THE MAPLE RIVER INITIATIVE

The Maple River Initiative began years ago when conservation leaders Rick Holton and Charles Wilson asked a simple but powerful question: How can we protect the river we love?

From that vision grew a focused effort dedicated to safeguarding the Maple River and its surrounding lands. By bringing together a network of conservation-minded partners and resources, the Initiative ensures that when critical properties become available, your Little Traverse Conservancy is ready to act. Through collaboration with willing landowners, we are working to guarantee that the Maple River remains a place of beauty, habitat, and inspiration – for today and for generations to come. 

The Holton family and Charles Wilson made a $1M commitment to jumpstart this Initiative. Since then, LTC has more than doubled the amount of land and water frontage protected. In total, LTC has protected approximately 5% of the nearly 80,000-acre watershed. Your gift allows us to do even more.