Conservation
Resource Alliance (CRA) is a private, not-for-profit
corporation committed to "sensible stewardship of the
land." Established over 30 years ago as part of a nationwide
network of Resource Conservation and Development Councils,
the organization serves a 13-county area in northwest
lower Michigan.
Staffed
with wildlife biologists, fisheries biologists, engineers
and field technicians, CRA works with landowners to
plan, locate funding options, cut through red tape,
and implement programs to enhance the habitat value
and beauty of the region.
CRA
is known for its collaborative land-use solutions among
private landowners, government agencies and commercial
businesses. The intent of CRA is not to litigate to
prevent development, but to foster locally-driven solutions
that will preserve or develop land in a positive manner
for all parties involved. Instead of promoting further
regulations or lawsuits, our aim is to foster partnerships
in order to understand consequences, alter behavior,
and create win-win cooperative efforts.
Our
understanding of regulations and funding control help
many groups take advantage of opportunities, mobilize
resources, minimize red tape, cut through bureaucratic
layers, touch all bases, avoid surprises, and see that
change proceeds fairly for all parties involved.
CRA's
RiverCare Program is an example of a program aimed
at reaching specific regional stewardship goals. The
RiverCare Program was created to guarantee that natural
resource professionals maintain a consistent and prioritized
action plan for each river in CRA's region, find and
repair physical problems before they become worse,
and maintain efficient, coordinated local river committees
of agency, resident and interest group representatives.
Northern
Michigan's unique combination of rivers, streams, forests,
and wildlife attracts thousands of seasonal residents
and over 500,000 visitors each year. Anyone who lives
here, vacations here, or makes a living selling products
and services here is inextricably part of our community.
It is critical for our community to realize that the
quality of the area's scenery and resources are not
automatically preserved or enhanced. That is why the
Conservation Resource Alliance exists.
Investments
in CRA ensure that we can continue to bring together
landowners, businesses, organizations and government
agencies to plan and implement the steps necessary
to preserve, develop, or responsibly change the land
within our 13 county region.
OUR
REGION:
Antrim, Benzie,
Charlevoix,
Emmet,
Grand Traverse,
Kalkaska,
Lake,
Leelanau,
Manistee,
Mason,
Missaukee,
Osceola, and
Wexford Counties
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