Our First Conservation Project
Beaver Island Conservancy worked with community partners to ensure the conservation and permanent protection of 1631 feet of Lake Michigan shoreline!
Beaver Island Conservancy began its mission to protect land, air, and water, by identifying an opportunity to preserve a stretch of majestic Lake Michigan shoreline. More than a half mile long, the beach adjoins 21 acres of hemlock-hardwood forest and forest wetlands and provides important habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. Unfortunately, most of the area was unprotected.
Work began to connect and protect the area. The eastern end of the Project Area was approved for a strict conservation easement (a legal instrument, tailored by private landowners, that ensures permanent environmental protections). On the western end, a strip of state-owned beach and forest waited, unconnected to any other preserved land. In the center of the Project Area was a section of pristine land that could link both ends: two parcels for sale and threatened by development.
Newly formed Beaver Island Conservancy was unable to produce the necessary funds. The regional land trust, Little Traverse Conservancy, saw the conservation merits of the property and was willing to help. They also saw the benefit of partnership and felt that Beaver Island Conservancy was an appropriate advocate for the project.
"Regional land trusts and conservancies cannot always spare the resources necessary to tackle every project," says Beaver Island Conservancy founder, Heather Johnson, "so we assumed the roles of Advocate, Fundraiser, and Coordinator as our contribution to the project. Protecting the island we love takes a community effort."
A range of organizations came together to save the two parcels. The nation’s top environmental nonprofit, The Conservation Fund, provided a loan to secure the two parcels. Local island business, Ed Wojan Realty, assisted with the transaction and logistics. Little Traverse Conservancy agreed to become the final stewards of the two parcels and manage approved conservation easements. Until the loan is satisfied, Michigan Environmental Council is holding title to the newly acquired land and is assuming fiduciary responsibilities such as overseeing use of funds and ensuring donors' contributions are tax-deductible.
"We are extremely grateful to The Conservation Fund for providing the loan," says Johnson. "We needed to act quickly to preserve this pristine area for future generations of wildlife. Now we are seeking donations from individual and corporate supporters in order to repay the loan.
The mission of the Beaver Island Conservancy is to work with community partners to protect land and other natural resources on the 14 islands that make up the Beaver Island archipelago. “I look forward to working with the community to preserve our islands. Development has threatened the area,” says Johnson, “but if we act now, the innocence of the land as it is at this moment, untouched and unspoiled, is the way we can keep it forever.”
The final bill for this project comes due on August 1st, 2026. Please consider partnering with us in protecting the island by making a donation.
Pictures of the land that we helped save are below.
First Project Photo Gallery
The Project Area's long sweep of beach. Providing Critical Stopover Habitat for migratory birds, the area sits between the Beaver Island Birding Trail and the Water Trail. Also of note, Beaver Island was recently designated a Monarch Butterfly Sanctuary.
The dirt road through the Project Area. In the distance, signs placed by the Beaver Island Terrestrial Invasive Species Program mark a native plants support zone.
Wetlands in the Project Area.
Looking southwest across the Project Area to the bay beyond. With virtually no development here yet, potential exists for a significant amount of critical stopover habitat to be permanently protected for future generations of migratory birds.
The Project Area provides valuable habitat for plants and animals that thrive in thick forests and wetlands without noise and light pollution.
Looking southwest across the Project Area to the bay beyond. The Project Area is more than a sweep of wild beach. It sits near the border of the newly designated Beaver Island Dark Sky Sanctuary -- darker than a Dark Sky Park, it is one of only 15 Dark Sky Sanctuaries in the world! A recent study of the area discovered the potential for archaeological features. A Summer Plant Inventory found that the area provides habitat for the Lake Huron Tansy, a threatened and protected species.
