Clean water is integral to health, wellness, recreation and the economic well-being of the communities we serve. Huron Pines works closely with local governments, residents and partner organizations to plan and implement clean water solutions in communities across Northeast Michigan. We focus on finding solutions that keep pollution out of waterways. Pollution can be anything from excess sand to motor oil to agricultural waste.
When we partner with a city, we conduct a stormwater assessment to understand the infrastructure and drainage to make the best recommendations for keeping pollution from running into lakes, streams and untreated storm drains. Solutions range from new infrastructure like oil and grit separators that capture the pollution from storm drains, to installing rain gardens that naturally filter pollution. Each action plan addresses the unique needs of the city it is addressing.
Another way to protect water quality and enhance native habitat is to plant a buffer of native vegetation between land and water. Native vegetation buffers, or greenbelts, protect streambanks against erosion, filter pollutants and debris from stormwater runoff, keep water temperatures cool by providing shade and help attract wildlife. If you are a waterfront landowner with questions about planting native greenbelts, please contact us at info@huronpines.org.
Here are some examples of our work
- Huron Pines has partnered with the cities of Grayling, West Branch and Rose City to complete city-wide stormwater assessments and implement action plans that included rain gardens and the installation of oil and grit separators in storm drains that keep pollutants out of rivers and streams.
- In 2018, we began focusing our stormwater work on the Lake Huron coast starting in Au Gres with plans to have an assessment and action plan in place for every community on the Northern Lake Huron Coast over the next ten years.
- For many years, we have promoted native habitat and erosion control by creating and distributing greenbelt planting kits to lakefront property owners on Lake Huron and inland lakes throughout the region.
