We are not alone in believing that the disappearance of habitat is a critical problem. We address this problem in Michigan with a unique approach.We don't lobby for more government regulation. With the exception of the Bengel Wildlife Center, we don't seek to own or manage lands.We simply provide the technical and financial assistance that landowners and managers need to restore and maintain wildlife habitat. In addition, The Bengel Wildlife Center offers first-class accommodations to suit every event. From banquets and wedding ceremonies and receptions to seminars and conferences, our facilities offer a quiet woodland retreat perfect for all occasions. Only minutes from downtown Lansing, our Wildlife Center lets you get away from it all, without traveling far away. This year, our efforts we are focusing on the Institute of Rare Mammel Studies. The IRMS is currently focusing on determining the status of five mammals in Michigan's Lower Peninsula. The species in question are the fisher, wolf, cougar, prairie vole, and least shrew. We are also examining methods to help monitor an invasive exotic species, the wild boar, in both peninsulas. The goal is to fill in known data gaps. We are also continuing the Becoming Outdoors Smart in Summer (BOSS) program, which provides kids with the tools to better understand nature. Our 10 education units teach skills such as animal tracking, identification of trees, birds, amphibians, and reptiles; how to analyze habitats for monarch butterflies and fish (in streams); and the pollinators important to agriculture and wild plants. The BOSS program provides a solid foundation for interacting with nature safely.

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