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 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.