The organization was founded a quarter of a century ago by Russ Bengel, a Jackson, Michigan businessman, philanthropist, and avid duck hunter, who was concerned about the rapid and significant loss of natural habitat throughout the state.

BengelŐs vision was to create a private organization that would restore wildlife habitat that had been destroyed by man, so that future generations of Michiganians would be able to know and appreciate the wildlife legacy he had the privilege to enjoy.

Since that time, BengelŐs dream has flourished. The MWC has conducted major projects in 67 of MichiganŐs 83 counties from remote rural areas to MichiganŐs most densely populated, restoring more than 10,000 acres of wetland and prairies, and countless miles of creeks, streams and rivers.

The MWC has also worked directly with those whose jobs entail altering or impacting the land, such as county drain commissioners, to provide advice and training on how to reduce the impact land development has on the environment and wildlife. The nonprofit organization has also created and installed wetland and prairie habitats at 13 nature centers throughout Michigan so that these habitats can be used as teaching tools.

Headquartered in Bath, Michigan, the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy has also been a key player in re-establishing MichiganŐs wild turkey population, creating habitat for the rare KirtlandŐs warbler, and conducting and publishing research on MichiganŐs cougar population, a species that was thought by many biologists to have vanished from Michigan in the early 1900s.

The group is also actively involved in helping curb the effect invasive species are having on MichiganŐs natural resources. Using invasive species control research it has conducted, the MWC is involved in several demonstration projects across the state designed to educate landowners on how to effectively control the spread of these invaders that threaten the cover, nesting sites and food of a number of birds, animals, reptiles and amphibians, as well as some of our stateŐs rarest plants and wildflowers.

Two upcoming events are planned to recognize the organizationŐs quarter century of service to helping people help wildlife.

On Saturday, September 29th, from 12 Noon Đ 4:00 p.m., the MWC will hold a Fall Harvest Social at its headquarters in Bath. The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature a number of hands-on educational activities including bog tours, habitat hikes and presentations by such special guests as Dennis Laidler of LansingŐs Potter Park Zoo; Laura and Rob Sams, creators of the wildly-acclaimed video, Lost in the Woods, Gijsbert (ŇNickÓ) van Frankenhuyzen, illustrator of MichiganŐs Official State ChildrenŐs Book, Legend of Sleeping Bear, and 15 others in the Legends series; and Robbyn Smith, wildlife rehabilitator and author of Adopted by an Owl and Saving Samantha.

On Wednesday, October 24, Eric Sharp, award-winning Outdoors Writer for the Detroit Free Press will present a special program entitled ŇThreats to the Great LakesÓ at the ConservancyŐs Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath. His presentation is also free and open to the public. Details about both events can be found at the organizationŐs website: www.miwildlife.org or by calling (517) 641-7677.