Protecting West Michigan's natural areas with the Land Conservancy of West Michigan (01-18-25)

WYCE's Community Connection (*conversations concerning issues of importance in West Michigan)

On this week's episode, WYCE station manager, Phil Tower speaks with Marie Orttenburger, Advancement Manager with Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

In 1976, four volunteers met to lay out a plan that would identify, protect, and care for West Michigan’s natural areas.

They created an organization called the Natural Areas Conservancy of West Michigan (NACOWMI), and they immediately set out with lofty goals. Early projects included several conservation easements, Saul Lake Bog, Lake Breeze natural area and an addition to the Saugatuck Dunes State Park. Today, that organization is known as the Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

Marie Orttenburger is the advancement manager for Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

She joined us on the program for an update on what’s happening at LCWM.

We talked about some interesting upcoming events that the general public can take part in including a “Nighttime Hoot & Hike” on January 21, and there Second Saturday Workday at Lamberton Lake Nature Preserve on Saturday, February 8.

Land Conservancy of West Michigan we’ll celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with a benefit screening of the climate conscious film, “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.”

The screening happens Tuesday, April 22, 2025 at 7:30 pm at The Wealthy Theatre.

Online: Land Conservancy of West Michigan