Tom Mlada standing on the Lake Michigan shoreline in a red LNRP shirt.

Dear Friends, Partners, and Supporters of LNRP:

Are you ready for 2022?!?

Well, ready or not…it’s here. On many levels, I believe all of us are ready for the “new beginning” the new year brings, and especially since it brings with it hope for another step forward – and out of – the pandemic in which we have been living.

While 2021 did present its share of challenges, it also presented opportunities, and I do believe our LNRP Team took full advantage. As you’ll read in this Fall/Winter e-newsletter, together with our Partner Groups, we advanced our community-based land and water conservation work in impressive and impactful ways. We helped lead successful beach clean-ups; collaborated on water quality monitoring; hosted watershed engagement events; continued critical habitat restoration efforts; promoted our climate change mitigation efforts in the communities we serve; created educational signage celebrating public access opportunities; and held a meaningful “Gathering in Gratitude” at Saxon Homestead Farm. In short, we were busy, but as my Dad used to say about conservation work, “It’s the best kind of busy!”

In truth, as we look forward to 2022, the ongoing environmental challenges facing our communities, our state, and our nation demand a new level of conservation leadership excellence. I am confident LNRP is prepared to assume that mantle of leadership, serve in an even larger capacity, and advocate with a more magnified voice.

To do so, we recognized we needed more help, and created a new role on our Team: Director of Partnerships and Programs. After an expansive search process, we were honored to welcome Natalie Dorrler-Hyde to our LNRP Team to serve in this new capacity. You can read more about Natalie in her introductory message below. We can’t wait for you to meet her and have the chance to work with her!

The new year promises to be even busier. Together with you, we will work to enhance water quality throughout the Lake Michigan Basin; restore and enhance wildlife habitat and the forest ecosystem; eradicate destructive invasive species; improve soil health and advance sustainable agricultural practices; protect natural areas and open land spaces; cultivate and engage community leaders, and educate community residents about the need for action to address the climate crisis.

And, we’re going to take time to celebrate all-things-and-all-people-LNRP…because LNRP will turn 20 years old in 2023. We’ll keep you updated about opportunities for you to join us in celebrating the impact we’ve had together – and the impact we will have in the next two decades (and beyond!).

I hope enjoy reading this e-newsletter. On behalf of our LNRP Team, my very best wishes to you and yours for a healthy, happy Holiday Season and New Year, too!

With gratitude,