Conservancy receives land acquisition grant
The Little Forks Conservancy has received a $75,000 grant from the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation to aid in the purchase of 419 acres along the Tittabawassee River.
The Conservancy’s Riverview project is a $1.5 million campaign to purchase and preserve two adjacent parcels of undeveloped land along two miles of the Tittabawassee River in Homer Township, Midland County. The Riverview Natural Area includes vernal ponds, extensive wetland complexes, mature woods and 120 acres of highly productive farmland. The Conservancy will hold Riverview Natural Area as a place where families can hike, cross-country ski or just enjoy the beauty of nature.
“We greatly appreciate the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation’s support of this project,” said Douglas Koop, executive director of The Little Forks Conservancy. “Their contribution moves us one step closer to ensuring that this important natural space is available for our community for generations to come.”
Since the start of fundraising in July 2008, the Conservancy has raised nearly $1.1 million. The Conservancy has received several foundation grants for the project. This includes a $200,000 pledge from The Dow Chemical Company for the Riverview Natural Area. In order to permanently hold all 419 acres, the Conservancy must raise an additional $425,000 by December 2011.
“For every $1,000 we now raise, that’s one more acre that we can keep,” said Koop.
The Conservancy has begun laying out trails and offering guided visits to the property. Full access will be available when the fundraising for acquisition is complete and a parking area and trailhead is established.
Donations to Riverview can be made online at the Conservancy’s web site, www.littleforks.org, or sent to The Little Forks Conservancy, 105 Post St., Midland, MI 48640. The Conservancy is a nonprofit organization formed in 1996 to protect the Tittabawassee River watershed and preserve the region’s unique natural features. To learn more, call the Conservancy at (989) 835-4886 or visit its web site.
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Making a splash at MCFTA
Help introduce family members young and old to the amazing world of water! Make a rainbow, capture a raindrop, measure your water footprint, explore the watercycle, use water to power a submarine and lift a friend with hydraulics.
The Little Forks Conservancy is proud to be a not-for-profit sponsor of the exhibit WaterWorks: Soak Up the Science! on exhibit at the Alden B. Dow Museum of Science & Art. This exhibit explores water use, quality, conservation, and power. Water is a limited resource – keeping our water systems clean and healthy is as important to humans as it is to wildlife. This exhibition helps to send the message that every person has a responsibility to conserve water and use it wisely to sustain it for future generations. This message is conveyed through 11 interactive exhibits and a video theater.
WaterWorks: Soak Up the Science! will be on exhibit January 28 - April 25, 2010. Accompanying this exhibition will be a series of not-to-be missed exhibits on water-themed art, special family events, speakers, and other fun activities – visit www.mcfta.org for more information and museum hours. Avoid the crowds! Pre-purchase admissions by calling 989-631-8250. For $1 off admission, check out the latest issue of the Conservancy's newsletter. Don't get our newsletter, pick one up at our office today!
Exhibit on loan from Science North, Sudbury, Ontario; tour presented by Dow Corning Foundation. Sponsored locally by Dow Corning Corporation, The Dow Chemical Company, Bank of America, American Waterworks Association– Michigan Division, The Little Forks Conservancy, QRP (print sponsor), and Citadel (media).
Little Forks applying for national accrediation program
The Little Forks Conservancy is excited to announce that it is applying for a national accreditation program. The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever.
The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. This review examines the Conservancy’s current ability to meet high national standards as well as ensuring that it has the capacity to grow effectively in the future.
“The accreditation process is an important opportunity for The Little Forks Conservancy" said Douglas Koop, executive director, "to demonstrate to our community that we take our commitment to protecting the land seriously."
The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how The Little Forks Conservancy complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org/getting-accredited/2008-indicator-practices.
To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 112 Spring Street, Suite 204, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Comments on The Little Forks Conservancy’s application will be most useful before December 26, 2009.
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