Michigan Nature Magazine - Summer 2014 by Michigan Nature Association

Michigan Nature Association Summer 2014 Volume 63 Issue 2

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michigan nature

A Healing Burn at Goose Creek

Saving the St. Maryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Coastal Wetlands

Summer Hikes and Wildflower Escapes

Your gift makes a difference. By protecting Michigan’s natural heritage, together we build a brighter future. How you can help: • Join or renew your membership • Become a monthly supporter • Honor a loved one with a memorial gift • Remember MNA in your will or estate plan Use the enclosed envelope, call (866) 223-2231 or visit www.michigannature.org to contribute.

Michigan Nature Association www.michigannature.org

George and Jessie Krum Memorial Plant Peserve Photo © Joshua Chrisman

James and Alice Brennan Memorial Nature Sanctuary Photo © Jason Steel

Summer 2014

16 Features A Healing Burn at Goose Creek Efforts are being made to fight invasive species and restore the prairie fen at Goose Creek Grasslands.

Between Superior and Huron Protecting critical coastal wetlands along the St. Mary’s River.

“

When you set out to protect land in perpetuity, you really need to take the long view.

”

- Margaret Welsch page 29

Departments MNA 360 8 Vernal Pool Monitoring Program Photography Buffs Take Note Annual Meeting at the Meijer Gardens New Trustees MNA’s New Office

MNA Online

Winter’s Impact on the Karner Blue White Nose Syndrome in Michigan Bats Salamanders Provide Benefits

Sanctuaries

Stewardship

Membership Matters

A Healing Burn at Goose Creek Meeting the Brockway Mountain Challenge

Stewardship Activities Flourish Farewell to Matt Schultz Volunteer Opportunities

New MNA Apparel Guided Nature Hikes Wildflower Walkabout Rattlesnake Run 5K

Booknotes

Voices

Legacies

Recommended Reading From MNA

MNA chats with President Margaret Welsch

Memorials and Honoraria Leave a Lasting Legacy

On the Cover: A monarch butterfly at MNA’s Sand Creek Prairie Plant Preserve. Photo © Patricia Pennell.

MNA Has Moved! MNA has outgrown our office in Williamston and moved a few miles up the road to a new office in Okemos. We have plenty of room to grow and are excited to settle in to our new space. In May, the MNA staff, some dedicated volunteers, and a great crew from Two Men and a Truck worked hard to get the old office cleared out and to make the move a success. Stop by our new office at 2310 Science Parkway in Okemos!

Michigan Nature Association 2310 Science Parkway, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864 (866) 223-2231 www.michigannature.org

Our Mission The purpose of the 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.

Board of Trustees

Staff

Margaret Welsch President

Garret Johnson Executive Director

Aubrey Golden Vice President

Paul Steiner Operations Director

Steve Kelley Secretary

Andrew Bacon Stewardship Coordinator

Jerry Gray Treasurer Ruth Vail Trustee at Large Lisa Appel Mary Ann Czechowski Stanley Dole Don Gilmer Debby Igleheart Stan Kuchta Gisela Lendle King

Be Sure to Update Your Records

Yu Man Lee William D. McNaughton Paul Messing Don Reed David Sharpe Karen Weingarden

David Pizzuti Land Protection Specialist John Bagley Regional Stewardship Organizer, W.L.P. Adrienne Bozic Regional Stewardship Organizer, U.P. Natalie Kent-Norkowski Regional Stewardship Organizer, N.L.P. Rachel Maranto Regional Stewardship Organizer, E.L.P. Joelle Humes Land Protection Technician Pamela Ferris Associate Director for Development Allison Barszcz Outreach & Development Specialist Danielle Cooke Outreach & Development Specialist Cassie Miller Administrative Assistant

New Address:

2310 Science Parkway, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864

Phone Numbers:

(866) 223-2231 (toll free) (517) 580-3021 (517) 483-2953 (fax)

Please direct questions about this magazine to Outreach & Development Specialist Allison Barszcz by emailing abarszcz@michigannature.org or calling (866) 223-2231. Garret Johnson’s photo on page 7 copyright Marianne Glosenger. © 2014. Except where used with permission, entire contents copyright 2014 Michigan Nature Association.

From the Executive Director

We’re approaching the halfway mark for 2014, and it is shaping up to be a remarkable year. We’ve already reached three exciting milestones. First, in March we learned that MNA had achieved accreditation through the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Achieving accreditation means that an independent review found our conservation work and basic business practices meet the highest professional standards within the land trust community. Only 15% of the roughly 1,800 land trusts across America have achieved accreditation. Second, in May we moved our offices from an old, converted home in Williamston to our new headquarters at 2310 Science Parkway in Okemos. We had grown out of our old office in many ways, both physically and culturally. Our new home provides a much more welcoming and professional environment, and opens up some exciting opportunities to expand the programs we offer our members and volunteers. And last, but certainly not least, we have exciting news to share about our efforts to protect the Keweenaw Peninsula’s famed Brockway Mountain. Back in 1974, MNA established the very first protected area on Brockway Mountain. Our pioneering success inspired others, and today there are many outstanding groups working to conserve Brockway Mountain. Forty years later, MNA is still committed to protecting this iconic landscape and its sweeping panoramas of Lake Superior, the largest freshwater lake on earth. That’s why we’re delighted to announce that with the generous support of our members, local supporters and partner organizations, we have successfully raised the funds needed to purchase an additional 77 acres next to MNA’s James H. Klipfel Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Brockway Mountain. This latest acquisition, coupled with last year’s acquisition by Eagle Harbor Township of a large tract adjacent to the sanctuary, will now bring the total protected area around the summit of Brockway Mountain to more than 550 acres. The outpouring of support from across the state for this project is a great example of the three things that make MNA so special – people, land, and legacy. And our long history on Brockway Mountain is a great example of how at MNA we’re proud to measure our commitment to conservation by decades, not by acres. With accreditation in hand, a wonderful new headquarters and the continued support of people like you, MNA will continue to protect Michigan’s natural heritage for many, many decades to come.

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Inside | MNA

MNA 360

People • Land • Legacy © Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Protecting Michigan’s Vernal Pools Twenty volunteers and a local high school science class attended a training workshop in May co-sponsored by MNA, Huron Pines, the Montmorency County Conservation Club, Headwaters Land Conservancy, and several other groups. The workshop, conducted by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, trained volunteers to identify, map, and collect data on vernal pools in northeast Michigan. This training is part of an effort to launch a vernal pools mapping and monitoring program in Michigan. Participants were excited to help collect information to better our understanding of these important ecosystems.

Photography Buffs Take Note Ron Leonetti and Christopher Jordan’s photography collection Of Woods and Water: A Photographic Journey Across Michigan features several photographs of MNA sanctuaries, including Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary. This photography book is available in fine bookstores everywhere and features splendid photographs of Michigan’s landscapes. Those familiar with Ron Leonatti’s work may have recognized the photo of Dowagiac Woods MNA used on page 11 of the spring 2014 issue of Michigan Nature magazine. MNA unintentionally used this photograph without proper attribution. The photo was captured by Ron Leonatti and included in Of Woods and Water, which was published in 2008. MNA makes every effort to be accurate in each publication and to credit photographers appropriately. We apologize for the oversight and thank Mr. Leonatti for his understanding and continued support.

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Inside | MNA

Annual Meeting at Meijer Gardens A Success On Saturday, April 26, MNA members and supporters gathered at the Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids to connect with MNA for an afternoon. In addition to learning more about MNA’s upcoming initiatives from President Margaret Welsch and Executive Director Garret Johnson, the group was joined by special guest speaker John Zawiskie of the Cranbrook Insititute of Science. John gave a fascinating talk about the geology of Michigan. Local artist Jane Kramer also joined the Annual Meeting to demonstrate her latest photography project, which profiles endangered plant species. At the Annual Meeting, MNA members were given the opportunity to vote on proposed amendments to MNA’s Articles of Incorporation. Prior to these changes, the Articles of Incorporation had not been updated since 2005. As MNA continues to grow, the organization is committed to making changes to keep moving forward. Members voted overwhelmingly in favor of the proposed changes. If you’d like to see the new Articles of Incorporation, visit www.michigannature.org/articles.

Don Gilmer and Yu Man Lee Join Board of Trustees MNA has welcomed two new Trustees to the Board of Trustees. Donald Gilmer served as the Kalamazoo County Administrator from 2002-2007, and as interim Calhoun County Administrator in 2008. Prior to serving as Kalamazoo County Administrator, Don was the State Budget Director from 2001-02, coordinating all Executive Branch budget activities. He is a life member of the Michigan Horticultural Society and is a former apple farmer. Yu Man Lee is an accomplished field biologist and conservation scientist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Yu Man has been with MNFI since 1997, and served as Interim Director from 2007-09. She is the author, co-author, or contributing author of over 45 technical reports, 20 MNFI species abstracts, and three peerreviewed publications, among others. Much of her research is focused on rare amphibians and reptiles in Michigan, including research on the copperbelly water snake and the eastern massassauga rattlesnake.

MNA Has Moved! MNA is growing rapidly, and we have outgrown our original office space in Williamston. This May, MNA moved into a new office, located in Okemos. There is plenty of room to grow and we are excited to have a new office space in a new community. See page 6 for additional information and photos.

Our New Address is: 2310 Science Parkway, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864 (866) 223-2231

MNA is looking forward to working with both Don and Yu Man on the Board! michigan nature | summer 2014

Online | MNA

michigannature.org Harsh Winter May Help Rare Karner Blue Butterfly This winter was one of the coldest and snowiest on record in the state of Michigan. Despite harsh conditions, in some cases, the cold winter temperatures actually had a positive impact on Michigan’s wildlife. Many species are well adapted to thrive in cold temperatures. This winter proved to be beneficial for the rare Karner blue butterfly. The Karner blue may see a spike in population from the excessive amounts of snow this winter brought. The butterfly’s eggs, which are laid on leaf litter near the ground over the winter, do best when there is deep snow cover on the ground over the course of the entire winter. The snow keeps the eggs from drying out and provides extra insulation from air temperatures which can be colder than the ground temperatures. Stay tuned to the MNA blog for updates on the Karner blue and other rare species.

White Nose Syndrome Plagues Bats in Michigan White nose syndrome has devastated bat colonies around the country, causing widespread death with no known cure. According to biologists, this deadly disease has caused “the most precipitous wildlife decline in the past century in North America.” There is 100 percent mortality in some colonies and it could possibly lead to the extinction of some bat species. The disease was first documented in 2006 in a cave in New York. Since then, white nose syndrome has eradicated more than 5.7 million bats. The syndrome is transmitted through bat-to-bat contact or infected environment-to-bat contact. Humans can also disseminate the fungus into new areas by using infected clothing and climbing gear and transferring it to a new cave, mine or roost. In April 2014, white nose syndrome was discovered within Michigan’s borders in Alpena, Dickinson and Mackinac counties. 10

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A bat with white-nose syndrome

Online | MNA

Small Salamanders Provide Big Benefits to Forests Small but important, salamanders are often hidden beneath the rotting leaves and low rising plants of moist forests. Studies show that the numbers of salamanders can equal or surpass that of other vertebrates, such as birds and mammals. They consume a hefty amount of food, such as insects, spiders, worms and other small invertebrates, and have earned the title “vacuums of the forest floor”. Salamanders play an important role in the woodland ecosystem and are extremely sensitive to changes that occur in their environment. Salamanders rely heavily on vernal pools. These unique wetlands provide special habitats for many plants and animals, where they can be protected from predators and can lay their eggs in a safe area. As important as vernal pools are, they can be difficult to locate and are often overlooked, especially when they are drained of their water. Many have been physically drained for redevelopment or converted into permanent ponds. The destruction of shallow ponds and wetlands threaten salamander eggs and young. Since many use vernal pools and shallow ponds that dry up halfway through the year, it is important to protect these habitats in order to provide places for salamanders to breed and lay their eggs. Contamination from chemicals, fertilizer, sewage and other human waste are additional threats. You can read about these creatures’ impact on the environment on the MNA blog.

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michigan nature | summer 2014

Sanctuaries | MNA

A Healing Burn at Goose Creek’s Prairie Fen There is a life-and-death struggle going on around us that few people give much thought to ― the competition for survival between trees and grasses. In some parts of the world trees have won the battle decisively, leading to large, forested landscapes. In other parts of the world grasses have dominated, resulting in vast prairie systems. In southern Michigan, the competition remains, creating more complex landscapes. Unfortunately, humans are not neutral in the battle between trees and grasses. We often tip the scales in favor of trees and woody shrubs because with our buildings and structures comes the need for fire suppression. Fire is a grassland system’s natural defense against competition from trees and shrubs. Tipping the Scales The invasion of an aggressive non-native species of shrub (or small tree) looms over the remaining prairie fen grassland systems in southern Michigan, like the one at MNA’s Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary. Ecologists have declared Goose Creek’s prairie fen one of Michigan’s most diverse natural communities. But glossy buckthorn, the intruder threatening the sanctuary, has been growing among the plants native to Goose Creek. At risk are several different species of plant and insect life.

Protecting Important Habitat Left: A volunteer braves the cold to help cut invasive buckthorn at the sanctuary. Right: Goose Creek on a sunny day.

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Sanctuaries | MNA

Setting Fires Left: Prescribed burns are necessary to keep invasive species from taking over habitats like the prairie fen at Goose Creek. MNA’s burn team carefully sets and monitors controlled fires as part of sanctuary management efforts. Right: The sanctuary post-burn.

MNA has enlisted a team of remarkable volunteers to assist in the eradication of the buckthorn to conserve the diverse community by intervening to protect the grasslands against the incursion of trees and shrubs using carefully controlled prescribed burns. Michigan’s prairie fens are a rare natural community that often occupies the jagged hills and valleys created by glacial drift, and can include more than 200 different plant species. At Goose Creek, sedges and rushes are found among many fen plants, including buckbean and pitcher plant. Aquatic plants take advantage of the emergent zone while dozens of prairie flowers add color to the landscape in the wet prairie. When the prairie fen, marsh and prairie wetlands near Goose Creek were identified by MNA in 1984, the organization purchased 70 acres of the area to ensure their protection.

the conservation values of the sanctuaries MNA owns across the state. Glossy buckthorn is a European shrub (or small tree), usually used as a decorative element in hedgerows. It has light spots on its bark which are more prominent in its younger stages, making it easy to identify. The buckthorn has glossy leaves and berries whose color turns from green to red to black over the course of a year.

Ecologists have declared Goose Creek’s prairie fen one of Michigan’s most diverse ecosystems.

Despite its aesthetic appeal to some, glossy buckthorn prevents several plants in the prairie fen from having access to much-needed sunlight and changes the fen’s hydrology, making it easier for it to grow. Glossy buckthorn also grows quickly and in large masses, with birds eating the berries and dispersing their seeds post-digestion, providing for more buckthorn to sprout.

Battle Against the Buckthorn

In 2004, MNA staff and volunteers began cutting down the buckthorn throughout Goose Creek as the first method of eradication.

The invasion of the glossy buckthorn is especially alarming to MNA and is a prime example of the importance of stewardship to maintain

The chopping of the buckthorn seemed like a success, but sprouts peeked through the stumps, continuing the ongoing cycle of the

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Sanctuaries | MNA continued from page 13

invading buckthorn. To deal with sprouts, stumps are then coated with herbicides that have been approved for use in sensitive wetlands. The eradication process has continued for a decade and without its early start, it may have been too late to conserve the prairie fen. A Healing Burn Prescribed burning is a man-made imitation of presettlement fire on the landscape. Although it sounds strange, it is quite helpful to manage the prairie fen by mimicking natural fires that would have historically managed the prairie fen habitat. Landscape scaled fires used to occur naturally throughout Michigan, but with settlement and the construction of roads, fires are less likely to occur and spread due to risk to human health and property. But fire can be a natural tool to help rid natural communities of invasive species that have the potential to take over and block out sunlight â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a life-threatening problem to shade-intolerant species. The overgrowth of new plants can also change the kinds of insects and animals that inhabit an area, which could create a domino effect of serious and sometimes detrimental changes to the ecosystem. A prescribed burn is a highly organized and controlled event. Individuals with special training conduct and participate in the process, which is carefully planned and monitored. MNA has been performing prescribed burns at Goose Creek to control invasive species and maintain native plant growth. The prescribed burns have already helped at Goose Creek, providing for many native plants to grow in the space where the buckthorn had taken over. MNA will continue to monitor and manage the sanctuary and will likely conduct additional burns in the coming years in order to protect the sanctuaryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s prairie fen. Now that humans are such a dominant force on the landscape, we need to continue to learn how our presence tips the natural scales of competition and, where appropriate, lend a healing hand to rare, threatened and endangered species.

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Little Goose Lake

ree

s Goo

Sanctuary Boundary

Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary Above: The sanctuary is named for the Goose Creek, which flows from Little Goose Lake through the sanctuary. Below: A shot of Goose Creek.

Sanctuaries | MNA

MSU Restoration Ecology Class Participates in Workday This past winter, students from Lars Brudvig’s restoration ecology class at Michigan State University joined MNA’s stewardship team for a workday and conservation education at Goose Creek Grasslands. Students Remove Buckthorn MSU students assist with buckthorn removal during a workday at Goose Creek Grasslands.

Protecting Brockway Mountain

Thanks to You, MNA Rises to the Challenge The Keweenaw Peninsula’s Brockway Mountain is one of MNA’s highest conservation priorities. Last year, Eagle Harbor Township acquired 320 acres next to MNA’s James H. Klipfel Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Brockway Mountain. Around the time of Eagle Harbor Township’s acquisition, MNA became aware of an opportunity to protect an additional 77 acres of land on Brockway Mountain. This additional acreage is adjacent to MNA’s 152-acre Klipfel Memorial Nature Sanctuary. In late 2013, MNA put out a call for help, which prompted Donald and Karen Stearns to provide MNA with a generous challenge grant. As a result, donations for the protection of Brockway Mountain were matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $10,000. The generosity of MNA’s members and supporters is truly outstanding. Though MNA had until December to raise the funds, we were able to meet the challenge far earlier. $150,000 was raised in less than seven months thanks to your support. MNA wishes to thank everyone who contributed toward the protection of Brockway Mountain.

Between Superior and Huron Protecting critical coastal wetlands along the St. Mary’s River

The area defined by the flowing waters of the St. Mary’s River has been identified as one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the Great Lakes region. The coastal wetlands along Munuscong Lake, a large embayment along the western shore of the St. Mary’s, provide critically important habitat for a wide array of fish, waterfowl and invertebrates.

story continues on page 18

Schafer Family Nature Sanctuary at Roach Point Photo ÂŠ Marianne Glosenger

The Schafer Family Nature Sanctuary at Roach Point

Above: The sanctuary’s wetlands provide spectacular panoramic views. Left: An aerial photo captures the tip of Roach Point. Right: The sanctuary provides a quiet, remote escape.

The four major rivers connecting the five Great Lakes (the St. Mary’s, St. Clair, Detroit and Niagra rivers) play a unique role in the Great Lakes basin, the largest freshwater ecosystem on earth. As links between the large lakes, they are key elements within the ecosystem, connecting an area of more than 295,200 square miles into one hydrological unit. Since humans entered the landscape, the connecting rivers have become intersections of industrialization and development. A Great Lakes Conservation Priority

Coastal wetlands along the St. Mary’s provide important habitat for 44 species of Great Lakes fish.

The St. Mary’s River has for many years been a conservation priority for the governments of Canada and the United States. The source of the river is the outflow of the cold waters of Lake Superior, and as the river begins to narrow, a section of rapids stretching less than a mile drops the river’s elevation roughly 20 feet. It is here that you will find the famous Soo Locks, built to allow cargo ships to move between the Lake Michigan-Lake Huron system and Lake Superior. The lower river runs for nearly 60 miles, with the cold waters of the central channel running clean and swift. The most biologically

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productive portions of the river, however, are the large shallow “lakes” (embayments) along the shoreline. Sheltered from the current and wave action of the river, these areas are home to coastal wetlands that provide critical habitat for migratory waterfowl and songbirds, and important spawning, rearing and feeding habitat for 44 species of Great Lakes fish. The largest such embayment is Munuscong Lake, along the U.S. side of the St. Mary’s River. Its abundant fish and waterfowl have made it a favorite of hunters and fishers for generations. Horace and John Dodge, who founded Dodge Motor Company, built a lodge here that later became the basis for a Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Management Area. Expanding Protected Areas Along Roach Point Jutting into Munuscong Lake is MNA’s Schafer Family Nature Sanctuary at Roach Point. Formerly known as Roach Point Nature Sanctuary, several generous donations from brothers Mason and Melvin Schafer have made this MNA’s largest sanctuary. The sanctuary is a result of nine different acquisitions that began in 1978, with the final 259acre donation coming from Melvin in 2010 after Mason passed away.

The sanctuary was renamed in honor of the Schafer Family in 2011 in recognition of their long, dedicated and extraordinary service to MNA and conservation in Michigan.

Roach Point protects some of the critical habitat identified by the plan, and MNA is working with partner organizations to further protect and restore additional habitat along the St. Mary’s River flyway.

The sanctuary contains a Great Lakes coastal marsh community that provides a protected home for aquatic invertebrates and many species of minnows, frogs, turtles, and snakes. The forest at the sanctuary contains both northern mesic forest and northern boreal forest. The boreal forest consists of black and white spruce, tamarack, and balsam fir. Deciduous stands are composed of white birch, maple, and poplar. The central high ground of Roach Point contains a sugar maple-hemlock forest.

Restoration work can play a particularly important role. For example, to combat habitat loss due to low water levels, the DNR and several partner organizations are working to implement a water control infrastructure in Munuscong Lake. Controlling invasive species and keeping the area untouched by human development will also help keep important habitat in tact.

Roach Point encompasses a total of eight different types of natural communities. In addition to the Great Lakes marsh and forests listed above, the sanctuary contains northern wet meadow, bog, northern shrub thicket, poor conifer swamp and rich conifer swamp. Key Habitat for Migratory Birds The sanctuary also boasts a large amount of visiting waterfowl. The Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Joint Venture identified areas like Roach Point as particularly critical stopover sites for large numbers migratory songbirds and waterfowl. The collaboration identified coastal wetlands and uplands that should be restored, including thousands of acres of land to be protected as habitat for breeding and migratory birds. This is part of an ambitious basin-wide restoration plan that envisions a future with at least 1.54 million breeding pairs of waterfowl in the Great Lakes region.

Collaborative efforts on land restoration and protection will provide significant benefits for a number of species of migratory birds. The American bittern is one such migratory bird, spending its summers in Michigan’s marshes and wetlands. The bittern, of the heron family, is a medium-sized, brown-colored wading bird with a thick body and neck. The bittern enjoys the Great Lakes Marsh after a winter down south, yet fewer and fewer have appeared in Michigan and globally over the years, marking it a species of concern under Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan. The protection of coastal wetlands will play a critical role in the future of this threatened species, as well as many other species of waterfowl. Which is why MNA’s work along Munuscong Lake is so important. People Making a Difference MNA’s work along Munuscong Lake is largely a story of several remarkable people with the vision and commitment to protect these lands for future generations.

Munuscong Bay

Munuscong Bay Nature Sanctuary

Schafer Family Nature Sanctuary at Roach Point

A Vast Sanctuary

The Schafer Family Nature Sanctuary at Roach Point is MNA’s largest at over 800 acres. The sanctuary protects diverse ecosystems and habitat for rare, threatened and endangered species.

Mason and Melvin Schafer became involved with MNA and its acquisition of the Roach Point sanctuary starting in 1978. Mason began by donating several parcels of land in the Upper Peninsula to MNA. By 2009, Mason Schafer’s donations totaled over 400 acres of land for the now nearly 800-acre Roach Point sanctuary. Mason was involved with several other sanctuaries, helping with land acquisition and endowments. He also participated in stewardship with MNA and served on the Board of Trustees for nearly ten years. Together, Mason and Melvin volunteered to care for these sanctuaries and served until they were rendered unable by health. The Schafers’ hard work inspired MNA’s Board of Trustees to establish the “Mason and Melvin Schafer Distinguished Service Award” to honor the hard work of members and volunteers who have been involved with the organization for more than a decade. Mason passed away in 2010, which prompted Melvin to donate nearly 300 additional acres to the Roach Point sanctuary in his honor. The Schafer brothers were responsible for donating over 90 percent of the land which makes up the Roach Point sanctuary and are commemorated by the sanctuary’s new name. Near the tip of the Roach Point sanctuary is a 23-acre section which was donated by Barbara Spalding Ely in 1988, in memory of her father after his death. Barbara’s father, Edward Bartlett Spalding was born in Eagle Harbor, Michigan in the late 1800s and earned a degree in dental surgery. Spalding was part of several Michigan and Ohio dental associations. Barbara was also the granddaughter of William Putnam Spalding, who worked as a merchant in Sault Sainte Marie, only about 40 miles away from Munuscong Lake.

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Mason and Melvin Schafer

Brothers Mason and Melvin Schafer were involved with MNA beginning in the 1970s. They donated many properties to MNA, helped identify areas that needed protection, and spent countless hours volunteering in the field.

Partnering to Further Protect Munuscong Lake MNA has detailed stewardship plans for Roach Point, and staff and volunteers continue to examine and survey the area to become more familiar with the sanctuary’s ecology. For example, one method used to survey Roach Point was MNA’s first 24-hour BioBlitz hosted in 2013. This event allowed for volunteer naturalists to explore the sanctuary and document as many different species of organisms as possible within the 24 hour time span. Volunteers and hosts braved hot, humid and rainy weather to learn more about the ecology of the sanctuary. They were able to identify and document numerous daytime and nocturnal creatures. MNA is also currently working on an exciting new project that, if successfully completed, would expand Roach Point by an additional 160 acres. The proposed land acquisition would add land to Roach Point’s southwest side and contains mesic forest, rich conifer swamp, wet meadow and northern shrub thicket. The 160-acre addition is part of a collaborative effort, called the Michigan Upper Peninsula Coastal Wetlands Project, involving a number of conservation groups. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) is a partner in this collaborative effort. They plan to implement an important coastal wetlands restoration project along Munuscong Lake, not far from Roach Point. Establishing a water level control regime for portions of the coastal marshes along Munuscong Lake is one of several MDNR strategies to help maintain and improve the habitat. Part of the reason for habitat loss is because of low water levels, drying up parts of the wetlands. Water level control in the coastal wetlands would significantly improve the habitat for many migratory birds and waterfowl. Another strategy is the enhancement of management capabilities providing for managers to tackle the issue of the invasive species and larger, unknown challenges caused by climate change. Phragmites, tall grasses in the wetlands, are present in the area and need to be monitored. Water level control and the management of invasive species will prove helpful for the ecological community. In addition to these strategies, the ongoing protection of birds and specific animals will continue in order to foster nesting and breeding in the area to deter the decline. Hope for a Better Future In the 1980s, the St. Mary’s River was struggling with a toxic legacy from decades of industrial development, and it was named one of the 43 Areas of Concern across the Great Lakes dues to its degraded condition. Today, many years of conservation work are starting to bear fruit and there is hope once again for this remarkably diverse ecosystem. MNA and its partners in conservation like the MDNR will continue to work together to protect Munuscong Lake’s coastal wetlands for many years to come.

A Transitional Forest

The forest at Roach Point is comprised of both northern mesic forest and northern boreal forest.

Learn More About Coastal Wetlands Learn more about Michigan’s coastal wetlands in Between Land and Lake: Michigan’s Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands by Dennis A. Albert. This book is available for download from the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Visit the Publications section of www.mnfi.anr.msu.edu to obtain a copy.

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Stewardship | MNA

Stewardship Activities Flourish in Spring © Patricia Pennell

As many of us were expecting, the spring of 2014 was a late, cool, and wet season as the ice cover on the Great Lakes and the deep snowpack across the state took their time to melt and contributed to the cooler season well into May. With wildflowers blooming late and the emergence of tree leaves and insects following suit, Michigan was treated to many birds anxious to get to their summer breeding grounds but held up in forests and wetlands across the state as they waited for their northern nesting grounds to melt and warm. BioBlitz Yields Interesting Findings This spring MNA held a BioBlitz event at Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary. As luck, and a little planning, would have it, the late spring amassed a congregation of migrating birds species at Dowagiac Woods for this event. A BioBlitz is an event where a concerted effort is made by a highly knowledgeable assortment of individuals to survey as many different taxa, groups of organisms, as possible within a 24 hour period in a given location.

Albion College student Mike Dussel (left) and MNA’s Matt Schultz identify a turtle at the BioBlitz event at Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary.

Dowagiac Woods was chosen due to its need for updated biological information. The sanctuary’s previous plant surveys were becoming dated and minimal wildlife surveys had been conducted.

At the BioBlitz, 15 surveyors participated, generating sizeable lists of plant, amphibian, and reptile sightings as well as documenting nine species of butterflies and 71 species of birds. Highlights included canopy nesting warblers such as multiple cerulean warblers and yellow-throated warblers.

Shortcuts: Farewell to Matt Schultz After four years, Regional Stewardship Organizer for the Western Lower Peninsula Matt Schultz is saying goodbye to MNA. Matt and his wife, Anne Royer, will be moving with their son Toby to Oregon in July. Matt will certainly be missed on MNA’s stewardship team. He joined the MNA staff in 2010 after serving as a volunteer steward at Campbell Memorial Plant Preserve at Helmer Brook. Matt’s background in sustainable development and conservation biology made him a huge asset for planning projects to protect rare habitats. Coordinating volunteer days all across the western Lower Peninsula, Matt made connections with hundreds of volunteers and supporters of MNA. MNA cannot thank Matt enough for his dedication and hard work. We wish him and his family all the best as they begin a new chapter in Oregon! Matt Schultz and Anne Royer at Dowagiac Woods

Stewardship | MNA

A major boardwalk repair project is underway at the Red Cedar River Plant Preserve in Ingham County.

Sanctuary Enhancements To further enhance riparian bird habitat within the MNA sanctuary system, MNA also completed a small reforestation project in Van Buren County at the Black River Nature Sanctuary. The Black River corridor provides quality forest habitat for wildlife and with the assistance of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, MNA was able to plant native deciduous hardwood trees to fill a small canopy gap in the forest and enhance the sanctuary for neotropical migrants and wildlife. Additional volunteer-oriented sanctuary management projects have been ongoing around the state including invasive species management, prescribed burning, and trail maintenance projects. Finally, to help keep appropriate portions of the MNA sanctuary system accessible for visitors, MNA has completed trail development at the new Brewer Woods Nature Sanctuary in Kalamazoo County and the Edna S. Newnan Nature Sanctuary in St. Clair County. MNA is also searching for volunteers who are interested in assisting with significant reparations the boardwalk and stair sections on the trail at the Red Cedar River Plant Preserve in Ingham County. Anyone interested in assisting with this project should contact regional stewardship organizer Rachel Maranto.

Join Us in the Field for a Volunteer Workday For complete details, visit www.michigannature.org/events or call (866) 223-2231. Date

Location

County

Contact

Jul 3

Pat Grogan Bog

Chippewa

Adrienne

Jul 10

Clifford R. and Calla C. Burr Memorial

Oakland

Rachel

Jul 10

Red Cedar River Plant Preserve

Ingham

Rachel

Jul 12

Mystery Valley Karst Preserve

Presque Isle

Natalie

Jul 22

Lefglen Nature Sanctuary

Jackson

Rachel

Jul 24

Red Cedar River Plant Preserve

Ingham

Rachel

Jul 25

Clifford R. and Calla C. Burr Memorial

Oakland

Rachel

Aug 2

Mystery Valley Karst Preserve

Presque Isle

Natalie

Aug 20

Red Cedar River Plant Preserve

Ingham

Rachel

Sept 6

Mystery Valley Karst Preserve

Presque Isle

Natalie

Sign Up for a Volunteer Day Please register for each volunteer day as weather may force cancellations. Contact your area’s regional stewardship organizer to learn more: John Bagley, Southwest Lower Peninsula jbagley@michigannature.org Adrienne Bozic, Upper Peninsula abozic@michigannature.org Natalie Kent-Norkowski, Northern Lower Peninsula nkent@michigannature.org Rachel Maranto, Southeast Lower Peninsula rmaranto@michigannature.org

Stewardship Wish List Can you help us out? MNA’s stewardship team is looking for the following items. If you are able to help, please contact Andy Bacon at (866) 223-2231 or abacon@michigannature.org. A small trailer to pull behind an ATV Metal T-posts Lumber for boardwalks

Membership Matters | MNA

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Nature

Discover Michigan

Michigan Nature Association

Introducing MNA’s New Apparel There is nothing better than discovering Michigan’s great outdoors. Show your pride in Michigan’s natural heritage with the “Discover Michigan Nature” T-shirt, a true MNA original. pure michigan nature 9.ai

Men’s “Discover Michigan Nature” Tee

$30

Support MNA in style and make the versatile “Discover Michigan Nature” T-shirt part of your collection. These shirts are made from 100% fine jersey cotton for a soft, comfortable feel and available in forest green with white lettering or white with green lettering. Price: $30 Sizes: Men’s S-XL Shirts are made and printed in the USA. Available to ship within 4-6 weeks.

Women’s “Discover Michigan Nature” Tee Nature

Discover Michigan

Michigan Nature Association

$30

Show your love of all Michigan has to offer while wearing MNA’s flattering, fitted scoop-neck “Discover Michigan Nature” tee. Made with a combed cotton/poly blend for an ultra-soft, comfortable fit that holds its shape, even with repeated washings. Available in heather forest green with white lettering or white with green lettering. Price: $30 Sizes: Women’s S-XL Shirts are made and printed in the USA. Available to ship within 4-6 weeks.

Show Your Support in Style!

Use the enclosed envelope, call (866) 223-2231, or visit www.michigannature.org/merchandise 24

michigan nature | summer 2014

Membership Matters | MNA ÂŠ Patricia Pennell

Take a Guided Nature Hike This Summer! Echo Lake Hikes: July 5, July 19, August 2, August 16 Echo Lake Nature Sanctuary Marquette County, near Marquette Join MNA and The Nature Conservancy on a series of Saturday morning hikes to Echo Lake and the surrounding rocky outcrops that provide stunning views of Lake Superior. Contact: Adrienne Bozic, abozic@michigannature.org

Adventure Hike: July 12, 10 a.m. Lost Lake Nature Sanctuary

Ogemaw County, near the Rifle River State Recreation Area Steward Paul Messing will lead an off-trail adventure hike to see the cedar swamp, a quaking mat, and a streamside marsh. This is a strenuous hike over uneven terrain, but efforts will be rewarded by a unique display of wildflowers! Contact: Natalie Kent-Norkowski, nkent@michigannature.org

Twin Waterfalls Hike: July 25, noon Twin Waterfalls Plant Preserve

Alger County, near Munising Hike through this beautiful sanctuary and see breathtaking views of several waterfalls and the sandstone cliffs that form them. Contact: Adrienne Bozic, abozic@michigannature.org

Sanctuary Exploration: July 31, time TBD Soo Muskeg Nature Sanctuary

Chippewa County, near Sault Ste. Marie Join MNA and the Sault Naturalists for an exploration and inventory of this vast and interesting forested wetland. Contact: Adrienne Bozic, abozic@michigannature.org

Geology Hike: August 2, 11 a.m. Grinnell Memorial Nature Sanctuary

Keweenaw County, near Copper Harbor Geology PhD student Erika Vye will lead a hike up to the high bluffs for a spectacular view of Lake Superior. Learn about the soaring rhyolite outcrop and Keweenaw Fault. Contact: Nancy Leonard, nancy@einerlei.com

Beach Hike and Knapweed Pull: August 9, 11 a.m. Redwynâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Dunes Nature Sanctuary

Keweenaw County, near Eagle River. Make a difference by assisting steward Phil Quenzi with the removal of invasive spotted knapweed. Afterward, enjoy a picnic (bring your own) and hike on the beach at Great Sand Bay. Contact: Nancy Leonard, nancy@einerlei.com

michigan nature | summer 2014

Membership Matters | MNA

2014 Wildflower Walkabout Join MNA for a series of hikes focused on Michigan’s spectacular wildflowers!

Kayak the Les Cheneaux Islands July 26 and August 17

Join MNA and Woods and Water Ecotours for a guided paddling excursion through the scenic waters and shorelines of the Les Cheneaux Island archipelago. Participants will paddle the protected waters of this 36 island archipelago near Cedarville, exploring inner bays, beautiful boreal forests, wildflowers and freshwater marshes. The area has long been a popular summer escape for paddlers, with sailboats and summer cottages around the islands. A professional guide will discuss wildlife and varying habitats, as well as the history of the area, which includes the “grandfather of conservation” Aldo Leopold’s childhood cottage. Tickets: $75 for MNA members, $99 for non-members. Includes all equipment, instruction and lunch. Sign Up: Contact Woods and Water Ecotours at (906) 484-4157 or info@woodswaterecotours.com.

July 9 – Fred Dye Nature Sanctuary

1 p.m. – Mackinac County, near Moran Visit this disjunct prairie community, which features a pale purple coneflower population. Additional flowers making their home here include blue-eyed grass, wild bergamot, pale spike lobelia, fringed gentian, asters and goldenrods.

July 12 – Lefglen Nature Sanctuary

10 a.m. – Jackson County, near Grass Lake Join us for an informal walk through the prairie fen at Lefglen. We will see how wildflowers, butterflies and other insects have responded to management of invasive species.

Aug. 9 – Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary

1 p.m. – Newaygo County, near Newaygo This sanctuary is rich with native prairie species. Stop by and have a look!

Aug. 17 – Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary

1 p.m. – Lenawee County, near Cement City Come and explore the beautiful prairie fen at Goose Creek. It’s a great place to see many unusual wetland plants.

Sept. 6 – Saginaw Wetlands Nature Sanctuary

1 p.m. – Huron County, near Sebewaing Hike the lakeplain prairie and through the oak opening at the sanctuary. See spectacular wildflowers!

Sept. 6 – Keweenaw Shores No. 1 Nature Sanctuary

11 a.m. – Keweenaw County, near Eagle Harbor Join steward Karena Schmidt for a study of how various cultures have utilized plants for survival, and how the practices of the ancestors continue to remain life enhancing.

Oct. 4 – Phillips Family Memorial Nature Sanctuary

1:30 p.m. – Van Buren County, near Decatur Join us to explore the unique coastal plain marsh community and experience the fall colors at this sanctuary. To learn more about these events, call (866) 223-2231 or visit www.michigannature.org/wildflowers. 26

michigan nature | summer 2014

Join MNA in the Upper Peninsula Join us for lunch and updates from MNA on current initiatives in your area! Learn about upcoming events and connect with MNA members and staff working to conserve land near you.

Eastern Upper Peninsula: Saturday, August 23 Clark Township Hall - Cedarville Learn More: Contact Danielle Cooke at (866) 223-2231 or dcooke@michigannature.org.

Michigan Nature Association Presents the

Rattlesnake Run 5K Run/Walk

Paint Creek Trail - Oakland County Saturday, October 5, 2014 Enjoy the fall colors and run, jog, or walk along the Paint Creek Trail, Michigan’s first rail-to-trail project. This 5K will promote efforts to preserve habitat for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, a species of special concern in Michigan. Participants will enjoy cider and donuts from the Paint Creek Cider Mill and receive a commemorative Rattlesnake Run T-shirt.

Visit www.michigannature.org/5K or call (866) 223-2231 for more information or to sign up.

Sanctuary Photo Contest MNA wants to showcase the best photos of Michigan’s natural heritage in the fourth annual Sanctuary Photo Contest! The grand prize is a weekend stay at a cottage in northern Michigan! Additional prizes include theater tickets, dining giftcards, and much more. Enter by August 1, 2014 for a chance to win! Visit www.michigannature.org or call (866) 223-2231 for rules and contest entry forms.

Booknotes | MNA Recommended Reading The Homing Instinct: Meaning and Mystery in Animal Migration Bernd Heinrich Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Price: $27.00

The word “homing” (as in “homing pigeon”) is of relatively recent origin. The word “home”, however, has a much longer history stretching back to its Anglo-Saxon root hám. Even then, the deepseated idea of returning to a special place or territory was implicit in the word’s meaning. In his latest book, The Homing Instinct, the well-known naturalist Bernd Heinrich offers a meditation on the remarkable phenomena of animals migrating to a place, identifying suitable habitat there, and altering that habitat to make it fit their (or their offspring’s) needs. The book reviews the home-seeking and home-building instincts of sea turtles, sandhill cranes, honeybees, frogs, orb-weaving spiders, and many other species. And as those familiar with Heinrich’s books know, his work often features his own property in the Maine woods (itself the subject of an earlier work). The last chapter includes his personal and philosophical reflections on his own connection with the land and his views on the meaning of “home”.

Chasing Monarchs: Migrating with the Butterflies of Passage Robert Michael Pyle; Foreword by Lincoln P. Brower; New Afterword by the Author Yale University Press Price: $20.00

F. A. Urquhart begins his classic 1960 monograph, The Monarch Butterfly, with a review of the many myths still prevalent at the time about the monarch’s overwintering behavior (e.g., that they hibernated in hollow trees). Fifteen years later, it was two associates of Urquhart that finally found the fir forest in Michoacan, Mexico that serves as the monarch’s primary winter home. In his book Chasing Monarchs, Robert Michael Pyle sets out on a quest to solve yet another mystery -- whether the monarchs east of the Rocky Mountains (which migrate to Mexico) and those west of the Rockies (which migrate to sites along the California coast) ever interact or mix. Pyle, known to many as the founder of the Xerces Society, is an engaging storyteller and his book is as much a charming travel essay as it is a work of natural history. First published in 1996, Pyle’s book has just been reissued by Yale University Press with a new afterword by the author. Monarch populations have plummeted in recent years. Perhaps this reissue of Pyle’s book will help draw needed attention to the fate of this amazing butterfly before it is too late.

michigan nature | summer 2014

New & Noteworthy The Book of Eggs: A Life-Size Guide to the Eggs of Six Hundred of the World’s Bird Species Mark E. Hauber The University of Chicago Press Cloth: $55.00 A visually stunning guide to the remarkable diversity and natural beauty of bird eggs.

Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide Paul H. Williams, Robbin W. Thorp, Leif L. Richardson, and Sheila R. Colla Princeton University Press Paperback: $24.95 A comprehensive guide to the 46 species of bumble bees found north of Mexico.

The Double-Crested Cormorant: Plight of a Feathered Pariah Linda R. Wires Yale University Press Cloth: $30.00 A timely explanation of humancormorant conflict.

Voices | MNA

Q&A

Margaret Welsch Last year, Margaret Welsch was elected President of the Board of Trustees. She sat down with MNA to discuss how she plans to help the organization move forward. How did you become a member of MNA? My husband, Clifford, and I have both been supporters of a number of conservation groups over the years -- some local, some national or international. But in addition to supporting various groups we like to get directly involved as volunteers, too. After Clifford read an article in the Lansing State Journal about the loss of Michigan’s native prairies, we both became interested in prairie restoration. He started volunteering on stewardship projects at several of MNA’s sanctuaries with prairies and I started doing some general volunteer work. MNA has a very strong volunteer program, and that was very appealing to us. We’ve had an opportunity to meet so many wonderful people over the years as MNA volunteers. After you began volunteering, you were elected to the Board of Trustees. In March of 2013, the Board elected you President. That’s a pretty big job. How do you like it so far? Well, first let me say it’s an honor. MNA is such a great group, with such an amazing history and record of accomplishment. I never imagined when I first got involved that I would wind up as MNA’s President!

“When you set out to protect land in perpetuity, you really need to take the long view.”

MNA has grown a lot since you first began volunteering. What kind of changes have you seen over the years? There are so many! But one very big thing hasn’t changed, and that is MNA’s commitment to its mission and to the sanctuaries that so many people have helped protect over the years. I don’t think we have changed for change’s sake, and I think that’s a very, very important point. We’ve changed because the mission and the legacy that’s been entrusted to us required us to change. When you set out to protect land in perpetuity, you really need to take the long view. I really think of it as laying a strong foundation for MNA’s next 60 or 100 years. We’ve added staff to help mobilize more volunteers to monitor and care for our sanctuaries; we’ve just been accredited and meet the highest standards as a land trust; we’ve broadened our outreach efforts; and we’ve re-engaged in education because connecting with the next generation is so important.

“Achieving accreditation was a huge milestone for MNA.”

Yes, it’s a big job, but serving as President has really been a lot of fun because we have a strong sense of teamwork. There are so many other people who step up and contribute and that’s what makes MNA special, I think. We just held a members meeting in the Keweenaw, and you could just feel how engaged and committed everyone was to conservation and to MNA. When people are engaged and pitching in like that it makes finding the right way forward so much easier.

What’s next? As President, what kind of things have you been focusing on?

When I was first elected I had a list of things I wanted to tackle. The first was making sure we achieved national accreditation. Achieving accreditation was a huge milestone for MNA. The second was finding new office space, because we had grown so much the old office was really becoming a big problem. I am absolutely thrilled with our new home in Okemos! It opens up so many exciting possibilities! Right now we’re focusing on expanding some of our key sanctuaries and re-connecting with teachers and schools. Also on my list has been getting back out into the communities where our members live. So we’ve been holding a series of members meetings around the state. The single greatest strength of MNA is its members and supporters, so we want to hear from them as much as possible. I think we’re making tremendous progress. I am excited about the future of MNA!

michigan nature | summer 2014

Legacies | MNA

Memorials and Honoraria February 1, 2014 - May 1, 2014

Donations given in honor or memory of MNA members and friends appear here in tribute. To learn how you can honor a loved one, call (866) 223-2231 or visit www.michigannature.org.

In Memory of:

Kenneth Allen by Dr. Joseph James Stuart Allen Smith by Deborah Berry and Margaret Welsch Phillip Charns by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Bertha Daubendiek by Jean Meske Margaret Demery by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Patrick Downey by Beverly Baker Dr. Ronald Filo by James and Barbara Gusfa Leila Jennings by Doris Van Buskirk Doris Jiovani by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Gordon Kallunki by Jacquelyn Kallunki

Linda Lee by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Frederick Levison by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Carol Maisels by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Keith Mosher by Don and Carolyn Reed by Thomas and Joyce Wegener Austin Nichols by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Helen Rice by Olivia Hudson Carolyn Williams Metting by Barbara Metting Dorothy Winnard by Margaret R. Moran

In Honor of:

Margaret Welsch by East Lansing Garden Club

Leave a Lasting Legacy MNAâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Guardians of the Future are a special group, dedicated to protecting Michiganâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s unique natural heritage for generations to come. By including the Michigan Nature Association in your estate plans, you can leave a lasting impact on the conservation and education programs you value at MNA.

Give a gift that lasts more than a lifetime. For more information, contact Garret Johnson at 866-223-2231 or gjohnson@michigannature.org. If you have already included MNA in your will or estate plan, please let us know so we can thank you.

Help Preserve Michigan’s Natural Heritage

Protecting land in perpetuity requires a commitment to stewardship and restoration. Your gift to the Bertha A. Daubendiek Sanctuary Preservation Fund will help build the permanent endowment fund dedicated to the preservation of MNA’s remarkable sanctuary system. It’s a great way to leave a lasting legacy, and to honor the woman who did so much to protect Michigan’s natural heritage.

Give a Gift Today

Join Us Today

Michigan Nature Association 2310 Science Parkway, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864 www.michigannature.org

Become a member of the Michigan Nature Association to receive Michigan Nature magazine in the mail! Visit www.michigannature.org to learn more.

Rattlesnake Run 5K Walk/Run the Paint Creek Trail

Paint Creek Trail - Oakland County Saturday, October 5, 2014 Enjoy the fall colors and run, jog, or walk along the Paint Creek Trail, Michigan’s first rail-to-trail project. This 5K will promote protection efforts in Oakland County to preserve habitat for the eastern massasauga rattlesnake, one of Michigan’s rarest reptiles. Don’t worry, the rattlesnakes are shy and not likely to be seen on the trail!

Michigan Nature Association proudly presents a run to promote the protection of one of Michigan’s rarest species.