Volunteers play big role in Michigan efforts

Volunteers in MIchigan helped with native plantings at project sites.

By Jeremy Geist 

Several initiatives in Michigan are helping Trout Unlimited connect with the public to improve habitat and to guard against threats to native fish and wildlife populations. 

“Trout and Trees” aims to educate the public about the importance of the connection between streams and their adjacent (riparian) forests. TU secured funding from the USDA’s State and Private Forestry – Landscape Scale Restoration initiative to implement  the program. 

The project will also include native riparian plantings and in-stream habitat restoration throughout state- and privately-owned properties.

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During the field season of 2018, TU volunteers were active in several major efforts. 

Volunteers lent a big hand with native plantings at project sites and in conducting habitat surveys and temperature monitoring in the Little Manistee, Big Manistee, Pine and Pere-Marquette River watersheds.  

Additionally, TU volunteers assisted in invasive species monitoring across the state helping to track and monitor populations of the relatively recently arriving invasive species, the New Zealand Mud Snail. 

Jeremy Geist is TU's Great Lakes stream restoration manager in Northern Michigan.