Michigan has a long conservation history. Those of us in southeastern Michigan have started to create a strong tradition ourselves.

Over the past few decades many local municipalities and land trusts have worked to preserve native and agricultural lands. These protection efforts have brought our communities wonderful green spaces, parkland, recreational opportunities, and ensured local farming into the future.

In many ways, protection is not enough. With the fragmentation of ecosystems and the loss of our historical social systems, our new ways of doing business won't ensure these protected lands' successes. Luckily, many people have been working on this side of the equation also, both to restore degraded ecosystems and foster local agriculture.

It takes all of us to create a healthy community. If you're looking for a few ways to get involved, check out the many events through the partnerships at the Stewardship Network. To learn all the basics of ecology and restoration, you might be interested in the Conservation Stewards Program, offered through the Washtenaw County MSU Extension office.

Jason Frenzel is the Volunteer & Outreach Coordinator for Natural Area Preservation, with the City of Ann Arbor. He can be reached at jfrenzel@a2gov.org. Visit www.a2gov.org/NAP for more information about city natural areas and volunteering in city parks.

Your World provides local environmental information to our community. Contributing partners include: Washtenaw County’s Environmental Health Division; the nonprofit Recycle Ann Arbor; the City of Ann Arbor’s Public Services Area, Natural Area Preservation, Systems Planning programs for Energy, Environmental Coordination, Solid Waste, Transportation, and Water Resources.