Michigan Nature Association now protecting more than 10,000 acres

You've probably walked, driven, biked or hiked by Michigan Nature Association land at some point in your travels throughout Michigan and not known it. The association is celebrating its 10,000th acre of land this month that falls under its protection, and that land is here in northwest Michigan.

The MNA protects land in 58 of Michigan's 83 counties, from the top of the U.P. to the Ohio and Indiana border. It's one of the first land trusts in the state, and the only one that focuses on land across the state. MNA makes it their mission to protect natural areas that are important to habitat and specific species, including land at 170 nature sanctuaries in the state.

The 10,000th acre falls under MNA ownership as part of a 600-acre parcel in Oscoda County, by arrangement with partners J.A. Woollam Foundation and The Nature Conservancy.

Association Executive Director Jeremy Emmi says 10,000 acres is not the end of the MNA's acquisitions.

"We've built the capacity of MNA to where we could protect more land each year, and we're still headed in that direction," he says. "It takes a lot of resources, a lot of time, and a lot of hard work, but through our incredible volunteers and donors, we've spent the time, done the work, and raised millions of dollars to protect land in Michigan."

The MNA was founded 60 years ago as a small birding group with an interest in preserving wildlife habitat. Now, the reasons for land preservation are more complex.

"We do it for nature itself, and we do it for humanitarian reasons so that future generations can enjoy it," Emmi says. "We do it because it helps protect species and habitat diversity and promotes all of the other functions that natural habitat provides. Most of all, we do it for Michigan."

Writer: Sam Eggleston
Source: Jeremy Emmi, Michigan Nature Association