DRCF Restoration intern

Anna planting an oak tree

I’m Anna, a non-traditional Biology student at NMU with a focus in Ecology, always eager to gain hands-on experience beyond the classroom. That’s why I was so thankful when the UP Land Conservancy offered me the opportunity to volunteer with them this summer. It’s been incredibly exciting so far to get a closer look at the world of land conservation.

The main project I’ve been involved with is the restoration of the Dead River Community Forest. Previous logging had left behind eroded sandy patches and open canopy areas in the 186-acre forest, which is otherwise a beautiful and biodiverse space. The goal of this project was to reintroduce a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and grasses which were chosen specifically to support a rich diversity of bird species. UPLC developed a site plan for restoration and management, and it’s been amazing to watch that plan come to life.

On May 5th, I went out to the site for the first time with Emilyn Staat, the Lands Program Assistant. We assessed the current conditions and came up with a rough outline for the planting days. These took place on May 17th, 31st, and June 1st. Volunteers signed up to help bring this project to life and we definitely needed them! Thanks to their support, we made fantastic progress and got about 1200 trees and shrubs into the ground. Even though the main part of the work is done, we’re still heading back to care for and protect our new plantings. The deer have already started to eye them as fresh snacks!

I loved being part of this entire process, from all the coordinating and organization of a volunteer event to the planting itself. It’s incredibly rewarding to know all this time and energy are going toward creating a new forest. Returning to the site and seeing the new growth as the seasons transition is rewarding, and I feel a deeper sense of connection to the land after being part of this project. I also want to give a huge shout-out to the amazing community of Marquette. Meeting so many kind, enthusiastic people made the experience even more meaningful and fun!

Another part of the project I really enjoyed was returning to the same spot again and again, watching it gradually shift from spring into summer. It gave me a deeper sense of connection to the place.

One more highlight from this summer so far was completing Vernal Pool training with Emilyn and Hannah from UPLC. I learned so much in just one day and now I’m hoping to spot more fairy shrimp soon! As June winds down, I’m excited to see what the rest of the summer brings. Huge thanks to everyone at UPLC for welcoming me into their team and for being such wonderful people.