For additional information, reach out to Patrick at pcrouch@detroitfuturecity.com.
A: Detroit GreenSpace is a citywide conservation initiative led by Detroit Future City (DFC) to transform vacant land into protected natural areas. The Detroit GreenSpace builds on DFC’s decade of community-driven land reuse work and aims to create and protect forests, prairies, and wetlands that improve air and water quality, reduce flooding and heat, and connect residents with nature close to home.
A: Detroit has more than 18 square miles of vacant land and over 100,000 vacant lots, most of which are publicly owned. Many are too small or fragmented for traditional development. By turning some of this land into natural areas, Detroit can fill a major ecological and social gap – Improving environmental health, creating safer and more beautiful neighborhoods, and giving residents access to green space that supports mental and physical well-being.
A: The Detroit Greenspace Conservancy is an emerging nonprofit organization that Detroit Future City (DFC) is working to establish. The GreenSpace Conservancy will serve as a long-term steward for land in Detroit that is set aside for conservation and public benefit. Once created, the Detroit GreenSpace Conservancy will be responsible for owning, managing, and protecting these spaces so they remain accessible, healthy, and vibrant for generations to come.
A: DFC is advancing plans for the Detroit GreenSpace Conservancy to ensure that Detroit’s growing network of natural areas has a sustainable system of care. As Detroit continues to evolve, the Detroit GreenSpace Conservancy will help secure these lands in perpetuity, providing a structure for coordinated management, funding, and community partnerships that keep these spaces thriving.
A: The Detroit GreenSpace Conservancy will use a range of tools, including land ownership, conservation easements, and shared management agreements, to ensure each site is permanently protected and responsibly maintained. These approaches will help balance ecological preservation, community use, and long-term resilience.
A: The Detroit GreenSpace Conservancy will:
A: Detroit GreenSpace is DFC’s citywide conservation initiative, while the Detroit GreenSpace Conservancy is the nonprofit being created to own and steward conserved land long-term.
A: Community voices are central to this work. DFC will partner with residents, neighborhood organizations, and local land stewards to select sites, shape designs, and manage spaces. Through shared management agreements, communities can play a leading role in how conservation sites are maintained and used.
A: The focus is on natural areas (forests, prairies, and wetlands) that provide the greatest environmental and health benefits. These areas can also include walking paths, benches, and other simple amenities designed with community input.
A: Detroit GreenSpace builds on DFC’s history of community-centered land reuse programs such as Working With Lots, Land + Water Works, and the Circle Forest transformation. It scales these neighborhood-level successes into a long-term, citywide conservation strategy.
A: To view the full Saving for the Future: Land Conservation in Detroit report and learn more about how to get involved, visit www.DetroitFutureCity.com.