The Nature Conservancy Hands Over North Point Peninsula to Huron Pines
Home to a unique ecosystem, North Point Peninsula in Alpena will now be under the care of Huron Pines, a non profit conservation group serving much of northern Michigan.
The property was acquired by The Nature Conservancy in 2018 and they are extremely proud to hand it over so they can continue finding other areas to protect. “It’s just abundant with all kinds of interesting unique features like carnivorous plants, the dwarf–like iris, which is a threatened species, and endangered species pitchers thistle,” said Helen Taylor, state director with TNC. “So, that’s what makes it so special to protect.”
Huron Pines is in the planning phases of what they want to do but, working with the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, they want to provide education to the public on what makes the preserve so unique. “We’ve got some really special places, some really special assets, to show to people and to really start to grow that local appreciation and understanding of what these coastal habitats have to offer,” said Heather Huffstetler, development director with Huron Pines.
The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary thinks of this as a special opportunity to explore yet another unique area with students. “We started a program where we’re taking students, starting with Alpena County, taking them out to the property to engage them in nature and engage them with the maritime history,” said Jeff Gray, superintendent of the sanctuary. “North Point juts out to Thunder Bay and it’s a great opportunity to learn about Lake Huron but also the land itself and the amazing natural resources out on the peninsula.”
While the preserve is restricted to the public, Huron Pines plans to hold a grand opening next year which will go along with them celebrating 50 years of protecting Michigan’s great lakes ecosystems.
