, and fields—and the diversity of wildlife they support—in all seasons.

*The Land Conservancy of West Michigan is celebrating 50 years of keeping nature nearby. Marie promised that this year will offer several action-packed events for friends and supporters to be a part of.

Online: Land Conservancy of West Michigan