Michigan’s northern forests stretch across the Upper Peninsula and into the northern Lower Peninsula — millions of acres of wild land that most Detroiters rarely think about. But those forests filter the water that flows into the Great Lakes and eventually into Detroit’s taps. They absorb air pollution and carbon, buffer extreme weather, and sustain […]

Michiganders face more floods and extreme weather as climate change reshapes the state, impacting ecosystems, the economy, and public health. Wildfire risks rise, while key tree species and wildlife struggle to adapt.

The PERMIT Act, now under Senate review, threatens to weaken the Clean Water Act, risking higher pollution levels in Detroit’s drinking water and endangering the health and cultural practices of local communities.

The Great Northwoods, vital for Detroit’s air and water quality, is more than a distant wilderness. Organizations like Detroit Outdoors and Black to the Land are bridging the gap, fostering connections and stewardship between urban communities and these crucial ecosystems.