RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN THE HURON MOUNTAINS, MICHIGAN

The Huron Mt. Wildlife Foundation invites proposals for field research

at a natural area of approximately 10,000 ha in northern Marquette Co.,

Michigan. The Huron Mountains region encompasses an unusual diversity of
terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and an array of unusual geological
features. Because of the area’s remoteness and isolation, substantial
tracts remain undeveloped.

The research area includes Lake Superior shoreline, sandy beach ridge
complexes, granitic knobs and domes up to 300 m above Lake Superior, and
a variety of glacially shaped terrains. Upland ecosystems include
several thousand ha of old-growth forest, ranging from wetland forests,
to hemlock-northern hardwood forests, to pine and oak stands on drier
sites. Diverse and unusually pristine aquatic systems include wetlands,
large and small inland lakes (some over 80 m deep) and ponds, and a
variety of streams.

The Huron Mountain Wildlife Foundation (HMWF) promotes field-based,
natural-science research in this region generally, and offers modest
funding for a limited number of research projects. The research area is
particularly amenable to long-term ecological studies. Much of the area
has been under continuous, private conservation management for over 100
years. Ecosystems remain unusually free of direct, human impact, and
long-term records provide baseline data for many taxa and systems. More
intensively managed ecosystems within and outside the research area
provide opportunities for comparative studies. Current management is
minimally intrusive and emphasizes maintenance of natural-area status.
Access is strictly regulated, providing security for investigators'
study sites and equipment.

HMWF provides comfortable accommodations and work areas for approved
researchers, as space permits, at the Ives Lake field station. Modest
research funding is available from the Foundation for a limited number
of projects each year. Highest funding priority will be given to
projects that hold promise of generating external funding for
longer-term research.

Investigators interested in conducting research in the Huron Mountains
should submit a project proposal. See the Foundation’s website
(www.hmwf.or), or contact the Director of
Research for more specific guidelines on appropriate research and
proposals. Research proposals are accepted at any time, but HMWF funding
is generally available only if proposals are received by 1 February.
Proposals received by the same target date will also have first priority
for housing and use of research facilities.

Kerry D. Woods, Director of Research
Natural Sciences
Bennington College
Bennington VT 05201
e-mail: director@hmwf.org
or: kwoods@bennington.edu

When sending emails, please include "HMWF" in the subject line.