I have profoundly felt the importance of having healthy forests and wilderness in which I can rest my mind these past few weeks as the COVID-19 situation has accelerated. We at the UP Land Conservancy hope that you are able to enjoy the natural areas, preserves, and waterways that the UP Land Conservancy protects as we weather these unknown times together. I am humbled to be able continue working alongside you to protect vital places where we can rest our minds and souls. 

Whenever you talk to a resident or visitor to the UP, there is always one thing that comes out - a deep love and connection to the land that surrounds us. While we work through these troubled times - apart, together - keep in mind that, like the land around us, our roots are deep. Our human and natural ecosystems are strong and, like our ecosystem, we support one another when one of us is in need. Just like a spiders' web, when there is a tug on one string, all aspects are affected and we all must do our part to keep this community strong. 

Our job is to continue protecting the land and to provide recreation outlets while protecting safe water, clean air, and deep wilderness to explore. We promise that we will continue protecting land for the benefit of our community through this crisis. 

UP Land Conservancy staff are now working remotely and all meetings and events have been postponed or moved to a virtual format. We will send specific details about postponements or other methods of working together virtually directly to those affected, and please watch our social media and the events calendar for updates. 

For the time being, we may be a little slower than usual in responding to phone calls and physical mail, but we do expect a smooth transition to online work with little disruption to our regular tasks (remember that cloud-based database I was so excited about at the annual meeting???). Email will be the best way to get a hold of us while we figure out phone call forwarding.

The Vielmetti-Peters Reserve, the Chocolay Bayou, Tory's Woods, and all our other nature preserves with or without trails are open for public use during daylight hours as usual! Please head out to the woods to let your mind take a break from the news and let your your lungs breathe in the clean air that nature provides to us. As of right now, safe and responsible outdoor recreation while practicing social distancing is allowed - however, please be aware that our trails will close if we find that visitors are creating hazards to public safety while recreating by not social distancing while on trail, or that preserve rules are not being followed (pets off leash, trash or camping or fires). Please do not use UPLC trails to congregate, but rather, stay home if you're not feeling well or were recently exposed, keep at least 6' of distance between one another and avoid having another person directly downwind of you.

Check out the "Protected Lands" menu above or the Interactive Map to find a preserve near you to explore, and let us know with an email or a post on social media that you're out enjoying the land. Socially sharing your outdoor experiences can help those who are unable to get out onto the trails right now feel some of that peace and calm that you're finding in the woods. 

I deeply believe in the power of this community and our ability to pull together to take on challenges. Thank you, all, for doing so much for one another and our communities in these uncertain days. Looking forward to enjoying warmer weather and calmer waters with you soon.

Be well, 

Andrea on behalf of the Board and Staff of the UP Land Conservancy