Wild Roots staff, and the native species they plant, have been hard at work restoring habitats across Northwest Michigan. Read on to learn about the highlights spanning across five watersheds – our busiest year yet!
Tree Protection Cost-Share Program
Protection measures supported 2,600 trees and benefited 59 landowners through our annual Conservation District Partnership Program. Details for the 2026 season coming soon!
Stony Creek Watershed
- 2,280 native trees and shrubs planted after Marshville Dam removal
- 12 acres of riparian wetland restored
Pere Marquette Watershed
- 44+ acres of non-commercial aspen regeneration created through winter hand-cutting to support wildlife habitat
- 3,000 trees and shrubs planted along a 2-mile stretch of the Pere Marquette River (Gleason’s Landing to Bowman Bridge) to restore areas impacted by Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
Manistee River Watershed
Tree planting near Blacksmith Bayou Campground restored EAB-damaged riparian zones, improved aquatic habitat, and provided a model for statewide watershed restoration.
Kids Creek Watershed (Tributary to the Boardman-Ottaway River)
Tree plantings along Buffalo Ridge Trail supported efforts to improve water quality and wildlife habitat in this impaired system.
Burt Lake/Chaboiganing Nature Preserve
2,200 trees planted by staff and volunteers, including oaks, basswood, paper birch, and red and white pine, to buffer vernal pools and connect forest habitats, helping amphibians move between breeding sites.
Monitoring and Maintenance
Each season, CRA and its partners head into the field to ensure the plantings continue to thrive. Ongoing site visits, paired with the upkeep of tree protectors and seedlings, are essential to long-term success.
Wild Roots Partners:
Antrim Conservation District, Baldwin/White Cloud Ranger District of the Forest Service, Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund, Benzie Conservation District, Black River Habitats, Cadillac Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service, Carol Pringle, Charter Township of Garfield, City of Traverse City, Dave Edel, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Grand Traverse Conservation District, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Huron-Manistee National Forest, Inhabitect, John and Barbara Wyns, Kalkaska Conservation District, Kanouse Outdoor Restoration, Leelanau Conservancy, Leelanau Conservation District, Little Traverse Conservancy, Manistee Conservation District, Margaret Leutzinger, Mason-Lake Conservation District, Mecosta Conservation District, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, National Fish & Wildlife Foundation, Oceana Conservation District, Oceana County Parks and Recreation Commission, Osceola-Lake Conservation District, Ruffed Grouse Society, SEEDS EcoCorps, The Watershed Center of Grand Traverse Bay, Treeworks LLC, Triple F Farms, West Michigan Shoreline Regional Development Commission, Wildlife and Wetland Solutions
Funders:
Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s Outdoor Fund | Consumers Energy Foundation | US Environmental Protection Agency – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative | ITC | United States Forest Service – Great Lakes Restoration Initiative | Ingraham Foundation, Michigan Department of Natural Resources – Wildlife Habitat Grants Program | National Fish and Wildlife Foundation – Sustain Our Great Lakes | Pour For More | United States Forest Service – Landscape Scale Restoration Program | DTE Energy Foundation | Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians – Bureau of Indian Affairs