Huron Pines

10/13/2026

We really enjoyed helping out with this effort as part of One Water Gathering a couple weeks ago, and we have blue-speckled shoes and pants to prove it! The streets and especially the mural look great, and we hope this test run leads to safer streets for pedestrians downtown.

10/12/2026

Do you own or manage land in Northeast Michigan? Now's a great time to remove invasive shrubs like autumn olive olive, Japanese barberry, honeysuckle and more from your property.

We've teamed up with Presque Isle Conservation District for an Invasive Shrub Workshop this Thursday, Oct. 15, 3:00-6:00pm, in Rogers City. You'll learn how to correctly identify and effectively manage these species to prevent their spread and restore your land.

Learn more and sign up here: https://www.huronpines.org/events/invasive-shrub-workshop-trzne

Huron Pines manages invasive species on behalf of the Huron Coastal Invasive Species Network.

Join Huron Pines and the Huron Coastal Invasive Species Network to learn how to identify and manage common invasive shrubs such as autumn olive and honeysuckle.

10/09/2026

THANK YOU ALPENA for hosting the 2026 ONE WATER GATHERING! 🌊

The annual conference of the Lake Huron Forever initiative returned to Alpena last week where we explored local efforts protecting water quality and celebrated projects happening in communities along the Michigan and Canadian shores of Lake Huron.

We honored Alcona Community Schools as the first school to take the Lake Huron Forever pledge, got an underwater ROV demo by Alpena High School's UR2 robotics company, visited the new dunes and pollinator gardens at Alpena's Mich-e-ke-wis and Bay View parks, painted downtown streets to enhance pedestrian safety, enjoyed a bonfire at Emily Min Hunt Preserve, and made countless new connections through a host of workshops and panel discussions.

This year's conference was a powerful reminder that protecting Lake Huron takes more than good projects — it takes good people willing to work across borders in a shared responsibility for the water between us. Thank you to everyone who took part.

Thanks also to our sponsors at Amrize Alpena, Community Foundation Grey Bruce, Community Foundation for Northeast Michigan, Consumers Energy, Fischer Insurance Agency, Inc, River Network, Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network and Veolia - North America.

Learn more about the Lake Huron Forever initiative at lakehuronforever.org.

10/08/2026

A grant from your Donor-Advised Fund can help create lasting impact for Northern Michigan and move our conservation mission forward.

DAF grants to Huron Pines have tax advantages and directly support healthy water, restored landscapes and protected natural areas across the region.

If you've already set aside charitable dollars in your DAF, today is a great day to put them to work. Learn more about how your Donor-Advised Fund can support Huron Pines at huronpines.org/donate.

10/01/2026

Last weekend's Conservation Con brought together 11 agencies from throughout the community to share resources for storm preparedness and response. It was a great reminder that, while our expertise varies from one organization to the next, we're all stronger when we work together. Oh, and meeting service dogs was also a highlight for our staff. Thank you to everyone who spent your Saturday with us!

09/30/2026

If you have a Donor-Advised Fund (DAF), Oct. 8 is the perfect opportunity to recommend a grant to Huron Pines and advance conservation in Northeast Michigan.

DAFs are tax-advantaged charitable giving accounts. Anyone can open a DAF at one of more than 1,000 providers across the country and receive an immediate tax benefit. We hope you'll join us in celebrating DAF Day Oct. 8 and make a meaningful difference for Northeast Michigan's water, wildlife and wild places.

Learn more about DAF giving at huronpines.org/donate.

09/29/2026

Yesterday was our annual Board and Staff Retreat, an opportunity for our whole team to come together and explore some of the major restoration projects we have going on in Northern Michigan.

Our day began on the Mio Prairie where Huron Pines is returning biodiversity to the jack pine landscape through the Northern Pine Plains Partnership. We visited our native-seed propagation site and toured an area where a recent prescribed fire has resulted in a lush and diverse landscape.

We continued on to Rose City where restoration of Beechwood Creek is nearly complete following the removal of Sanback Dam. Huron Pines is working with the community of Rose City on next steps for a restored Metcalf Park where a stream is flowing free for the first time in 150 years.

2026 has been an incredible year for Huron Pines and there are many more exciting projects on the horizon!

09/25/2026

It's your LAST CHANCE to register for ONE WATER GATHERING, happening Oct. 1-2 in Alpena, Mich.

🌧️Tour new green stormwater infrastructure and see rain gardens being installed in Alpena
🏖️Join your colleagues in a beach clean-up on the Lake Huron shore
🔥See how prescribed fire is restoring rare habitats at Emily Min Hunt Preserve
🤖Catch an underwater ROV demonstration and challenge your friends to a round of Great Lakes trivia during happy hour
💡Learn, connect and grow with fellow Lake Huron fans

Learn more & get tickets now at lakehuronforever.org/onewater2026

LAKE HURON FOREVERONE WATER GATHERINGOctober 1-2, 2026 ⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯Alpena, Michigan CONFERENCE OVERVIEWThe One Water Gathering is an international event bringing people from both sides of Lake Huron together to explore solutions, share best practices and celebrate a sustainable futur...

09/24/2026

Gather 'round the bonfire for a spook-tacular evening Oct. 24 at Hubbard Lake Nature Preserve! This family-friendly, open-house style event runs from 5:00 to 7:00pm and is appropriate for all ages. We invite you to hang out, warm up by the fire and grab some Halloween treats — no tricks required, RSVPs are encouraged.

Gather 'round the bonfire for a spook-tacular evening at Hubbard Lake Nature Preserve! This family-friendly, open-house style event is appropriate for all ages and invites you to hang out, warm up by the fire, and grab some Halloween treats — no tricks required.

09/23/2026

Our own Senior Project Manager Josh Leisen traveled to Columbus, Ohio for the annual conference of the American Fisheries Society where he presented on our ongoing restoration of Beechwood Creek in Rose City.

Removing a 150-year-old dam and reconnecting Beechwood Creek to the R***e River Watershed -- all while considering the community's vision for a restored park space -- requires a high level of coordination and input by all partners. This is how large-scale projects like this one succeed, and it was the driving theme of Leisen's message at the conference.

"The removal of Sanback Dam is a good case study because it involves a lot of complexity with technical details, community engagement, sediment management, fundraising, safety issues, permitting and compliance all in one project," Leisen said. "I enjoyed interacting with other river restoration professionals and hearing about their own successes, challenges and lessons learned from working on dam removals or culvert replacements in different parts of the country."

Next week we'll take you beyond the park gates, show you all the incredible restoration work that's been completed and provide some updates for the future of Metcalf Park. Stay tuned ~