Filter heroes statewide, by region or by cause.
1001 Woodward Ave #1400
Hero Story
The Metro Detroit Nature Network, now known as SEMI Wild, was established in 2015 as a regional inter-agency alliance with the express mission of promoting nature, conservation, and general interest in the metro Detroit outdoors. Many of those living in the area do not take advantage of the many environmental assets that exist across our region. SEMI Wild member institutions created a network to strengthen information sharing and collaboration, as well as to promote the beauty and opportunities available to those living in or visiting SE Michigan.
The network has over 50 organizational members, all of whom volunteer their time in service to the Network and its goals. Member organizations range from Detroit Audubon, to MParks, to US Fish and Wildlife Service’s International Wildlife Refuge, to SE Michigan Council of Governments, to Michigan Department of Natural Resources, to Heart of the Lakes, to The Greening of Detroit, to Wayne County Parks, and many others.
The Network continues to expand and now has a formalized set of by-laws, elected local leadership, and committees that actively strive to conduct research, advocate for policy, as well as encourage and promote increasing diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and conservation.
For instance, the network successfully lobbied the City of Detroit to become a signatory on the Urban Bird Treaty, see: https://www.fws.gov/urban/urbanbirdtreaty.php. In Summer 2021, Youth Career Pathways Committee members compiled and shared a catalog of virtual and in-person network educational opportunities with 6 Detroit-based youth-serving organizations to engage youth in citizen science and wildlife programming available through the 50+ SEMI member organizations. An end-of-summer survey of over 80 youth indicated an increased interest in careers in the environmental sciences, for instance.
This is just a small glimpse into the amazing work of the SEMI Wild Network. For the above reasons, we believe the SEMI Wild Network is worthy of the title Michigan Hero.
1001 Woodward Ave #1400
Hero Story
The Metro Detroit Nature Network, now known as SEMI Wild, was established in 2015 as a regional inter-agency alliance with the express mission of promoting nature, conservation, and general interest in the metro Detroit outdoors. Many of those living in the area do not take advantage of the many environmental assets that exist across our region. SEMI Wild member institutions created a network to strengthen information sharing and collaboration, as well as to promote the beauty and opportunities available to those living in or visiting SE Michigan.
The network has over 50 organizational members, all of whom volunteer their time in service to the Network and its goals. Member organizations range from Detroit Audubon, to MParks, to US Fish and Wildlife Service’s International Wildlife Refuge, to SE Michigan Council of Governments, to Michigan Department of Natural Resources, to Heart of the Lakes, to The Greening of Detroit, to Wayne County Parks, and many others.
The Network continues to expand and now has a formalized set of by-laws, elected local leadership, and committees that actively strive to conduct research, advocate for policy, as well as encourage and promote increasing diversity and inclusion in outdoor recreation and conservation.
For instance, the network successfully lobbied the City of Detroit to become a signatory on the Urban Bird Treaty, see: https://www.fws.gov/urban/urbanbirdtreaty.php. In Summer 2021, Youth Career Pathways Committee members compiled and shared a catalog of virtual and in-person network educational opportunities with 6 Detroit-based youth-serving organizations to engage youth in citizen science and wildlife programming available through the 50+ SEMI member organizations. An end-of-summer survey of over 80 youth indicated an increased interest in careers in the environmental sciences, for instance.
This is just a small glimpse into the amazing work of the SEMI Wild Network. For the above reasons, we believe the SEMI Wild Network is worthy of the title Michigan Hero.