Manchester-area township landowners holding rural land protection event amid growing development pressure
The Washtenaw County Conservation Collective consists of six local organizations: Washtenaw County Conservation District, River Raisin Watershed Council, Washtenaw County Parks & Recreation Commission, Ann Arbor Greenbelt, Huron River Watershed Council, and Legacy Land Conservancy.
submitted by Jill Lada, Washtenaw County Conservation District, Community Engagement Specialist
As development pressure from data centers, solar farms, mineral extraction, and housing continues to reshape Washtenaw County’s rural and natural landscapes, residents of Sharon, Manchester, Bridgewater, and Freedom townships are coming together to take a proactive approach to land preservation and management. The free collaborative conservation event on Thursday, April 9, 6–7:30pm, at Sharon United Methodist Church, 19980 W Pleasant Lake Rd, will bring together farmers, property owners, and community members to explore practical tools for stewarding land thoughtfully — before development decisions are forced by circumstance.
Hosted by the Land Preservation Committee of Sharon Township, in collaboration with Bridgewater and Manchester Land Preservation Committees, and Freedom Township, the regional approach allows these communities to coordinate land management and protection in ways that preserve connected landscapes, protect shared water resources, and guide growth more effectively in addition to parcel-by-parcel decisions.
The presentation will be organized and facilitated by the Washtenaw Conservation Collective, a group of regional government and nonprofit groups with a shared commitment to protecting Washtenaw County’s land and its legacy. The Collective includes Washtenaw County Conservation District, Washtenaw County Parks, Ann Arbor Greenbelt, Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, River Raisin Watershed Council, and Legacy Land Conservancy. The event focuses on helping residents understand the long-term value of their land and the proactive steps available to manage, protect, and plan for its future.
The evening begins with interactive mapping and engagement activities that highlight shared interests, land types, and community connections. These hands-on exercises underscore a central message of the event: individual land decisions, when coordinated across a community, can shape the future of the landscape in powerful ways.
Through a series of short presentations and local examples, attendees will learn:
● Why proactive conservation matters now — As rural land becomes increasingly fragmented, protecting forests, wetlands, farmland, and open space plays a critical role in safeguarding water quality, local food production, wildlife habitat, and community character—both locally and downstream.
● How to actively manage land under development pressure — Presenters will share achievable land management strategies and success stories showing how landowners can improve ecological health, productivity, and resilience without waiting for a crisis point.
● Options for long-term land protection — Conservation easements and land acquisition tools will be explained as flexible, voluntary ways for landowners to plan ahead, preserve family legacy, support intergenerational transfer, and maintain working lands in the face of rising land values.
● The support already in place — Attendees will hear from neighbors who have taken conservation steps and learn about the technical assistance, financial incentives, local millages, and community partnerships available to help landowners act early and confidently.
The event concludes with facilitated discussion, question-and-answer time, and networking, giving participants a chance to connect directly with conservation professionals and fellow landowners about next steps — from land assessments and management planning to protection strategies and peer learning.
“This is about being intentional rather than reactive,” said Megan DeLeeuw, Sharon Township LPC Chair. “By making thoughtful choices now, landowners can honor their legacy, care for the land they love, and help shape what our townships look like for generations to come.”
For more information or to register, visit washtenawcd.org/April9 or call 734-302-8714.
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