Northern Michigan Conservation Network

by Kay Charter – Twenty years ago, I watched in horror as a relative’s pet cat pulled first one, then another and then another lesser goldfinch from the feeder. Before she was done, the cat had killed ten of the tiny, bright yellow and black birds. She didn’t actually eat the birds because she wasn’t […]

Delta Waterfowl has released its 2013 annual duck breeding survey.  Although a slight breeding population decline is suggested on a year-to-year basis, the long term recovery trend remains strong. Last year’s low water levels which were symptomatic of many areas of the Prairie Pot Hole region have been supplanted with abundant breeding grounds.  The survey’s […]

Although we had hoped that they would at least allow us to have the summer off, it certainly comes as no surprise that the”brainstorming” has already begun on new ways to possibly divert the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund (MNRTF). Fresh off last session’s failed attempt to dredge the Fund, they appear to be back […]

In 2011, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed its strategic planning document Conserving the Future – Wildlife Refuges and the Next Generation.  Among other issues, the document included 24 recommendations relating to public use, planning and strategic growth,  science and research, partnerships and volunteers. Two recommendations pertaining to the role of hunting and fishing […]

As many of you know by now, last week brought with it not only the 4th of July holiday, but the not-so-surprising news that the organization which identifies itself as Keep Michigan Wolves Protected (KMWP) has begun efforts to place its second wildlife management-related referendum on Michigan’s 2014 ballot. Although it was clearly wishful thinking, many […]

Those that follow our site are likely to read the following discussion on the topic of “issue fatigue” and remark, “Hello pot, meet kettle.”   For those of us who spend time trying to mobilize citizen interest in matters pertaining to natural resource conservation and outdoor recreation, the high volume of policy issues over the past […]