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PRESERVING MICHIGAN'S GREAT LAKES AND GREAT OUTDOORS WITH SERVICE
As the Great Lakes state, Michigan is known for its pristine and beautiful surroundings. From its sunny lake shores to its rustic forests, the great outdoors is one of Michigan's premier assets and an integral part of each Michiganders' life. Whether it impacts the waters we visit, the activities we enjoy with our families, or the industry that supports our communities, Michigan's environmental resources play a key role in each of our lives. As such, it is critically important that we protect and manage these natural resources to preserve the way of life we all enjoy.
At the Michigan Community Service Commission (MCSC), we know service can and is an effective strategy in ensuring Michigan's environmental preservation. In communities across the state, organizations are utilizing the service of dedicated students, volunteers, and national service members to address critical environmental challenges. Read on to learn more about these unique programs and how their service is making a positive impact on Michigan's natural resources.
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 Nurturing Natural Resources & the Next Generation The Huron Pines AmeriCorps program utilizes the service of 16 Michigan's AmeriCorps members to help address natural resource conservation issues in northeast Michigan. These members serve at various conservation organizations in Alpena, Alcona, Cheyboygan, Crawford, Iosco, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, and Roscommon Counties to improve at-risk ecosystems in local forests, lakes, and streams. Through habitat restoration, environmental stewardship, and new conservation service development, Huron Pines AmeriCorps members play an essential role in strengthening rural northeast Michigan and the natural resources they depend on.
Over the program's five year history, Huron Pines has achieved great success for its local communities. In the 2012 program year, AmeriCorps members spent time removing invasive species, reducing erosion, and planting trees on more than 260 acres of public land and nearly 40 acres of private land. The group also improved more than 35 miles of river by installing erosion control measures, removing invasive species, and performing general clean-ups. In addition to their direct service, Huron Pines AmeriCorps members also provided environmental education experiences to nearly 9,000 students, helping to ensure that their innovative and effective natural resource preservation practices are passed on to the next generation.
The Huron Pines AmeriCorps Program is one of 23 Michigan's AmeriCorps programs administered by the MCSC.
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 Student Stewards of Service
Since it's launch in 2007, the Great Lakes Stewardship Initiative (GLSI) has been using hands-on service-learning to develop young Great Lakes stewards. Central to their educational mission is the practice of youth service, which allows students to develop critical thinking skills, a sense of civic responsibility, and an increased sense of self-efficacy. In addition, by tying youth service to the classroom curriculum, GSLI helps to make Great Lakes conservation a real and relevant subject for students as they try out their new knowledge and skills. To help make Great Lakes service-learning a possibility for all young Michiganders, GLSI assists students and their teachers in building partnerships with local organizations who help them to study and address environmental issues in their communities through service. This state-wide work is supported by eight regional GSLI hubs that provide leadership, expertise, support for K-12 teachers, and material and financial resources for the collaborative, local work of students and community organizations. One such hub is the Lake Superior Stewardship Initiative, which recently saw participating GSLI students at the Dollar Bay High School receive the national Herzog Award for volunteer service to the National Parks. Through their collaborative work with students, educators, civic leaders, and community partners, GLSI is helping young people serve in their communities for the betterment of our Great Lakes. As a result of their service-learning, these students are learning to become effective environmental stewards and together with their friends and neighbors, are building a sustainable effort that strengthens communities and serves as a beacon for positive change. Back to top |
 AmeriCorps NCCC Improving Trails & the Environment
While some Michigan communities are served by an AmeriCorps program that focuses on environmental issues all year long, other areas of environmental need are served by the short-term, intensive service of AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) members. NCCC is a federal team-based national service program for men and women between the ages of 18 and 24. NCCC Corps members serve a full-time, ten-month term, working on different projects across the country for four to six weeks at a time. With various NCCC campuses across the country, Michigan is served by the North Central campus in Iowa, which also serves Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and North and South Dakota.
In the 2012, Michigan received the assistance of three NCCC teams, including Team Cedar Six. This ten-member team spent eight weeks improving the environment in and around the Hiawatha Shore to Shore chapter of the North Country Trail in St. Ignace and Rudyard. Over the course of their service in Michigan, Cedar Six constructed more than 4,900 feet of boardwalk, cleared more than two miles of new trail, removed 80 stumps to improve trail tread, and collected 60 pounds of trail garbage. In addition, Team Cedar Six was also able to improve the user experience for future hikers by blazing 38 trees for directional purposes, creating 28 directional signs, and installing 18 of these signs. As a result of the NCCC team service, more Michiganders will be able to use the Hiawatha Shore to Shore North Country Trail and expand their love of Michigan's great outdoors.
If you have a project, environmental or otherwise, that could benefit from the short-term, intensive service of an AmeriCorps NCCC team, check out the current North Central NCCC request for proposals. Back to top |
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Are you ready to answer the call to serve by improving the environment in your community? From river clean-ups to invasive species removal, many organizations are looking for volunteers to help with natural resource preservation. Find an opportunity in your community that matches your unique skills, interest and availability by searching our online volunteer portal.
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About the MCSC
The Michigan Community Service Commission builds a culture of service by providing vision and resources to strengthen communities through volunteerism. In 2012-2013, the MCSC is granting more than $7.5 million in federal funds to local communities for volunteer programs and activities. The MCSC is funding 23 AmeriCorps programs and six Volunteer Michigan grantees. The Governor's Service Awards and Mentor Michigan are also premier programs of the MCSC.
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