What Is a Road/Stream Crossing Inventory?

February 11, 2021

A watershed is all the land and water that drains to a single outlet. For example, the Thunder Bay River Watershed is everything that empties into Thunder Bay, and the Lake Huron Watershed includes all the parts of Michigan and Ontario that drain into Lake Huron. To restore a river, we first need to know where the issues lie. Our work starts by documenting each crossing within a watershed in a process called a road/stream crossing inventory. We use a protocol Huron Pines developed alongside other natural-resource partners to gather data in a uniform way. … More What Is a Road/Stream Crossing Inventory?

$2.5M Project Underway to Protect Nearly a Mile of Lake Huron Coast

January 22, 2021

Northern Michigan conservation nonprofit, Huron Pines, became the new owners of a 145-acre parcel of Lake Huron property that is slated to become an Alabaster Township park in the coming years. The property, just south of Tawas City, includes nearly a mile of Lake Huron frontage. The natural shoreline, mature hardwood forest and wetland ecosystem work together as a filter to help protect the water quality of Lake Huron and support diverse plant and wildlife species. The property also promotes economic and recreational interests. … More $2.5M Project Underway to Protect Nearly a Mile of Lake Huron Coast

Ways to Recreate Responsibly in Winter

December 23, 2020

Huron Pines is part of the Michigan Recreate Responsibility Coalition, a group of more than 50 agencies, businesses and nonprofits developing and sharing best practices to protect each other and our natural landscapes. We’re brought together by a mutual love of the outdoors and a desire to help everyone stay safe outside and protect the places we play. … More Ways to Recreate Responsibly in Winter

Q&A with Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member Nicolas Theisen

December 22, 2020

This is the fourth and final in a series of conversations with our 2020 Huron Pines AmeriCorps members. We talk highlights, takeaways, and what their average days have been like in a not-so-average service year. Ever drawn to water, Nick Theisen relished the days he spent monitoring the quality of Northern Michigan streams by collecting and identifying aquatic insects. … More Q&A with Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member Nicolas Theisen

Scarzo Retires After 23 Years with Huron Pines

December 18, 2020

Jill Scarzo joined the staff in 1997 as a part-time assistant when Huron Pines was based in Grayling and had one full-time employee. In her role at the front desk, Scarzo has been the face of the organization for volunteers, partners and prospective donors. For those who have called the office, stopped by or attended a volunteer event hosted by Huron Pines over the last two decades, Scarzo was likely the first to greet them. … More Scarzo Retires After 23 Years with Huron Pines

Q&A with Huron Pines AmeriCorps member Jen Klemm

December 7, 2020

This is the third in a series of conversations with our 2020 Huron Pines AmeriCorps members. We talk highlights, takeaways, and what their average days have been like in a not-so-average service year. Jen Klemm said adapting her in-person educational programs for an online format — and having it warmly received by participants — was an empowering experience. … More Q&A with Huron Pines AmeriCorps member Jen Klemm

Know your landscape from the ground, up

November 23, 2020

The massive sheet of ice which shaped Michigan thousands of years ago is long gone but its impact remains. Along the northern Lake Huron coast, the glacier scraped away material right down to bedrock. Further inland, the mile-thick ice deposited huge amounts of earth in rolling hills as it receded. This is the foundation of Northern Michigan’s diverse forest cover. … More Know your landscape from the ground, up

Alcona Students Build Benches for Huron Pines Nature Preserves

November 3, 2020

Visitors to Huron Pines’ two nature preserves now have a quiet place to sit, reflect and observe their surroundings thanks to the craftsmanship of students at Alcona High School. Students in the Geometry in Construction shop class built 11 wooden benches which now reside at Hubbard Lake Nature Preserve and Emily Min Hunt Preserve. … More Alcona Students Build Benches for Huron Pines Nature Preserves