News & Blog

Maisie Wiler observes a C. pitcheri seedling.

Cirsium pitcheri: A thistle at risk

The following is a guest post from Maisie Wiler (pictured above), a student at Grand Valley State University studying Natural Resources Management and Writing and a Land Conservancy of West Michigan volunteer. She is an avid hiker, cyclist, gardener, and hobby photographer. This past summer, I

a prescribed burn progresses along the forest floor at B.D. White Nature Preserve

Where Once were Oaks

This post is excerpted from an article originally published in the Grand Valley State University College of Liberal Arts & Sciences e-newsletter, CLAS Acts, and is republished here with permission. Anyone fighting a battle in a Michigan backyard with volunteer maple trees could be forgiven for

Stream daylighting begins at The Highlands

Work has begun to “daylight” an underground stream at The Highlands, a natural area protected by Blandford Nature Center and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan. Several partners met to break ground on the project on July 11, 2022.  As part of the ongoing restoration of

Letter from the Executive Director

In preparation for this newsletter, I have been ruminating on the duality of fire.  I am in awe of the two faces of this elemental wonder. It has the capacity to bring life back to depleted landscapes and, when left untended, the ability to consume