Huron Pines making the most of the Emily Min Hunt Nature Preserve
ALPENA, Mich. — Huron Pines and Alpena Lifelong Learners gathered at the Emily Min Hunt nature preserve just outside Alpena for a snowshoe hike on Tuesday. The property changed hands from the Thunder Bay Audubon Society to Huron Pines in March of 2019 after it was determined that the Audubon Society could no longer maintain the proper level of stewardship for the property.
Land protection specialist with Huron Pines, Heather Huffstutler says their organization is excited to bring more attention to this area. “It’s been much loved by the Audubon Society, but not used very much. Our vision here is that it is still a nature sanctuary, but something that is a bit more accessible to the public,” she said.
Huffstutler added that now that the property is under their control, they are planning to do more events like the snowshoe hike they’re doing today. She says there are a lot of interesting things to see on this particular nature preserve. “We have an everglade which supports some really interesting wildflowers and the animals that go along with that. A nice mixed northern hard–wood forest, and then it transitions into a conifer swamp, which isn’t really hospitable to visitors, but really important for water quality and habitat connections here.”
The Emily Min Hunt Nature Preserve is located on Shubert Highway and is open to the public from dawn until dusk.
