What we’re about
Let's enjoy the amazing land and waters of Northeast Michigan. Most events will be highlighting events hosted by organizations such as Huron Pines, Little Traverse Conservancy and state parks. As our membership grows and participation increases, we will have more of our own events. For the safety of all involved, all such events will need at least 5 participants.
We will be looking to add event organizers as we get our legs under ourselves. Please reach out if interested.
Upcoming events (4)
See all- Preserve Monitoring TrainingHubbard Lake Nature Preserve, Hubbard Lake, MI
(Host will not be at this event, but hopes you will be!)
Join Huron Pines for the pilot year of our preserve monitoring program. We are looking for dedicated volunteers that will monitor Huron Pines’ preserves twice-per-month (June through November) basis to gather data and help track restoration efforts, rare species occurrences, and inform future management strategies. The two preserves we are focusing on this year are Emily Min Hunt Preserve and Hubbard Lake Nature Preserve.
Volunteers will observe seasonal changes, looking for sensitive species and keeping an eye out for invasive species through the community science app, iNaturalist. With this being the pilot year, volunteers will help us gather baseline data. This training will set you up with all of the information needed to conduct monitoring and utilize the iNaturalist app for data collection.
Land protection is an important tool that can help a community increase their ability to adapt, withstand and recover from the local impacts of a changing climate. We work to protect and preserve the habitats we depend on for community and environmental health. Diversity is the most important part of climate resilience.
For more information about this program, feel free to watch a recording of the information session held earlier this spring: CLICK HERE.
This program welcomes participants of all ages. To ensure the accuracy and consistency of our data collection, we encourage volunteers to commit to monthly participation. Your regular involvement helps us build a reliable dataset that supports our conservation efforts.
If you would like more information or have any questions about if this program is the right fit for you, please reach out to Maddie Khuri, Community Educator, at maddie@huronpines.org or (989) 448-2293, ext. 17.
- North Point Nature Preserve Exploration DayGreat Lakes Maritime Heritage Center, Alpena, MI
Join Huron Pines for an afternoon of exploration at North Point Nature Preserve. Located east of Alpena, North Point Nature Preserve is home to 1,384 acres of forested wetlands, four miles of undeveloped shoreline and rare ecosystems found only along the Great Lakes.
Participants will meet at the NOAA Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena before busing out to the preserve. The ride out is approximately 30 minutes and the caravan will depart promptly at 1:00pm. In the event of thunderstorms or lightning, the event will be canceled.
Once at the preserve, participants will learn more about its history, ecology, and conservation from Huron Pines and Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary staff. Afterwards, participants will be able to visit and explore select locations at the preserve at their leisure. We will depart from the preserve at 5:00pm.
This is a family-friendly event. We provide a welcoming space for newcomers to get to know our staff and partners, and eagerly greet those who have attended before as old friends. Participants should be dressed for the weather and prepared with everything they need for a day at the preserve. We recommend bringing sun block/sun gear and a reusable water bottle. Participants are also welcome to bring binoculars, a small cooler, umbrella, etc. Just be mindful of other participants’ space on the bus ride out!
Trails on the preserve are primarily hard-packed two-tracks and are relatively flat. There are bathrooms on site. If you have any questions about trail conditions, please contact Huron Pines Conservation Specialist Julia Butch, at julia@huronpines.org or (989) 448-2293, ext. 10.
There is a limit on attendance for this event. If capacity is reached and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please reach out to julia@huronpines.org.
