nature conservancy

The Ann Arbor School Board held a workshop Tuesday night to hear about dueling proposed plans to build a new Thurston Elementary School. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

The greenway along the Saline River is going to expand, and about 45 acres of property will preserved in perpetuity. The Washtenaw County Department of Parks and Recreation purchased the land from the Grossman Family, and it aims to improve the environment and add recreational opportunity. WEMU's David Fair spoke with Parks and Recreation Stewardship Planner Allison Krueger about the project.

The Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Department has announced the purchase of 45 acres of land along the Saline River for preservation. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

Over the summer, the Huron River Watershed Council conducted an extensive survey of freshwater mussels in the Huron River to determine potential impacts when the Peninsular Paper Dam is removed. It found that removing the Pen Dam could release sediment, potentially smothering downstream mussel populations. Once the dam is removed, though, the river will return to a more natural state, benefiting mussel species over time. WEMU's David Fair looked at the research and its implications with Huron River Watershed Council Ecologist Dr. Paul Steen.

Ann Arbor voters are being asked to extend the city’s Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage for a period of 20 years. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Residents near Thurston Elementary School are frustrated with Ann Arbor Public Schools over what they say is a lack of transparency regarding the school’s planned expansion. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more in this report.

Webster Township has secured a 38-acre conservation easement along the south side of Trail Ridge. Ana Longoria reports.

There are efforts within city government to develop Water Street along the Huron River. Heather Wysor is an herbalist founder of the online shop Heathers on Earth. It focuses on foraged, natural medicines. She would like to "re-wild" the downtown property. WEMU's Josh Hakala and Concentrate Media's Sarah Rigg speak with Wysor about her proposal to preserve the area's natural state.

Flooding, pollution, and overall water quality have dominated the news lately. While municipal water systems cover the majority of state residents, 35%…