2026-2031
In 2023, the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy found its home and its moment. When we relocated to the new McMullen Family Conservation Center at Mitchell Creek Meadows: The Don and Jerry Oleson Nature Preserve, the move proved to be far more than a change of address. It was a call to action.
In less than three years, the Conservancy transformed this living campus into a hub of bold conservation measures: forging powerful partnerships to tackle complex land and water challenges; expanding conservation education across the region; growing native plants at scale, pushing back against invasive species and a changing climate; and demonstrating that high-performance, sustainable buildings aren’t a distant dream—they’re here, right now, within the Mitchell Creek watershed.
The acceleration of our mission-driven activities is firmly rooted in 35 years of purposeful groundwork. Since 1991, the Conservancy has executed its mission of protecting and stewarding the finest natural, scenic and farm lands in perpetuity. With Strategic Direction: 2026–2031, we’re not simply reaffirming that commitment—we’re doubling down on it. And as we announce this five-year plan, we celebrate a milestone that seemed unimaginable at our founding—the preservation of our 50,000th acre!
The impact of our work is written across the landscape. The Conservancy’s preserves, sanctuaries, farms and conservation easements have helped shape a region where people respect and enjoy the natural world as they live, work and play. These protected lands filter runoff, maintain natural shorelines, and safeguard the clean water that flows through—and defines—northern Michigan. Increasingly, they form connected corridors where wildlife moves freely and ecosystems thrive. Our protected lands also attract a wide range of visitors— from the hardest-charging mountain biker to the stealthiest birder—and help drive the local economy.
In short, we conserve the irreplaceable natural resources that underpin our regional economy and our way of life.
NOW, AS WE LOOK TOWARD 2031, WE ARE THINKING BIGGER.
Working hand in hand with Tribal Nations, regional partners and universities, the Conservancy will:
• Restore what’s been harmed— reviving the Mitchell Creek watershed and others like it, reversing the damage of contaminants, invasives and erosion, and breathing new life into terrestrial and aquatic habitats;
• Connect people with nature— strategically expanding access to our preserves and inviting people to swap screen time for the sights, sounds and smells of the natural world—for their health, and for their sense of wonder;
• Fight climate change from the ground up—preserving forested lands, and demonstrating sustainable practices and regenerative approaches across protected properties to sequester carbon and build ecosystem resilience;
• Shape regional growth—sharing the Conservancy’s expertise and its meticulously developed Priority Landscape Atlas with local governments and the public to support datadriven decision-making when addressing the competing demands of housing, commercial development and conservation;
• Demonstrate that conservation and other community objectives may be complementary—facilitating thoughtful development where it is ancillary to one of our projects and consistent with our mission;
• Strike quickly in a fast-paced real estate market—committing to the purchase of extraordinary properties based on the ready availability of newly established long-term funds when market conditions require quick action; and
• Develop tomorrow’s conservation leaders today—investing in the future of conservation by developing the next generation of conservation leaders in the Conservation Center and on our properties pursuant to our mission of advancing stewardship.
These actions capture the spirit of our plan for the next five years: ambitious, optimistic, science-based, collaborative and grounded in the unwavering conviction that protecting the region’s land and water is of paramount importance now and for future generations.
And we won’t stop there.
We invite you to read the complete Strategic Direction: 2026–2031. As always, we offer our deepest gratitude to the donors, volunteers and partners who make this work not just possible, but extraordinary.
OUR MISSION
Protecting significant natural, scenic and farm lands – and advancing stewardship – now and for future generations.
OUR VISION
We envision a stunning tapestry of protected land and water—an interdependent weave binding the beauty of our region, the resilience of its ecosystems, the sustainability of its economy, and the health of its residents. We see ourselves as catalysts and conveners of like-minded partners, dedicated to the conservation of this way of life.
OUR VALUES
EXCELLENCE
We are committed to excellence in everything we do. We employ best practices, strive to enhance our skills and knowledge, and measure our performance against exacting standards. We work hard and carefully manage our resources in order to deliver outstanding results in a timely and efficient manner.
LEADERSHIP
For those to whom much is given, much is required. As the recipient of incredibly generous support, we feel a deep responsibility to aggressively pursue our mission, not only by protecting and stewarding outstanding properties, but also by engaging and educating elected officials, partners, donors, volunteers, students and others regarding the critical environmental issues affecting the region.
INCLUSIVENESS
We welcome everyone to experience the natural wonder of the Grand Traverse region by visiting our protected properties free of charge. Our universally accessible trails are an especially inviting manifestation of our commitment to serve all residents and visitors, regardless of age or physical ability.
GENEROSITY
Reflecting the generosity of our supporters, we freely provide our time, expertise and other resources to communities, like-minded organizations and individuals throughout our service area in pursuit of their needs and our mission.
TEAMWORK
We are a team. We work together—inside and outside the organization—in the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and creativity. The result is deep, trusting, long-term relationships that contribute to the successful development and management of protected properties and the flourishing of the entire region.
RESPECT
Our internal and external relationships are founded on mutual respect. We welcome open dialogue and debate, confident that it will enable us to sharpen our thinking, avoid pitfalls, and seize opportunities that may not be immediately apparent.
COMMUNICATION
We listen carefully and communicate clearly and openly to avoid misunderstandings and generate goodwill among everyone with whom we interact.
INTEGRITY
We conduct our work with integrity in words and actions. We follow through on our commitments. Our mission is timeless, and to meet that challenge in perpetuity we must earn the trust of others by being trustworthy.
FORESIGHT
We plan for change. In addition to responding to today’s obvious threats, we anticipate and address tomorrow’s emerging problems.
THE OPPORTUNITY
The Grand Traverse region has long held a special spot in the hearts of those who live and visit here. Generations of year-round and seasonal residents have savored the breathtaking beauty of its Lake Michigan bluffs and beaches, its forests and farm lands, its inland lakes and rivers. This spectacular combination of land and water has provided the backdrop for countless hours of recreation, relaxation and renewal for people of all ages and walks of life.
The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has helped paint this idyllic picture by protecting and stewarding the region’s finest natural, scenic and farm lands since 1991. There are, however, a few clouds on the horizon. The region’s ongoing population growth and sprawl are intensifying development pressure on its most conservation-worthy land and stressing its lifeblood of clean lakes and streams. The presence of increasing numbers of unconstrained bidders is testing the Conservancy’s ability to act quickly enough to purchase and protect such prime properties. And yet the need for additional protected properties has never been greater— to foster individual health and well-being, to bolster the regional economy, and to implement natural solutions to the encroaching effects of climate change.
At the same time, a subtle but far broader challenge to the future of conservation is unfolding. The 2025 dismantling of AmeriCorps and related programs has eliminated a critical national pipeline of nascent conservation professionals. The ripple effects will be felt far and wide as fewer young people find structured pathways into natural resources careers. Simply stated, the country can’t afford to lose a generation of environmental stewards.
We view these challenges as opportunities, and we intend to seize them. To meet the moment, as we demonstrate throughout Strategic Direction: 2026-2031, we’ll build on the innovative conservation efforts already centered at our state-of-the-art facility, leveraging the expertise of our partners and taking full advantage of the talents of our skilled, dynamic and imaginative staff.
OUTCOMES
Outcomes describe the results of the Conservancy’s work over time. They fall into two broad categories: organizational identity and impact. Organizational identity outcomes reflect our goal to maintain and enhance the organization’s culture, health and effectiveness. Impact outcomes describe the character and condition of the region as a result of our work. Our annual work plans support these long-term outcomes.
IDENTITY OUTCOMES
HIGHLY EFFECTIVE GOVERNANCE
The Conservancy practices highly effective governance. The organization, including the board and its standing and ad hoc committees, is governed pursuant to the bylaws and a comprehensive set of policies and procedures meeting or exceeding the Land Trust Alliance’s Standards and Practices. The board—composed of individuals having diverse skills, relationships and backgrounds—provides effective oversight of legal, ethical and financial matters. The board and its committees meet regularly, exercise due diligence, and faithfully discharge their fiduciary duties.
LONG-TERM FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY AND STRENGTH
The Conservancy will raise and grow the long-term funds necessary to ensure its financial sustainability and its ability to meet emerging programmatic needs from a position of financial strength. Our financial foundation rests on:
• Stewardship funds, which cover the cost of managing and maintaining the Conservancy’s properties, infrastructure and facilities;
• Longstanding endowments, which are restricted by donors to the stewardship of specific properties; and
• Newer transformative endowments, which will enable us to comprehensively steward the Conservation Center, expeditiously respond to extraordinary land protection opportunities, and purposefully cultivate future conservation leaders.
VALUES-DRIVEN CULTURE
Our culture is founded on the clearly defined values that anchor our behavior, relationships and decision-making. We are open, honest and cooperative with each other and with those outside the organization. We are committed to nurturing and preserving this mutually respectful culture. We systematically evaluate our conduct—individually and collectively—to ensure that it aligns with the letter and spirit of our values.
TRUSTED BRAND
The Conservancy is the go-to organization for land preservation throughout its five-county service area. People know us and our brand at the neighborhood level. They rely on us for our expertise and sound judgment in land protection and stewardship, community conservation and outdoor recreation. Our loyal donors and volunteers trust us and generously support our work.
COLLABORATIVE LEADERSHIP
The Conservancy has established mutually beneficial working relationships with Tribal Nations, universities and organizations that share our vision and embrace our desired outcomes for the region. These productive partnerships enable us to enhance and expand the scope of our mission-driven activities.
IMPACT OUTCOMES
PRIORITY LANDSCAPES
The regional properties having the greatest conservation value—the best of the best—are identified and protected forever.
WATER QUALITY
The region has ample clean water for future generations. We have identified and protected properties that maintain and improve water quality. The Conservancy and its partners have restored impaired watersheds, reviving important aquatic and riparian habitats.
HEALTHY HABITATS AND BIODIVERSITY
Our protected properties and the region as a whole are healthier and more resilient, with thriving habitats, expanded migratory corridors, greater biodiversity and fewer invasive species.
FARMLAND PROTECTION
Our region features a rare combination of soil, water and climate that makes it an ideal location in which to grow a diverse array of agricultural products. Our agricultural heritage is threatened, however, by competing demands for valuable farm land—demands occasioned by population growth and sprawl as well as commercial development, including data centers and utility-scale solar farms. We help resist these pressures and preserve the region’s rural and scenic character by purchasing and otherwise assisting in the sale of farmers’ development rights. These conservation easements maintain a large base of protected farm land, supporting the financial viability of those farms and facilitating their important contributions to the region’s water quality and food security. We provide additional assistance to local farmers by connecting them to helpful resources and by demonstrating sustainable agricultural practices on our own farm at Misty Acres.
THRIVING, HEALTHY AND RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
It is universally understood that our region’s vitality is dependent on the conservation of its natural resources. In recognition of that fact, conservation is supported by sound policies and substantial investments at all levels of government and throughout the business community. Our work ensures that the benefits resulting from the protection and stewardship of land and water—stronger economies, enhanced recreational opportunities, and better health outcomes—are realized at the local level. The Grand Traverse region is a model of what is possible when conservation is embraced as a collective imperative.
QUALITY OF LIFE AND COMMUNITY CHARACTER
With our staunch support, the region maintains its signature rural and scenic character. We contract with hundreds of willing landowners to establish conservation easements and thus extinguish development rights on their privately held properties. These easements preserve the unique conservation value of each property, which may include
such features as farm land, scenic vistas, open spaces and wildlife habitats. Our many preserves provide every naturelover—from hikers and kayakers to bikers and birders—with ready access to the region’s unspoiled land and water. Local communities form alliances with public and private entities, including the Conservancy, to protect natural features for the enjoyment of residents and visitors alike.
ECOLOGICAL ENGAGEMENT
An ever-growing number of the region’s residents and visitors participate in our educational activities and volunteer to help steward our properties. In addition to supporting our mission, these ecologically engaged individuals serve as local ambassadors on regional land-use and water quality issues. The region’s overall support for conservation broadens and deepens as we expand our outreach.
ADVANCING STEWARDSHIP
The dismantling of AmeriCorps compels us to redouble our ongoing effort to identify, nurture and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. The good news is that, having “advanc[ed] stewardship” since our founding, we’re primed to cultivate conservationists in every corner of our community:
• We invest deeply in our staff, supporting their professional growth, expanding their leadership capability, and creating a mission-centered work environment that attracts and retains talented individuals.
• For interns and seasonal employees, we offer far more than a summer paycheck—we provide real work with real results, mentorship from seasoned environmentalists, and a window into the breadth of possible natural resources careers.
• By hosting community learning series and collaborative partnerships with regional organizations, we foster a culture of environmental literacy and stewardship. In sum, we strive to equip each of our colleagues and friends with the tools necessary to become a committed conservationist and thus a lasting extension of our mission, vision and values.
WE ENTER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS WITH A PROFOUND SENSE OF PURPOSE.
We are blessed with and grateful for extraordinary mission-critical resources—our sustainably designed Conservation Center, productive partnerships, talented staff, and generous supporters. We are confident that conserving the region’s finest lands and water will create interconnected benefits—ecosystem resilience, economic vitality, and individual health and well-being. These natural resources are irreplaceable; the need to protect them is urgent; and we cannot do it alone. We humbly invite you to join us on this journey.
