Archive for category: Community

Bad air over Leelanau County this morning!

Readings from IQAir show that the Leelanau Peninsula has some of the worst air quality in the state this morning with an average AQI of 400!

DNR looking for gray foxes in Leelanau County

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is looking for Gray fox in Leelanau and all of Michigan & hoping you can help them pinpoint where they live.

The Bicentennial Barn at 50

Mr. Ramsay’s original design featured “two wind-blown flags, a historical map of the County, a portrait of George Washington; the south end of the barn shows the pioneer spirit of sharing the historic bounty of “The Little Finger,” and the today spirit of winter’s fun and summers blessing.

Omena Open House Party on Monday!

The Omena Presbyterian Church has launched a campaign to secure Barth House for recurring housing, expanded parking & event space, and also to preserve the character & charm of the property for perpetuity. 
Leelanau Conservancy Docents by Leelanau Conservancy

Share your love of Leelanau as a Conservancy Docent!

If you love wandering the woods, watching for wildlife, and soaking in the beauty of Leelanau; becoming a Leelanau Conservancy docent could be the perfect volunteer opportunity for you.

The Church in the Orchard: St Wenceslaus Catholic Church of Gills Pier

Amongst the blossoms of the cherry orchards sits St. Wenceslaus Church and Cemetery.

Nello Valentine’s Leelanau Tree Planters

The story of Nello Valentine and his crew of tree planters who did a lot work re-foresting Leelanau County in the 1970s.

The tiny kestrel is patrolling Leelanau’s cherry orchards!

MyNorth shares that northern Michigan cherry farmers are turning to the tiny American kestrel to protect orchards from pests.

2026 Empire Asparagus Festival: A day of Peace, Music & Food

The annual Empire Asparagus Festival returns in less than a month on Saturday, June 6, 2026. 

Exposures 2026 is on the newstands!

The 2026 edition of the Leelanau County student journal Exposures  has been released!

Cut to Federal H-2A minimum wage could have serious impacts on local agriculture

The Betsie Current has a timely & engaging story from Claire Keenan-Kurgan on a dramatic cut to the minimum wage for workers on H-2A visas & fears it could upend local farms & farmers.

Start growing tomorrow’s trees today with the Leelanau Seedling Sale

The Leelanau Conservation District's annual Spring Seedling Sale is underway with a new deadline of April 17, 2026.