In late 2018, the Mackinac Center’s Environmental Policy Initiative began a long-term project to encourage private conservation efforts across the state of Michigan.

We often introduce the concept of conservation by recognizing that most of us have grown up with state and national parks as part of our everyday lives. Through them, we better understand the need for conservation and the role that parks play in protecting the natural environment. But people often are not aware of the many free-market opportunities to advance conservation and protect natural areas.

In fact, many people mistakenly believe that private industry and free markets are inherently harmful to the environment. The Mackinac Center’s Private Conservation Working Group aims to correct that misunderstanding by bringing together a diverse group of conservation organizations, industry experts and government professionals. Our effort aims to achieve four key goals:

1. Improve our understanding of conservation efforts that are now politically possible and desirable.


2. Educate the public about conservation opportunities in Michigan by engaging in a broader discussion on private conservation.


3. Encourage cooperation and coordination among groups involved in private conservation.


4. Identify new ways that public policy can promote or expand private conservation.

Our initial meeting included representatives from:

• Conservation organizations:
  • The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Chapter
  • Little Forks Conservancy
  • The Chippewa Nature Center
  • Michigan United Conservation Clubs

• Industrial and agricultural organizations:
  • Michigan Farm Bureau
  • Arauco North America
  • Omni Tech International, Ltd.

• Government agencies:
  • Michigan Department of Natural Resources
  • Midland Conservation District

The initial meeting introduced the various organizations to each other and to our goal of advancing private conservation in Michigan. In that meeting, participants began discussing the challenges they face and the successes they have had. Topics included the value of using privately owned and managed lands, such as nature preserves, for conservation, and the public benefits those areas provide. We discussed the challenges of using and managing conservation easements, educating the public about conservation efforts, and the often counterproductive nature of relying on tax dollars as financial incentives.

Our discussion also touched on removing government red tape and reducing the redundant requirements that regulations often impose on conservation efforts.

We are convinced that it’s worth educating the public, media and government about what private individuals, industry and nongovernment organizations are doing to protect the natural environment. For that reason, our efforts will reach out to landowners and companies that have informal nature preserves or wildlife habitat on their properties. We will seek to recognize companies that provide their communities with outdoor recreation opportunities. We will welcome to our group and seek out other organizations that are expanding market-based recycling efforts or using innovative reclamation and restoration techniques after working in an area. We will also encourage elected government officials and agencies to promote those efforts, rather than slow them down with red tape or bureaucratic processes.

Looking forward, the Mackinac Center has invited more foundations, industry representatives, conservation organizations and local native bands to take part in the working group. The response has been encouraging, and while unforeseen events like the failure of the Edenville Dam and the appearance of the novel coronavirus have momentarily paused our efforts, plans are afoot for a second (virtual) meeting before the end of the year.

If you or your business have a conservation story to tell, or are interested in the working group, please reach out to Jason Hayes, director of environmental policy at the Mackinac Center for more information.