MNA Receives $25,000 Grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation
2011-1-3

MNA was recently awarded $25,000 by the Consumers Energy Foundation to support stewardship activities at MNA nature sanctuaries and plant preserves in southern Michigan.

“This money could not come at a better time for Michigan’s environment,” says Jeremy Emmi, Executive Director of MNA. “Not only does it demonstrate the Consumers Energy Foundation commitment to giving back, it allows MNA to better protect and maintain these special natural areas in tough economic times.”

Of the 169 nature sanctuaries MNA protects around the state, more than a third will benefit from this grant whether it be through updated trails and trail markings or the clearing out of garbage and invasive species. The grant will be used to accomplish more than 60 projects across the southern half of the Lower Peninsula.

Included in the projects that will be supported by the grant are sanctuary maintenance projects at the Wade Memorial Nature Sanctuary (Allegan), White Cedar Swamps Nature Sanctuary (Genesee), and the Cooper Creek Plant Preserve (Kent) as well as invasive species management at the A Looking Glass (Clinton), Wilkie Memorial (Kalamazoo) and Sauk Indian Trail (St. Joseph) Plant Preserves, and the Lefglen (Jackson) and Big Valley (Oakland) Nature Sanctuaries.

“It is important to remember that wherever you are in Michigan you are never very far from an MNA nature sanctuary. This grant will help us continue our work to make nature accessible to everyone,” Emmi says.

The Consumers Energy Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Consumers Energy. It provides funding for a variety of areas including education, community and civic development, culture and the arts, social services, the environment, and emerging issues. Michigan non-profit organizations received more than $3.5 million in 2010 through the Consumers Energy Foundation, the company, corporate donor-advised funds and employee and retiree contributions.   

The Michigan Nature Association is committed to the protection and maintenance of Michigan’s natural areas, in addition to the study of natural history and conservation education. For almost 60 years, MNA has worked to acquire and protect nearly 10,000 acres in more than 160 nature sanctuaries from the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula in the Upper Peninsula all the way to the Indiana/Ohio border.

For more information about the Consumers Energy Foundation visit their website at www.consumersenergy.com/foundation. For more information about these and other stewardship activities at MNA, please visit our How You Can Help page or click on 'Upcoming Events' in the sidebar.

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