Update from Little Traverse Conservancy: With the destructive ice storm northern Michigan experienced this last week, LTC has significant trail cleanup to do. As you can imagine, trails are in rough shape. We are assuming nearly all our trails have downed trees blocking them. This does not mean our trails are closed, but we do ask that you use them at your own risk. Even though the worst of it has passed, the storm has brought dangerous conditions. Branches and trees could fall at any moment, so please be careful if you choose to head out on LTC properties. Our plan going forward is to clear properties daily over the next few weeks, starting with our most popular properties in each county. Our staff and volunteers will be working as quickly and efficiently as possible so you can continue to enjoy the beauty of northern Michigan. If you see a crew on the trail, please avoid them for your safety. Once a trail system has been cleared, we will post it on our social media stories and our website (www.landtrust.org), so check back daily for updates. If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please reach out to Volunteer Coordinator Cacia Lesh at cacia@landtrust.org or call our office at 231.347.0991. Please do not call our office to inform us about downed trees and branches. We appreciate you looking out for us, but this type of phone call will be overwhelming at this time. We’re incredibly proud of the resilience of our communities and so grateful for the outpouring of support we’ve seen in the wake of the storm. Thank you for your patience and care as we work to restore safe access to these cherished trails. We hope you’re staying safe, staying warm, and finding moments of peace in nature wherever you can. (fb)

While our apple pruning workshop scheduled for tomorrow has been cancelled, Brad is still holding the Spring Woodcock Walk at the Sally and Art Hailand Jr./Helstrom Family Nature Preserve from 8-9:30pm tomorrow Friday April 4. If you need a little break from the storm cleanup, join us at the parking area at 4855 West Conway Road, Harbor Springs. (fb)