Minwaajimo 2026

Larval Fish Seine Sweeps

Caring for the Land and Water:

Restoring, Researching, and Connecting with Community Throughout the Year

Across our landscape, caring for the land is a year-round commitment. Each season brings its own challenges, from record-breaking baboon (winters) to the messy ziigwan (spring) snowmelt to the warm sunny days of niibin (summer). These changing ecosystems support different types of relationships between the plants, wildlife, and our waters.  This month’s blog is an overview of many new and on-going projects the Natural Resources Department worked on in 2025. We established restoration sites, advanced wildlife research, monitored the environment, managed fisheries, and hosted community events that deepen our connection with the land.

Rebuilding the Biodome:

Growing Plants for the Future

The year began with an important restoration project: repairing the biodome used to grow plants for ecological restoration work. Years of weather exposure had damaged the structure, making repairs necessary before it could once again support plant propagation. Progress came slowly at first since winter weather made construction difficult. By March, considerable improvements had been made. The greenhouse’s structural base was completely replaced, and interior upgrades improved insulation. Raised beds inside the greenhouse were removed to improve efficiency, and preparations began for the next planting season.

By April, the greenhouse was back in action, just in time for the field season. Technicians began germinating seeds from twenty different plant species, including bee balm, common milkweed, and sweetgrass. After a few weeks of growing, young plants were moved into individual pots so that they would could continue growing before being transplanted to restoration sites across the reservation. These plants support habitat restoration efforts throughout the region and help rebuild native ecosystems that wildlife and people depend on.

Biodome Interior

Remediating Assinins:

Cleaning up Brownfields

Another major focus this year was the Assinins site, a place rich with history now entering a new chapter through environmental cleanup and plans for renewal.

Early in the year, a multi-departmental working group formed to discuss the future of Assinins. The intent is not only to clean up the environmental hazards, but also to create a long-term vision for how the community will use the land. Community input has been central to the remediation process. In February, community members gathered at a public meeting to share their ideas for what the site could become, with ideas ranging from parks and monuments to cultural spaces, senior living, and educational areas. These ideas were recorded and will guide future planning efforts. Environmental assessments continued throughout the spring. Hydrologists (water scientists) evaluated groundwater conditions and other environmental constraints that could affect future construction, such as water availability or septic systems.

Cleanup work began in early summer. Crews removed debris from past structures and discovered remnants of old infrastructure, including wells dating back to the 1940s and a large underground storage tank from an old heating system. These materials were carefully removed and disposed of to ensure the site would be safe for future use. By August, the southern portion of the site had been fully remediated and restored with fresh topsoil and vegetation. The next phase will focus on the northern area of Assinins, continuing the work of transforming the property into a place that reflects both environmental stewardship and community priorities.

Studying Moose:

Tracking Populations in the Upper Peninsula

Throughout the spring and summer, wildlife staff monitored the collared animals using drones and field observations. Many of the cows gave birth during the spring calving season, including several sets of twins. Monitoring these calves helps researchers understand survival rates and the factors that affect young moose. Unfortunately, not every story has a happy ending, and 3 collared moose died during the year. One of the deceased moose was a collared cow with twin calves that was struck by a vehicle and killed, highlighting the dangers moose face in a landscape shared with roads and human activity. Calves rarely survive their mother dying when they are as young as these two were. Even so, the research continues to generate valuable insights that will guide future conservation efforts. Monthly monitoring flights continued through the fall and winter, tracking both cows and calves as they moved across the landscape.

Working alongside the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Northern Michigan University, NRD’s wildlife staff participated in a major research effort to better understand the mooz (moose) population in the Upper Peninsula.

In February, teams gathered at Van Riper State Park, gearing up for the challenging task of capturing and collaring moose. 

Nearly forty researchers and wildlife professionals joined forces, coordinating efforts both in the air and on the ground. Using helicopters, the teams safely immobilized and collared 20 moose, including 10 cows, 5 bulls, and 5 calves. Each collar provides valuable data about movement patterns, habitat use, and survival. The information gathered will help researchers better understand the challenges facing Michigan’s moose population, which will inform moose management on and off the reservation.

Protecting Wildlife Health:

Monitoring Chronic Wasting Disease

Safeguarding wildlife health remains a top priority for KBIC. Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), a deadly threat to waawaashkeshi (deer), omashkooz (elk), and mooz (moose), has crept across parts of North America. Though it has not reached our area, continuous monitoring will help to catch it early if it ever does. A CWD management plan was also developed and will be implemented after final approval.

Early in the year, wildlife staff began mapping heavily used deer trails across the Reservation. Cameras were placed along these routes to monitor deer movement during winter.

Over several months, these cameras recorded more than 8,500 deer detections, providing valuable information about how deer move across the landscape. During the state rifle season, the NRD hosted two deer check stations. Hunters voluntarily submitted lymph node samples from harvested deer, which were sent to a laboratory for testing. A total of 162 samples were collected, and all tested negative. This was welcome news for both wildlife managers and hunters. Drone flights also helped track deer activity during winter months, especially in areas where deer gather near wintering yards.

Surveying Wetlands:

Documenting Ecosystems Across the Reservation

Wetlands are among the most biologically rich ecosystems in the region, and this year’s field work revealed just how diverse they can be.

One major focus was identifying vernal pools, small seasonal wetlands that fill with water in the spring and provide critical breeding habitat for amphibians and invertebrates. Field surveys identified dozens of potential vernal pools, and repeated visits throughout the year confirmed many of them as such. Staff also surveyed plants and assessed wetlands across the landscape. In some plots, they found more than 35 plant species thriving, demonstrating the incredible biodiversity of our wetlands. Additional assessments found unique ecosystems covering the landscape, including tamarack bogs and old-growth cedar wetlands. Each of these habitats plays a role in maintaining healthy watersheds and wildlife populations. The information gathered in these surveys will help guide future wetlands management decisions across the reservation.

Monitoring Native Fish:

Researching Early Life Stages

The waters of Gichigami support many giigoonh (fish) species that are important to both the ecosystem and the community. Staff from the NRD partnered with the Great Lakes Fish and Wildlife Commission and the U.S. Geological Survey to study the early life stages of lake whitefish and cisco. To do so, teams conducted beach seining surveys (shallow water net drags) at several nursery habitats. Sampling occurred at 7 locations including Traverse Bay, Second Sands Beach, and Great Sand Bay. During this time, more than fifty larval and juvenile fish were collected and analyzed for age, growth, diet, and potential genetic connections to adult populations.

Further expanding their monitoring efforts, staff also conducted environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling in Marquette Harbors and the Keweenaw Waterway. By analyzing small traces of DNA left in the water, researchers can detect the presence of fish species and better understand aquatic life across the region.

Caring for Lake Superior:

Cleaning up Community Beaches

Gitchigami lies at the heart of our region, and protecting its shoreline is a shared responsibility that calls the whole community together.

Youth Beach Clean Up (1)

The event included a scavenger hunt that brought teams across Sand Point and the Ojibwa Campground, an art contest using materials collected during the cleanup, and a canoe race that brought friendly competition to the shoreline. Even one of the community’s medicine women joined in the race. Later in the summer, one volunteer group pulled nearly three hundred pounds of trash from the shore in a single day. By the final department-wide cleanup in September, over 750 pounds of debris had been cleared, keeping the lake and its beaches clean.

Sharing Knowledge:

Connecting Community and Culture

While much of the work takes place in forests, wetlands, and offices, community engagement remains at the heart of the department’s mission.

Throughout the year, the NRD hosted a number of events designed to bring people closer to the land. These included youth fishing days, environmental fairs, hunting camps, and outdoor adventure programs. Fisheries managers all over the state gathered in Baraga for the Keweenaw Bay Fisheries Workshop. The day brought discussions about the latest research and policy concerning our fish and fishing! The annual Environmental Fair welcomed nearly 300 students. Children participated in hands-on activities on wildlife, renewable energy, and Great Lakes ecosystems. Other events focused on traditional knowledge and Food Sovereignty.  Manoomin Camp brought together more than 100 participants to learn about harvesting and processing wild rice.  Waawaashkeshi Camp taught youth how to respectfully process harvested deer, while turkey camp introduced young hunters to wildlife biology and outdoor skills.  The Asemma Workshop taught participants how to process and dry tobacco for ceremonial purposes. NRD youth led this event as they grew and harvested the 82 tobacco plants used.

These gatherings are more than educational; they are opportunities to pass down knowledge and strengthen connections between people, culture, and the natural world.

Waawaashkeshi Camp

Looking Ahead:

Continuing the Work of Stewardship

From restoring habitats to studying wildlife and bringing people together, the work of caring for our land is a never-ending responsibility. Every project has moved forward, ensuring the ecosystems, wildlife, and cultural traditions of Keweenaw Bay Indian Community endure for generations to come.

As the seasons shift once more, the work carries on.

Supporting Stewardship:

The Work Between the Highlights

As with most captivating stories, the highlights like what we shared above take center stage while less glamorous activities are relegated to the background. However, cleaning tanks in the hatchery, pulling invasive species on hot summer days, delineating wetlands, and drafting comments on proposed regulatory changes are equally important for upholding our First Treaty responsibilities. Collaborations with others expands our reach and includes projects like – working with the U.S. Forest Service to remove non-local beings (invasive species) from the Ottawa National Forest, coordinating with USDA APHIS to release microscopic wasps that target emerald ash borer (EAB) larvae, and partnering with the EPA to support the BEACH program to monitor local swimming areas on and off the reservation.

KBIC NRD staff permitted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began mist netting bats in 2025. The project aims to expand our bat monitoring program by attaching micro-transmitters on female little brown bats to identify roust trees. The Wildlife and Habitat Section updated the Wolf Protection Plan in order to prepare for collaring wolfs on the reservation. Changes include current data and establishing goals for an expanded monitoring program. Training with world renowned veterinarian Mark R. Johnson helped develop staff’s skillsets and build confidence in the program. The Habitat Suitability model was presented at the regional Native American Fish and Wildlife Society conference. Opportunities like these allow us to inform and enhance tribal natural resource management nationwide.

In August the Ojibwa Casino was host to the Michigan Tribal Environmental Group quarterly meeting where tribal environmental staff met to discuss ongoing projects and priorities. This networking event allowed KBIC-NRD to show off the continued success of the Sand Point restoration site, fish composting operations, and finished with a boat tour of Keweenaw Bay to show the stamps sands and shoreline impacts. The CARE Committee continues to consider KBIC’s energy future, adopting a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan to guide us towards a more sustainable one. With an updated website and regular social media updates, we have connected with many to share progress on our restoration efforts, offering a symbol of hope and a path forward. For all our relatives, human and more than human, we continue to encourage another generation of harvesters, water walkers, and scientists one good story after another.

Department Staff Beach Clean Up