Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
@swmlc.bsky.social
We protect nature! Non-profit organization that restores habitat, conserves water quality, supports biodiversity, strengthens our region's climate resiliency, connects people and nature, and helps families protect the land they love in southwest Michigan.
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER!
Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Wednesday, January 21, 1 – 4 pm, Bow in the Clouds Preserve, Kalamazoo 🥶 It's just too cold, snowy, and the driving is terrible! We hope to return to Bow in the Clouds next week, same time, same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Wednesday, January 21, 1 – 4 pm, Bow in the Clouds Preserve, Kalamazoo 🥶 It's just too cold, snowy, and the driving is terrible! We hope to return to Bow in the Clouds next week, same time, same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
January 20, 2026 at 5:15 PM
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER!
Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Wednesday, January 21, 1 – 4 pm, Bow in the Clouds Preserve, Kalamazoo 🥶 It's just too cold, snowy, and the driving is terrible! We hope to return to Bow in the Clouds next week, same time, same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Wednesday, January 21, 1 – 4 pm, Bow in the Clouds Preserve, Kalamazoo 🥶 It's just too cold, snowy, and the driving is terrible! We hope to return to Bow in the Clouds next week, same time, same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
Sorry - this event is full and we're no longer taking registrations for it. Please stay tuned for more SWMLC events and activities coming soon!
#outdoorkids #playoutside #connectwithnature #chipmanpreserve #getkidsoutside
#outdoorkids #playoutside #connectwithnature #chipmanpreserve #getkidsoutside
January 20, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Sorry - this event is full and we're no longer taking registrations for it. Please stay tuned for more SWMLC events and activities coming soon!
#outdoorkids #playoutside #connectwithnature #chipmanpreserve #getkidsoutside
#outdoorkids #playoutside #connectwithnature #chipmanpreserve #getkidsoutside
Check out Tal Rutgers’ excellent video of an exquisite little castaway, a Townsend’s Solitaire! It was discovered last week by Chace Scholten and Rick Brigham, feeding on fruit with a group of cedar waxwings and robins at SWMLC’s Wau-Ke-Na, WE Smith Preserve - South Tract near Glenn.
January 19, 2026 at 8:23 PM
Check out Tal Rutgers’ excellent video of an exquisite little castaway, a Townsend’s Solitaire! It was discovered last week by Chace Scholten and Rick Brigham, feeding on fruit with a group of cedar waxwings and robins at SWMLC’s Wau-Ke-Na, WE Smith Preserve - South Tract near Glenn.
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER!
Privateers Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Monday, January 19, 1 – 4 pm, Good Fire Woods, Mattawan
🥶 Just too much weather even for us! We hope to return to Good Fire Woods next week, same time same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
Privateers Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Monday, January 19, 1 – 4 pm, Good Fire Woods, Mattawan
🥶 Just too much weather even for us! We hope to return to Good Fire Woods next week, same time same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
January 19, 2026 at 2:27 PM
CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER!
Privateers Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Monday, January 19, 1 – 4 pm, Good Fire Woods, Mattawan
🥶 Just too much weather even for us! We hope to return to Good Fire Woods next week, same time same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
Privateers Volunteer Stewardship Workday
Monday, January 19, 1 – 4 pm, Good Fire Woods, Mattawan
🥶 Just too much weather even for us! We hope to return to Good Fire Woods next week, same time same place. Stay tuned and stay safe, everyone!
Do you think certain introduced plants should no longer be offered for sale? A new MI state proposal would limits distribution and ownership of six common landscaping plants that are known to be harmful to habitats. If you have an opinion, fill out the survey by Feb 9: bit.ly/4jGfqqu
January 16, 2026 at 5:41 PM
Do you think certain introduced plants should no longer be offered for sale? A new MI state proposal would limits distribution and ownership of six common landscaping plants that are known to be harmful to habitats. If you have an opinion, fill out the survey by Feb 9: bit.ly/4jGfqqu
Volunteer . . . all those positive ripples meet to form an epic wave of goodness! Please join us for one or both of these upcoming Volunteer Stewardship Weekday Workdays. Details: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo...
January 15, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Volunteer . . . all those positive ripples meet to form an epic wave of goodness! Please join us for one or both of these upcoming Volunteer Stewardship Weekday Workdays. Details: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo...
Meet our newest staff member, Alice Dykstra, Outreach Coordinator! Alice grew up in Philly but fell in love w SW MI after moving here to do her PhD at Kellogg Bio Station and is passionate about connecting SWMLC’s many supporters and special places in her new role. Welcome to the team, Alice!
January 14, 2026 at 11:59 PM
Meet our newest staff member, Alice Dykstra, Outreach Coordinator! Alice grew up in Philly but fell in love w SW MI after moving here to do her PhD at Kellogg Bio Station and is passionate about connecting SWMLC’s many supporters and special places in her new role. Welcome to the team, Alice!
Collin and Lukas, SWMLC Stewardship Technicians. They’re into oaks.
January 13, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Collin and Lukas, SWMLC Stewardship Technicians. They’re into oaks.
Did you know you can protect your land while still retaining ownership? Are you a realtor with questions about buying and selling properties that are protected by these voluntary legal agreements? Learn more at this free event for realtors and landowners. Details in the graphic.
January 12, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Did you know you can protect your land while still retaining ownership? Are you a realtor with questions about buying and selling properties that are protected by these voluntary legal agreements? Learn more at this free event for realtors and landowners. Details in the graphic.
Volunteering is an act of empowerment that benefits both the giver and the receiver! Please join us for one or both of our upcoming Stewardship Volunteer Weekday Workdays. Details: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo...
January 9, 2026 at 9:13 PM
Volunteering is an act of empowerment that benefits both the giver and the receiver! Please join us for one or both of our upcoming Stewardship Volunteer Weekday Workdays. Details: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo...
Bow in the Clouds Preserve just got BIGGER, thanks to Phil and Ellen Robertson, who deeply discounted the purchase price of their property. 73 acres of protected land and water in the city of Kalamazoo! Read all about it: swmlc.org/making-good-...
November 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Bow in the Clouds Preserve just got BIGGER, thanks to Phil and Ellen Robertson, who deeply discounted the purchase price of their property. 73 acres of protected land and water in the city of Kalamazoo! Read all about it: swmlc.org/making-good-...
Face winter with a generous heart and you will find good everywhere you look! Please join us for one or both of our upcoming Stewardship Volunteer Weekday Workdays. Details: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo...
November 14, 2025 at 12:03 AM
Face winter with a generous heart and you will find good everywhere you look! Please join us for one or both of our upcoming Stewardship Volunteer Weekday Workdays. Details: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo...
Thanks to the amazing support of our members, SWMLC has protected 20,000 acres of land and water right here in our corner of the planet! Learn how you can help protect the next 20,000 for future generations of people and wildlife: swmlc.org/membership/
Quirky video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gK_...
Quirky video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gK_...
November 12, 2025 at 2:27 AM
Thanks to the amazing support of our members, SWMLC has protected 20,000 acres of land and water right here in our corner of the planet! Learn how you can help protect the next 20,000 for future generations of people and wildlife: swmlc.org/membership/
Quirky video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gK_...
Quirky video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gK_...
Join our team!
SWMLC JOB OPENING: STEWARDSHIP SPECIALIST
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-stewards...
SWMLC JOB OPENING: STEWARDSHIP SPECIALIST
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-stewards...
September 27, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Join our team!
SWMLC JOB OPENING: STEWARDSHIP SPECIALIST
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-stewards...
SWMLC JOB OPENING: STEWARDSHIP SPECIALIST
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-stewards...
Join our team!
SWMLC JOB OPENING: OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-outreach...
SWMLC JOB OPENING: OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-outreach...
September 27, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Join our team!
SWMLC JOB OPENING: OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-outreach...
SWMLC JOB OPENING: OUTREACH AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
To find out more and apply:
swmlc.org/job-outreach...
For the first time ever, most of SWMLC’s staff were able to attend Rally, the Land Trust Alliance's national conference (held in Cleveland this year) – thanks to a generous grant provided by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. What a fun, fantastic learning opportunity!
September 19, 2025 at 5:06 PM
For the first time ever, most of SWMLC’s staff were able to attend Rally, the Land Trust Alliance's national conference (held in Cleveland this year) – thanks to a generous grant provided by Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. What a fun, fantastic learning opportunity!
Put your environmental concerns into action and volunteer with SWMLC! Monday, August 11, Good Fire Woods | Wednesday, August 13, Paw Paw River Preserve. Both days: 9 am - 12 pm. Details on our website: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo... Hope to see you there!
August 8, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Put your environmental concerns into action and volunteer with SWMLC! Monday, August 11, Good Fire Woods | Wednesday, August 13, Paw Paw River Preserve. Both days: 9 am - 12 pm. Details on our website: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo... Hope to see you there!
The causeway dam repair project at Portman Nature Preserve has resumed! The preserve is closed Thurs. 8/7 until the current work is done . . . late next week? We apologize for the short notice and appreciate your patience and understanding. swmlc.org/portman-caus...
August 7, 2025 at 9:32 PM
The causeway dam repair project at Portman Nature Preserve has resumed! The preserve is closed Thurs. 8/7 until the current work is done . . . late next week? We apologize for the short notice and appreciate your patience and understanding. swmlc.org/portman-caus...
SWMLC Land Protection Director Kaleigh Winkler had the rare opportunity to see a SWMLC preserve from the “outside” when she kayaked the Kalamazoo River past the 3 mile-long shoreline of our Augusta Floodplain Forest Preserve! You can, too: launch from Fort Custer Rec. Area, land in Galesburg.
August 7, 2025 at 2:00 PM
SWMLC Land Protection Director Kaleigh Winkler had the rare opportunity to see a SWMLC preserve from the “outside” when she kayaked the Kalamazoo River past the 3 mile-long shoreline of our Augusta Floodplain Forest Preserve! You can, too: launch from Fort Custer Rec. Area, land in Galesburg.
Come enjoy a summer stroll in nature – Wolf Tree Nature Trails in Oshtemo has reopened!
#habitatrestoration #savannarestoration #nativeplants #foodcycle #ecosystems
#habitatrestoration #savannarestoration #nativeplants #foodcycle #ecosystems
August 7, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Come enjoy a summer stroll in nature – Wolf Tree Nature Trails in Oshtemo has reopened!
#habitatrestoration #savannarestoration #nativeplants #foodcycle #ecosystems
#habitatrestoration #savannarestoration #nativeplants #foodcycle #ecosystems
Wolf Tree Nature Trails (Oshtemo) will be closed for contractors to prepare an area for a habitat restoration project on Wednesday, August 6. We expect the preserve will re-open on Thursday morning and apologize for any troubles this may cause. Eco-friendly native plants coming soon!
August 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Wolf Tree Nature Trails (Oshtemo) will be closed for contractors to prepare an area for a habitat restoration project on Wednesday, August 6. We expect the preserve will re-open on Thursday morning and apologize for any troubles this may cause. Eco-friendly native plants coming soon!
Moth admirers gathered at Chipman Preserve last Friday to delight in furry, fluttery micro-beasts and share a gentle sense of togetherness with other nature-lovers. Paonias myops came late to the party! Thank you Jessica Hagen, @loganmrowe.bsky.social, Mitch Lettow, and @elhammond.bsky.social!
August 4, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Moth admirers gathered at Chipman Preserve last Friday to delight in furry, fluttery micro-beasts and share a gentle sense of togetherness with other nature-lovers. Paonias myops came late to the party! Thank you Jessica Hagen, @loganmrowe.bsky.social, Mitch Lettow, and @elhammond.bsky.social!
Put your environmental concerns into action and volunteer with SWMLC! Monday, April 14, 9 am - 12 pm, Wolf Tree Nature Trails | Wednesday, April 16, 9 am - 12 pm, Chipman Preserve. Details on our website: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo... It's satisfying outdoor work . . . hope to see you there
April 10, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Put your environmental concerns into action and volunteer with SWMLC! Monday, April 14, 9 am - 12 pm, Wolf Tree Nature Trails | Wednesday, April 16, 9 am - 12 pm, Chipman Preserve. Details on our website: swmlc.org/weekly-outdo... It's satisfying outdoor work . . . hope to see you there
We look forward to sharing this magical experience with you!
Woodcock Walk
Friday, April 11
8 - 9:30 pm
Chipman Preserve
8400 East Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49053
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/woodcock-walk/
Woodcock Walk
Friday, April 11
8 - 9:30 pm
Chipman Preserve
8400 East Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49053
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/woodcock-walk/
April 4, 2025 at 6:34 PM
We look forward to sharing this magical experience with you!
Woodcock Walk
Friday, April 11
8 - 9:30 pm
Chipman Preserve
8400 East Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49053
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/woodcock-walk/
Woodcock Walk
Friday, April 11
8 - 9:30 pm
Chipman Preserve
8400 East Main St., Kalamazoo, MI 49053
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/woodcock-walk/
We look forward to sharing this magical experience with you!
Frog Walk
Thursday, April 17
7 - 9:30 pm
Portman Nature Preserve
28700 block of 49th Ave., Paw Paw, MI
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/frog-walk/
Frog Walk
Thursday, April 17
7 - 9:30 pm
Portman Nature Preserve
28700 block of 49th Ave., Paw Paw, MI
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/frog-walk/
April 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
We look forward to sharing this magical experience with you!
Frog Walk
Thursday, April 17
7 - 9:30 pm
Portman Nature Preserve
28700 block of 49th Ave., Paw Paw, MI
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/frog-walk/
Frog Walk
Thursday, April 17
7 - 9:30 pm
Portman Nature Preserve
28700 block of 49th Ave., Paw Paw, MI
This event is free, but limited to 15 participants. Please register: swmlc.org/frog-walk/