Building Public Support for Natural Resource Protection Phyllis J. Higman Senior Conservation Scientist Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Premise: People protect things that they know and love. If they don’t know about something, they probably won’t protect it.

Natural resources are vital to prosperous communities! WHY?

Quality of Life Property Enhancement Natural Resource Based Industries Recreation Ecological Services Natural Resources OK, GOT IT?

Quality of Life Property Enhancement Natural Resource Based Industries Recreation Ecological Services Natural Resources A LITTLE BETTER NOW.

Even better when you can really experience it directly. A HA! Adapt or die!

Ditto for humans; adapt or die!

Quality of Life Property Enhancement Natural Resource Based Industries Recreation Ecological Services Natural Resources Resource industries Recreation Property Enhancement Quality of life Ecosystem services

It’s about conserving biodiversity: Our natural capital:  air  water  soil  land  minerals ► non-renewable  energy ► renewable ► non-renewable  life  storm water management  air, water purification  soil renewal  nutrient cycling  food, fiber, medicines  pollination  waste treatment  flood control  climate control  pest control  habitat abiotic biotic Natural resources Ecosystem Services Global value of goods and services = $33 trillion/year! The more we chop up less resilient environment.

The Challenge: ► How much land is enough? ► Where & what types? ► How configured across landscape? ► No one person knows it all. ► We will never have all the answers. ► There is no one right answer. ► Involve stakeholders and experts up front. ► Communicate regularly, multiple venues. ► Both ways: educate and be educated.

End Goal: A living map Guidance for planning based on best information available and easy to understand.

End Goal: Engaged community NewspapersWebsitesWorkshops ArticlesRadio spotsInput People protect what they know and love.

Professional Services  Surveys  Wetland delineation  Potential conservation area analysis (PCA)  Green infrastructure planning  Climate change  Invasive Species Get outside – it’s awesome! Regional Planning Commissions, Watershed Councils, Resource Conservation and Development Councils, Consultants, MNFI…

Conservation Steward’s Program MSUE-DNRE-MNFI partnership ► Core Curriculum:  Natural Resource Conservation History  Ecological Foundations  Decision-making ► Forests, grasslands, wetlands, lakes, streams ► 2-3 field days ► Capstone project ► Volunteer Expo ► 40 hours volunteer work

Stewardship Network Clusters  Workshops  Events  Webcasts  Discussion forum  Conference  Expert locater

Local Resources for NR Info  Local chapter of Audubon Society  Michigan Botanical Club  Frog & Toad Surveyors  Local Land Conservancies  Local nature centers  Universities  Community Colleges  Watershed Councils  Long-time residents  DNRE biologists  NRCS or SCD staff

People across the spectrum want a healthy, sustainable environment. They need current and accurate information in order to make good decisions.

Quiz-time! ► A grassland wetland known from old glacial lakeplains in southern Michigan? Lakeplain prairie

Quiz-time! ► An endangered plant that occurs in lakeplain prairie that emits an odor at night? Eastern prairie-fringed orchid

Bonus Question: ► What does it emit an odor for? Attracting pollinators! Eastern prairie fringed orchid Pandorus sphinx (Eumorpha pansorus) Photo by Dave Cuthrell, MNFI

The sum is greater than it’s parts!

Resource Conservation and Development Councils Clinton River Watershed Council Raisin River Watershed Council Huron River Watershed Council West Michigan Regional Planning Commission State Planning and Development Regions Michigan Natural Features Inventory The Stewardship Network