3 minute read
A Letter from the Board Chair
On a very snowy Tuesday in late February, we held our first working retreat of the entire Board and staff in the new McMullen Family Conservation Center. The cold wind and the icy roads weren’t going to deter us from meeting - our assignment for the day was too important.
The newest committee of the Board, the “2051 Committee,” is charged with engaging in long-range, generative thinking and action to ensure that the Conservancy will be positioned to protect and steward significant lands in the year 2051 at least as effectively as we do today.
The first topic we chose to dig into more deeply is nature-based solutions to climate change. At the retreat, staff shared with us that, because of their land preservation and stewardship work, land trusts like ours are uniquely positioned to provide natural climate solutions. In fact, the work we already do is a small but vital component of solving the most critical issue facing the world today and for generations to come.
We were fortunate to be joined at the retreat by leaders from the Land Trust Alliance, Andrew Bowman, President and CEO, and Erin Heskett, Vice
Board of Directors
President of Conservation Initiatives. From them, we learned that nature - our forests, grasslands, wetlands, and farmlands - can remove more than one-third of the carbon emissions necessary to prevent crossing a critical threshold for our planet if they are protected, well-managed, and restored. Andrew and Erin also identified several innovative natural climate solution projects undertaken by land trusts on the East and West coasts.
The challenge, we concluded, is to dramatically enhance and scale up our existing efforts to effect natural climate solutions in the Great Lakes Basin. Although that challenge is daunting, we believe the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy is well-positioned to become a leader in this critical area. Our existing work already showcases cuttingedge approaches to natural climate solutions. We have the relevant expertise in our supremely talented staff as well as the wherewithal and willingness to add staff as necessary to take on new responsibilities. We have dedicated partners, regionally and in the land trust community, whose strengths will leverage our efforts. And last but certainly not least, the Conservation Center - here, in the heart of the Great Lakes - is an ideal location in which to experiment, demonstrate, collaborate,
Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy
The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has protected and cared for the region's natural, scenic, farm and forest lands since 1991. With the help of our supporters, volunteers and friends, nearly 47,000 acres of land and 153 miles of shoreline have been protected along the region's exceptional rivers, lakes and streams.
Fully accredited by the Land Trust Alliance, the Conservancy is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization with by-laws, policies, board, budget, and staff.
GTRLC's Directors support our mission through giving hundreds of hours of their time, sharing their considerable talents, and generously dedicating their contributions. Learn more at gtrlc.org/about/board/ educate and help others implement their own natural climate solutions.
So once again, in my role as Board Chair, the work of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy has brought me some hope, strengthened my conviction in our mission, and reinforced the sense of gratitude that I and the entire Board feel for everyone who has supported the mission. As you’ll see on the following pages, the list of people and businesses, and organizations to whom we are indebted is long!
Kevin A. Russell, GTRLC Board Chair
A Special Tribute
We are saddened by the deaths of former board members Bob Dean and Len Franseen within the last year, two of the Conservancy’s trusted friends and passionate supporters. In addition to serving as a longstanding member of the Rotary Club and former president of Rotary Charities, Bob Dean was instrumental in the Conservancy’s formation. Since the beginning, he served as an important ambassador for GTRLC. Though soft-spoken in his demeanor, he was an influential and outspoken leader who consistently advocated for balancing growth in the region with land preservation. We will greatly miss Bob and will always remain thankful for his significant contributions over the years.
Len Franseen was also a distinguished and vital member of the Conservancy’s family. He served with distinction on our board of directors during the Coastal Campaign, a transformational period of growth and development. A retired colonel with the United States Army, Len epitomized timeless leadership and quiet strength, always conducting himself with grace and dignity. Beyond his service with GTRLC, Len shared his love for northern Michigan’s lakes and forests through serving on the boards of the Grass River Natural Area and Three Lakes Association. He will be missed and leaves an important legacy through his deep commitment to protecting the land and water he loved.
Kevin Russell, Chair
Kathleen Guy, Vice-Chair
Linda Cline, Treasurer
John Bercini, Secretary
Perry Adams
Don Coe
John Collins
JoAnne Cook
Cortney Danbrook
Koffi Kpachavi
Chip May
Paul Moyer
Barbara Nelson-Jameson
Annie Olds
Susan Palmer
Evan Smith
Maureen Smyth
Terrie Taylor
GTRLC Consolidated Statement of Activities for the Fiscal Year
Program Services Including Day-to-Day Operations and Costs Incurred to Protect and Steward Land
