Pere Marquette Receives Grant to Restore Aquatic Habitat

CBS WWTV/WWUP-TV 9&10 recently highlighted the work I spearheaded forConservation Resource Alliance. Below is an excerpt, but I encourage you to read the full article and watch my interview.

The DNR recently awarded $1.25 million in aquatic habitat grants to eight different projects. Some of that money will go to a group right here in Northern Michigan.

The Conservation Resource Alliance will be one of the groups receiving some of the grant money. Paul Kogelschatz, from the conservation nonprofit, says the current infrastructure on two road crossings over Blood Creek is containing the aquatic habitat, causing a number of problems.

“It’s increasing velocities to an unnatural level, its increasing sediments to an unnatural level, its preventing fish passage. It’s preventing sediment passage, it’s covering up, it’s actually impairing the spawning opportunities in the habit the fish need,” he says.

 

 


CRA receives grant for PM River project

The Ludington Daily News recently reported on the grant I secured for Conversation Resource Alliance. Below is an excerpt, however I encourage you to read the full article.

The Conservation Resource Alliance received a $210,000 grant towards a $500,000 project to remove two undersized culverts on Blood Creek in Yates Township, near Idlewild in Lake County. The work will allow fish passage on the Pere Marquette River.

It was one of eight Aquatic Habitat Grants Program grants announced Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

According to Paul Kogelschatz, CRA watershed coordinator, “Blood Creek is a key tributary to the Pere Marquette River, boasting cold water temperatures and providing habitat for a steady population of brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout and sculpin. One hundred percent of the Blood Creek sub-watershed will be improved by this project because it will open up full passage to upstream reaches, and prevent the sedimentation of the entire downstream reach of Blood Creek.”


Greenspire students plant nearly 700 trees in celebration of Earth Day

The Traverse City Record Dealer recently reported on Conversation Resource Alliance and our work for Earth Day. Below is a brief excerpt, but I encourage you to read the full article.

Paul Kogelschatz, CRA watershed coordinator, said that about 80-90 percent of the 675 trees and shrubs planted should survive and take root. That percentage would be higher if the planting were done mechanically, but Kogelschatz said imprinting the importance of nature on a large group of children will have a much greater long-term impact on the environment.

“We’d rather see the kids out here. The 10 percent difference is worth losing a handful of trees to get these kids excited about conservation,” he said. “A lot of groups that we work with, they’ll plant around 50-100 trees. This is an impressive number, especially for this age group. This is a really cool project and really important.”


Restoration work to begin

The Pere Marquette Chapter of Trout Unlimited (PMTU) was founded in 2016 and is centered around one of the United State’s premier coldwater fisheries, the Pere Marquette River. The organization recently expressed great gratitude for my efforts in the major bank restoration. Read the full article.


Hearts and Hands - Why nonprofits matter

Recently, I was featured in an article by Joy Leisen for The Petoskey News-Review regarding my work with HeadWaters Land Conservancy. Below is a brief excerpt from the article, but I encourage you to read the full article.

“We can help preserve agricultural lands, undeveloped tracts of forests, scenic landscapes and our region’s sensitive wetlands, streams and lakes,” said Paul Kogelschatz, office manager. “As a community-based organization, we also have an interest in preserving areas that are connected to our community’s natural heritage. It could be a farm, pine barren, forest or a river. We work with landowners, local conservation organizations and government agencies to protect a variety of lands throughout Northeast Michigan. Together, we protect land forever.”

HeadWaters Land Conservancy also manages the Sturgeon River Preserve located on Whitmarsh Road, which is open to the public.

“Community conservation areas like the Sturgeon River Preserve are becoming increasingly important assets to our community and to HeadWaters Land Conservancy,” Kogelschatz said. “They are areas for recreation, exploration, contemplation and relief from the busy modern world. They provide the space necessary for wildlife and vegetation to thrive. They buffer human impacts across the landscapes, and they offer the unique opportunity to provide direct community services through publicly accessible areas and educational outreach programs.”

 

 

Source: Petoskey News-Review