The Thumb Land Conservancy is working to preserve natural areas in the Thumb of Michigan, a postglacial
landscape where northern forest blends with central hardwoods, bordered by Lake Huron, the
Saginaw Bay, the Saint Clair River, and Lake Saint Clair. The mission territory of the TLC is Saint
Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Lapeer, and Macomb Counties, but we can also work in adjacent
areas as opportunities arise.
The TLC offers a variety of assistance options to landowners and other individuals wanting to protect natural areas in the Thumb. We can help in several different ways, including:
- Accepting land donations as preserves
- donation guide
- links
- Guidance for wills and reserved life estates
- will and reserved life estate guide
- links
- Establishing, holding, and maintaining conservation easements
- conservation easement guide
- sample easement
- links
- Assisting preservation as wetland mitigation for State and federal permits
- wetland mitigation guide
- links
- Assistance with limited access and fee plans
- Coordinating deeded access acquisition and sales
- fee for access guide
- links
- Assistance with sustainable, low-impact resource development
- resource development guide
- links
- TLC Natural Area Registry
- natural area registry guide
- natural area registry form
- links
- Organizing a land protection campaign
- Providing a dedicated account for receipt of tax-deductible donations for your land protection effort
- Holding land in trust during fundraising
- Supporting neighborhood protection groups
- Supporting neighborhood associations with common area park land
- land protection guide
- links
- Advising on natural features regulations
- natural features guide
- links
- TLC Land Protection Guide
Please contact the TLC if you are interested in donating land as a a nature preserve or placing a conservation easement. There can be significant tax benefits to a donor.