Chippewa Watershed Conservancy

05/05/2026

Those troublemaking frogs pulled off a second prize for us! 😆🐸🎉

05/05/2026

As their penance, the camping frogs are being forced to help Autumn mail thank you letters to everyone who supports us during Give Local Isabella. (I think we all know which one will be sealing the envelopes!) Thank you to everyone for joining in on this fun day of giving, and big thanks to Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation for making this event possible!

And, if you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time to visit www.givelocalisabella.org/organizations/chippewa-watershed-conservancy and show your support!

05/05/2026

Just when we thought these frogs had finally calmed down, MORE gathered and started a campfire on the Bundy Hill U.S. Coast & Geodetic Survey marker… Staff had escorted these unsavory characters off the preserve after the little guy in the hat started to get belligerent.

Boy, we hope everyone is still donating to www.givelocalisabella.org/organizations/chippewa-watershed-conservancy while we're dealing with these shenanigans.

05/05/2026

Then, reports of a s’mores-related incident… when investigated led us to some unauthorized activity. A campfire, not only is that strictly forbidden on CWC preserves, but right next to some highly flammable pine litter! We had to have a serious discussion about possibly reporting him to the local conservation officer.

Supporting the CWC by visiting www.givelocalisabella.org/organizations/chippewa-watershed-conservancy ensures we can monitor our preserves closely to be sure these special places are treated with care!

05/05/2026

First, we received complaints about a very small and round frog heckling visitors on the trails! It appears the elevation of Bundy Hill was too much and this individual was trying to hitch a ride to the top. When hikers refused, angry squeaks ensued. We smell a disqualification of the Bundy Hill Vertical Mile Challenge…

Don’t forget to visit www.givelocalisabella.org/organizations/chippewa-watershed-conservancy to support the CWC!

05/05/2026

Can you believe while diligently preparing for Give Local Isabella, there have been unruly visitors to our preserves we’ve had to contend with?!

There has been an invasion of Breviceps at Bundy Hill Preserve. Commonly known as rain frogs, this species is known for their stout, round bodies, stubby limbs, permanently grumpy face, and, apparently, a love nature recreation! You will not believe what these darn frogs have been up to…stay tuned!😅

Here’s our quick reminder to visit www.givelocalisabella.org/organizations/chippewa-watershed-conservancy to support your favorite non-profit, while we deal with the troublemakers!

05/05/2026

A huge thanks to everyone who set their alarms and donated early to help us win this prize!!! 🥳

05/04/2026

05/04/2026

We were so grateful to to our friend Heather Anderson (Words From The Wild) for coming to Mt. Pleasant to share here new book "Farther: Eight Months on America's Triple Crown Trails" with us yesterday. Her talk at the Veterans Memorial Library was very inspiring!

And even though Heather is originally from Central Michigan, we were excited to be able share a place with her that she had never been with a hike up Bundy Hill earlier in the day.

Thank you to everyone that joined us for the two events!

If you were unable to join us yesterday, you can get copies of all of Heather's books directly from her at https://wordsfromthewild.net/

05/03/2026

Today’s the day for our two special events with author and National Geographic Adventurer Heather Anderson! Join us at Bundy Hill Preserve for a hike at 2pm. Then at 5pm Heather will be discussing and signing her latest book “Farther: Eight Months on America’s Triple Crown Trails” at the Veterans Memorial Library Annex in Mt. Pleasant.

04/30/2026

As we gear up for Give Local Isabella next Tuesday, one of the most important giving days of the year for the CWC, it prompts us to think about the why. Why does our organization exist? Why do you continue to support conservation? While our individual reasons may be unique, the overarching theme is the same… Love of nature!

Those sentiments, along with your generosity, are what fuel this work. The joy of trekking up Bundy Hill. The companionship of hiking at Sylvan Solace with friends. Admiring spring ephemerals at Audubon Woods. Birding at Hall’s Lake. The list goes on… This passion for nature courses through every action we take. Whether it’s Mike’s thoughtful stewardship of planting heirloom apple trees or Autumn’s advocacy for the small and slimy leading h**p hikes, our staff care deeply for the mission, just as you do.

Supporting the CWC during Give Local Isabella will contribute to our endowment, ensuring this legacy continues so future generations can enjoy the natural wonders of our region.

You can find out more about Give Local Isabella here: https://www.givelocalisabella.org/

04/30/2026

Earlier this week we pulled a trail camera from Weting Preserve (Clare County). We mostly had this camera is place to track usage of the property but it also captures images of wildlife on occasion.

So who's been visiting?