Grand-Raisin Conservation Community educating on the local ecosystems

School group in nature. By Grand-Raisin Conservation Community

submitted by Sybil Kolon, Grand-Raisin Cluster Co-Coordinator

If you want to help protect the natural community that surrounds you, the Grand-Raisin Conservation Community (GRCC) is ready to meet the need. The GRCC is the local affiliate of The Stewardship Network. We work in the upper portions of the Grand River and River Raisin watersheds in parts of Hillsdale, Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw counties.

Our aim is to empower our neighbors to manage natural lands in ways that complement historic ecosystems. Our strategy is to provide information and opportunities to help everyone understand the value of native habitats and how the GRCC and its partners can help you preserve them in a way that is suited to your interests.

We participate in The Stewardship Network’s Invasive Species Challenge, which is in its 12th year, and has removed hundreds of thousands of pounds of garlic mustard and other invasive species from our natural areas.

Along with our partners, we are putting on many events and workshops every month to provide opportunities to learn about natural area restoration, native plants, insects, wildlife, water quality and other topics. We can provide speakers for your meetings or events. We would also like to work with groups that want to restore native habitats. We welcome new partners and new initiatives.

You can contact us at GRCC@stewardshipnetwork.org. Please visit our webpage to access our new brochure, connect with our partners and to learn more; click on EVENTS to find upcoming events and workshops: www.stewardshipnetwork.org/GRC

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and founder of the Manchester Mirror.