Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. made a $500,000 Acres for America signature grant to The Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy to complete the acquisition of two miles of Lake Michigan shoreline, featuring spectacular sand dunes, a host of wildlife, and a high density of Pitcher's thistle, a globally unique plant to the Great Lakes.

“The Great Lakes are a vital national asset both economically and environmentally,” said Jeff Trandahl, Executive Director, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “This capstone grant from Acres for America will ensure that this unique natural heritage will be enjoyed for generations to come.”

The site, known as Arcadia Dunes, lies between the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and the Manistee National forest, and the Arcadia Dunes is contiguous to one mile of this protected shoreline. With this acquisition, more than 30 percent of the shoreline between Arcadia and Sleeping Bear Dunes will be protected.

“At Wal-Mart, we know that being an efficient business and being a good steward of the environment are goals that can work together,” said David Carmon, Regional General Manager, Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. “We understand the importance of protecting the environment and we're proud to partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to help preserve valuable wildlife habitat here in Michigan and across the country.”

This pristine shoreline was ranked among the top five of unprotected privately owned coastal sites by the Michigan Dune Alliance, a coalition consisting of state and federal agencies, private organizations, land trusts, and watershed councils from the Mackinac Bridge to the Indiana State line along the Lake Michigan shore. The shoreline serves as a resting area for bald eagles, recognized as threatened in the state and is part of the migratory route for Monarch butterflies. The site also supports the federally listed endangered Peregrine Falcon, and the Caspian tern and merlin, also listed as threatened by the state. This truly unique site also boasts the Cooper's hawk, grasshopper sparrow and northern harrier, recognized as species of concern. The back-capped vireo sighted on the Arcadia Bluffs remains the only sighting of the species in Michigan.

“The Lake Michigan dunes are the most spectacular element of an extraordinary natural resource — the Great Lakes,” said Donn Waage, Central Region Director, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. “It is vitally important to the web of life in the Great Lakes to preserve this last major parcel of sand dune and coastal forest, home to migratory birds and rare plants.”

The project is part of a larger Lake Michigan coastal protection campaign totaling more than 6,000 acres, including 1,667 acres of sand dune and coastal forest, and 4,333 acres of working conservation lands that provide a buffer to pressure from lakeshore development. The buffer area includes 1,000 acres of forests, 500 acres of protected grasslands and 2,833 acres of agricultural lands which will be placed under easement. The public will enjoy recreational access to these lands including the development of a 15-mile trail system.

The 6,000-acre campaign attracted $35.4 million in public support, foundation grants, corporate contributions and individual gifts. The funding for the campaign supports the acquisition of these lands, development of the management plan, trail system and a stewardship endowment. Wal-Mart and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation join the C.S. Mott Foundation, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, The Carls Foundation, W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and The Herbert H. Grace A. Dow Foundation as lead funders supporting the conservation of Acadia Dunes.

“It is absolutely wonderful that more than 5,000 individuals and foundations believed this property was so important that they put their money where their hearts are. Now it is preserved for us to enjoy today and for future generations,” said Betsy Dole, Board Chair of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.