We welcome you to celebrate the legacy of Aldo Leopold, one of America's most influential naturalists, as we launch a new celebration in honor of his time in Les Cheneaux.

Leopold and his family spent several months a year in Les Cheneaux at their cottage on Marquette Island. There, young Leopold spent his days in the woods and on the water, where he developed an appreciation for the environment and wildlife on the island while mapping trails and listing the flora and fauna he found.

A weekend of activities will include a boat tour taking passengers just offshore of the Aldo Leopold Preserve-- more than 1,600 acres of protected land on Marquette Island, part of the 36-island Les Cheneaux archipelago. Other planned events include nature hikes, birding trips, kayak excursions, bicycle rides, a scavenger hunt, a showing of the Leopold bio-pic Green Fire, and other Leopold-related activities are being planned for Friday through Sunday.

This community event is being sponsored by the Les Cheneaux Community Foundation, with help from many volunteers and organizational partners, including Clark Township, Little Traverse Conservancy, The Nature Conservancy in Michigan, Les Cheneaux Islands Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Association, Woods & Water Ecotours, Great Lakes Boat Building School, Les Cheneaux Historical Association, Mackinac Economic Alliance, Les Cheneaux Row, Les Cheneaux Culinary School, Les Cheneaux Community Library, and others.