Beyond Rare: Restoring a River for Michigan’s Endangered Beetle

September 14, 2020

Michigan’s most endangered species is also one of the state’s smallest animals. The Hungerford’s crawling water beetle is smaller than a watermelon seed and its numbers are so few that Michigan’s entire beetle population—which is virtually every known Hungerford’s crawling water beetle on Earth—could fit in the cupped palms of your hands. … More Beyond Rare: Restoring a River for Michigan’s Endangered Beetle

Slow and Steady: How Connected Lands Help Blanding’s Turtle Stay in the Race

August 31, 2020

The Blanding’s turtle is distinguished by its helmetlike shell and mustard-yellow throat. Though not federally listed as an endangered species, it is one of special concern in Michigan where its habitats have been fragmented. As development increases in Northern Michigan, especially near coastal and wetland areas, the turtle’s habitat is disrupted by new construction, increased traffic and a shifting landscape. … More Slow and Steady: How Connected Lands Help Blanding’s Turtle Stay in the Race

Treasures in the Sand: Protecting One of Michigan’s Rarest Plants

August 18, 2020

On the remote shore of Negwegon State Park, where Lake Huron’s rugged coast gives way to long, narrow sand dunes, one of Michigan’s rarest plants is hanging on.For most of its life, the Pitcher’s thistle is a wispy tangle of short, silver-green stems.Below ground, the plant will spend the better part of a decade sending a taproot 6 feet down. … More Treasures in the Sand: Protecting One of Michigan’s Rarest Plants

A Few Good Things (and the Obvious Bad Ones) About Ticks

August 4, 2020

Let me lead off with a “good” fact about ticks even though it involves another one of Michigan’s maligned creatures: A single opossum can eat thousands of ticks every season. Say what you will about the opossum, whose leathery tail and scraggly fur strike a chord of disgust in some people, but the thought of … More A Few Good Things (and the Obvious Bad Ones) About Ticks

Shingle Mill Arch Culvert

Reconnected At Last: Huron Pines Restores ‘Pivotal’ Shingle Mill Site on E. Branch Black River

July 21, 2020

A pipe culvert that obstructed the East Branch Black River for decades is gone and with it the persistent problems it caused with erosion, flooding and fish passage. In its place, a shiny aluminum arch ushers wild brook trout to 20 miles of habitat upstream of County Road 622 — vital spawning and nursery grounds supporting the river’s famed fishery. … More Reconnected At Last: Huron Pines Restores ‘Pivotal’ Shingle Mill Site on E. Branch Black River

Good Stewards Make Great Neighbors in Conservation

June 22, 2020

The reasons we each enjoy Northern Michigan are as varied as the landscape of our region but what connects conservationists, recreationists, tourists and wildlife enthusiasts is our love for this special place. There’s a lot to love. With access to thousands of acres of public land, there’s plenty of room to connect — with space for everyone. … More Good Stewards Make Great Neighbors in Conservation