The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy recently announced its Priority Landscape Learning Series, which consists of six opportunities to learn more about specific landscape stewardship practices and a special Earth Day presentation by GTRLC Executive Director Glen Chown and Helen Taylor, Michigan director of the Nature Conservancy. 

The events include: 

April 16, 10am: From Field and Forest to Front Yard (with Matt Ross from the Botanic Gardens)

April 22, 5pm: Michigan's Conservation Movement (with Glen Chown and Helen Taylor)

April 28, 5pm: Explore Native Plants with GTRLC & IPR (with Interlochen Public Radio)

May 6, 5pm: Prescribed Burns (also featuring presentation on indigenous uses)

June 3, 5:30pm: Arctic Grayling Reintroduction (with Little River Band and Grand Traverse Band)

June 12, 1pm: Upper Manistee Headwaters - Perch Lake Addition Hike

GTRLC's plan is to use a "learning series" annually to highlight one very high-priority land protection project. This year, that project is the proposed Perch Lake addition to Upper Manistee Headwaters: the Milock Family Preserve.

"We have found that these 'out of the way' properties, while being some of the most critical to protect, are the hardest to raise funding for," said Jennifer Jay, GTRLC's communications director. "So, unlike the Elberta Waterfront project, for example, where we were able to raise nearly $20 million in less than six months, after two years of trying, we still need to raise $632,000 more for Perch Lake."