TLC MISSION
The Thumb Land Conservancy (TLC) was founded in 2008 to preserve natural areas, protect native species, provide places for outdoor recreation, and to educate the public about our natural environment in Michigan’s Thumb, a largely neglected region with a lot of great natural features.
TLC TERRITORY
The TLC works to protect natural areas in six counties of the Thumb region, including Saint Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Lapeer, and Macomb Counties. The TLC also works in adjacent areas as opportunities arise, where we seek to work with other conservancies and similar organizations.
WHY PROTECT THE THUMB?
The Thumb of Michigan is a post-glacial landscape where northern forest blends with central hardwoods, bordered by Lake Huron, the Saginaw Bay, the Saint Clair River, and Lake Saint Clair. There has been a misconception that little is worth saving in the Thumb because of agriculture and development. Much of the region has been drastically altered, but many high-quality natural areas remain, not unlike those that existed prior to Euro-American settlement about 200 years ago. These are the last vestiges of our regional natural heritage. Many fascinating natural features remain in the Thumb region, very worthy of protection, including:
The TLC owns 15 nature preserves, or sanctuaries as we call them, totaling nearly 400 acres. Thirteen are located in Saint Clair County, most being part of the Southern Lake Huron Coastal Park north of Port Huron, one in Lapeer County, and one in Bay County. The TLC holds 6 conservation easements on private land totaling over 200 acres. Two of these easements are located in Saint Clair County, one in Sanilac County, two in Huron County, and one in Oakland County.
The TLC works to protect exemplary natural areas and also small remnants, all now important.
Despite the broad alteration of our region, even degraded fragments can be restored, expanded, and often serve as isolated havens for small populations of native plants and animals that have been present for centuries.
The TLC also promotes restoration of native habitat on private land.
Given the widespread destruction of nature across the world, every plant, animal, woods, field, wetland, creek, and even your yard, now matters.
All natural areas are important locally because they are unique combinations of history and features particular to that location. This is a natural heritage given to everyone, no matter where you live.
Global and regional environments are critical, but many benefits of nature, or ecosystem services, are realized only locally. The TLC helps to sustain our environment for everyone. Our work protects natural communities and native species, but also the functions, or ecosystem services, provided by those natural areas, including fresh air, clean water, carbon assimilation, climate moderation, shade, noise reduction, seclusion, natural surroundings, and natural beauty. This, in-turn, usually results in increased property values for nearby residents.
The work of the TLC also sustains or enhances the quality of life for the public by providing opportunities for passive outdoor recreation. In our opinion, there can never be too many natural areas and places for public recreation. Natural surroundings and recreational areas are the foundation of a high quality of life and of many local economies. Even small natural areas maintain and improve our well-being.
For a region that is surrounded on the north, east, and south by the Great Lakes and connecting waterways, it is often hard to see these waters due to dense shoreline development. We think there is too little public access to the shoreline, and we know that many people agree with us.
We believe it is especially important that children have natural areas nearby where they can play, learn, and be inspired.
WE CAN HELP YOU
We have know what it’s like to see a treasured woods in a neighborhood cut down, or wetlands carved up for more development. The TLC wants to work with you to protect these places. The TLC may be able to serve as a support organization for your own protection efforts. Contact us for more information.
The TLC can potentially help you in many ways to:
See our We Can Help page for more information, or contact us by e-mail, phone, or letter.
