A critical point for the Stewardship Network

As we're looking ahead to this fall and next year, we are taking a hard look at our available funding and what we will be able to accomplish. In the last ten years, we've done a lot of work on a small budget. However, in these difficult economic times, more and more individuals and groups need the help of resource-sharing organizations like the Stewardship Network to contine their work protecting and restoring the natural areas of the Great Lakes region. Without the contributions of our supporters, our ability to help in new communites and continue to help those we already work in will be seriously limited.  

The Raisin Cluster BioBlitz: 

You may have read on the Raisin Cluster's webpage that we have been planning to hold a BioBlitz at the YMCA Storer Camps. A BioBlitz is a wonderful opportunity to mix experts and volutneers, adults and kids to learn more about our natural surroundings. For 24 hours, participants are broken into teams to classify as many living organisms (plants, insects, mammals, birds, you name it) as they can. The outcome is an incredibly valuable assessment of the areas ecosystem which can be used as the basis of land management plans and restoration projects for the site.

Foundations are cutting back on their number of grants, and funding for this event has fallen through. We are hoping that funds raised through the Need Water to Grow campaign can make this event happen. If we meet our goal of raising $250,000, then we'll be able to continue planning this great event for spring 2010. 

New Clusters 

Several new areas have approached the Stewardship Network about starting local Cluster in their areas. New Clusters would cover Ingham County and surrounding areas; northern Indiana; Michigan's Lake Erie coast in Monroe County and into the Toledo area; Macomb county and the Algonac area; and the greater Waterloo area. Taking on five new Clusters in one year will be a tremondous undertaking, but one we feel privileged to face. However, between the communications, staff time, and workshop costs associated with this many new Clusters, we will not be able to work with all of these areas this fall without the success of the Need Water to Grow Campaign.

What actions will my donation support?

In 2008, the Stewardship Network worked in the field and online to help support and expand natural areas stewardship across our region by:

• Holding a state-wide conference in East Lansing Michigan, which drew well over 300 people from Michigan and other parts of the Mid-West
  
• Launching two new Clusters: the ThrEE County Cluster in the counties of Shiawassee, Genesee and Lapeer and the Lakeplain Cluster in the Greater Detroit and Down River areas.
  
• Broadcasting 12 live webcasts on varous topics in ecological restoration, which drew in 2,400 listeners from across the country.
  
• Leading 63 informative trainings and workdays, which were attended by 950 people.
  
• Pulling 128,470 pounds of Garlic Mustard from across Michigan and areas of the wider Mid-West, helping to keep our native and naturally diverse forests healthy.

How will funds raised through the Need Water to Grow campaign be split up?

• $200,000 for caring for natural areas in your backyard. This money will help support our current Clusters, launch new ones, and expand our efforts even farther.
  
  
  • $25,000 of this will go to mapping, monitoring and managing. Mapping invasives is an important part of managing an invasive plant species. They're populations must also be monitored from year to year- early detection is key to staving off a well-rooted infestation.
    
• $25,000 towards enhancing our online network. The Stewardship Network shares tools and resources with many groups through and beyond the state of Michigan. With these shared resources, we are a recognized source for information regarding natural areas preservation and restoration. Now, through our website, webcasts, and forum, we can share that information even more easily, despite barriers of time and geographic location. 
  
• $25,000 towards networking and training. With this portion of the funds, we'll be able to continue putting on our broader events, including the proposed Raisin Cluster bioblitz, our annual Garlic Mustard Challenge, and this summer's Music in the Meadow event. These are great opportunities for land and water stewards to connect with other people working towards the same goals.

To see how our funding was used in 2008, check out our 2008 Visual Annual Report.