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The partnership behind Explore our Natural World:
A Biodiversity Atlas of the Lake Huron to Lake Erie Corridor The geographic area of the Biodiversity Atlas includes St. Clair, Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, Livingston, Washtenaw (including Ann Arbor), and Monroe counties in the U.S.; and Lambton, Kent and Essex counties in Canada. Atlas developers coordinated broad stakeholder involvement across international boundaries and county lines, bringing together many partners to produce the publication. Over 30 different partners from U.S and Canadian government agencies and non-profit organizations, as well as the private sector, have been engaged to assist in the development of the book. A goal of everyone involved in producing this atlas is that readers will gain a better understanding of this amazing region, and a desire to play an active role in caring for it. 
Flight of the Geese by Don Rawlyk on Windsor, Ontario |
The public was engaged in the creation of the Biodiversity Atlas through the sponsorship of a photography contest. Over 200 photographs were submitted, depicting a fantastic array of beautiful scenes from boats, lighthouses, forests, wildflowers and prairies to butterflies, birds, mammals, children playing outdoors and more. Another important element of the project has been our partnership with the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG). Through a joint data-gathering effort we have produced the first GIS map of protected natural areas in southeast Michigan. The map will be made available to the public through SEMCOG. 
Redtail by Don Rawlyk on Windsor, Ontario |
A distribution network of schools and conservation organizations was developed to circulate the publication throughout the communities of Southeast Michigan and Southwest Ontario. In the U.S., the Math and Science Development Centers of the County Intermediate School Districts is distributing the book to public schools. A similar network is distributing the book to schools in Ontario. Project partners also received copies of the publication in reward for their contribution to this significant environmental education tool. Environmental education remains one of our greatest challenges as a society. If we want to preserve our rich natural heritage for future generations, a broad awareness of its significance needs to be cultivated. We are meeting that challenge through the production of Explore our Natural World: A Biodiversity Atlas of the Lake Huron to Erie Corridor. Download Explore Our Natural World Funding for this project was provided by the U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office to the Wildlife Habitat Council. Thank you to the following contributors who supported the publication of this book: BP, DTE Energy, Ford Motor Company Fund, Lafarge North America Inc., Lake Erie West, La-Z-Boy Incorporated, Ontario Power Generation, Pfizer Inc, U.S. EPA Great Lakes National Program Office and Visteon Corporation. Project Designer, Manager and Researcher – Lisa M. Appel
Contributing Writers – Lisa M. Appel, Julie A. Craves, Mary Kehoe Smith,
Bob Weir and John M. Zawiskie
Editors – Mary Kehoe Smith and Bob Weir
Graphic Design – Peter Schade/Schade Design, Inc. The photographs on this page are for web browser viewing only and may not be reproduced, copied, stored, downloaded or altered in any way without the explicit written authorization of the Wildlife Habitat Council.
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