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.

Stewardship

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.