Policy Priorities in Michigan
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) is working with state leaders to find meaningful solutions to issues impacting Michigan’s lands and waters.
Explore our latest policy objectives in the Great Lakes State.
From our state director
Our Priorities
At TNC, we pride ourselves on our science-based, pragmatic approach to conservation—and science shows us that thriving communities and a healthy environment go hand-in-hand.
From the timber, farmlands and fisheries that help power Michigan’s economy; to the forests that keep our air and water clean; to the wetlands that protect our coasts from floods and erosion—nature offers critical solutions to help our Great Lakes State find resilience in a time of change.
That’s why TNC works with Michigan’s leaders to advance nature-based solutions that benefit Michigan communities, lands, waters and wildlife. We also demonstrate the impact and scalability of investment in nature-based solutions through active conservation projects—for example, supporting “green” stormwater management practices in Detroit and helping to transform agricultural supply chains in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
From our advocacy to our projects in the field, TNC’s work is defined by a collaborative approach that has been shaped by decades of learning. Our local expertise and global resources enable us to play a special role working side-by-side with partners, communities and decision-makers across Michigan—and we hope to continue that collaborative tradition with you.
In short, nature offers us a powerful set of tools—tools we can all get behind to support Michigan communities for many years to come. When we work together with nature, everyone wins.
Helen Taylor
State Director, Michigan
Preserve Michigan’s Lands & Biodiversity
In a changing world, the concerns of nature are inseparable from the concerns of people. Growing threats to biodiversity, water quality and food supplies, a changing climate and other challenges make it increasingly clear that healthy natural systems are vital to our future, and the future of Michigan.
Building Climate Resilience
Nature is our ally in abating the negative impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. However, changing climatic conditions and habitat loss threaten to undermine the many benefits that healthy, resilient lands and waters provide, including carbon sequestration and sustainable economies.
Through conservation, restoration and improved land management, TNC strives to help Michigan build environmental resilience and protect biodiversity so that nature can help our communities thrive in a changing climate.
TNC’s “Resilient and Connected Lands” tool provides a roadmap of U.S. lands with the unique topographies, geologies and other characteristics that can help plants and animals adapt to climate impacts.
Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Nature can provide 30% of the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions we need to slow the rise in global temperatures, by sequestering carbon in trees, soils and other natural systems. Getting all the way to an economy-wide “net-zero” goal by 2050, however, will require many sectors working on complementary strategies.
In Michigan, TNC is encouraging industrial leaders to manage and reduce their emissions: by using more clean power, increasing energy efficiency, adopting new carbon management technologies and more. This will enable Michigan’s industrial sector to both lower carbon emissions and sustain economic growth.
Practical Climate Sustainability
TNC and the Michigan Manufacturers Association are following up on the success of our first series of practical climate sustainability seminars for Michigan businesses, with a second series planned in 2023.
Restore Native Forests
Michigan’s forests cover 20 million acres—roughly half of the state. The diversity, climate resilience and pest resilience of these forests depend on their restoration and sustainable management, which also benefits Michigan’s economy.
On our working forest reserves, TNC demonstrates the sustainable management practices necessary to keep Michigan forests healthy. We also work to strengthen incentives and opportunities for others to implement these practices, and to help forests sequester and store more carbon.
In 2022, TNC launched the Family Forest Carbon Program for Michigan forest owners, in partnership with the American Forest Federation, to make carbon market incentives for sustainable forestry practices more accessible for landowners with as few as 30 acres.
Invest in Clean, Renewable Power
A clean energy transition depends on a rapid renewable energy buildout that safeguards nature and supports an equitable transition for communities.
To help achieve that, TNC is providing innovative strategies and tools grounded in leading science, partnerships, public policy and market-based approaches. We aim to support a renewable energy market that goes above and beyond “business as usual” for community, conservation and climate—here in Michigan and across the country.
TNC’s conservation-informed tools, including Site Renewables Right and Power of Place, help renewable energy developers select sites for utility-scale wind and solar installations that avoid detrimental impacts to nature and communities.
Latest News in Michigan
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Protect Michigan’s Great Lakes & Fresh Water
Here in Michigan, we live at the heart of one of the world’s greatest freshwater regions. The thoughtful stewardship of waters ensures they can continue to support an abundance of wildlife and provide vital services to people, from nature-based economies, to clean water, to the food systems we depend on.
Search for Lake Whitefish
Fisheries experts are taking to Michigan rivers in search of this important species.
Learn MoreSafeguard Great Lakes Fisheries
Michigan boasts the longest shoreline of any Great Lakes state—the longest freshwater shoreline in the world. Our connection to the Great Lakes is strong, and our good stewardship is vital to this globally significant resource.
TNC works tirelessly to understand the threats facing Great Lakes ecosystems, and to pursue restoration solutions that protect native fish species and their roles in thriving coastal communities. We align our efforts with partners across the Great Lakes—preventing invasive species from taking hold, protecting coastal systems against degradation and more.
While iconic native species such as lake whitefish still swim in Great Lakes waters, their numbers are dwindling. TNC is working with state and Tribal partners to better understand the causes and develop solutions.
Promote Regenerative Agricultural Practices
Farmers are stewards of the productive soils that provide food for the world. By protecting the health of these soils, Michigan farmers not only contribute to long-term farm productivity, but also protect rivers, streams and lakes from harmful nutrient runoff and erosion, and improve soil carbon retention.
For more than a decade, TNC has been partnering with Saginaw Bay watershed farmers to expand the use of soil health practices such as cover crops, no-till and precision nutrient application methods. This includes offering incentives programs, learning opportunities and more.
TNC supports several farmer-led watershed groups in the Saginaw Bay area. These self-governed groups highlight the growing leadership of regional farmers in addressing local water quality and soil health issues.
Invest in Water Infrastructure
All Michiganders should have accessible, affordable and clean drinking water. Our ability to provide clean drinking water depends on investments in necessary upgrades to infrastructure, and in the sustainable management of freshwater resources.
TNC works with partners across Michigan to support this vision and ensure communities can maintain and deliver safe, affordable water services. For example, by supporting county health departments’ efforts to address failing private septic systems, we aim to help reduce the risk of contamination to nearby water sources.
As a member of the Coalition for a Strong and Prosperous Michigan, TNC is one of 60+ organizations representing the business community, local elected leaders and statewide associations that are advocating for investments in water infrastructure, economic development priorities and more.
Contact Us
Meet our policy and government relations team in Michigan.
Madhu Anderson
Director of Government Relations
Madhu joined The Nature Conservancy in 2019 as director of governmental relations where she also leads the Michigan chapter’s energy and climate policy initiatives and manages state and federal government affairs and advocacy. Prior to joining TNC, Madhu held leadership roles in Michigan's state government. In addition to working in the areas of environment and energy regulatory policy, as chief deputy treasurer, her team worked on landmark tax and school finance reforms.
Madhu earned a master of public policy degree from The Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan and a bachelor of business arts in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. Madhu is also a potter and the treasurer of the Greater Lansing Potters Guild and enjoys trekking in her spare time.
Rich Bowman
Director of Policy
Rich joined The Nature Conservancy in 2006. As the director of policy, Rich manages projects related to increased public funding for conservation including funding for land protection and management, water infrastructure, and conservation incentives for working lands. He also manages projects related to changes in state policy that result in increased land and water conservation. Rich serves as a member of the conservation and management team and is also the project sponsor for the chapter's soil health and nutrients and forestry teams.
Prior to joining TNC, Rich was the executive director of the Michigan Council of Trout Unlimited and has worked in various capacities in state and federal policymaking since 1984. Rich earned a bachelor of science in agricultural economics from Michigan State University and is a graduate fellow of the Michigan Political Leadership Program. Rich and his wife, Ann have lived in Michigan their entire lives and are restoring a 54-year-old wooden Great Lakes Trawler. They have four adult children (ages 26 - 35) who all live in Michigan, three in Grand Rapids and one in Detroit.
More from Michigan
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Michigan Climate ActionIn Michigan and around the world, TNC is working with many partners to leverage the power of nature and change the course of our shared future.
Project Overview
The Heart of Green Stormwater InfrastructureTangible, on-the-ground projects like the Sacred Heart Church parking lot retofit demonstrate the value of green infrastructure, which is crucial to building support for this work across the city of Detroit.
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Forest Restoration in ActionTNC is taking a climate lens to forest restoration across Michigan, looking at where and how conservation action can help forests be more diverse, climate-resilient and disease-resistant.