-Dianne Farner – Deputy Director

In a busy organization like HeadWaters, we love lists. They keep us on track, act as a rough work plan, and remind us to tackle things that might otherwise slip by. The best part about lists, of course, is the satisfaction of checking things off. The Wildlife Habitat Grant Project (WHGP) and the Sturgeon River Preserve River Bank Erosion Project have now been officially checked off, and it feels good. Studies show that crossing an item off a to do list gives the brain a well-deserved shot of dopamine. The chemical rush from completing these two projects has sent us straight into the stratosphere.

These projects have been at the heart of our stewardship efforts for the past two years. When a land conservancy accepts or acquires land, it also accepts the responsibility to care for that land in perpetuity. When we provide access to these natural areas, we carefully consider the potential impacts of trails, boardwalks, and the erosion that can result from increased accessibility. Our work at the Sturgeon River Preserve has largely focused on managing erosion from foot traffic; a reminder that with the privilege to enjoy comes the responsibility to restore and protect. At the Luneack Nature Preserve, the needs were different; its challenges stemmed not from human use but from ecological stressors. Still, in both cases, taking action to repair and strengthen these landscapes was the right step.

Erosion along the Sturgeon River bank had become noticeable in areas adjacent to the boardwalk. While we want everyone to enjoy the river, foot traffic off the boardwalk and onto the bank led to vegetation loss and soil erosion. To combat this, we started with biological solutions, planting native shrubs and wildflowers to stabilize the soil through their root systems. We selected a mix of riparian species, including dogwood, boneset, and Joe pye weed, to reinforce the bank naturally. While more structural solutions may be needed in the future, we wanted to give biodiversity a head start before turning to manmade fixes. New interpretive signage now helps visitors understand the importance of erosion control and the vital role of native vegetation in keeping our waterways healthy. This project was made possible by an impact grant from TansCanada Energy.

The WHGP at Luneack consisted of planting a selected 45 acres of the 580-acre preserve. The overall forest type is an oak savanna, an open sandy landscape dominated by red oak and pines. We have seen a decline in oak regeneration at this site due to pressures from the spongy moth and deer browsing. This has led to older oak trees that are not producing enough acorns for the deer population, as well as almost no understory, which means less habitat for birds and small mammals. In light of this, planting more trees, mostly oaks, as well as shrubs will help create a robust understory for wildlife. The trees have been caged, and large deer exclosures installed to protect the growing seedlings. Bird, bat, and owl boxes were placed to supplement safe nesting spots for our winged wildlife. While there is no tried-and-true large-scale preventative for spongy moths, the addition of new growth will, at the very least, bolster the oak population. This project concluded with a total of 10,600 trees and shrubs planted across 45 acres, along with 2,000 feet of exclosures installed. This work was made possible in part through funding from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program.

When we talk about land protection and conservation, we want to remind everyone that we are playing the long game. The trees we plant now will take years to grow, and the plants we sow will take a couple of seasons to take solid root and spread. This is a slow but essential part of land protection that should never be sidelined. They say the best time to plant a tree was 50 years ago; the next best time is now. I encourage you to treat your own land in the same manner. If you have stewardship needs and are not sure where to start, get in touch with us, we can point you in the right direction. With any luck, we will all get to see the first acorn on our oak trees.