Our Mission:
Protecting significant natural, scenic and farm lands – and advancing stewardship – now and for future generations.
Our Vision:
We envision a stunning tapestry of protected land and water—an interdependent weave binding the beauty of our region, the resilience of its ecosystems, the sustainability of its economy, and the health of its residents. We see ourselves as catalysts and conveners of like-minded partners, dedicated to the conservation of this way of life.
Our Values:
EXCELLENCE
We are committed to excellence in everything we do. We employ best practices, strive to enhance our skills and knowledge, and measure our performance against exacting standards. We work hard and carefully manage our resources in order to deliver outstanding results in a timely and efficient manner.
LEADERSHIP
For those to whom much is given, much is required. As the recipient of incredibly generous support, we feel a deep responsibility to aggressively pursue our mission, not only by protecting and stewarding outstanding properties, but also by engaging and educating elected officials, partners, donors, volunteers, students and others regarding the critical environmental issues affecting the region.
INCLUSIVENESS
We welcome everyone to experience the natural wonder of the Grand Traverse region by visiting our protected properties free of charge. Our universally accessible trails are an especially inviting manifestation of our commitment to serve all residents and visitors, regardless of age or physical ability.
GENEROSITY
Reflecting the generosity of our supporters, we freely provide our time, expertise and other resources to communities, like-minded organizations and individuals throughout our service area in pursuit of their needs and our mission.
TEAMWORK
We are a team. We work together—inside and outside the organization—in the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and creativity. The result is deep, trusting, long-term relationships that contribute to the successful development and management of protected properties and the flourishing of the entire region.
RESPECT
Our internal and external relationships are founded on mutual respect. We welcome open dialogue and debate, confident that it will enable us to sharpen our thinking, avoid pitfalls, and seize opportunities that may not be immediately apparent.
COMMUNICATION
We listen carefully and communicate clearly and openly to avoid misunderstandings and generate goodwill among everyone with whom we interact.
INTEGRITY
We conduct our work with integrity in words and actions. We follow through on our commitments. Our mission is timeless, and to meet that challenge in perpetuity we must earn the trust of others by being trustworthy.
FORESIGHT
We plan for change. In addition to responding to today’s obvious threats, we anticipate and address tomorrow’s emerging problems.
To read our 2026-2031 Strategic Direction, click here.