Friday, Oct 30, 2020

Each year with the support of our members and donors, MNA builds on our network of more than 180 Nature Sanctuaries and this year, despite its challenges, has been no different. Several major land acquisition projects stand out which include both new and existing sanctuary addition projects.

Early in 2020, with funding from a North American Wetlands Conservation Act (NAWCA) grant and in partnership with the Upper Peninsula Resource and Conservation Development Council, MNA purchased a new property in close proximity to the existing Schafer Family Nature Sanctuary at Roach Point in Chippewa County. The new sanctuary, Rocky Point Wetlands Nature Sanctuary is in close proximity to two other MNA Nature Sanctuaries, and together the three sanctuaries protect a combined 1,041 acres in the Roach Point Conservation Area.

Piping Plover photo by Paul Jones.

MNA also recently completed a land acquisition project that was several years in the making at the Vermilion Point Nature Preserve, with the donation of a conservation easement by the Wild Shores Foundation. This 175-acre property, owned by the Little Traverse Conservancy protects over a mile and a half of Lake Superior shoreline, including suitable habitat for the federally endangered Piping Plover.

At the 2019 Annual Fall Recognition Dinner last November, MNA began a series of fundraising campaigns aimed at raising the needed funds to complete several land acquisition projects through 2020 at the Brockway Mountain Conservation Area, Lake Superior Nature Sanctuary, and Big Valley Nature Sanctuary. Because of the generous support of all of the donors, and several matching gift challenges, we were able to successfully complete all of these projects, protecting more critical habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species in Michigan.

Poweshiek skipperling photo by Dwayne Badgero. 

By protecting habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species in Michigan, MNA is preserving the natural heritage of the state. We are so proud to protect all of these very special places, and more throughout the state. And we are especially grateful for the support of our members and donors, who make the work that we do possible.