News Photo by Mike Gonzalez Broadleaf cattails stand in Lake Besser near the Duck Pond on Wednesday. Conservation nonprofit Huron Pines worked with more than 1,000 volunteers in 2023 to manage 194 different sites for native and non-native species, according to the 2023 annual report Huron Pines sent out.

ALPENA — Conservation nonprofit Huron Pines worked with more than 1,000 volunteers in 2023 to manage 194 different sites for native and non-native species, according to the 2023 annual report Huron Pines sent out.

By the end of the year, the nonprofit found and collected 72 different species of native plant seeds.

“This is one way Huron Pines is restoring biodiversity to Northern Michigan ecosystems,” Chris Engle, communications associate for Huron Pines, said. “A healthy ecosystem is one that’s rich in biodiversity – with many different species of plants, animals, and insects – so that no one disease or event can severely disrupt that ecosystem.”

Engle said that the seeds collected will be used to restore Northern Michigan landscapes to a natural biodiversity that it lacked, which will benefit all species and make the ecosystem more resilient to changes.

According to the report, Huron Pines and Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary worked in collaboration with each other and volunteers to plant 1,600 native plants in two rain gardens at the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in October.

The gardens should capture, filter, and send back about 50,000 gallons of stormwater annually to Lake Huron.

Huron Pines also completed 783 miles worth of road surveys throughout Alpena County to locate and record invasive plant species to spread awareness about the harmful plant life.

Plants such as autumn olive, phragmites, and purple loosestrife are some of the plants that were found and those surveys will help local leaders prioritize and support plans that will prevent the spread of invasive species.

“Invasive plants and insects are bad for an ecosystem because they did not evolve alongside native plants and wildlife,” Engle said. “Most invasive species in the Midwest originated from Europe or Asia. Because of that, invasive species are not subject to the same natural checks and balances – like predators, disease, and others –which would otherwise keep their populations in balance within the ecosystem here. This gives them an unfair advantage, allowing them to grow and spread without being eaten or killed by disease.”

Most of Huron Pines’ work in Alpena County mostly focused on the management of invasive species and restoring native plants in the area.

In 2023, the Alpena Municipal Council approved a project from the nonprofit that will restore the sand dunes of Mich-e-ke-wis Park. Huron Pines built temporary fencing in August to catch windblown sand and installed native dune grasses in October.

Another bonus of the project includes the deterrence of flocks of geese crowding the park and beach. Huron Pines officials said the waste that geese leave is an ongoing problem for beachgoers and public works staff. The conversion of grass areas to dunes may dissuade these animal groups from congregating.

“(Having) a part in projects that directly benefit water quality in my hometown really means a lot to me,” Engle said. “The people who work at Huron Pines have introduced me to endangered plants and unique geology we have here that I didn’t fully appreciate as a kid, and now I really enjoy sharing that knowledge with others. I’m able to see my hometown in a whole new way as an adult.”

The dunes will need two to three years to fully become restored and established.

In the annual report, Huron Pines says it plans to work on new rain gardens in Rogers City, alongside Michigan Avenue, this year, similar to the ones established in Alpena. The new gardens will capture and filter about 150,000 gallons of stormwater annually before going into Lake Huron.

Huron Pines has already made steps on the project by getting volunteers, city staff, and the Rogers City Middle and High School robotics team to plant a mix of native wildflowers and grasses along Michigan Avenue to filter stormwater flowing down the street.

“Water quality is a priority for Rogers City,” Samantha Nellis, water program director for Huron Pines, said. “This is their first major green infrastructure project and the community building momentum for more to come.”