The Value of Membership
By choosing to be a member of Chikaming Open Lands, you express your commitment to our mission to preserve and protect the open spaces of southwest Michigan. Members sustain our organization, and together we are able to conserve land and provide ongoing stewardship of protected lands. Your membership helps to insure that the unique character of southwest Michigan will be preserved in perpetuity. I believe that my membership in COL will help to provide a future of natural habitat for my children and grandchildren to enjoy! Please join me!
Our membership program offers benefits designed to encourage participation by everyone, including area businesses. Member contributions are tax-deductible as allowed by law, and donors are recognized widely. All of our members receive a complimentary subscription to The Chikaming Legacy newsletter, keeping you informed about all our land protection, stewardship, and outreach activities (pictured here, members discuss organic beef with Middlebrook Farm owner Bob Schuttler during our local farm tour). Other member benefits include complimentary admission to special events like last June’s nationally renowned Raptors: America’s Birds of Prey, presented by the renowned World Bird Sanctuary, and to the always-popular Voyageur Canoe Outing (some restrictions apply).
Thank you in advance for joining us or renewing your membership in support of land conservation and our ongoing efforts to preserve open space and the diverse natural character of southwest Michigan.
--Jean I. Smith
Development Chair
What is Membership?
COL's work is supported by its member base. Most of our members make unrestricted annual gifts to support our operating budget. Any size contribution qualifies you for membership, but with a gift of $30 or more you will be added to our mailing list for special event notification and will receive the Chikaming Legacy newsletter, our annual report, and other special mailings. Members also receive free or reduced admission to COL events.
Chikaming Open Lands is a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization. All gifts to COL are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Larger contributions are welcomed and appreciated. You can mail your check to the address below, or simply click the "Donate" button on any page to make a contribution via credit or debit card.
Additional Forms of Support
There are many ways to support Chikaming Open Lands. Memberships are usually paid in cash, but some donations come as gifts of appreciated securities or by donations from previously established charitable foundations like the Berrien Community Foundation. You might want to recognize a special anniversary or birthday with a gift, or to honor someone with a memorial.
Click the links below to learn more about ways you can contribute to COL.
Please feel free to contact our office for information about current projects and campaigns.
How To Donate
If you wish to mail your donation, please download, print, and fill in our membership form, and include it with your gift. To donate using any major credit card, please click the "Donate" button in the lefthand column of every page. You will be taken to a secure online form where you can provide the necessary information. Your generosity is appreciated!
