GINLC Newsletter: 2006 - An Exciting Year

Improvements at the Nature Area, where the shoreline was full of native plant life, continued. An increase in fish and amphibian life were observed, the rare Marsh Wren took up residence, and the American Lotus plants were in full bloom along the old seaplane base. Many photographers were attracted to the area to record the beautiful sights.
In the spring we visited the 4th grade classrooms on Grosse Ile and spoke to the children about Arbor Day. Many of them came to our Nature Area Open House to take home tree seedlings and wildflowers for planting.

4th graders participated in the Arbor day program last spring.

We also hosted an evening "Tree Planting" program that was broadcast on GI-TV to help residents make decisions about replacing the ash trees that have succumbed to the Emerald Ash Borer and proper planting techniques were reviewed. In July, we hosted students from the Delray Community House at our Nature Area and worked with local children in the Discovery Camp, sponsored by the GI Recreation Department. The children were able to see nature up close-a real joy to see. In October we had 140 6th graders come to the Nature Area to participate in World Water Monitoring Day activities. They also had time to walk the trails and make observations.

The GINLC Board was very active on other fronts to help generate funds and bring the "story" of the conservancy to the residents of Grosse Ile. We conducted informational meetings at the homes of residents about our projects. The board also met with a guest speaker from the Saginaw Basin Conservancy who spoke on fundraising alternatives. GINLC is now working with Marianne Malone of Fundraising Solutions to increase our annual income.

With regard to the stewardship of our properties, we have continued to fight phragmites and deal with numerous issues affecting our properties, from storm damage to tree death to encroachment. In 2006 we installed a sign on one of our lots and surveyed another lot. An "internal audit" of the property assets that GINLC controls was completed and all the documents covering these assets were centralized. When the Recreation Department gave us access to a small office at the Centennial Farm, we obtained a place to store these documents along with our educational out-reach supplies. In exchange for use of the office, GINLC now partners with the Recreation Department to offer new environmental education programs - a win-win situation for everyone.