Who we are
A Wildlife Haven… Forever
Conserving the natural state of land, protecting wildlife, and allowing for education and study of nature in its pristine state.
Wildlife
Our History
Wildlife
Our Mission
Waters
Our Team
Forest
Our Trustees
Our history
From 400 acres to 2,000+
Greenwood began in 1964 as a small dream to protect 400 acres of Northern Michigan wilderness. Parcel by parcel, that dream grew into more than 2,000 acres of woodlands, wetlands, inland lakes and over two miles of the Little Pigeon River.
Today the land is permanently protected through conservation easements held by the Little Traverse Conservancy — a promise that these wild places stay wild long beyond any of us.
Our mission
From the very start we have always wanted Greenwood to become a wildlife haven, and that these lands be forever preserved.
— George Jury, Founder
Our team
The people in the woods
A small, dedicated team of conservationists, educators and land stewards who maintain Greenwood’s woods, waters and wildlife.
Jack Findlay
President
Ty Ratliff
VP & Executive Director
Sue Ortlieb
Program & Administrative Coordinator
Phil Copeland
Property Manager
Kyle Weckesser
Assistant Property Manager
Katie Nowak
Property Maintenance Staff
Tim Lash
Property Maintenance Staff
Our trustees
Guardians & Guidance of Greenwood’s
mission, impact and activities
Board Chair — governance and long-term conservation strategy
Trustee — conservation easements & land protection
Trustee — education partnerships with Northern Michigan schools
Trustee — finance and stewardship of foundation resources
Let's connect
Reach out to us.
Let's protect it together.
Have a question, want to partner, or care about keeping wild land pristine? We'd love to hear from you — reach out and start the conversation.