Huron Pines staff ventured deep into the Pigeon River Country State Forest in early February looking for signs of two invasive insect pests threatening Northern Michigan’s native evergreen trees. We have long partnered with the DNR in managing invasive species in the Pigeon River Country State Forest.

Huron Pines has welcomed the addition of Sam Burckhardt, Katherine Erwin and Ty Ratliff to its Board of Directors. Their diverse backgrounds will help Huron Pines carry out its mission to conserve and enhance Northern Michigan’s natural resources.

The following is Huron Pines’ position statement regarding the siting of solar energy infrastructure in Michigan. It outlines our views and encourages state-level decision makers and landowners to evaluate a variety of factors when considering a renewable energy project.

If you were a brook trout, you’d be right at home in Sheridan Creek, a spring-fed stream that stays cold year round as it winds through the forested hills of Montmorency County. Since 2020, Huron Pines has invested more than $2 million to reconnect the Thunder Bay River Watershed.

Seventeen miles of an Upper Peninsula trout stream are now flowing freely with the restoration of Beavertail Creek, a tributary of northern Lake Huron in Chippewa County, following Huron Pines’ first project in the region.

Two breeding pairs fledged 7 chicks at Tawas Point State Park in 2024. We attribute this success to our 7 volunteer piping plover monitors who spent a combined 200 hours watching over these sensitive birds and their nests this summer. Photo by Gary Nelkie

In 1973, Huron Pines embarked on a mission to protect and enhance Northern Michigan’s natural resources. Five decades later, we issued a challenge to you: Log 50 trail miles and help us commemorate 50 years of conservation. You answered, big time.

As the drawdown of Cornwall Creek Flooding continues, the staff of Huron Pines and the Michigan DNR Fisheries Division have been relocating freshwater mussels to deeper water where they can continue serving an important role in the ecosystem.

Seventeen miles of trout habitat on a northern Lake Huron stream will be reconnected this summer during Huron Pines’ first river restoration project in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Huron Pines hosted its first North Point Exploration Day July 12 and welcomed 30 guests to walk along the dunes, venture to the edge of a coastal fen or kick back to enjoy the serene nature preserve.

Huron Pines is leading the two-phase project to draw down the 161-acre flooding, renovate the dam and preserve the impoundment at the heart of the Pigeon River Country State Forest.

We welcomed 27 enthusiastic birders to explore the remote peninsula and observe dozens of species during the peak of spring migration.

This survey is one way we monitor the health of sensitive forest wetlands where salamanders congregate during the spring breeding season. Just as importantly, it’s a way for people to make deeper connections to the unique wildlife and landscapes which define Northern Michigan.

Three Huron Pines AmeriCorps members who set out to collect fairy shrimp from vernal pools found themselves immersed in a search for salamanders in a fleeting forest wetland.

Huron Pines and the City of Rose City are pursuing the removal of Sanback Dam and are asking for public input on features of a park to take shape once the site is restored. Community members have until Feb 29 to complete an online survey.

Huron Pines is advocating for the renovation of Cornwall Dam to preserve the public recreation opportunities and ecological benefits offered by Cornwall Creek Flooding and is supportive of the grassroots “Save Cornwall” fundraising campaign launched in January.

A 42-acre forested tract along the Au Sable River is under permanent protection following its acquisition Dec 5, 2023 by Huron Pines. Hull Island has high conservation value & great potential for recreation, and Huron Pines will transfer the property to Oscoda Township in 2024 as a public preserve.

Landscape enhancement and restoration efforts are underway at two Huron Pines nature preserves and a third location at a federally managed wildlife area through our Native Seed Program.

An effort to restore sand dunes along the beach of Mich-e-ke-wis Park in Alpena is underway following the project’s approval by the City Council. Led by Huron Pines, the project will help make the park more resilient to erosion, promote water quality by filtering stormwater runoff and reestablish the natural plant community along this stretch of Lake Huron.

Our Stewardship Crew spent the first part of the summer field season restoring habitat for rare plants at a place deep in the heart of Oscoda County known as the “Frost Pocket.” This region was one of the last to thaw at the end of Michigan’s Ice Age some 10,000 years ago.