Links

A list of resources regarding native plants and landscapes, and groups protecting them in Michigan and the region.

Plants & Natural Communities Identification

• Michigan Flora University of Michigan Herbarium: The definitive online destination for information on the distribution of plants in Michigan.
• University of Wisconsin Herbarium: Images and habitat info for the vascular plants of Wisconsin.
• USDA Plants Database: An excellent source of information about the plants of U.S. and Canada, including photos.
• Michigan Natural Features Inventory: Michigans Natural Heritage Program, responsible for research on threatened and endangered plant and animal species and natural communities.
• Flora of North America: Online home of ongoing FNA project, with keys to plants of North America north of Mexico.

Endangered Species

• Rare Species Explorer: MNFIs statewide search engine for rarea and endangered plants, animals, and natural communities.

Invasive Species

• Field ID Guide to Invasive Plants: Over 100 pages of information oninvasive species found in Michigan’s natural communities, published by MNFI & MSU Extension.
• Xerces Society: Insect Conservation. Information on endangered species and pollinators

Fire

• Forest Service Fire Effects Information System: Information on the effects of fire onindividual plant species.
• Tallgrass Prairie & Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium: Fire science and knowledge exchange for the midwestern US; a network for consolidating information, and sharing knowledge and ideas.
• Michigan Prescribed Fire Council: Promotes the safe use of prescribed fire on the Michigan landscape.

Journal Publications

• Ecological Restoration Journal: Published by the University of Wisconsin Arboretum.
• Society for Ecological Restoration: International group of restoration professionals; publishes the journal Restoration Ecology.
• Natural Areas Association: Advancing natural areas preservation; publishes Natural Areas Journal.

Non-Profit Organizations

• Native Plant Guild: A group of Michigan businesses and organizations offering a range of ecological landscaping services.
• Wild Ones: The original native landscaping advocate with chapters throughout the midwest and beyond.
• Wildflower Association of Michigan: Committed to the stewardship of native wildflowers and their habitats, they organize an annual conference in March.
• North Amercian Prairie Conference: A bi-annual conference about all things prairie!
• The Stewardship Network: An energetic group creating linkages in Michigans restoration community and beyond with regional clusters throughout the country.

Land Conservancies & Nature Centers

• Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy: Conserving and managing land throughout Southwest Michigan.
• Kalamazoo Nature Center: One of the first nature centers in the country and a leader in environmental education.
• Sarett Nature Center: Providing natural science education to people of all ages in the Berrien County area.
• The Nature Conservancy: Saving (and restoring) the last great places on Earth, many of which are in your backyard.