Community of Alpena welcomes Huron Pines
ALPENA, Mich. — Huron pines was welcomed into the community with a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new office in downtown Alpena on Wednesday. This conservation organization works to maintain the state’s natural resources across 12 counties in Northeast Michigan.
Following the ribbon cutting an open house was held where visitors could meet with the new Huron Pines team. Members of local groups such as Friends of Thunder Bay and the Downtown Development Authority attended to show their support.
There are three employees who work in the office, and two of them are Alpena natives. One of those is Chris Engle and he will handle communications. He said they’re ready to get involved in the community and that includes helping teach local students. “We do place–based which is really getting students out in the field and getting them to learn about their environment through hands–on activities,” he said. “Whether thats collecting bugs, water bugs, or identifying trees, or really just hands–on learning in the woods. I really don’t think there’s any better way to learn.”
Executive Director for Huron Pines, Brad Jensen says there has been such a great momentum over the past few years for environmental organizations in the Alpena, Alcona, and Presque Isle counties and it was time for them to move into the area. “There’s always been an abundance of wonderful natural resources, but just to have the people and partnerships that are in place really prompted us to open an office in the area and kind of build on the momentum that’s being established here and really working hand in hand with the many local partner groups,” he said.
