The Nature Conservancy in Michigan

06/22/2026

Beneath the surface of the Great Lakes, quadrillions of invasive quagga mussels over-filter the water, removing nutrients necessary to sustain other wildlife, like whitefish, and posing great risks to their continued survival.

Because of these mussels, the Great Lakes are also experiencing unprecedented clarity. “All Too Clear” by filmmakers Yvonne Drebert and Zach Melnick is a story of life in the world’s largest freshwater lake system, capturing underwater footage of just portions of the quagga mussel invasion, undiscovered shipwrecks, unseen swaths of the Great Lakes’ depths, and previously unobserved fish behaviors helping to advance science.

There are those working on efforts to counteract to this challenge: projects like Great Lakes reefs mapping and the facilitation of whitefish river spawning are happening with TNC in collaboration with the Bay Mills Indian Community, The Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and U.S.Fish and Wildlife Service.

Stream “All Too Clear" now at https://video.detroitpbs.org/show/all-too-clear/

06/21/2026

Summer has officially arrived. 🌞

Today on the Summer Solstice, we bask in the longest period of sunlight out of any day of the year here in the Midwest.

What kind of fun in the sun will you have today? 😎

06/19/2026

What if one of the most important ecosystems in America was hiding in plain sight throughout Michigan and the Midwest?

Grasslands stretch across the Heartland, supporting wildlife 🐦, storing carbon 🌎, and sustaining rural communities. Yet the grasses that define them are often overlooked—outshined by colorful wildflowers 🌼 and towering trees 🌳.

But native grasses are true ecosystem champions, providing food and shelter while quietly holding the landscape together from below.

For example, these native grasses have root systems that grow deep—often deeper than the plants are tall—and spread wide through dense, fibrous networks. These roots hold the soil together, helping prevent erosion while storing significant amounts of carbon. They also make grasses (and the landscape) incredibly resilient, able to withstand drought, fire 🔥, and harsh Midwest conditions.

Grasslands may not always grab our attention—but they deserve it. This Grasslands Week, help us protect what remains and celebrate these unsung heroes. It’s time to go out and touch some grass 🌱.

06/18/2026

From fishing to farms, nature's impact on Michigan's economy is probably bigger than you think. 🌳💵

Whether it’s agriculture, transportation, tourism or another outdoor industry, nature generates billions (with a B!) in economic activity – and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs across the Midwest. And when we invest in our natural areas, we can support these jobs, lower infrastructure costs and protect the natural systems that industries and families rely on every day.

Learn more about how nature underpins our prosperity in the Midwest. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/midwest-nature-economy/?en_txn1=s_fbo.reg_mw.x.x

06/12/2026

Summer road trip season is here, and we've plotted the perfect course packed with awe-inspiring nature destinations across the Midwest. ☀️🚗

Whether you want to hike, birdwatch, or simply unplug, TNC’s nature preserves make an excellent excuse for a road trip any time of the year. So, pack your bags and head out to experience some of the most breathtaking and often overlooked natural landscapes in the region—all places we’re working hard to protect.

Check out 10 of our must-visit preserves in Michigan and across the region to add to your next road trip itinerary 🗺️ https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/roadtrip/?en_txn1=s_fbo.reg_mw.x.x

06/11/2026

Birding brings in the big bills — literally and figuratively. 🦢💸 If birding was like the NCAA basketball tournament, the Midwest would definitely be in the Final Four. The Midwest is a travel route for nearly half the bird species in the country, including 40% of shorebirds and waterfowl. For birders—who spent $107.6 billion across the U.S. in 2022, supporting 1.4 million jobs—the Great Lakes are courtside seats.

Last month, spring migration madness was in full swing with hundreds of species making the journey from their winter homes in South and Central America to their breeding grounds throughout the Great Lakes region and Canada. Migration season draws thousands of birders to public natural areas across the Midwest, including our TNC preserves, which bolsters local economies as visitors patronize nearby shops, restaurants and hotels. They not only strike gold with their birding lists, but they also contribute to the greater U.S. outdoor recreation economy, which generates $82 billion every year.

Fly into more information about how nature strengthens communities and economies across the Midwest. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/midwest/stories-in-the-midwest/midwest-nature-economy/?en_txn1=s_fbo.reg_mw.x.x

06/06/2026

On National Prairie Day🌾, we’re celebrating the plants and pollinators that keep Michigan thriving. 🦋 💚

Eastern tiger swallowtails don’t just visit Michigan’s prairies—they strut through them like they own the place. And honestly? We support the confidence.

One of the most iconic of the prairie powerhouses, purple coneflower’s spiky center is actually made of hundreds of tiny flowers, each one offering nectar to pollinators. It’s basically an all‑you‑can‑eat buffet disguised as a single bloom.

🌻 Here’s to the wings, wildflowers, and the blooming prairies that make our state buzz. 🐝

05/29/2026

🚨HELP US CROWN THE CUTEST BEE IN THE MIDWEST🚨

Our team is locked in a heated debate: Which of these 9 tiny native bees is the cutest in the Midwest?

We can't agree AT ALL and it's been DAYS. 🫠 So we need YOU to weigh in:
👉 Swipe through the line-up
👉 Choose your favorite
👉 Comment your pick below

Who deserves the title of Most Adorable Native Bee? 👑 🐝

Bonus: Tell us why you picked your bee! Its fuzzy face? Its color? Behavior?

🏆 Winner gets bragging rights—and we may finally get peace and quiet on our team. For a minute, anyway. 🤭 😇

05/28/2026

Community members in the Keweenaw Peninsula are working to establish the Keweenaw Heartland Community Forest, the first publicly owned, locally governed forest of its kind in Michigan.

This community fundraising event supports that goal, with event proceeds held by the Keweenaw Community Foundation in the Keweenaw Heartlands Forest Fund and intended for early governance and management of this forest. Public, local governance means the Heartlands will remain accessible and enjoyable for generations to come.

What's for dinner at For the Heartlands on June 5?

Come hungry! We’re serving up a BBQ-style meal with all the fixin’s, prepared by the teams at Fletchy’s Otter Belly Lodge and Mohawk Superette.

Guests will also enjoy snacks from the Keweenaw Co+op Market & Deli and drinks provided by the CLK Rotary Club.

It’s a true taste of the Keweenaw featuring some incredible local vendors, all while supporting the future of the Keweenaw Heartlands Community Forest.🌲

Got your tickets yet? 🎟️ ---> https://bit.ly/4heartlands-tickets

05/23/2026

Looking to enjoy nature in a new way? Try birding! 🐦 Spring is the best time to pick up your binoculars and get outside to start a new hobby and spot migrating birds. No special equipment is really needed to start birding – just get outside and start listening for birds!

🌲 If you live near lush forests, look for a variety of warblers. To spot these little feathered friends, you'll need to look far up into the tree canopy! Our top tip: check out field guides and bird ID apps like Merlin to help you identify these birds by their calls and songs.

🌳 If you live near shrubby woods or in/near an urban area... look for indigo buntings, peregrine falcons and northern house wrens. Our top tip: Join a local birding club or go on birding hikes at your local nature center or park. These are great ways to connect with other, more experienced bird watchers in your area and learn directly from them!

🌾 If you live near open fields or prairies... look for bobolinks, dickcissels and western meadowlarks. Our top tip: bring a pair of binoculars to help you better see these birds from across a grassy meadow (and help you learn how to identify bird species).

💧 If you live near wetlands/marshes... look for bigger birds like white pelicans, great egrets, snow geese and tundra swans. Our top tip: write down the birds you're seeing and hearing and record any other nature observations to learn how these areas (and its avian visitors) change season to season.

Check out our list of bird hotspots and plan a visit to enjoy this natural phenomenon. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/priority-landscapes/great-lakes/stories-in-the-great-lakes/midwest-migratory-birds/?en_txn1=s_fbo.reg_mw.x.x