Conservation News

Thanks to all of the applicants for the 2024 School and Community Habitat Grant. We had 16 tremendous applications submitted for this year’s program. The evaluation committee selected 6 projects from the following organizations: The Farm at Trinity, Risdon Park in Saline, Mill Creek Middle School, Lyndon Township Hall, Ann Arbor STEAM Northside, EMU Children’s Institute.

The primary goals of this project were to create a visual and physical barrier between the Raptor Loop and Nature Playscape, reducing noise and movement that could stress the resident birds of prey, and to establish a pollinator habitat featuring native plants to support conservation efforts. This garden also serves as an educational tool, enabling visitors to learn about pollinator habitats through observation and programs.

The primary goal of this project is to create an outdoor learning space that allows students to engage in hands-on education about the restoration, preservation, and conservation of Michigan ecosystems. This is being achieved by revitalizing an outdoor classroom into a native habitat learning area featuring woodland and prairie spaces to support pollinators and wildlife, planting native species, and installing educational signage.

We envisioned a Native Plant Garden that was not only visually appealing to our human visitors, but also welcoming and supportive to our local wildlife, including pollinators and birds. Our goal was to transform an underutilized space, at the entrance of our Community Center, into an appealing opportunity for education and enrichment, as well as a visual illustration of how native plants and pollinator-friendly planting can be both functional and aesthetically-pleasing.

A description of Georgetown Commons S. Condo Assn's rain garden installation. Landscape beautification, pollinator habitat, and slowing and sinking water were all goals of this project.

YCMS habitat courtyard was brought to life in a community effort to provide a space for students to engage with nature. The SCHG made this installation possible by helping coordinate volunteers who we are very grateful brought this project to life!

The main purpose of the grant was to provide native plants in the form of plugs for a rain garden for WTPOF; a nonprofit organization dedicated to breaking the cycle of incarceration in Washtenaw county by investing in the employment and development of formerly incarcerated men and women through farming and community engagement.

One year after planting three dozen trees through the WCCD habitat grant, 90% have thrived, thanks to careful student stewardship and protective tree tubes. Despite some challenges, like pruning a V-shaped Sycamore, the project has grown a committed team, expanded native plantings, and fostered a greener future. The trees are thriving—and teaching us along the way!

​The Bird Center of Michigan is very happy with our new native landscape, despite a few challenges we have had with the garden. A majority of the native plants can be found throughout the garden, but we have been struggling to keep up with the weeds encroaching on the southern half of the planting area.