Natural resources fall among Northeast Michigan’s greatest treasures, providing a quality of life for residents and a draw for visitors that aids our region’s economy.

That’s why it’s important for Northeast Michiganders to work to protect and aid those natural resources whenever given the opportunity.

Such an opportunity arrives on April 13 as the International Crane Foundation sponsors the 48th Annual Midwest Crane Count.

More than 2,000 volunteers from throughout Wisconsin and portions of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Ohio, and Minnesota participate in the spring survey, which gathers information on the abundance and distribution of cranes in the upper Midwest, News Lifestyles Editor Darby Hinkley reported recently.

The Thunder Bay Audubon Society will coordinate a sandhill crane count in Alpena and Presque Isle counties from 7 to 9 a.m. on April 13. Those who wish to participate should contact Thunder Bay Audubon Society President Karen Tetzlaff at 989-464-6573 or tetzlaffk@gmail.com by April 1.

Find more information at cranecount.org.

We encourage every early-rising Northeast Michigander to consider participating in the crane count, which helps those working to protect the animals know what they have to protect. A couple of early morning hours of your time can go a long way toward understanding the health of the crane population in our region.

So grab your coffee and sign up. You can make a difference in one of the most important aspects of life in our communities.