Michigan Nature Association

06/05/2026

Welcome back to the latest installment in our Michigan turtles series!

This week, we’ll be looking at the Blanding’s turtle (Emydoidea blandingii). Native to North America, this turtle is found in parts of central and eastern Canada and the U.S., primarily surrounding the Great Lakes region. Distinguishable by their bright yellow chin and throat, Blanding’s turtles are omnivorous, and their diet typically consists of a combination of crustaceans, insects, snails, fish, and frogs, as well as berries, seeds, and certain plants.

Blanding’s turtles are typically active from early April to late October, and prefer wetland habitats such as ponds, marshes, swamps, and wet prairies, though they will also occupy terrestrial habitats during their mating and nesting seasons during the spring and summer. They spend the winter in a state of dormancy known as brumation, during which they submerge themselves under water, mud, or plant debris.

Reaching maturity at between 14-20 years of age, Blanding’s turtles are known for their particularly long lifespans, and have been documented to reach upwards of 80 years of age in the wild. However, despite their longer lifespans, they show notably few signs of aging, and are capable of reproduction throughout their entire lifespans after reaching the age of maturity.

The Blanding’s turtle is classified as endangered in seven states, as well as being classified in Michigan as a species of special concern. Blanding’s turtles face the biggest threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as road traffic collisions and illegal poaching and collection. One example of an effort being made to aid this species is in Lake County Illinois, where a Blanding’s Turtle Recovery Program has been run and operated by the Lake County Forest Preserve since 2010.

Photo Credit: Dan Burton

06/03/2026

For certain habitats, prescribed fire often plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy, balanced ecosystem – and this burn season, MNA has been able to complete 9 burns across 9 different sanctuaries!

Check out our most recent blog post to learn more about the benefits of prescribed fire, as well as get an inside look at the process of a prescribed burn, and the staff and volunteers that have made this year’s incredible burn season possible!

Blog: https://michigannature.wordpress.com/2026/06/03/a-look-back-on-burn-season-2026-how-mna-is-using-prescribed-fire-to-restore-endangered-habitat/

Photo Credit: JoAnn Barrett

06/01/2026

The Annual Michigan Nature Photo Contest is here! This year marks the 16th anniversary of MNA’s photo contest, in which photographers from across the state are invited to submit photos of landscapes, flora and fauna, and folks enjoying our state's natural features.

Photos will be accepted throughout the summer until September 15th. Photos may have been taken anywhere within the state of Michigan and should highlight natural beauty in some way. As always, MNA will give extra consideration for photos taken at its sanctuaries, taking into account the subject matter, composition, and location of each photo during judging.

The top three photos from each category, as well as one overall winner, will be featured in Michigan Nature Magazine, and on the MNA website. Winners will receive a complimentary 1-year membership to the Michigan Nature Association, and a framed print of their winning photo.

Categories for entry:

- Landscapes 🌅
- Flora & Fauna 🌿🐝
- People in Nature 🚣‍♀️

To enter this year's MNA Photo Contest, download and complete the 2026 Photo Contest Entry Form from the photo contest page on our website, then upload images using our Google Form linked below. You will need to make one submission of up to 6 photos at a time (this may require multiple submissions).

You can also mail the completed PDF form found on our website along with your photos on a disc or flash drive to: Michigan Nature Association, Attn: Photo Contest, 2310 Science Parkway, Okemos, MI 48864.

Website: https://michigannature.iescentral.com/news/article/16th-Annual-Photo-Contest.html

Google Form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfSV9fN8zugQAWtFS3Y1SCfh0f-SOKXd_Bl3Tl6CrdqE31RRA/viewform

We can't wait to see your submissions!

05/29/2026

Michigan Nature Magazine is here!

Michigan Nature Magazine features stories on exciting conservation projects, dives into the fascinating peculiarities of our favorite flora and fauna, and provides updates on science, stewardship and education! Featured side-by-side with a gallery of stunning nature photos, come check out our latest edition to learn more about Michigan's endangered habitats and wildlife, as well as the people, projects and organizations working to conserve and protect them.

If you would like to make sure you receive a printed copy of this or future editions, please consider making a donation. Your gift will help advance the places, programs and people that make Michigan Nature magazine possible. And if you're already a contributor, thank you for your continued support!

To make a donation, or to download the magazine's available PDF version, check out our website at the links below.

Donate: https://michigannature.org/donations.html

View PDF: https://michigannature.org/news/article/Michigan-Nature-Magazine-is-Back.html

05/28/2026

05/27/2026

Welcome back to the latest installment in our Michigan turtles series!

This week, we’ll be looking at the eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina). Native to eastern North America, this omnivorous turtle is found primarily in the eastern U.S., including across much of New England and the midwest. It is Michigan’s only truly terrestrial turtle, and is the official state reptile of both North Carolina and Tennessee.

Eastern box turtles are typically active from late April to late October, and prefer deciduous forested habitats adjacent to a body of water such as a stream, lake, or swamp (though they are also occasionally found in thickets, pastures or open fields). They are known to burrow in leafy brush or debris, and during periods of extreme heat will sometimes bathe in shallow water or submerge themselves in mud, though due to their terrestrial nature they are unable to survive in deep bodies of water.

Eastern box turtles have hinged shells, which allow them to retreat inside the protection of a fully-enclosed shell structure – the “box” from which their name derives. These turtles’ shells grow continuously (though at varying rates) throughout their lifespans, and will form growth rings as a result; they are also able to regenerate their shells when damaged.

While eastern box turtles are somewhat common in certain parts of their range, many of their populations have faced rapid decline. Classified as a state-threatened species in Michigan, eastern box turtles face the biggest threats from habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as road traffic collisions and removal for the pet trade.

Photo Credit: Dan Burton

05/22/2026

Come join us this Sunday, May 24th at the Dolan Nature Sanctuary, where we'll be pulling garlic mustard out of the high quality floodplain forest! We'll also be able to enjoy watching spring migrants flying through, as Dolan is a favorite migratory stopover.

To view the full calendar and registration details, please visit our website here: https://www.michigannature.org/menus/calendar.html

We hope to see you there!

Photo Credit: Leona Addie

05/20/2026

We are excited to announce the return of the Michigan Nature magazine! After an extended hiatus, we are thrilled to once again resume MNA's signature publication, which will be releasing biannually.

Michigan Nature Magazine features stories on exciting conservation projects, dives into the fascinating peculiarities of our favorite flora and fauna, and provides updates on science, stewardship and education! Featured side-by-side with a gallery of stunning nature photos, come check out our latest edition to learn more about Michigan's endangered habitats and wildlife, as well as the people, projects and organizations working to conserve and protect them.

If you would like to make sure you receive a printed copy of this or future editions, please consider making a donation. Your gift will help advance the places, programs and people that make Michigan Nature magazine possible. And if you're already a contributor, thank you for your continued support!

To make a donation, or to download the magazine's available PDF version, check out our website at the links below.

Donate: https://michigannature.org/donations.html

View PDF: https://michigannature.org/news/article/Michigan-Nature-Magazine-is-Back.html

05/18/2026

Welcome back to the latest installment in our Michigan turtles series!

This week, we’ll be looking at the wood turtle (Glyptemys insculpta). Native to northeastern North America, this semi-aquatic freshwater turtle is found primarily in the eastern U.S. and southern Canada, including across much of New England and parts of the midwest.

Wood turtles are typically active from late April to mid-October, and prefer to stay close to flowing water, frequenting the rivers and streams of forest or wetland habitats such as forested floodplains, swamps, and wet meadows. During especially hot periods in the summer months, wood turtles will sometimes go into estivation, or a period of prolonged dormancy to wait out the heat. This is in addition to their normal hibernation period spanning November through March, during which they will bury themselves in the mud beneath a flowing river, either alone or as part of a larger group.

When it comes to reproduction, female wood turtles do not raise their offspring once hatched. Instead, they put care into building their nests in protected, elevated areas, covering them in leaves and debris to hide their hatchlings from predators. The mothers then leave the nest soon after, though it is not uncommon for them to return to the same nesting sites multiple years in a row. As for the hatchlings, wood turtles typically reach maturity at around 14-18 years old, and can live for upwards of 60 years, though higher lifespans are more common in captivity.

Classified as a state-threatened species in Michigan, wood turtles face the biggest threats from habitat destruction, road traffic, and illegal poaching for the pet trade. Under order from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, these turtles should not be collected, harmed, or handled by the general public.

Photo Credit: Abby Pointer

05/15/2026

Come join us next Saturday, May 23rd for a stewardship workday at Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary, MNA's largest sanctuary in the southern Lower Peninsula!

Dowagiac Woods contains 384 acres of beech, maple and floodplain forest, where we'll be continuing our hunt for invasive garlic mustard in some of the areas that are full of native spring ephemerals.

To view the full calendar and registration details, please visit our website here: https://www.michigannature.org/menus/calendar.html

We hope to see you there!

Photo Credit: JoAnn Barrett