USDA Conservation Programs
✓ Active Partnership
📍 Gratiot County, Michigan
Building a Wildlife Refuge, One Acre at a Time
Transforming 30 acres of overgrown farmland into thriving habitat through hands-on wildlife habitat restoration, wetland preservation, and species-specific conservation.
30Acres Protected
2019Restoration Began
100+Species Documented
🤝 Working With Conservation Leaders
We're partnering with national and federal conservation programs to ensure this land is protected and managed according to best practices for wildlife habitat restoration.
🌲 Our Conservation Work
Every day we're on the property making improvements. Here's what we're doing to restore this land to thriving wildlife habitat.
Invasive Species Removal
Systematically removing autumn olive and other invasive plants that crowd out native species. This creates space for native plants that provide superior food and cover for wildlife.
Wetland Restoration
Restoring three ponds (including a 2-acre main pond) by clearing invasive brush from shorelines and maintaining open water areas for waterfowl, amphibians, and fish.
Brush Pile Construction
Building brush piles throughout the property to provide critical cover and nesting habitat for rabbits, songbirds, and small mammals.
Forest Management
Pruning hundreds of apple, cherry, oak, and pine trees to restore tree health. Preserving mast-producing trees ensures year-round food for deer, turkeys, and songbirds.
Trail Development
Over one mile of perimeter trails plus interior pathways that connect different habitat types — forest to wetland, field to pond — creating wildlife corridors.
Wildlife Monitoring
Documenting wildlife through trail cameras and observation. We share what we learn with other private landowners through our wildlife guides.
🏠 Wildlife Housing Projects
We're installing species-specific housing throughout the property to support nesting and shelter needs for forest animals.
- 🐦 Bird Houses — Nest boxes for songbirds including bluebirds and wrens
- 🦆 Duck Houses — Wood duck boxes installed near pond shorelines
- 🦉 Owl Houses — Nesting boxes for screech owls and barred owls
- 🐿️ Squirrel Houses — Shelter boxes for eastern gray squirrels. Learn what to do if you find a baby squirrel →
- 🐰 Rabbit Boxes — Ground-level nesting structures for cottontails
🦌 The Results: Wildlife Returns
The transformation has exceeded our expectations. Species that had abandoned this property are coming back.
🏡 Year-Round Residents
- White-tailed deer (10-20 visible nightly)
- Eastern gray squirrels
- Eastern cottontail rabbits
- Great horned, barred, and screech owls
- Diverse songbird populations
- Little brown bats
- Painted and snapping turtles
- Frogs (green, bull, spring peeper)
🦅 Returning Natives
- Wild turkeys now regularly use the property
- Bald eagles fish our ponds
- Wood ducks nest in boxes we've installed
- Waterfowl populations have exploded
- Red-headed woodpeckers returned
- Belted kingfishers patrol the pond
🔮 What's Next
Habitat management is never finished. Here's what we're planning for 2026 and beyond to continue improving wildlife habitat on the property.
🐢Turtle Basking Logs
🎥Live Wildlife Cameras
🌾Native Plant Expansion
Every Acre Matters
Private landowners manage the majority of wildlife habitat in Michigan. This property proves that wildlife habitat restoration works — when you give wildlife food, water, cover, and space to move, they respond.
🌿 Explore Our Wildlife Guides
Everything we learn on this property we share freely. Explore our guides for private landowners and backyard wildlife enthusiasts.
Bird Houses Guide
Plans, hole sizes, and placement for every species.
Owl Boxes Guide
Attract screech owls and barn owls for natural pest control.
Squirrel Houses Guide
Everything about squirrel nest boxes and placement.
Bat Houses Guide
Natural mosquito control — attract bats to your property.
All Wildlife Guides
Squirrels, deer, raccoons, turtles, birds and more.