Huron Pines 2023 July Newsletter

CELEBRATE

EDUCATE

INSPIRE

Alpena Community Celebrates North Point Nature Preserve Grand Opening

We welcomed many friends, supporters and neighbors to North Point Nature Preserve June 10 for a grand opening celebration and to explore the ecological significance of the property now under the permanent protection of Huron Pines.

For most of our visitors, this was the first time they had experienced the remarkable beauty and rugged nature of North Point, where dune and cobblestone shorelines along Lake Huron give way to fragrant pine and cedar forests. Guests made two guided stops at the preserve, led by staff from Huron Pines, The Nature Conservancy and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, where they learned about the geological and human history of the peninsula and why its protection is so important, then enjoyed some time to explore at their own pace.

The preserve lies five miles east of Alpena and comprises the middle portion of North Point Peninsula, a natural prominence on the northern edge of Thunder Bay. It features four miles of undeveloped coastline and is home to carnivorous plants, globally rare ecosystems and dozens of species of migratory birds, making it one of the most ecologically diverse places in the Great Lakes region.

Throughout the day we saw threatened Pitcher’s thistle growing on sand dunes, found fossils and puddingstones on the beach, and had the pleasure of meeting new folks from the Alpena area who came out to celebrate with us. We also witnessed the sudden changes in weather Thunder Bay is known for, as the first rain shower in weeks closed out our final tour of the day.

Acquired by The Nature Conservancy in 2017, ownership of the 1,384acre North Point tract was transferred to Huron Pines at the end of 2022 for permanent protection and stewardship as a nature preserve. Stewarding this special place fits well within Huron Pines’ values of securing a better future for Lake Huron and preserving undeveloped lands for the benefit of native plants, wildlife, and all residents and visitors of Northern Michigan.

A patch of dwarf lake iris, Michigan’s state wildflower, blooms near the shore of the preserve.

A solitary sandpiper wades the wetlands of the North Point Nature Preserve. Photo by Alex Hamilton

Top: A makeshift driftwood sign constructed by Bryce Habermehl (pictured running) welcomes visitors to “Heron Pines North Point Preserve” as he inscribed it.

“This was an ecology-driven acquisition but the prospect of getting people out here to experience it made it a compelling package,” said Helen Taylor, Director of The Nature Conservancy in Michigan, as she walked the beach that afternoon. “It’s in good hands, and it’s in safe hands.”

North Point Nature Preserve lies within the 4,300-square-mile Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS) which preserves 100 historic shipwrecks dating back to the 1800s and serves as a destination for those seeking to explore the maritime heritage and culture of the region. Public events and engagement at the preserve are led in cooperation with TBNMS and its affiliated nonprofit organization, Friends of TBNMS. Because access to the preserve is through a private easement, visits are limited to guided experiences like this one.

“This has been a marvelous day to get folks out here, especially the people of Alpena,” said Brad Jensen, Executive Director of Huron Pines. “We’re working on ways to have more opportunities for people to explore this place with us.”

Thank you to all who have had a hand in protecting North Point Nature Preserve forever, and to all who joined us in celebration of this special place.

“When you get out here, it’s pure. You can hear the waves and feel the wind and that’s it. It’s completely peaceful.”

- Diane Farrell Alpena Resident

Visitors on the shore of the preserve learn about the history and ecological significance of the property.

John, George and Jessica Kusku (l-r), longtime friends of Huron Pines, were among 130 visitors to North Point on June 10.

Visitors cross a boardwalk leading to the shoreline of North Point Nature Preserve.

Engaging Communities in Conservation & Stewardship

Two recent projects highlight our mission of conservation driven by engaged, empowered communities. One, a pilot program in community science; the other, a deep-rooted relationship with an area school.

Amphibians as an Indicator of Habitat Health

Volunteers joined our staff on a rainy Saturday morning in April in a search for salamanders living among the forest duff at our Emily Min Hunt Preserve. This new effort in community-driven science helps us gauge the health of the unique ecosystems found at the preserve by monitoring the abundance of these amphibians in their native habitat.

Weeks in advance, 40 coverboards were laid out across the forest floor near the edge of a wooded wetland. These laptop-size plywood planks are an ideal place for salamanders to hide under: dark, damp and teeming with insects to eat. They were also a convenient place for our community scientists to find and collect salamanders for this study.

When a salamander was found, volunteers worked swiftly and carefully to contain the delicate creature inside a plastic bag to protect it from being overhandled. The salamanders were quickly measured before being safely released.

“Salamanders are an indicator species, meaning they tell us a lot about the health of their environment,” said Julia Butch, Land Protection Coordinator for Huron Pines and event organizer.

“Over time, this data will inform us of trends in forest health at the preserve, how we might adjust our management strategies, and help us determine how our forests are changing as the climate warms. Every time we collect data on these amphibians we’re putting together pieces of a larger ecosystem puzzle.”

Community science — scientific research conducted with the participation of the general public — is the process by which our staff and volunteers work together in the field to gather valuable data which is then used to

solve real-world problems. This type of collaboration bridges the gap between one’s enjoyment of the outdoors and their role in protecting and conserving the places they love.

Getting people involved in projects like this one builds awareness of native wildlife, fosters connections to nature and promotes positive community change, all of which helps Huron Pines achieve its mission.

Three generations of the Robichaud family took part in the survey — sisters Rose and Char, their mother Sarah, and Loretta, who was celebrating her 83rd birthday that morning.

“This event gave us time together in a beautiful place, a new perspective on the local ecosystem and a chance to meet like-minded folks interested in preserving this area for generations to come,” Sarah Robichaud said.

A volunteer safely handling a salamander.

“Every time we collect data on these amphibians we’re putting together pieces of a larger ecosystem puzzle.”

- Julia Butch, Land Protection Coordinator

Top: Volunteers measure a red-backed salamander at Emily Min Hunt Preserve.

A total of 14 salamanders were found that day, each one eliciting a cheer and a huddle of onlookers. Volunteers spent about an hour systematically turning each of the boards and recording data on rain-proof paper.

This event was part of our Protect Wild Places program, supported by the Consumers Energy Foundation, which is working to empower Michigan communities to support the land and water to restore 5,000 acres of wildlife habitat and recreational land, and 150 miles of waterways and Great Lakes shoreline.

Alcona Students Take the Lead on Stormwater Efforts

A rain garden at Harrisville Harbor is helping to protect the water quality of Lake Huron while serving as a teaching tool for students and a showpiece for stormwater management in the coastal town.

Kathrin Luce’s environmental science class arrived at the harbor the morning of May 30 and got to work filling a mulched and irrigated garden space with 450 native plant plugs. Laughing and digging with their bare hands, the students were clearly enjoying one of the few remaining days of the school year outside with their peers.

This is where Alcona Community School shines. This rain garden project is the latest undertaking in the school’s commitment to place-based stewardship education. These have included partnering with Huron Pines in managing their school forest for invasive species and environmental learning opportunities at our Hubbard Lake Preserve.

The rain garden project was the result of a site assessment at the harbor followed by months of planning. Students chose a site with the greatest potential to capture stormwater runoff from a parking lot, then selected the best plant types according to their aesthetics, usefulness to native pollinators and their ability to help runoff infiltrate the ground where it’s filtered by roots and soil.

“They’re motivated by place-based learning opportunities like this one,” Luce said about her students. “I can tell they enjoy the hands-on aspects of what they’re studying and I’m pleased they chose a project that perfectly corresponds with what they’ve learned in class. This is a positive, real world experience for my class.”

Because it is situated between a large parking area and the harbor, this rain garden will be able to capture thousands of gallons of stormwater annually, filtering out pollutants and litter before they have a chance to reach Lake Huron.

Abby Kozlow, a senior who graduated the week prior, returned to see the project through its completion.

“It was all hands on deck and I have no problem with hanging out at the harbor for the day,” she said. “I like how we were able to take native plants into consideration, because we have a lot of issues with biodiversity and small steps like these have a big impact.”

To help finance the project, students applied for and received a $5,000 grant from the Lake Huron Forever Partners Program, awarded in March. Facilitated by Huron Pines, the initiative supports community actions and on-the-ground work which promote the well-being of residents and their surrounding natural resources in coastal communities of Lake Huron. Funding comes from the Consumers Energy Foundation through the Bay Area Community Foundation.

“Alcona Community Schools have long been a strong and self-motivated partner of Huron Pines,” said Abigail Ertel, Community Program Director. “Because they create space for students to lead their own projects, we’re able to connect them with the Lake Huron Forever initiative to amplify their stewardship of the community and their environment.”

Additional funding and support for the project came from the Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program of the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Northeast Michigan Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative and Michigan State University Extension.

Above: Photos of Alcona High School students and staff installing the rain garden on the shore of Harrisville Harbor.

Huron Pines AmeriCorps Members & Community Volunteers Unite for Gaylord’s Tornado Recovery

The Russ Mawby Signature Service Project of Huron Pines AmeriCorps is an annual endeavor in which our members join forces with volunteers to make a positive and lasting impact on a Northern Michigan community.

For the past year, community organizations in Gaylord have worked to recover and rebuild following a powerful EF-3 tornado which struck the Alpine Village on May 20, 2022. Those efforts have shifted from clearing streets, restoring utilities and providing shelter in the immediate aftermath of the storm, to addressing the needs of the community and its residents long term.

As the one-year anniversary of the tornado approached this spring, we committed our May Russ Mawby Signature Service Project to Gaylord’s continued recovery, planting trees in yards and public spaces across the city with the help of more than 100 community volunteers as part of a larger three-day event marking the storm’s anniversary.

Many Hands Work Together for a Heavy Lift

Equipped with shovels, rakes and wheelbarrows, volunteers installed 110 trees on private and public property in Gaylord’s northern neighborhoods. Another 30 trees and shrubs were given to landowners who were impacted by the tornado but live just outside the city limits.

The collaborative project helps restore the city’s tree canopy and adds shade and beauty to public spaces and the homes of residents who were

impacted by the tornado. Additionally, planting diverse species improves the community’s resilience to tree diseases, invasive insect pests and the effects of climate change, and helps capture and filter stormwater runoff for improved water quality.

Lisha Ramsdell is Associate Director of Huron Pines which oversees the AmeriCorps program.

“Meeting with residents who were impacted by the tornado a year ago, and for them to see the community come together and replace their trees which were lost, has been a positive experience for all,” Ramsdell said. “Huron Pines AmeriCorps is about using our members’ expertise to meet the needs of their communities and joining forces with others in the common goal of helping their neighbors.”

Victor Ma is the member serving at Huron Pines in Gaylord as Community Stewardship Specialist. He played a significant role in orchestrating the project including selecting climate appropriate trees and shrubs, coordinating with landowners and underground utility companies, and providing tree recipients with care instructions to ensure their new trees thrive.

“It was inspiring to see how many people showed they care for the community by helping out with this event,” Ma said. “I think volunteers really wanted to give back to their city and show that a tornado isn’t going to keep Gaylord down.”

Amanda Vanaman, Huron Pines AmeriCorps Program Manager, helped plan, lead and execute the project.

Volunteers and Huron Pines AmeriCorps members install trees in the yard of a Gaylord home.

Top: Huron Pines AmeriCorps members, partners & community volunteers gather for a group photo under the Pavilion on Court at the start of the tornado recovery tree planting.

‘Good People in This World’

Bud Palin is one of the residents who had trees planted on his property. The storm ravaged his home and destroyed more than two dozen spruce trees he had planted with his daughters five decades ago. Photographs taken in the immediate aftermath of the tornado show his home buried in a mass of tangled tree limbs.

He watched from his porch as a crew of volunteers planted 8-foot sugar maples on his property and those of his neighbors, restoring some of the tree cover he had lost.

“This is marvelous,” Palin said, gazing out over his freshly planted trees. “All the community support after the tornado has been just amazing. It reaffirms my belief there are a lot of good people in this world.”

Mayor Todd Sharrard addressed the day’s volunteers as they gathered under the pavilion that morning, thanking them for their efforts to help Gaylord continue to heal.

“This event is just another example of our community coming together to replace what the tornado took from them,” Sharrard said. “Planting trees is another step back to normalcy for many. May the anniversary of the historic tornado serve as a reminder of our community’s resilience.”

“I feel extremely lucky to have been a part of something so positive for Gaylord, especially those residents who were directly impacted by the tornado,” said Amanda Vanaman, Huron Pines AmeriCorps Program Manager. “Planting new trees gave me the feeling that the community was getting something back which it had lost and that was a really meaningful experience.”

Project funders and partners include BJ’s Catering, City of Gaylord, DTE Energy Foundation, Gaylord Long Term Recovery Group, Headwaters Land Conservancy, Huron Pines AmeriCorps, Michigan Community Service Commission, Otsego Wildlife Legacy Society, ReLeaf Michigan, Rotary Club of Gaylord, and the Tornado Response Fund at Otsego Community Foundation.

“Planting trees is another step back to normalcy for many. May the anniversary of the historic tornado serve as a reminder of our community’s resilience.”

- Todd Sharrard Mayor of Gaylord

City resident Bud Palin checks out a new maple tree, one of several planted in his yard to replace his trees destroyed in the May 2022 tornado.

Huron Pines AmeriCorps members Lilly Kelsey, Hanaan Yazdi and Ally Audia (l-r) plant a tree in the yard of a Gaylord tornado survivor.

Josh Leisen and Tonya Ouillette, two Huron Pines staff members, transport trees to planting sites.