|
Policy Update
State
Senate Rejects Executive Order Combining Department
On Thursday, November 12, the Michigan Senate
passed two resolutions, SCR 23 and SCR 24, rejecting Governor Granholm’s Executive
Order combining the Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of
Natural Resource. Read More
Senate Passes State Parks Bill
The Michigan State Senate passed legislation on Thursday, November 12 that would attempt to bolster revenue for state parks by increasing park registrations.
SB 388, sponsored by Sen. Patty Birkholz
(R-Saugatuck) and SB 389, sponsored by Senator Ray Basham (D-Taylor) would
allow Michigan residents to opt to pay for a $10 yearly state parks pass while
registering their vehicles. Read More
Equine Bill Transfers Committees
SB 578, legislation that would allow horses on more
state-owned land, was transferred from the Senate Natural Resources and
Environment Committee to the Senate Agriculture Committee on Thursday, November
12. Read More
Federal
Congress Urged to Move Federal Conservation Easement Tax Incentive
With a December 31, 2009
deadline drawing near, efforts are intensifying to move H.R. 1831
through Congress before the end of the year. Members of the Land Conservation Caucus are
circulating a letter to persuade House leaders to include the bill as part of
the estate tax package, which may see some movement before the
Thanksgiving holiday. Read More
Conservancies in the News
Green Cemetery
Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy recently announced a
partnership with All Saints Cemetery in Waterford to create the first
conservation-based natural burial ground in Michigan.
The Little Forks Conservancy Applies for National Accreditation
The Little Forks Conservancy recently submitted its
application for national accreditation through the Land Trust Accreditation
Commission, a program that recognizes land conservation organizations that
meet national quality standards for protecting important natural and working
lands forever.
The Conservation Fund in Michigan
Read more about The Conservation Fund’s work in Michigan and
recent projects including the protection of five miles along the U.P.’s
Sturgeon River, work with other partners to add 118 acres to the Shiawassee
National Wildlife Refuge near Saginaw, and assistance to the Leelanau
Conservancy to add 51 acres to the Leelanau State Park. A Heart of the Lakes member, The
Conservation Fund is a national organization dedicated to advancing America’s
land and water legacy.
Two-Part Television Series Features Land Conservation
“Michigan Land Conservation”, a new television series produced by WCMU public television, premiered last month with moving stories of landowners who worked with several conservancies to permanently protect the land they love. View Clips
Events and Training
Advancing Conservancy Excellence(ACE)
Friday, December 4, 2009, 10:00 – 11:00 am
Ask An Attorney Conference Call
Featuring Scott Howard, Olson, Bzdok and Howard, P.C.
Real Estate Continuing Education
December 9, 2009, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm
The Land Conservation
Marketplace I—Essentials for Appraisers, Assessors and Brokers
Greater Lansing Area Association of Realtors
For more information contact the Avocet Group, 517-974-3064
or avocet09@gmail.com
Land Trust Alliance
Midwest Regional Conference
April 15 – 17, 2010, Columbus, OH
Land Trust Alliance On-Line Trainings
January 27, 2010,
2:00 pm EST, $50 per connection
The Stewardship Network
January 22 and 23, 2010
2010 Stewardship Network Conference
The Science, Practice & Art of Restoring Native
Ecosystems
Kellogg Center, E. Lansing, MI
Nonprofit Enterprise At Work (NEW)
January 11, 2010, 1 pm to 2 pm ET, $39
Other Training Opportunities: Board Connect, Michigan Nonprofit Association
|
