The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy (formerly, the Michigan Wildlife Habitat Foundation) was founded in 1982 by the Jackson, Michigan, businessman Russell Bengel and several others who had the vision and understanding that for wildlife to be preserved, it is necessary to preserve vital habitat. But, as with many of our formerly wild places, preservation bowed to the pressure of commerce. As such, the MWC was formed to help restore at least some of what has been lost to that pressure. Since its founding in 1982, the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy has helped restore more than 6,700 acres of wetalands, 2,400 acres of prarie habitat, installed more than 1,000 stream improvement structures, and have demonstrated the existence of a wild breeding population of cougar throught most the state.
I have been a member of the MWC since 1983, a past president, and currently serve on the executive committee of the Board of Directors.
This diary is to demonstrate what can be done when public and private interests, rather than opposing each other, work together towards a common goal.
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