Michigan’s Natural Resources Trust Fund board voted Dec 1 to recommend more than $22 million in grants for 22 land acquisitions across the state, equating to thousands more acres for exploring, miles of streams for fishing and trails for wandering. … More Trust Fund Grants Worth Celebrating
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
The official wildflower of the Great Lakes State is right at home anywhere it can get its feet wet along the rocky coast of Northern Lake Huron, but those places are getting harder to come by. This pint-sized perennial is known for its deep blue flowers that emerge mere inches above the ground for a fleeting few weeks in May and June. It’s a bit of a miracle this fragile flower exists at all. … More Our Wildflower: Protecting the Rare Habitat of the Dwarf Lake Iris
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