Oscoda Township Pledges to Protect Lake Huron Forever
With the support of the Lake Huron Forever initiative, Charter Township of Oscoda plans to restore dune habitats to Oscoda Beach Park.
Charter Township of Oscoda joined the Lake Huron Forever initiative in 2024, becoming the sixth Michigan community pledging to protect Lake Huron’s water quality by reducing stormwater runoff, preserving natural areas and engaging its residents and staff in local conservation efforts.
The LHF initiative was developed in 2019 by shoreline community foundations and conservation partners from the U.S. and Canada to advance water quality protection and sustainability on both sides of the lake. Led by Huron Pines, the initiative supports efforts which strengthen the health of residents and natural resources of communities across Northern Michigan. In joining the initiative, Oscoda Township gains access to the technical expertise of our staff and partners while also opening more opportunities to fund local projects that advance the protection of Lake Huron.
“Lake Huron Forever is a collective of partners who listen to the needs of our shoreline communities and those with connections to Lake Huron,” said Abigail Ertel, Director of Community Engagement. “When we see a gap that needs to be filled in order for communities to achieve their goals, it kickstarts a two-way conversation to make that happen. We have a strong relationship already with Oscoda Township and now we’re able to accomplish much more together through the initiative.”
Volunteers and municipal staff learn to identify invasive plants from a distance along the Lake Huron shoreline in April 2024.
Situated on the coast where the Au Sable River meets Lake Huron—and as a longtime partner of our organization—the community of Oscoda is a natural fit for the LHF initiative. Water is central to the community’s economy and character, and township officials are actively integrating water protection into their decision making. In addition, Huron Pines has been working with the township to protect lands for public recreation and is training its staff and community residents how to identify, report and manage invasive species and other threats to natural ecosystems.
“We have a strong relationship already with Oscoda Township and now we’re able to accomplish much more together through the initiative.”
Huron Pines and the township collaborated to permanently protect the 42-acre Hull Island property, featuring wooded hills and 3,300 feet of river frontage, as the AuSable River Scenic Preserve. We acquired the property in 2023 and will transfer ownership in 2025 to the township which will manage and steward it for public recreation, wildlife habitat and water protection.
Debbie Daupert overlooks the Au Sable River from Hull Island in Oscoda.
Huron Pines is also training Oscoda Township staff and residents to monitor for invasive plants and changes in the Lake Huron shoreline through our Introduction to Invasive Species Training and Coast Watchers programs. By knowing how to recognize invasive plants, report infestations to our stewardship team and implement their own control measures, township staff are able to protect against the damaging effects of invasive species on native ecosystems, particularly those near water. Additionally, volunteer Coast Watchers conduct weekly shoreline visits and report occurrences of erosion, litter, invasive species or other changes which threaten water quality. Huron Pines will host additional volunteer training opportunities for these programs in 2025.
By taking the pledge and becoming an LHF community, Oscoda Township is committing to these efforts and more. Adopted by the Oscoda Township Board of Trustees in October 2024, the pledge outlines specific actions it plans to take.
Among them:
Explore the use of nature-based solutions for coastal resilience and stormwater capture while balancing maintenance needs and aesthetics.
Work with LHF partners to restore dunes at Oscoda Beach Park.
Initiate a stormwater assessment—with a focus on the Bayou—to better understand and address known stormwater impacts on local waterways.
Advance plans for the AuSable River Scenic Preserve (Hull Island) with signage, trail improvements and parking access, and include maintenance in annual budgets.
Visitors explore Oscoda’s Hull Island during the Wildflower Walk in summer 2024.
In 2025, Oscoda Township will implement a project to restore dunes to Oscoda Beach Park, an expanse of sugar sand popular with swimmers and sunbathers a short walk from downtown. By installing temporary sand fencing and planting native dune species, the township will reestablish the natural dune shoreline and make it more resilient to erosion from strong storms and high water while preserving public access. This project is supported in part by the Resilient Coastal Projects Initiative.
“The Township takes pride in all their parks and recreation facilities, especially the ones that front Lake Huron,” said Township Engineer Rick Freeman, P.E. “Managing beach erosion, stormwater runoff and invasive species are all critical to the future of this shoreline. Projects that take these issues into account are, and will continue to be, a priority.”
Huron Pines is leading the effort to inspire lakeshore communities in Michigan to join the Lake Huron Forever initiative with continued support from Bay Area Community Foundation, Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, Consumers Energy Foundation, Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network, and Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.