ABOUT OUR WOODLANDS & WATERS PROGRAM
Each year hundreds of people give their time and energy to volunteer with Huron Pines and participate in hands-on, feet-wet conservation projects all over Northeast Michigan. These projects have stabilized eroding streambanks, replanted young jack pine forest, pushed back noxious invasive plants, improved wildlife habitat and expanded access to recreation in many ways and locations across our beautiful state. These efforts have made important impacts directly on the ground for Great Lakes natural resources, and indirectly by encouraging people to care about protecting wild areas. In 2017, our Woodlands & Waters program will offer a series of fun, active, educational outdoor experiences to connect people of all ages to Northeast Michigan’s amazing natural resources and their conservation.
Not able to make any of the events or have an idea? Contact info@huronpines.org to discover other ways to be involved or check out our Special Opportunities page.
To ensure that event planners can provide adequate supplies for all participants, RSVPs are kindly requested by email to rsvp@huronpines.org or by calling (989) 448-2293 ext. 21
Forest Trail Building Day
August 19, 9am-3pm
Vanderbilt Area School
Come join Vanderbilt Area School staff and students as they construct a new trail within their school forest. Volunteers are needed to remove tree debris and construct the new trail! All ages and abilities are welcome but this day will entail a lot of digging and hauling so may not be appropriate for young children.
Register by August 12 at surveymonkey.com/r/VAStrail and receive a free lunch! Contact Emily Vogelgesang at emilyv.americorps@gmail.com with any questions!
Trail construction funded by the Otsego County Community Foundation and the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust.
A New Pine River: Buhl Dame Removed
September 21, 11:30am-1:00pm
Join us to celebrate this historic dam removal & river restoration success story!
Thursday, September 21
We will begin gathering with light refreshments at 11:30am, the program will begin promptly at 12:00pm and will last until
approximately 1:00pm. Come enjoy this celebratory gathering complete with speakers, media & more!
RSVP by September 14 to:
info@huronpines.org (989) 448-2293
Directions will be provided upon RSVP
Click here to view the event invitation.
Frog-Bit Challenge
All Summer Long
Click here to report the frog-bit that you’ve pulled!
Help remove invasive European Frog-bit from the Thunder Bay River Watershed! European frog-bit is an aquatic invasive plant that can grow to form dense mats, restricting the flow of water and preventing the passage of fish, waterfowl and recreational boaters. It also crowds out native plants and shades out food sources affecting fish, birds, and other wildlife. If left unchecked, this invasive plant could lead to the loss of wildlife diversity and permanently damage this sensitive watershed, its ecosystem and recreation opportunities alike.
The Frog-Bit Challenge runs 12 weeks; beginning June 9th and commencing on September 1, 2017. Our goal is to pull a combined total of 20,000 lbs from the Thunder Bay River Watershed, Fletcher Pond, the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary and Alpena’s sensitive Great Lakes coastline.
Join the Frog-Bit Challenge today and learn about this invasive plant, how to remove it and prevent its spread. You’ll be provided with the education and tools needed to pull frog-bit throughout the summer. With your help, we can achieve our 2017 goal and best of all, you will walk away as a community leader recognized for your efforts to help restore and protect our watershed and ecosystem.
For more information about this event and the summer-long challenge, contact Huron Pines AmeriCorps Member Wendy Lemon at wendylemon.americorps@gmail.com or call (989) 448-2293 ext. 32. Check out the event flyer for more details!
Streambank Stabilization Volunteer Event
Saturday, August 26, 10am-3pm
East Branch Au Gres River
RSVP today and come out on August 26 to help us reduce erosion and inputs of sediment pollution by stabilizing approximately 500 feet of streambank along the East Branch Au Gres River. Volunteers will help anchor whole spruce and fir trees to the toe of eroding slopes using cable and anchors. Work includes physical labor such as wading in the river, manipulating 10-20 foot trees and driving anchors. This event is co-hosted by Huron Pines, the William B Mershon Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the Ann Arbor Chapter of Trout Unlimited. The project location is wholly with Michigan DNR owned-land. Please bring waders, a refillable water bottle, and work gloves if you have them. Lunch and snacks will be provided.
Directions from Whittemore, MI: Follow Whittemore Road east approximately 3.9 miles to National City Road. Follow National City Road south for approximately 2 miles to Alabaster Road. Follow Alabaster road East for approximately 0.9 miles to Greenwood Drive. Turn left on Greenwood Drive and follow it to the dead end parking area. The streambank project location is immediately adjacent to the parking area. GPS Coordinates of project area (parking area): 44.226771, -83.702082
Our events are tied to our mission to conserve the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan.
Our events provide a safe, positive, friendly and helpful learning environment.
Our events engage people with diverse backgrounds and interests, and empower new conservation leaders.
Our events address a real need and have measurable benefits to Michigan’s natural resources.
Our events are inclusive and offer several tasks for participants of different ability levels.
Our events educate community members about ecological issues and methods to solve or prevent.
Our events are connected with efforts of other conservation organizations across the state.