The Michigan Karst Conservancy

About The MKC

The Michigan Karst Conservancy, formed in 1983, is dedicated to the acquisition, management and protection of Michigan's significant karst areas and features, as well as scientific study and conservation education.

MKC members spent several summers cleaning car bodies, household appliances and cans of toxic chemicals from Bruski Sink, which had been used as an illegal dump for years.

Conservancy members conduct guided tours of Fiborn Karst Preserve and Hendrie River Water Cave.

The nonprofit MKC owns two preserves and co-owns a third:

In addition to management and maintenance, conservancy members conduct scientific research and educational programs at all three preserves, covering geology, hydrology, biology and history.

A board of trustees and elected officers govern the conservancy, and meets several times a year. MKC committees oversee management of preserves, pursue research projects and work to develop relationships with landowners whose properties contain karst features.

As a nonprofit organization, the MKC receives no government support and relies solely on members and the public for funding. Membership dues finance the conservancy’s operating costs.

The conservancy accepts donations in many forms: cash, land suitable for preservation, or land or securities that may be sold to finance the MKC's preservation activities.

Membership

The MKC offers five levels of membership:

All except Student and Institutional members may hold office and chair committees. All except Student Members may vote to elect the Board of Trustees.

Members receive a regular newsletter and notices of meetings and programs.