Priority Landscapes: How We Identify and Protect “The Best of the Best”

Have you ever wondered how the Conservancy decides which land to protect?

Watch GTRLC land protection specialist Claire Herman present our Priority Landscapes Atlas (PLA)–a sophisticated mapping tool we developed that allows us to take a data-driven approach to identifying and protecting priority lands.

Learn how the PLA scores and displays the conservation value of the natural land parcels across our five-county service area, helping our team to evaluate each opportunity that arises and to focus on saving what we consider to be “the best of the best.” By analyzing the landscape as a whole, rather than looking at individual properties in isolation, the PLA helps us identify places that can contribute to a stunning, interdependent tapestry of protected land and water across our region.

chieving that vision requires collaboration. GTRLC partners creatively with other agencies, organizations and communities to make conservation possible. Matt Cowall, executive director of the Traverse City and Garfield Township Recreational Authority, will share how the Hickory Forest Natural Area was protected through the combined efforts of GTRLC and the joint Recreational Authority—highlighting how partnerships like this can help create a more connected and sustainable future for our region.

This event is part of our 2026 Priority Landscapes Learning Series.