Become a Land Steward

Land stewardship is what we do. It is one of the main reasons Chikaming Open Lands was founded. We invite you to become an instrumental part of the land stewardship effort. We are always looking for help with river clean-up and habitat maintenance, which includes removing invasive plants and planting native ones. There are all sorts of other ways volunteers contribute to our efforts as well, including help with office and workshop activities.

Volunteers have always been essential to the success of Chikaming Open Lands. We began ten years ago as an all-volunteer organization, so it is safe to say that COL would not be what it is today without the energy and ingenuity of volunteers.

COL has compiled a "Talent Base" we draw on as we undertake and implement projects. This database includes everything from volunteer land stewards to attorneys, marketing specialists, botanists, and committee members. Whether you have a talent you would like to add to our database or simply want to become more involved in land stewardship, please contact us to let us know about your interest.

What is Land Stewardship?

According to Webster, 'stewardship' is an individual’s responsibility to manage life and property with the proper regard to the rights of others. Add 'land' to the front of that and you have 'land stewardship' — the practice of carefully managing land and its uses so natural systems are maintained or enhanced for future generations.

Land stewardship is about reconnecting with earth, air, water and sunshine, and recognizing the dependence all life has upon them. Land stewardship is about rediscovering our awe and respect for nature and its wisdom. Land stewardship is about preserving or restoring the land's capacity for self-renewal.

Everyone is a steward of the environment. We do not own it — we are simply caretakers of the resources we use in our daily lives. Land stewardship can take many shapes and forms:

You can protect your land (learn more about land protection here)
You can become a volunteer land steward (contact us to discuss opportunities). On-the-ground stewardship activities can include removing invasive species, replanting native species, compiling plant inventories, monitoring habitats, restoring natural water flows, as well as educating our members and the public about conservation
You can buy products made locally whenever possible
You can recycle waste and gray water
You can adopt renewable energy sources
You can choose products that reduce their impact on the environment by minimizing pesticides, fertilizers, waste, and energy consumption
You can use public transit, cycle, or walk whenever possible

Examples of Our Land Stewardship Efforts

Clean the Galien

From 2005 through 2009, Chikaming Open Lands held an annual Galien River cleanup. One or several sites were identified and on the appointed day dozens of volunteers aged 8 to 80 rallied round the trash, digging and prying and pulling it forth from the river and its shores. Tires, broken glass, plastic bottles, stoves, refrigerators, light fixtures, bedsprings, kitchen sinks — yes, even kitchen sinks! — were just a few of the many items that filled our dumpsters and trucks. Each year between one and two tons of this trash were removed from the watershed ecosystem. Having cleaned up many of the worst-impacted sites along the Galien, COL is taking a break from this effort in 2010.

First Saturday Volunteer Program

On Saturdays spanning May through September, volunteer land stewards work to implement the management plans for COL preserves. These activities can include non-native plant removal, planting native species, monitoring and restoring habitats. All workdays begin at 9:45 a.m. Michigan time and meet at the COL office. Please call ahead to confirm: 269-469-2330. The 2010 land stewardship dates are: