Mission: Mna's purposes are: (a) to acquire, maintain, and protect natural areas that predominantly contain examples of michigan fauna, flora, geologic features, and other components and aspects of the natural environment of michigan, including habitat and natural communities for fish, wildlife and plants, in the state of michigan. (b) to carry on a program of conservation study and education.
Programs: Stewardship: sound stewardship is one our highest priorities and our volunteer program generates thousands of hours of donated volunteer labor. Our stewardship accomplishments in fye 2017 include over 150 volunteer workdays across the state to remove invasive species,implementing prescribed burns to restore native prairies, and improving visitor accessibility at select sites.
education: mna offers exposure to michigan's natural heritage through its network of more than 170 nature sanctuaries in 59 of michigan's 83 counties, including site-based education activities and community outreach efforts. In fye 2017, mna organized hikes and field trips at mna nature sanctuaries across the state; completed youth stewardship projects including eagle scouts; and facilitated ecological research projects at mna sanctuaries conducted by university students and faculty and independent researchers. Mna also offered university-level internships to students during the fiscal year and provided additional educational opportunities through its website and publications.
land protection: mna focuses its land protection program on protecting the rare, threatened and endangered species and natural communities that play such a vital role in michigan's rich natural heritage. In fye 2017, mna protected 449 additional acres at 7 locations. Land protection expenses do not include the cost of the land itself which is capitalized. The value of land acquisition by purchase or gift in fye 2017 was 282,178
Michigan Nature Association is an accredited land trust. Accreditation means Michigan Nature Association meets national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. Michigan Nature Association has demonstrated to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission its commitment to excellence. Accredited land trusts meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. These land trusts demonstrate their commitment to excellence by adopting Land Trust Standards and Practices, the ethical and technical guidelines for the responsible operation of a land trust, and meeting the accreditation requirements drawn from them. Learn More: http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/about.
