KENDRA WILLS

Grand Rapids, Michigan

AFFILIATION: Land Use Educator with Michigan State University Extension in Kent County and Staff Person to the Kent County Agricultural Preservation Board

AREAS OF EXPERTISE: Adult and youth land use education, connecting urban and rural land use issues, farmland, and open space preservation, county purchase of development rights programs, Smart Growth, university-community partnerships

BACKGROUND & EXPERIENCE:  For the past six years, Kendra has coordinated the activities of a pioneering land use initiative titled United Growth for Kent County, a project focusing on strengthening public education and citizen-based efforts around farmland/natural land preservation and urban revitalization. In this role, she is the primary author of many successful grant proposals totaling over $1 million. Kendra also works to connect university resources to local need. She recently co-authored a book chapter focusing on university-community partnerships related to Smart Growth. She is in the process of creating and piloting the first statewide youth land use education program for MSU Extension 4-H Youth Development. Kendra also serves as staff person to the newly created Kent County Purchase of Development Rights Program, which recently secured almost $2 million to preserve 300 acres of prime farmland.

RESEARCH INTEREST: MSU Extension offices throughout Michigan receive hundreds of calls each year from landowners interested in preserving their property; however, a comprehensive resource on land preservation programs does not exist in the state. Research demonstrates that land preservation enhances quality of life, provides many environmental benefits including the protection of air, water, and wildlife habitat, and often helps preserve community character. Kendra’s research will result in the creation of a comprehensive website listing the available federal, state, and local land preservation programs available to Michigan residents. It is intended that this site will provide knowledge and give Michigan residents more choices to manage their land and plan for the future of their property. The site will hopefully lead to a greater number of Michigan residents participating in land preservation programs.

E-MAIL: willsk@msu.edu