PROTECT & Restore

Restoring Habitats And Ecosystems Through Stewardship

While the year is coming to a close, we are busy looking ahead to 2023. The New Year will have some exciting new projects and events in store. Though we work across a large service area, we are committed to creating new programs and projects that will engage and enrich local communities. While we are lucky to have a great deal of public land in northern Michigan, accessing that land can be challenging for some. Headwaters wants to create more accessible areas for those that cannot travel far from their communities for outdoor experiences. While state land is wild and ripe for adventure, without a vehicle, accessible trails, or the ability to pay entrance fees, those areas are not exactly barrier free. Which is why we are putting a new emphasis on preserve projects geared towards alleviating some of those constraints in our service area.

We love our land, hoping that everyone who has the means to visit those destinations can and will. While we fawn over a good thick cedar swamp, we also realize that not everyone can, or should, bushwhack their way through one. Adding a boardwalk to some of our more wild places will allow visitors to experience a native Michigan habitat in a manner that is safe for the land and the visitors. Accessibility comes in many forms, this could mean a simple boardwalk to the Lake Huron shore, or an ADA accessible viewing platform near a marsh. Regardless of the structure or location, we will be working on adding more opportunities to enjoy our nature preserves for everyone.