What Drives Us
Currently, of the 54 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline on Beaver Island, only 2.4 miles are truly permanently protected. Increasing the total amount of protected shoreline, linking protected land parcels together, and creating buffer zones around sensitive ecological areas improves the health of the island and supports wildlife dependent on the places land and water meet. Even the smallest parcel of land is worth saving.
Regional land trusts cannot always spare the resources necessary to purchase or manage every parcel or tackle every project, so that is where partnerships are crucial. The formation of the Beaver Island Conservancy helps supplement the work of existing conservation organizations and works with the community to identify opportunities to return land to its natural state and permanently protect it from development -- including parcels of land too small to become nature preserves but which otherwise have conservation value. In addition to partnering with local and regional organizations, Beaver Island Conservancy hopes to provide a platform for neighbor groups and landowners seeking to contribute resources for the conservation of these areas, and partner with these Land Advocates as they work to permanently protect land from development or damage and return it to its natural state.
Regional and local organizations, seasonal residents, year-rounders, and visitors -- all can play a part in the future of the Island, but no Donor or Advocate can do it all alone. Community is key.
Restore Protect Partner BalanCE
Partner with existing conservation and preservation organizations.
Restore and protect the environment to ensure clean water and conserved habitat for wildlife and insects.
Reduce noise, light and chemical pollution, and manage invasive species.
Acknowledge, support and facilitate the efforts of local community members as effective conservation stewards.
Balance Development and Use with the imperative to provide sanctuary for wildlife and protect sensitive natural and archaeological features.
Support the community in making thoughtful decisions to reduce the consumption of natural resources.
Beaver Island Archipelago
Beaver Island is the largest of the 14 islands that make up the the collection of islands known as the Beaver Island archipelago. Beaver Island is the largest island in the archipelago, the largest island in lake Michigan, and the third-largest island in the Great Lakes. It has almost 54 miles of shoreline, most of it forested, which provides critical stopover habitat for migratory birds. Delicate natural features such as wetlands and bogs are habitat for wildlife, plants and insects. Beaver Island is vulnerable to development, light and noise pollution, deforestation, and invasive species, but our acts of conservation and restoration today can protect generations of people, wildlife, and natural resources far into the future. It takes a community effort to protect our island. Become an Island Advocate today!
About Our Logo
Three Lines
The Three Lines in our logo are symbolic of Earth, Air, and Water. Three Lines have also been associated with a Rite of Passage, and Inner Peace with Clear Perception.
Inspired by the 1970 Ecology Flag
The Ecology Flag was created in the 1970 by American environmentalists. It represents people's commitment to protect the environment.
Courtesy of Wikipedia:
https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2111203
