Volunteers Make the Trails (and the World) Go ’Round

Meet six of the LTC’s dedicated volunteers

By Lourin Sprenger | May 23, 2026

For more than five decades, the Little Traverse Conservancy (LTC) has worked to preserve the forests, shorelines, wetlands, and the scenic landscapes that capture the beauty of northern Michigan.

Founded in 1972, the nonprofit land trust was formed to protect natural areas across northern lower Michigan through conservation easements, nature preserves, and partnerships with local communities and landowners. Fast-forward to present day, and LTC manages thousands of acres of protected land and miles of trails that are open to the public for hiking, birdwatching, snowshoeing, mountain biking, paddling, and quiet reflection in nature.

Beyond protecting land itself, LTC’s mission centers on connecting people to the outdoors and ensuring these sacred spaces remain accessible for generations.

Volunteers (more than 400 of them!) are the heartbeat of this mission. From maintaining trails and restoring habitats to welcoming visitors and supporting stewardship projects, LTC volunteers care for the lands they love while building meaningful connections with the natural world. Let’s meet a few of them.

Glen Matthews: Wonder in the Wild

Glen Matthews first became involved with Little Traverse Conservancy in 2009.

“In 2009, a year after I retired, I looked for an organization that fit my interest in conservation and natural history and which looked for important contributions from volunteers,” Matthews says. “Little Traverse Conservancy hit every mark.”

Matthews credits the organization for not only protecting important natural spaces, but also thoughtfully matching volunteers’ talents and interests with meaningful work that advances conservation efforts.

One of Matthews’ favorite places to explore is the Harris Working Forest Reserve near Afton. The preserve’s diverse habitats (including grasslands, forests, shrub meadows, beaver ponds, streams, and access to the Pigeon River) make it one of his top recommended trails for wildlife enthusiasts. Some of his favorite memories there involve unforgettable wildlife encounters.

During one late spring walk along an old railroad grade, Matthews noticed an unusual flash of red through dense cattails and brush. Looking through his binoculars, he discovered a sandhill crane quietly nesting, her bright red crown just visible above the vegetation as she hoped to remain hidden from view.

Another outing offered a much more startling surprise. While walking through tall grass, Matthews unknowingly disturbed a skunk resting only a few feet away in broad daylight. The animal quickly shifted into a defensive stance on the trail, prompting Matthews to carefully back away until both traveler and wildlife could continue peacefully in opposite directions.

“It was a close call,” he recalls.

For Matthews, these moments capture exactly what makes northern Michigan’s protected lands so special: the opportunity to witness nature up close, often in unexpected and unforgettable ways.

Dan Dueweke: Beauty in Every Season

Dan Dueweke’s connection to trail stewardship began long before he arrived in northern Michigan. He spent years volunteering as a sawyer and trail maintainer along the Appalachian Trail in Virginia before discovering Little Traverse Conservancy during a family vacation.

“One summer day in 2012 I happened on an LTC trail while vacationing at a family cabin in Charlevoix,” Dueweke says. “I contacted the conservancy and offered to give some time to the Susan Creek Nature Preserve whenever I was ‘Up North.’”

After retiring to Charlevoix in 2019, Dueweke became a full-time trail adopter for Susan Creek and several other LTC preserves.

Choosing a favorite trail is difficult for Dueweke because each preserve offers something unique. Susan Creek Nature Preserve stands out for its deep cedar forests, winding streams, and vernal pools that create an atmosphere reminiscent of old-growth wilderness.

He also holds a special appreciation for Hoffman Preserve, particularly because of its unofficial trailhead connection near Bier’s Inwood Brewery. After a summer hike, visitors can relax on a hilltop overlooking the northern end of Grand Traverse Bay and the sparkling blue waters of Lake Michigan, taking in a signature Pure Michigan sunset.

As a year-round volunteer, Dueweke experiences LTC preserves through every season, each bringing its own character and beauty. Winter offers the quiet squeak of snowshoes on frozen trails. Spring arrives with an explosion of birdsong echoing in the forests. Summer evenings slow visitors to an easy pace beneath warm sunlight filtering through the trees.

But for Dueweke, autumn in northern Michigan is the standout.

“When the trees are ablaze with their autumn colors and the entire canopy is cloaked in yellow, gold, and red,” he says, “the filtered light bathes the whole forest floor with a surreal brightness.” In those moments, he says the beauty is almost overwhelming, the kind of experience that stops a person in their tracks and reminds them why these landscapes are worth protecting.

Sarah Furman: Building Community Through Trails

It was after the devastating northern Michigan ice storm that Sarah Furman first connected with the Little Traverse Conservancy.

Her neighbor had begun helping clear trails at the Melvin property after storm damage left significant work to be done. Seeing both the need and the value of the trail system, Furman jumped in to help.

“Melvin is less than three miles from my house,” Furman says. “I felt genuinely grateful to have such a treasure so close to my home.”

Inspired by both the trail system and the generosity of the Melvin family, she wanted to help restore the trails so the community could continue enjoying them after the storm.

Today, the Melvin trails remain her favorite. She appreciates the thoughtful design that allows riders of all skill levels to enjoy the system together. “The features are meant to challenge but not deter any rider,” she explains.

Furman thinks back fondly on riding the Melvin trails with the Latitude 45 Varsity mountain biking team (based on Petoskey) during both crisp fall rides and rainy summer outings.

“They didn’t mind the drive from Petoskey and rode the trails until dark,” she says, recalling the repeated cries of “just one more time” as riders tackled downhills and jumps again and again. “It was so fun to watch the energy bounce from rider to rider on these group rides.”

Jennifer Reynolds: Stewardship Through Everyday Connection

Jennifer Reynolds joined up with the Little Traverse Conservancy in 2022, following her retirement and relocation from Holland to Charlevoix with her husband. With nature always serving as a grounding presence in her life, she quickly found purpose in volunteering and land stewardship across northern Michigan.

Reynolds adopted several LTC preserves as a steward and currently maintains a section of the North Country Trail through the Jordan Valley 45 chapter. Her work focuses on hands-on conservation efforts including removing invasive species, clearing fallen trees and brush from trails, and helping ensure that public access remains safe and enjoyable.

Among her favorite places to visit is the Susan Creek Nature Preserve, loved for its quiet bridges, small pond, and varied forest landscape.

One of Reynolds’ most memorable trail moments came when she first encountered a lady slipper orchid while hiking in northern Michigan. “I had only seen them before in pictures,” she says. “And there they were…bright pink and gorgeous.” Since then, she has continued to find and photograph orchids and other natural discoveries throughout LTC preserves.

Volunteering is both practical and personal for Reynolds, an extension of her appreciation for the outdoors and a way to contribute to preserving the landscapes she loves.

John & Mary Merrill: From Conservation Easement to Active Stewardship

John and Mary Merrill had a different start to their Little Traverse Conservancy connection. Back in 2013, they were pursuing a conservation easement for their property. The experience led to a long-lasting connection.

After officially relocating to northern Michigan in 2017, the Merrills expanded their involvement through trail maintenance and volunteer stewardship. With a background in education, John was invited to join the Environmental Education Committee in 2019, where he has continued to contribute as part of LTC’s ongoing strategic planning.

As a couple, two of their favorite destinations include the Woollam Family Nature Preserve and the Elmer Johnston Nature Preserve.

The Woollam Family Nature Preserve stands out for its unique combination of forest, dune, and beach ecosystems. The Merrills appreciate how the preserve offers a constantly changing experience shaped by seasons, water levels, and geological features. Each visit provides a new perspective on the interconnectedness of land and water.

“It’s the whole preserve” John says of Woollam. “The forest of course, but the combination of forest, beaches, dunes, glacial erratics, winter ice, and changing water levels makes for a unique experience with every visit.”

The Elmer Johnston Nature Preserve offers a different but equally valued experience, with its mature woodlands and ecological recovery from past grazing. They are drawn to its sense of restoration and the expansive views that highlight the return of natural systems over time.

Find more trails to explore at landtrust.org.