February 6th, 2008

 

Below is the 02/06/08 biweekly update for Huron Pines.  

 

We would like to thank all of you who came to our Annual Meeting last Saturday.  It was one of our largest turnouts ever and brought together a variety of conservation leaders and natural resource professionals to further conservation in Northeast Michigan.

 

Thank you!

Huron Pines

www.huronpines.org

 

COASTAL STEWARDSHIP PROJECT INTRODUCTION

 

Huron Pines would like to introduce a new project, the Northeast Michigan Coastal Stewardship project.  In 2008, Huron Pines will complete a mapping of 467 miles of Lake Huron coastline, from Cheboygan County to Iosco County, to highlight critical habitat areas and prioritize sites in need of protection, restoration, and management.

The coastal ecosystem provides critical habitat for many wildlife, fish, and plant species. These areas require special attention because of the many habitats they provide and their sensitivity to alterations.

The second phase will be to implement on-the-ground improvement projects and conduct good stewardship practices.  Projects will focus on creating partnerships with private landowners to install conservation measures on their land that will enhance their property and protect coastal resources.

 

We would like to thank the Michigan DEQ and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Coastal Program for funding.

                                                     

For more information, please visit:

http://www.huronpines.org/project.php?action=view&projectId=76

 

If you have any further questions, please contact Eric Nelson:

 eric@huronpines.org or (989) 344-0753 x 31

 

 

FRESHWATER FUTURE FUNDING AVAILABLE

 

Freshwater Future of Petoskey, MI provides financial support to advocacy activities that strengthen the role of individuals and community groups working locally to protect shorelines, inland lakes, rivers, wetlands, and other aquatic habitats in the Great Lakes Basin.

 

They have a number of funding programs that focus on a wide variety of areas.  The awards range from $500- $3,500.  The deadline for the Spring 2008 Funding Cycle is March 28th and the deadline for the Fall 2008 Funding Cycle is September 29th.

 

Many organizations in the Huron Pines service area have benefited from these grants.  They are a great resource to get start-up funds for a new project or to enhance an existing one.

 

To apply, visit www.freshwaterfuture.org. Additional information can also be found on the website or by contacting Gina Miggaugh at (231) 348-8200.

 

PUBLIC INPUT SOUGHT FOR DNR FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

 

The Department of Natural Resources officials announced the completion of a revised draft of the Michigan State Forest Management Plan.  Revisions to the plan were in response to comments on an initial draft that was presented to the public in August of 2006. 


The revised plan and DNR responses to public comments on the initial draft plan can be viewed on the DNR website at
www.michigan.gov/dnr.

The DNR is seeking public comment on the revised draft management plan at a February 7th meeting of the Natural Resources Commission and via an email based comment system.  Comments may be submitted via email at
Dnr-SFPlanningDNR@michigan.gov.  Comments will be accepted until February 15th, 2008.  A final decision for approval of the plan is scheduled for a March 2008 NRC meeting.

“This will be the final opportunity for public comment on this plan during the current planning cycle.  We value the public opinion on the content of the plan and it is important that we involve the public in this stage of the planning process,” said DNR Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Chief Lynne Boyd. 

For more information, contact Lynne Boyd (517) 373-1246 or Mary Dettloff (517) 335-3014.

To attend the NRC meeting, contact Teresa Gloden at (517) 373-2352.

OTSEGO CONSERVATION DISTRICT WINS AWARD AT ANNUAL MEETING

 

The Otsego Conservation District received the Huron Pines Award, which recognizes partners who connect with area leaders and organizations to implement projects and improve the lake and water resources of Northeast Michigan.

 

The Conservation District won the award for their successful efforts in reaching out to private landowners and their community garden program.

 

The Annual Meeting, which was held last Saturday in Hillman, was a great success.  We would like to thank Dr. Kelley Smith, the Chief of Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division, Elaine Carlson from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division and Representative Matthew Gillard from the 106th District for their presentations.  

 

To view a summary of the event, please visit: http://www.huronpines.org/article.php?action=view&articleId=61

 

 

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contact Casey Ressl: info@huronpines.org

 

Huron Pines is a non-profit organization whose goal is to

conserve the forests, lakes and streams of  Northeast Michigan.

 

Huron Pines

501 Norway Street

Grayling, MI 49738

Phone 989.344.0753

Fax 989.348.7945

www.huronpines.org