by Jim Adams, Legacy Land Conservancy Board President

Susan Lackey

It is the privilege and solemn responsibility of a nonprofit’s Board to hire and support an Executive Director who will provide the organization’s day-to-day leadership. By now you know that Susan Lackey, who has served as Legacy Land Conservancy’s Executive Director since 2005, has chosen to retire from a position that, for eleven years, she has imbued with tremendous excellence and drive.

Early contributions to the Emerald Arc capacity-building campaign have afforded Legacy’s Board the luxury of time and professional assistance in our search for the next Executive Director, and we anticipate a smooth transition by June of this year.

Meanwhile, the hard work, deep thinking, and collaborative spirit that characterize Susan’s leadership are evident in the strong, flexible, achievable strategic plan—adopted in 2015—that Susan crafted in concert with Legacy’s staff and Board. With this plan as a guide, Legacy will carry its momentum forward on footing that could not be more solid or well-aimed.

This is one way that Susan’s legacy will continue to resonate through the work of land protection for all of us in the near term, and for future generations as well.

Another way her legacy will continue is through the Susan Lackey Fund for Sustaining Stewardship. By establishing this fund, the Board wishes to celebrate Susan’s leadership, and its impact on our region and on the land conservation sector as a whole. The fund will recognize the transformational leadership Susan Lackey has devoted to Legacy Land Conservancy during her tenure.

Resources from this fund will be used by Legacy to sustain and enhance the connections between the communities Legacy serves and the lands Legacy protects. These connections are fostered by the activities Susan hopes will continue to grow, namely, opportunities for people to have great experiences on protected land, via:

• Interpretive and cultural programming and signage on Legacy’s preserves
• Trails, trail maintenance, wayfinding, boardwalks, benches, viewing platforms and other aids to recreation on Legacy’s preserves
• Preserve amenities, including parking and information kiosks

For Susan, the work of land protection at Legacy has always been focused on preserving and enhancing landscape features that provide what Susan calls “quality of place” for our neighbors and visitors in Jackson and Washtenaw counties.

For those who appreciate how much we owe to Susan’s tenacious and visionary leadership at Legacy, this tribute fund is a chance to help ensure that our communities retain the benefits of Susan’s work as Legacy continues to expand on her impact.

Please contact Legacy and join the Board in supporting the Susan Lackey Fund for Sustaining Stewardship.