"Know Your Org" is an informational series that spotlights some of the wonderful organizations in our community. This month, we are highlighting the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy. This article was originally published in May 2026.
Just as its name suggests, the mission of the Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) is to conserve natural land and open spaces in Southeast Michigan. This includes forests, wetlands, meadows, agricultural lands, places of scenic beauty and one thing you may not have known even exists: the Michigan prairie. That’s right, Southeast Michigan was once home to a vast prairie where buffalo roamed.
“Michigan had something like 18,000 plus acres of prairie across the state,” said Jill Lewis, Executive Director of SMLC. “Now there are what’s called prairie remnants, smaller areas remaining of the historic prairie. The Sibley Prairie of Brownstown Township in Wayne County has one of the largest remnants. We have been working with the Nature Conservancy to support the restoration of that site. When people visit—conservationists, botanists and other types of scientists—they are really impressed with how the prairie looks today.”
Founded in 1988, the SMLC has protected almost 3,500 acres of natural land in seven Southeastern Michigan counties, including Genesee. Their largest preserve is Lost Lake, located in Northern Oakland and Southern Genesee Counties and covering over 500 acres.
“It’s very beautiful and wholly encompasses two small lakes,” Jill said. “There’s an interesting change of scenery for hikers because you can go through grassland and then forests. When you get to one of the forests, you’re walking along the lake edge. It’s really gorgeous.”
There are two ways the SMLC conserves land. One way is for landowners to donate or sell their land outright. The SMLC receives it or purchases it, usually in partnership with project partners. That becomes a nature preserve.
Another way land can be conserved is through a conservation easement, in which the landowner retains ownership but some of their property rights are transferred to protect the property's natural values. Those properties tend not to be open to the public but are preserved for ecological and community benefits.
“Protecting natural areas can lead to improved water quality, especially if the lands are protecting headwaters,” Jill explained. “It can lead to improved air quality. And when people can get on the land, they get all the benefits that come with being out in nature.”
Also, the International Flyway goes right through Wayne County. These preserves provide places for birds to rest during their long migrations to the south and back. Having these little natural areas gives them a place to stop, take a breather and catch a meal before resuming their long journey.
SMLC’s closest nature preserve to Canton is the Superior Greenway in Superior Township. The northern end of the greenway isn’t far from Canton. It’s a preservation project that SMLC partners with the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission, Ann Arbor’s Greenbelt Program and Superior Township.
“There are at least twelve nature preserves or parks that people can access daily in the Greenway,” said Jill. “The most popular one is LeFurge Woods at the corner of Ford and Cherry Hill Roads. It is over 300 acres and has a beautiful hiking system with a diverse landscape. The woods are very special; people really enjoy hiking in the woods there.”
As a nonprofit, SMLC relies heavily on donations, whether as unrestricted gifts to the organization or for special projects, such as land purchases. There are also plenty of opportunities to volunteer.
“We absolutely depend on volunteers,” said Jill. “There are volunteers who serve on committees or who help with field work days or join our mailing parties at the office. Also, you can check our calendar on our website to find outreach events where you can just come, participate and have a good time. Volunteer events include working on the nature preserves, helping remove invasive species, doing trail maintenance, things like that.”
It is their goal to conserve and manage wildlife habitat, foster healthy ecosystems, protect air and water quality and provide the people of Southeastern Michigan with scenic enjoyment. Whether you want to explore the remnants of Michigan’s prairie land or take a stroll through one of the many natural areas SMLC protects, take a little time to go out this spring and appreciate the fruits of their labor.
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