News

LTC Ecological Conditions and Response (ECAR) program

With support from a C3F Community Priorities grant, Little Traverse Conservancy was able to implement their Ecological Conditions and Response (ECAR) program across 118 preserves and reserves in Charlevoix County! They inventoried over 4,500 acres of land in Charlevoix County to create a baseline assessment of each preserve's unique ecological status. LTC Development Associate Lindsay Hall said, “The goal of ECAR is to gain a deeper understanding of the resources in our care, so that we may better steward them into the future. The data that we have collected now will inform our stewardship decisions for years to come. This includes everything from what trees are growing on the property, how old they are, mosses and lichens found on the land, native or invasive species present, and what mammals, insects, and birds populate the area.” C3F Staffers Ashley Cousens and Megan DeHoog enjoyed an informative walk on the Elizabeth Hoffman Nature Preserve with Lindsay Hall and Brad Von Blon from LTC. They even got to witness the discovery of a new lichen in our County – Brook Stippleback! As Brad shared, “it may not look like much,” but it indicates good health of the creek. It was exciting to share this ecological finding!