Do you know how important our green spaces are? As concerns about sustainability rise worldwide, the leadership here in Canton wanted to get more community input into what happens to our local green spaces and how to protect them.
Out of this input, the idea of a community-led group that would partner with the Township and act as stewards of our local habitats began to bloom. This idea blossomed into the newly formed Canton Nature Society.
“We want to connect with both current and future generations,” said Susan Kennedy, Canton Nature Society President. “A lot of what we do will be to educate and get people involved to build a grassroots movement in the community. We also want to work with other organizations in the area, like the Plymouth Pollinators, Friends of the Rouge and Wild Ones, to tap into their expertise.”
The Society’s mission is to discover and act on opportunities to sustain, enhance and restore our local habitats. They are committed to connecting all generations to the beauty and importance of nature through education, community engagement and the preservation of our cherished green spaces.
A good example is the Zibiwés Nature Area, a very large parcel of land in Canton that was once slated to become a park but is now going to be a nature preserve.
“That’s something we’re going to work with the Township to develop a strategy for preserving and caring for that land,” said Susan. “It was given to the Township and was slated to become another mega park, but Michael Siegrist, our township clerk, raised a red flag and said, ‘We don’t need more parks. People are asking for more nature areas and preserving green spaces.’ So, there was an agreement to divert their strategy towards making it a protected nature preserve—which saves the Township money—and it connects with our strategic plan for environmentalism and protecting the ecosystem.”
Another thing the Canton Nature Society is addressing is replenishing the native plants in the area.
“We are total native nature people. We want to help the Township look at things differently and approach things from a more native perspective,” said Susan. “So many plants have been introduced to the area that aren’t native. Having more native plants is important to the whole ecosystem. We would like to be the research arm and partner with a lot of different people and organizations to find opportunities to reintroduce more native plants to the area.”
The newly formed organization has set up six goals for the inaugural year of the Canton Nature Society. They are:
- Build a vibrant, active community of members who share a deep love for nature.
- Create and promote opportunities for everyone to experience the beauty and peace that nature offers.
- Advocate fiercely for the protection and restoration of our local parks and natural spaces.
- Share knowledge and insights about the environmental issues affecting our community.
- Connect our members with the resources they need to embark on their own nature journey.
- Identify and plan community-driven, community-led projects that reflect our collective passion and interests.
If you would like more information on the Canton Nature Society, to find educational opportunities or become a part of their movement, you can email them at naturesociety@cantonmi.gov. You can also follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
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