The Thumb Land Conservancy is working to preserve natural areas in the Thumb of Michigan, a postglacial landscape where northern forest blends with central hardwoods, bordered by Lake Huron, the Saginaw Bay, the Saint Clair River, and Lake Saint Clair. The mission territory of the TLC is Saint Clair, Sanilac, Huron, Tuscola, Lapeer, and Macomb Counties, but we can also work in adjacent areas as opportunities arise.



Prior News

March 30, 2025

January 25, 2025

November 2, 2024

June 6, 2024

April 28, 2024

February 25, 2024

December 7, 2023

October 9, 2023

July 13, 2023

May 9, 2023

March 19, 2023

January 12, 2023

January 3, 2023

November 13, 2022

September 12, 2022

August 18, 2022

August 6, 2022

July 16, 2022

May 10, 2022

April 7, 2022

March 12, 2021

November 17, 2020

November 2, 2020

September 29, 2020

June 30, 2020

July 29, 2020

June 30, 2020

June 4, 2020

May 25, 2020

May 19, 2020

March 9, 2020

January 27, 2020

December 6, 2019

November 11, 2019

October 15, 2019

June 27, 2019

May 23, 2019

March 23, 2019

March 14, 2019

January 13, 2019

December 14, 2018

September 27, 2018

September 3, 2018

July 22, 2018

June 21, 2018

May 13, 2018

April 15, 2018

January 28, 2018

December 23, 2017

December 22, 2017

December 13, 2017

November 27, 2017

November 23, 2017

October 28, 2017

August 10, 2017

July 8, 2017

June 1, 2017

May 8, 2017

March 29, 2017

March 17, 2017

January 28, 2017

January 22, 2017

December 5, 2016

November 5, 2016

September 22, 2016

August 11, 2016

July 2, 2016

June 4, 2016

May 16, 2016

July 3, 2025

(click HERE to download PDF)

 

The Thumb Naturalist.......

The Thumb Land Conservancy had a very productive spring thanks to our staff, volunteers, and donors, and we continue to push through the heat of the summer.

Work continued on the 11.5-acre Loznak Sanctuary in Marysville through the spring with invasive shrub removal and native lakeplain prairie plantings. There were even a few exciting plant discoveries on the preserve.

The Southern Lake Huron Coastal Park trail now extends a full mile through 160 acres of the Shorewood Forrest preserves in Fort Gratiot on a large dune ridge from Carrigan Road up to Brace Road. Along the way, a large amount of invasive honeysuckle and privet was cleared, improving habitat for native flora. Shorewood Forrest has also given us some surprising new plant and animal discoveries.

The TLC worked with Ducks Unlimited to begin planning wetland restoration on the 113-acre Morley Sanctuary north of Bay City, which should get started this fall.

Our annual Garlic Mustard removal went very well this spring. We worked in the Dead End Woods Sanctuary in Fort Gratiot the first four Saturdays of May. It's still clear that our 16 years of work has paid off. On the last Saturday in May, we returned to our old Garlic Mustard control area in the Port Huron State Game Area near Ruby in Clyde, which is still looking good after four years of absence.

Since last December, Burtchville Township has continued to delay progress on developing the Metcalf Road entrance of the 42-acre Bidwell Sanctuary. We are awaiting further instruction, but until then, we are holding-off on proposed improvements including a surfaced drive, small parking area, three small pavilions, and an information kiosk for which the TLC received a grant of $4,500 in early 2022 from the Bioregion Reparation Fund (Full Circle EcoHouse of Prayer) of the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.

In May, the TLC was awarded a grant of $20,000 from the Bay Area Community Foundation to develop park facilities at the new Morley Sanctuary north of Bay City. The grant allows the TLC to get a full start on our plans.

In June, the TLC was awarded a challenge grant of $100,000 from The Carls Foundation to fund TLC staff pay. The TLC has 2 years to raise an additional $100,000 required as match to receive The Carls Foundation funding. If successful, this will ensure TLC workers will be able to continue their great work for several years.

If you are interested in submitting anything for The Thumb Naturalist or have questions, please e-mail or call.

- Bill Collins, Executive Director, TLC



Article Index For This Issue:

The Thumb Naturalist

Loznak Sanctuary

Shorewood Forest Southeast Sanctuary

Cunningham Connector Sanctuary

Annual Garlic Mustard Removal

Bidwell Sanctuary Entrance

Bay Area Community Foundation Grant

Morley Sanctuary Restoration and Development

The Carls Foundation TLC Capacity Grant

Teddy's Excellent Adventures

Botanizing With Blake

Brilliant, Eccentric, Naturalist, Rafinesque

The Inspiration for Woody Woodpecker

Dandelion

You've Got The Power

TLC Summer Stewardship

Friends of the St. Clair River Meeting

Clyde Historical Society Events

TLC Membership

TLC Fundraising



TLC Membership

With your membership, the TLC is better enabled to protect important natural areas in our region. We offer two membership levels: Individual and Family $40, and Business $200. Members will receive our e-mail news. Membership is also available in trade for volunteer help. You can also make donations in honor or memory of someone or something. For donations of $100 or more, your name will be listed on our web site. For larger donations, please contact us for details. Make checks payable to “Thumb Land Conservancy”. Make sure you provide us with your mailing address and e-mail address. Providing a phone number is optional but helpful. Mail checks and forms to:

Thumb Land Conservancy
4975 Maple Valley Road
Marlette, Michigan 48453

You can also make a donation thru our Square link HERE



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