Belle Isle Conservancy

Historic preservation: preserving the buildings, fountains, statues, historic landscape and other historic amenities of belle isle park; includes planning, research and implementing capital improvements. The belle isle conservancy raises private support for historic preservation activities, working in conjunction with the city of detroit and the michigan department of natural resources. In 2012, the belle isle conservancy raised funds for a complete restoration of the roof of the horse stables, a large complex designed by architect george mason in the 1920's. The clay tile roof was completely repaired and where necessary, rebuilt, ensuring the preservation of the building, which is located in a prominent area of the park. Another major project has been raising funds to replace the pewabic tiles in the james scott memorial fountain. The conservancy has also supported the city's effort to renew the national register for historic places designation for belle isle, through documentation, research and public meetings. The belle isle conservancy has acted as a fiduciary for the city of detroit for state historic preservation office grants to restore the nancy brown peace carillon tower which is in disrepair, and to assess the feasibility of reconnecting the belle isle aquarium and anna scripps whitcomb conservatory, as it was originally designed by albert kahn in the early 1900s. Conservancy volunteers constantly monitor the condition of belle isle structures, streetlights, footpath bridges over the canals and other structures and report problems to belle isle conservancy, the city of detroit and the state of michigan department of natural resources

The belle isle conservancy's education and visitor engagement team inspires a lifetime of curiosity, passion, and stewardship for aquatic and plant ecosystems in people of all ages. Educational programs include on-site field trips for third through fifth graders at the belle isle aquarium and anna scripps whitcomb conservatory and private tours for adults and seniors.

All other accomplishments other program services: are those services that improve belle isle park for the enjoyment of all, but are not specifically covered under historic preservation, aquarium and conservatory, or environmental stewardship ( i.e. Regular repairs and maintenance, consulting services, etc.). Volunteer services: the belle isle conservancy recruits, manages, and trains volunteers who are serving at belle isle park. These volunteers work in myriad capacities such as facility greeters at the aquarium and conservatory, stewardship volunteers who help keep the park clean and safe, educational volunteers who help us implement our educational fieldtrips, event volunteers who help to plan and facilitate community events and fundraising events, community voulnteers, stewards, and more. Community engagement: community engagement is at the heart of the organization's work and greatly supports the work of mdnr and the city of detroit.it is essential to understand the priorities of residents who own this beloved public space and the belle isle conservancy prides itself on not only strong engagement during planning processes, but a consistently open "front door" to hear from residents about their experiences on a daily basis. Environmental stewardship: belle isle's 982 acres include a large wetland forest, a system of canals and interior lakes in this park that is itself an island, and trees and other plantings throughout the heavily used picnic and playground areas. Through the conservancy's keep belle isle beautiful program we have been able to mobilize hundreds of volunteers each year to help keep the island, it's waterways, and the detroit river free of harmful rubbish and microplastics. In 2019, with help from the epa, the conservancy grew this program to form the bi-national detroit river coalition, a group of entities in canada and detroit helping to preserve our waterways. Over 50,000 daffodils have been planted throughout the park through a volunteer effort and with support from the michigan department of natural resources. Students that attend our educational programming also help in monitoring the vernal ponds on the island and assist in water collection and testing in the canals of the island. We also coordinate with the mdnr on supporting the strongest environmental practices for drainage systems and shoreline work for any captial initiative underway.