Rising to the Challenge
Looking back on our work in 2022, it seems more natural to think of this annual review as less a report on one year’s worth of work than the capstone of an unprecedented three-year period in MNA’s seventy-year history. Now that the pandemic has been declared over, it is hard to do justice to the amazing work of our staff, the steady leadership of our Board of Trustees and the extraordinary generous support of the many volunteers and donors who helped MNA continue its work during very trying times. Here are just a few of the highlights of what your support duringthesedifficultyearsmadepossible:
We successfully completed the 2019 Consumer’s Energy Foundation Planet Award, despite the pandemic! Even with pandemic restrictions on travel and field work we were able to protect, restore, and enhance more than 670 acres of critical habitat by the end of the 2022 field season. All told, MNA has leveraged the original Planet Award of $250,000 into more than $1.14 million worth of tangible, on-the-ground conservation by expanding and improving some of our most important nature sanctuaries. This is a true testament to MNA’s resilience in the face of adversity.
We used pandemic downtime to re-invest in excellence. In 2019, the Land Trust Accreditation Commission granted re-accreditation to MNA with “special commendations”, noting that MNA had made an “extraordinary commitment to excellence, permanence, and trust.” During the downtime of the pandemic, staff worked to strengthen our foundations even further by re-evaluating our approach to technology (e.g., the need for GIS), workplacesafety(e.g.,remotefieldwork)anddiversity,equity,andinclusion.Wealsohirednewstafftoexpandour conservation partnerships and strengthen our science.
We launched the largest land protection campaign in MNA’s history, headlined by a 3,436-acre project protecting more than 5.4 square miles of habitat along the iconic Fox River. To celebrate our 70th anniversary in 2022, MNA announced the Founders 4 the Future campaign to protect nearly 4,000 acres in honor of the extraordinary vision of our founding generation. The campaign includes three ambitious projects: the Fox River Wetlands project, as well as increasing our protected areas along the St. Mary’s River Flyway to 2,000 acres, and expanding our sanctuaries protecting Brockway Mountain in the Keweenaw to more than 600 acres.*
Evenindifficulttimes,MNA’sworktobuildabrighterfuturecontinues–justasithasformorethanseventy years. There is much still to be done, but the continued support of our members, donors, and volunteers is what makes it all possible. Thank you for all that you do for MNA and for Michigan.
*Thank you to all who have given to the campaign so far! We are making great progress toward our $1.4 million goal, but are still seeking donations. And remember, all gifts of $500 or more are matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $700,000!
Cover Photo by Tessa Browning Back Cover Photo by Nan Pokerwinski“Even in difficult times, MNA’s work to build a brighter future continues...”Photo by Julie Mitchell
Protecting Michigan’s Natural Treasures
Celebrating a Major Milestone
The bold vision of the founding generation of MNA pioneered the protection of critical habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species, establishing Michigan’s oldest land conservancy and the only one that serves the entire state. In 2022, MNA celebrated 70 years of maintaining a remarkable sanctuary network which, thanks to supporters past and present, now includes over 180 sanctuaries in 60 counties. For some plants and animals MNA protects the finest—and sometimes the only—remaining habitat.
Supporting Vernal Pool Conservation
Thanks to a generous donation, MNA invested further in vernal pool conservation efforts by hiring a Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership Coordinator. The MVPP Coordinator has worked to connect and grow the partnership through expanded outreach efforts resulting in the 2022 MVPP Annual Meeting more than doubling in attendance over previous years.
Leveraging Technology for Environmental Education
Throughout the year, MNA enlisted the help of the award-winning videography team of Fauna Creative to produce a series of informational videos exploring the wonders of Michigan Nature. From the shallow depths of vernal pools in Ephemeral to the rocky bluffs of The Wild Keweenaw, each of these videos has helped us to tell the story of why protecting Michigan nature is so vital. The videos have also helped us to reach audiences ranging from K-12 schools to university researchers, as well as the general public.
Saving a Rare Natural Community
The extraordinary piece of MNA’s largest land campaign in our 70-year history, announced at the end of 2022, is the 3,436-acre Fox River Wetlands property in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. This area protects a state imperiled natural community known as a patterned fen, as well as a portion of the East Branch of the Fox River—the river made famous by Ernest Hemingway.
Conserving More Than 600 Acres Through the Planet Award
In the spring of 2019, MNA was awarded a $250,000 inaugural Planet Award grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation. The three-year project wrapped up in 2022 with MNA having conducted conservation work on more than 670 acres, nearly 100 acres over the goal. MNA is particularly proud of the fact that we were able to meet and exceed the goals of the grant given that the majority of the implementation period occurred during the Covid-19 pandemic which added unanticipated complications to implementing the project.
Project Research Partners
Poweshiek skipperling habitat research
Poweshiek skipperling ex-situ collection
Plant and orchid surveys
Mitchell’s satyr survey
Central Michigan University
Minnesota Zoo/John Ball Zoo/Haddad Lab Michigan State University
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Colonial nesting bird research Jim Ludwig
Rattlesnake survey
Old growth forest soil microbial study
Wood frog sampling
Dwarf lake iris surveys and management research
Blanding’s and spotted turtle surveys
Statewide Forest Inventory
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Governors State University
Texas State University
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
Michigan Natural Features Inventory
US Forest Service
Advancing Scientific Understanding
MNA’s network of over 180 Nature Sanctuaries across the state provide “living laboratories” for academic and agency researchers in our mutual quests to answer vital questions about ecology, habitat restoration and management, and endangered species recovery. We are especially proud of the contributions to national, regional, and state science made possible by supporters of MNA, and we hope to grow the research “leg of the MNA stool” in the coming years. Here are some highlights from 2022.
Growing Scientific Presence with Conservation Scientist
In 2022, MNA invested in expanding its capacity as a hub for research in the state by hiring a Conservation Scientist. This newly-created position has a wide range of responsibilities to help advance MNA’s mission including cultivating collaborations with academic institutions, performing ecological monitoring at sanctuaries, and partnering with the conservation team to help inform decisions about stewardship activities.
Dwarf Lake Iris Research
MNA is working in partnership with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory to address several recovery goals under the US Fish and Wildlife Service’s Recovery plan for the federal and state threatened dwarf lake iris. Research is underway at MNA Nature Sanctuaries to develop habitat management plans to maintain or increase populations and then monitor those populations’ response to management treatments to better understand habitat requirements of this rare plant. An outreach and education program will also be initiated.
Blanding’s and Spotted Turtle Surveys
Over the course of several years, a dedicated MNA volunteer conducted Blanding’s and Spotted turtle surveys at several MNA nature sanctuaries in the southern lower peninsula. The results of the surveys help MNA better understand the turtles’ usage of the habitat at each of the sanctuaries, as well as contribute to the statewide population surveys that are used by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and many colleges and universities.
Being Good Stewards of the Land
Stewardship covers a wide range of activities including trail and visitor amenity improvements, invasive species management, and prescribed burns, typically with help from enthusiastic volunteers across the state. Our conservation staff worked tirelessly to make improvements at many sanctuaries, engaging volunteer sanctuary stewards and others in small groups, tackling large projects.
2022 stewardship highlights include:
• As a proud recipient of a Consumers Energy Foundation Planet Award in 2019, MNA surpassed the award goal of restoring 264 acres of habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species across the Lower Peninsula.
• Three major land acquisition projects as part of our 70th Anniversary Campaign, protecting nearly 4,000 acres of critical habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species.
• Parking and other visitor improvements were made this year at the Franklin F. and Brenda L. Holly, Sharon Zahrfeld Memorial, Wade Memorial, and Black Creek Nature Sanctuaries.
• Our stalwart Sanctuary Stewards helped staff monitor 100% of our Nature Sanctuaries to ensure the properties maintain the conservation values for which they were protected.
100% Sanctuaries monitored
4 Prescribed burns conducted
11 Partner research projects
“Our Sanctuary Stewards, true conservation superheroes, helped us monitor over 180 Nature Sanctuaries this year. It’s a big job and we could not have done it without the persistence and enthusiasm of this special group of volunteers. Thank you Stewards!”
- Andrew Bacon, Conservation DirectorPhoto by Fauna Creative
Protecting Habitat for People and Wildlife
In the spring of 2019, Michigan Nature Association (MNA) was awarded a $250,000 Planet Award grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation. The goal of the grant was to conserve 575 acres of high quality wildlife habitat in the service area of Consumers Energy to benefit rare, threatened, and endangered plants and animals and imperiled natural communities native to Michigan through permanent land protection and the implementation of habitat management and ecological restoration.
These efforts were strategically planned to address priorities identified in the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Action Plan to target imperiled natural communities within at least 11 of MNA’s existing nature sanctuaries. MNA indicated that it would leverage the grant funding with $750,000 of additional funding through donations and grants over the 3 year term of the grant.
MNA also planned outreach efforts to recognize the reception of the Planet Award and Consumers Energy’s generosity. Outreach efforts were planned in MNA’s Michigan Nature magazine, advertising in the “Race for Michigan Nature” MNA’s statewide 5 kilometer run series, and with the installation of onsite signage at higher profile MNA owned project sites.
At the conclusion of the grant period, in the summer or 2022, MNA was able to exceed the initial acreage goals of the grant by conducting conservation work on over 670 acres scattered throughout the Consumers Energy service area. MNA also managed to exceed the additional funding leverage identified in the grant application by over $140,000.
$1.14 Million total grant dollars awarded and leveraged
670 Acres protected and conserved
11 nature sanctuaries included
Partnering for Rare Species
Supporting Recovery Efforts for Michigan’s Rarest Butterfly
The Minnesota Zoo, John Ball Zoo, and Michigan State University’s Haddad Lab cooperated to provide a captive rearing program as part of an international partnership, that includes MNA, to prevent the extinction of the critically endangered Poweshiek skipperling. This year, several offspring of a Poweshiek skipperling butterfly from an MNA sanctuary were released back into that sanctuary after being raised at the John Ball Zoo through the winter.
Recovering Habitat for the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake
MNA coordinated and facilitated restoration work among partners including Michigan Natural Features Inventory and Grand Valley State University as part of a multi-year grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The grant covers population surveys and monitoring, habitat connectivity analyses, risk factor assessments, and education and outreach efforts to increase public support and tolerance for the Eastern massasauga rattlesnake. In the first year of the grant, MNA also conducted habitat management and restoration at both publicly and privately-owned areas occupied by the rattlesnake in the Upper Shiawassee River Watershed in Oakland County.
Partnering for Vernal Pools
MNA continued its co-leadership role with the Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership—a statewide, private/public partnership that works to increase awareness, understanding, and protection of vernal pools and the unique assemblage of plants and animals they support through conservation, research & mapping, education & outreach, and collaboration. A dedicated Michigan Vernal Pools Partnerhsip Coordinator joined the staff at MNA in 2022 to help facilitate the partnership.
Protecting a Rare Snake with New Technology
A unique research project continues as part of a partnership between MNA, John Ball Zoo, and the Michigan Natural Features Inventory to monitor the state endangered and critically imperiled copperbelly water snake at an MNA Nature Sanctuary in the southern Lower Peninsula. Using a combination of game cameras and traditional drift fences, field observation time of the snake will be increased with minimal human presence and disturbance of the habitat. An additional benefit of the technology will be the ability to gather data to learn more about many other reptiles, amphibians, and small creatures that call the sanctuary home.
A Statewide Impact
MNA’s work would not be possible without the support of our many state and federal agency and organizational partners, foundations, colleges and universities, and local communities. Space prevents a complete list but we wish to thank the following for their assistance in in 2022: Consumers Energy Foundation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Wild Turkey Foundation, Michigan Karst Conservancy, Poweshiek Skipperling International Partnership, John Ball Zoo and the Haddad Laboratory at Michigan State University, Michigan Department of Environmental Quality, Michigan State University Extension, Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership, Grand Valley State University, Eastern Michigan University, Michigan Audubon, Brooks Township, Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative, MiSTEM, and the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area partners. We especially thank our volunteers, interns, and Sanctuary Stewards for their stalwart dedication in another challenging year.
Land Acquisition
1.
This 3,436-acre parcel is the largest single land acquisition in MNA’s history, and protects a rare natural community known as patterned fen.
A 360-acre addition to this sanctuary in Chippewa County creates more habitat in an important migratory flyway along the St. Mary’s River Corridor.
3.
MNA expanded our footprint on the iconic Brockway Mountain with a 150-acre addition, protecting more of the volcanic outcrop and stunning scenic views at the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula.
A new sanctuary acquisition in Monroe County will be restored from farmland to a diverse oak savanna natural community. Funding was provided by the Consumers Energy Planet Award.
Fox River Wetlands Nature Sanctuary 2. Carlton Lake Wetlands Nature Sanctuary Brockway Mountain Addition 4. Petersburg Nature SanctuaryStewardship
1. Sanctuary Access Improvements
MNA completed acess improvement projects at our Sharon Zahrfeld Memorial, Franklin F. and Brenda L. Holly, and Wade Memorial Nature Sanctuaries to increase visitor enjoyment and safety when exploring the sanctuaries’ trails. At Sharon Zahrfeld Memorial, MNA also installed gates that will help reduce unauthorized use at the sanctuary.
2. Trail Improvements at Twin Waterfalls
MNA’s popular sanctuary, the Twin Waterfalls Memorial Plant Preserve, was closed to visitors in early 2021 to undergo extensive trail rerouting, address significant erosion, and provide a more enjoyable experience.
3. Prairie Fen Restoration at Lakeville Swamp
This restoration project, funded through the Consumers Energy Foundation’s Planet Award, continues to make improvements to the restoration of a prairie fen community.
4. Grassland Restoration with Prescribed Burn
MNA conducted prescribed burning and invasive brush removal at several sanctuaries in Oakland County as part of a USFWS Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake Recovery grant.
5. Endangered Species Recovery
MNA and several partners as part of the Poweshiek International Partnership increased the population of Poweshiek skipperling butterflies with captive breeding and release at one of our nature sanctuaries.
6. Rare Plant Research Project
As part of a Rare Species Recovery grant, MNA worked with MNFI to conduct research and develop a management plan for Dwarf lake iris at several nature sanctuaries in the Northern Lower Peninsula.
7. Spotted Turtle Surveys Completed
An MNA volunteer completed a multi-year effort to conduct surveys of spotted turtles at two sanctuaries in Kalamazoo County.
8. Partnership Research Projects Underway
Several MNA Nature Sanctuaries were host to academic and agency researchers whose research seeks answers to vital questions about ecology, habitat restoration and management, and endangered species recovery.
9. Oak Barrens Restoration
MNA conducted prescribed burn activities at several sanctuaries in three counties in the Southern Lower Peninsula to restore the historic oak barrens habitat at the sanctuaries.
10. Rare Species Occurences
Sanctuary stewards identified the first known occurence of Blanding’s turtles, a state species of special concern, at two MNA nature sanctuaries in the Northern Lower Peninsula.
Education & Outreach
1. Michigan Nature at Home Speaker Series
MNA held three virtual sanctuary tour events as part of this series, giving viewers a look at several unique sanctuaries and the work being done to protect them.
2. Michigan Vernal Pools Partnership
MNA co-leads the Michigan Vernal Pool Partnership to raise awareness and conduct trainings with professionals and students, inspiring the next generation of conservationists.
3. Documentaries Expand Environmental Awareness
MNA enlisted the services of the award-winning film crew of Fauna Creative to produce several short documentarystyle videos to tell the story of our conservation work throughout the state, including MNA’s 70th Anniversary, Fox River Wetlands, and vernal pools.
E. Environmental Education Fund Mini-Grants
After several years of pausing the mini-grant program, MNA reopened applications for the environmental education fund for school field trips to natural areas around the state. Riley Elementary was able to complete their field trip in May of 2022, which had been granted for the 2020 school year.
Thank You to Our Supporters
We are so grateful to the thousands of individuals and families who believe in and support MNA. Their commitment results in the accomplishments described in this Year in Review, as well as so many more over our 70-year history. MNA’s inspiring story, long history, and incredible track record of success are remarkable and only possible because of our donors and volunteers—we thank them all for their inspiring contributions to conservation in Michigan through their support of MNA.
MNA is very appreciative of the contributions by each and every member, donor, and volunteer. We have made every attempt to be accurate in our donor list, which includes donations made in the fiscal year between October 1, 2020 and September 30, 2021; any name not included was done so unintentionally and we apologize for the omission.
$10,000 and
Melvin Czechowski
Laybel Family Foundation
Nelson Gregory
Jim Hewitt
up
Addison and Debby Igleheart
Betsy Noren
Don and Carolyn Reed*
Anonymous (1)
$1,000 to $9,999
Christiane Anderson
Andy Levin for Congress
Doris Applebaum*
Charles and Dana Aymond
Phyllis Barents
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Kristi Chapman
Sam Passmore, Mott Fdn Bldg
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Franklin H. and Nancy S. Moore Family Foundation
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JX Gives Back Family Foundation
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The Karen & Drew Peslar Foundation
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Photo by Jeremy SaloThank You to Our Supporters
Roger and Rebecca Tuuk
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Anonymous (5)
$500 to $999
Robyn Anspach
David Baur and Bernice Natoli
Pat and Ronald Beechem
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Greg Bodker*
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Marilou and Thomas Capo
John and Patricia Case
Chillag Charitable Fund
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Anonymous (9)
$100 to $499
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Thank You to Our Supporters
$100 to $499 Cont.
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Charitable Fund
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Thank You to Our Supporters
$100 to $499 Cont.
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Photo by Adelyn GeisselThank You to Our Supporters
$100 to $499 Cont.
Donor Advised Fund
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Anonymous (77)
Photo by Winnie ChrzanowskiThank You to Our Supporters Guardians of the Future
Leaving a gift to the Michigan Nature Association in a will, trust, or life insurance policy or other planned gift has a lasting legacy. Those who have included MNA in their planned gifts are our “Guardians of the Future” because their actions are protecting the future of MNA and its nature sanctuaries across the state. The following individuals have chosen to be Guardians of the Future:
Delrae Abbott
Susan and Keith Abentrod
Alec and Judy Allen
Howard and Selma Anderson
Doris Applebaum
John Assenmacher
Steve and Karen Benkert
Elizabeth Bishop
Greg Bodker
Phil and Mary Borkowski
Carl Bouton
Jack Carso
William Cooke
Roger Cooney
Betty Debus
Stan and Betsy Dole
Dorothy Engelman
Bill and Wanda Ferguson
Richard Foster
Stephen Fox
Jeff and Asansaya Ganley
Barb Haman
John Hand
Fay Hansen
Neil and Mary Hodges
Brenda Holly
Frank Holly
Shannon Horne
Abdeen and Holly Jabara
Rama and Gokul Jinka
Ronald Joseph
Jan Joslyn
Bill and Deborah Kingsley
Bruce Loughry
Linda Luneack
Marena and Ralph Markel
JB and Grace McCombs
Donn and Kathy Miller
Betty Muller
James Munro
Jill Neuville
Anne & Paul Pancella
Jim and Betsy Pifer
Don and Carolyn Reed
Deborah Remer
Mike and Libby Robold
Stephen and Barbara Ross
Ruth Sablich
To learn more about how you can contribute to the Michigan Nature Association, please contact Executive Director Garret Johnson at gjohnson@michigannature.org or call (866) 223-2231.
Judith Schmidt
Don and Susan Schmitz
Mark Sellers
Ruth Sercombe
Amanda Slawter
Elly Sullivan
Gerard and Lynette Szydlowski
Scott and Linda Thomasma
Edward Trowbridge
Stewart Vining
Brian and Joan Wake
John Zachel
Cathleen Zepelin
Ray Ziarno
Anonymous (15)
Photo by Jeremy SaloThank You to Our Supporters
Legacy
Mary Ann Czechowski
Clifford Welsch
An MNA member since the 1970s, Mary Ann Czechowski was a dedicated proponent of MNA’s mission. For more than 30 years, she served MNA as a volunteer and board member including as Secretary, Treasurer, Director, and more.
In college, she studied both art history and geology. After receiving a Bachelor’s degree in Geology at Wayne State University and a Master’s degree in Geology/ Geography from Eastern Michigan University, she worked primarily as a consultant in geology, including lending her expertise to MNA.
In her later years, it became much more difficult for her to remain physically involved, but her and her husband Mel’s support of MNA continued. Mary Ann’s passion and dedication to the environment will be missed by the many at MNA who had the good fortunate to know her.
Cliff was passionate about endangered plants and animals and the native natural communities that support them. He even restored 80 acres of prairie at his home, by all accounts truly a labor of love. He served as a volunteer Steward at two important MNA Nature Sanctuaries—Sauk Indian Trail Prairie and Prairie Ronde Savanna.
Cliff’s work was a family affair as his wife, Margaret, joined and served on the Board of Trustees for 16 years, holding leadership positions that included Board President, Vice President, and Secretary. She was just recently re-elected to the Board this spring. Together, Cliff and Margaret made an extraordinary gift to MNA— underwriting the construction and furnishing of a large education room at MNA’s headquarters in Okemos. Available to partner organizations and conservation groups, the Margaret and Clifford Welsch Education Room hosts meetings, workshops, training, and speaking events by a host of agencies and nonprofits, including the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, Michigan Audubon, Michigan Garden Clubs, Michigan Wetlands Association, and many more.
Photo by Susan MillerFinancial Summary
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
This condensed financial statement for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2021 and ending September 30, 2022 is based upon preliminary financial statements being audited by the independent accounting firm of Flegal and Melnik CPA. Copies of the audit and MNA’s Form 990 Report to the Internal Revenue Service for FYE 2022 are available upon request.
About Us
Our Mission
The purpose of MNA is to acquire, protect, and maintain natural areas that contain examples of Michigan’s endangered and threatened flora, fauna, and other components of the natural environment, including habitat for fish, wildlife, and plants of the state of Michigan and to carry on a program of natural history study and conservation education.
We envision a future where Michigan’s rare, threatened, and endangered species, and imperiled natural communities thrive, and where they are valued by people and communities that embrace and benefit from Michigan’s natural heritage.
Board of Trustees
Executive Committee
Yu Man Lee
President
Kurt Brauer
Vice President
Ruth Vail
Treasurer/Secretary
Aubrey Golden
Trustee-at-Large
Garret Johnson
Executive Director
Trustees
David Cartwright
Kara Haas
Maureen McNulty Saxton
Brandon Schroeder
Staff Leadership
Garret Johnson
Executive Director
Conservation
Andrew Bacon
Conservation Director
Rachel Maranto
Conservation Manager, L.P.
Ayden Ehgotz
Conservation Coordinator, E.L.P.
Stuart Goldman
Conservation Coordinator, W.L.P.
Bill Atkinson
Conservation Coordinator, Thumb
Nancy Leonard
Conservation Coordinator, Keweenaw
Natalie Kent-Norkowski
Land Protection Technician
Outreach & Education
Lauren Ross
Communications & Events Coordinator
Abby Pointer
Vernal Pools Partnership Coordinator
Operations
Carol Schulz
Finance & Administration Director
Lorenzo Kleine
Membership Services & Administrative
All uncredited photography is taken from the MNA archives. Please direct questions about this publication to Communications & Events Coordinator Lauren Ross by emailing lross@michigannature.org or calling (866) 223-2231.
© 2022. Except where used with permission, entire contents copyright 2022 Michigan Nature Association.
“Worker Bee on a Starflower” photo by Jenifer Selwa Bois Blanc Nature Sanctuary photo by Brandie Dunn“The work MNA has done is simply irreplaceable... MNA is protecting the soul of Michigan.”
Dave Dempsey award-winning author of Ruin and Recovery: Michigan’s Rise as a Conservation Leader
Michigan Nature Association
www.michigannature.org