Undercurrents

It was one of those hot and muggy summer days on the Kalamazoo River and I had just finished securing my canoe on top of the car after a paddle, when I noticed the three young anglers parked next to me.

In quiet corners of Drummond Island, the second largest freshwater island in the United States, staff at the Little Traverse Conservancy are working to protect the shoreline and other parcels from development, turning privately donated lands into public nature preserves.

It is hard to get away from the terrible effects of the COVID-19 virus that weighs on us all, creating anxiety, constricting our lives, and causing many to fear leaving home.

In my backyard, the feeders are full. A downy woodpecker sits perched on the suet feeder.

Federal officials announced last fall that Michigan’s rarest warbler, the Kirtland’s warbler, was removed from the federal Endangered Species List.

An inspiring story in the fall issue of BLUE focused on the good work being done by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy (gtrlc.org), providing universally accessible boardwalks and overlooks at Arcadia Dunes: The C.S. Mott Nature Preserve and the Arcadia Marsh Nature Preserve. Each makes beautiful natural features and views accessible to those who are physically challenged in one way or another.

If you want to fish for river-run salmon this fall or enjoy a canoe trip at the height of color, the U.S. Forest Service has a message for you: Pick up after yourself and keep the rivers clean.

Michigan Nature Association expands Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary to protect old-growth trees, wetlands.

Summer paddling can be a serene experience, an opportunity to commune with nature or an exciting challenge negotiating rapids or fast-moving currents on twisty streams.

Newly designated state water trails total more than 540 miles.