Throughout history, people have both negatively and positively affected Michigan’s environment. Stewardship, meaning protection and management of the natural environment in such a way that it can be passed on to future generations, is a key concept in this lesson. Students are introduced to examples of environmental stewardship by individuals, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. Some examples of individuals who could be considered role models of environmental stewardship include: Bertha Daubendiak, founder of the Michigan Nature Association; Genevieve Gillette, the “lady of the parks”; Joan Wolfe, founder of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council; Tom Washington, longtime leader of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs; Ralph McMullan, leader of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources; Edith Munger, President of the Michigan Audubon Society in 1911; and P.J. Hoffmaster, former Director of the Michigan Department of Conservation. Just a few examples of nonprofit organizations that have worked to protect Michigan’s environment include the Michigan Audubon Society, Michigan Nature Association, Michigan Nature Conservancy, and Michigan United Conservation Clubs. The two primary state government agencies that work to protect and manage Michigan’s natural resources and environment include the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Natural Resources.

The following chronology presents an overview of Michigan’s environmental history. It should be noted that this timeline is not intended as a student resource, but may be especially useful to teachers less familiar with Michigan history. The chronology is not comprehensive and attempts only to address events that had statewide impact. Some political events, such as the War of 1812, are included because of their direct or indirect impact on Michigan’s environment. Additionally, teachers should be aware that the student resource, the Michigan Environmental Timeline, is located on the MEECS Ecosystems & Biodiversity CD, and will need to be printed out for use in the lesson.

CHRONOLOGY OF SIGNIFICANT EVENTS IN MICHIGAN’S ENVIRONMENT

Early History (4.5 billion years ago–2 million years ago)

4.5 Billion–600 Million Years Ago: Folding, faulting, and mountain building occur, forming the igneous and metamorphic rocks that form outcrops in the western Upper Peninsula. Major deposits of iron form.

600–280 Million Years Ago: Marine seas advance and retreat leaving 14,000 feet of sandstone, limestone, shale, salts, gypsum, and coal. Major oil and gas-producing formations are deposited, as well as the thick salt formations below the city of Detroit. Colonial corals grow in the warm shallow seas and become Petoskey stones when fossilized and broken. When the seas retreat, large continental coal deposits form.

380–2 Million Years Ago: Little is known about this part of Michigan’s geological history because most of these rocks eroded. However, some Jurassic “Red Beds” are found and consist of iron-rich sandstones, shales, and clays.

Ice Age (2 million–12, 000 years ago)

2 Million–500,000 Years Ago: Worldwide temperatures drop, and large sheets of ice called glaciers cover much of North America. Glaciers thousands of feet thick advance and retreat at least four times over Michigan, carving and shaping the basins of the Great Lakes.

About 15,000–12,000 Years Ago: The Earth’s climate begins to warm and the glaciers slowly retreat northward. As the glaciers recede for the last time, plants and animals begin to colonize on the exposed bare soil and rocks.

Michigan’s First People (11,000 years ago–1618)

About 11,000 Years Ago: For the first time, Michigan is settled by people. Archaeologists refer to these prehistoric settlers as the Paleo-Indians. They probably first reach North America by crossing the Bering Straits from Asia to Alaska, before spreading across North, Central, and South America.

About 7,000–3,200 Years Ago: A civilization known as the Old Copper People inhabit the copper-rich areas of the western Upper Peninsula. Scientists estimate that 1.5 billion pounds of copper were mined by these people over the course of 1,000 years.

About 2000–1600 Years Ago: The Hopewell people, also known as the Mound Builders, inhabit Michigan. Historians believe the Hopewell are the distant ancestors of the native people who still live in Michigan.

European Explorers and Euro-American Settlement (1618–1865)

1618: Etienne Brule and his companions arrive at Lake Huron from France, naming the region “New France.” There are an estimated 100,000 Native Americans living in Michigan at this time. By the 1630s, the French have a regular business trading with Native Americans for animal furs (especially beaver pelts). Items such as needles, fishhooks, hatchets, traps, and guns are traded for the furs, which are then shipped to France and other European countries. This trade continues for the next 200 years. Consequently, many Native Americans abandon their traditional ways and become dependent on the fur trade.

1754–1763: In the French and Indian War, Great Britain takes control of most French claims in North America, including Michigan. Native Americans, who had received better treatment from the earlier French leaders, are not pleased with the way they are treated by the new British leaders. This same year, Ottawa Chief Pontiac leads Native Americans in an attack against British-controlled forts (Fort Detroit, Fort St. Joseph, and Fort Michilimackinac) killing many settlers. In order to maintain peace, the British agree to close the West to settlement by Whites (British Proclamation of 1763), slowing settlement by Whites west of the Appalachians.

1775–1783: In the Revolutionary War, Americans fight the English for their independence. At the end of the war in 1783, Michigan comes almost entirely under American control (except for Detroit and Fort Mackinac, which do not surrender until 1796). Fur trading continues to dominate the economy.

1805: The Lower Peninsula and the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula become the Territory of Michigan.

1812–1814: In the War of 1812, the Americans and British continue to fight for control of the Great Lakes region. Following the war, which ended in 1814, most of the territory is still unsurveyed and unavailable for settlement.

1818: Public land sales begin at Detroit; immigration from East is increased. In 1820, citizens could purchase land for $1.25 an acre.

1825: The 364-mile Erie Canal is opened, connecting Albany, New York, with Buffalo, New York. This new canal makes the shipping of farm products and travel to and from the Great Lakes region much easier, resulting in a flood of immigrants, especially from New York and New England.

1830: During the next ten years, in a period known as “Michigan Fever,” the state’s population increases from 31,639 to 212,267. At the same time, large numbers of Native Americans living in the region die from diseases brought by the settlers, such as small pox and typhoid. Tribes also lose large amounts of land to the United States and Michigan governments, for which they are often neither paid nor compensated. By 1838, almost all native villages in Michigan have been abandoned.

1837: President Andrew Jackson signs a bill making Michigan the 26th state in the Union.

1843: The Michigan “Copper Rush” begins. Between 1843 and the 1920s, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula is the only place in the world where commercial quantities of pure, workable copper are mined.

1850s: It becomes fashionable for women to wear hats decorated with bird feathers. As a result, millions of birds are killed every year for their feathers, which are used primarily to decorate women’s hats. The practice finally ends in the early 1900s, as bird populations decline and people become more aware of the need for their protection.

1855: Sault Ste. Marie locks open between Lakes Superior and Huron, allowing for increases in immigration, commerce, and shipping.

1859: After many years of uncontrolled hunting and fishing, Michigan’s once abundant fish and wildlife stocks are largely destroyed. The first fisheries regulations are enacted.

1861–1865: In the U.S. Civil War, 90,000 Michigan soldiers fight for the Union.

Lumber Boom (1867–1900)

1867: Michigan lumber boom begins. Between 1869 and 1900, Michigan leads the nation in lumber production. Michigan’s commercial logging provides many new jobs, drawing immigrants from around the world—especially Scandinavians, Germans, Irish, and Canadians. The lumber is shipped as far away as Europe. By 1929, an estimated 92% of Michigan’s original forests either have been cut or otherwise destroyed during the previous 100 years. The decline of lumbering affects thousands of people who depend on the industry for employment.

1871: The “Great Michigan Fire” lasts nearly one month and burns approximately 2.5 million acres (3,900 sq. mi.) across the State. Careless logging practices often leave enormous quantities of waste wood behind, which provide fuel for the fires. Other large fires in the Lower Peninsula include: 1880 (238,270 acres);

1881(1,014,000 acres); and 1908 (2,369,000). The Upper Peninsula also suffers from countless fires.

1877: A 7.1-mile-long railway opens in Clare County, leading to growth in the Michigan lumber industry. By 1882, 32 additional logging railroads operate in the state, permitting new areas to be logged, all sizes of trees to be cut, and, most importantly, year-round transportation of logs to the sawmills.

1878: One of the last large nestings of Passenger Pigeons occurs in Petoskey, MI. Without laws restricting the hunting of the birds, professional hunters kill an estimated 50,000 birds per day for a period of five months to sell in city markets for food. Once the most common bird in Michigan, by the early 1900s not one Passenger Pigeon can be found in the wild; in 1914 the bird becomes officially extinct.

1887: After over 10 years of lobbying, a group called the Michigan Sportsman’s Association succeeds in helping to pass a law creating a new job of “state game warden” to protect the state’s fish and wildlife. Michigan is the first state in the country to create this job, today referred to as “Conservation Officer.”

Early Conservation Efforts (1900–1940)

1903: The Michigan Legislature creates first state forest reserves to start rebuilding state’s burned-over, cutover forests (by 2004, there are nearly 3.9 million acres of state forest).

1904: The Michigan Audubon Society forms to promote appreciation and protection of birds. A woman named Edith Munger becomes President of the Michigan Audubon Society in 1911 and works to protect birds.

1908: Forest fires burn much of northern Michigan, killing dozens of people. An estimated 2,369,000 acres in northern lower Michigan were burned. Many citizens are upset and call for changes in forestry management.

1908: The Model-T is introduced by Henry Ford. Michigan becomes the center of automobile manufacturing. Immigrants come from both Europe and the southern United States for relatively high paying jobs working in automobile-making factories. As cars become more common, the road system is improved and expanded.

1919: Beginning of Michigan’s State Park System. Genevieve Gillette and P.J. Hoffmaster (Michigan Conservation Director) work to help expand and create many parks in Michigan. In 1959, Gillette founds the Michigan Parks Association to support park projects.

1919: After improvements are made to the Welland Canal (bypassing Niagara Falls), the sea lamprey invades the Great Lakes. This blood-sucking pest harms fishing in the Great Lakes.

1921: The Michigan Department of Conservation is created to protect and manage Michigan’s natural resources. This department was later renamed the Department of Natural Resources.

1920s and 1930s: Three national forests are created in Michigan, covering about 2.7 million acres of land. These are the Ottawa, Hiawatha, and Huron-Manistee National Forests.

1933–1942: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), created by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, employs over 102,000 young men in Michigan to provide forest fire protection, plant trees, improve forest stands, stock fish, and build recreation buildings as well as new roads. In this period, around 484 million trees are planted in Michigan, more than during any other time in history.

1937: Michigan’s largest citizen conservation organization, the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, forms.

1940: Isle Royale National Park is established. A writer for Detroit News named Albert Stolle, Jr. had written articles that eventually helped win widespread support for designating the island as a national park. In 1981, Isle Royale is named an International Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations, giving it global scientific and educational importance. Today, over 98% of the park is designated wilderness.

Industrialization and World War II (1940–1960)

1941–1945: World War II. Michigan’s auto factories are converted to produce war materials. Industry expands in the state, but with little concern for the environment. Michigan becomes known as the “Arsenal of Democracy.” At the same time, farming practices change nationwide as synthetic fertilizers and new chemical pesticides like DDT are introduced. As a consequence, more and more people move to cities and no longer farm.

1945: The old-growth forests of the Porcupine Mountains are protected from logging, thanks to the leadership of Conservation director P.J. Hoffmaster and Ironwood businessman Raymond Dick. The area becomes protected as a state park.

1948: The Detroit River becomes heavily polluted by industry, causing large numbers of ducks to die, leading to public outcry. (Members of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs attract attention to the problem by dumping hundreds of dead birds in front of the Michigan State Capitol.) The following year, Michigan’s Legislature toughens water pollution laws and penalties for violations. Despite this effort, many of Michigan’s waterways continue to be badly polluted through the 1950s and 1960s.

1952: The Michigan Nature Association (MNA) is founded by Bertha Daubendiek of Macomb County. Daubendiek then leads efforts over the next 50 years to protect unique habitats and rare plant species in Michigan, resulting in 160 sanctuaries totaling 8200 acres.

1959: St. Lawrence Seaway opens, changing the pattern of inland navigation by allowing large ocean-going ships to carry large cargoes between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes.

Increasing Environmental Awareness and Stewardship (1968–Present)

1968: The West Michigan Environmental Action Council (WMEAC) is founded in Grand Rapids by Michigan citizen Joan Wolfe. Soon after, other regional councils (EMEAC and NMEAC) are formed in northern and eastern parts of the state. Today, these citizen groups continue to help increase public awareness of environmental issues and provide support for the passage of laws that protect the State’s environment.

1968: Michigan voters pass the State’s first Clean Water Bond, committing $335 million to protect the State’s water.

1969: Michigan becomes the first state to ban most uses of the toxic pesticide DDT. Ralph McMullan, head of the Department of Conservation, led this effort, in response to public concern over contamination of Great Lakes fish, wildlife, and the environment.

1970: The first Earth Day is celebrated on April 22. Public awareness about environmental issues increases. Responding to the public concern, Michigan lawmakers pass the Environmental Protection Act (Act 127, Public Act 1970), for the first time allowing citizens to bring lawsuits against polluters.

1973: The toxic chemical PBB (polybrominated biphenyls) is accidentally fed to dairy cattle at approximately 25 Michigan farms, contaminating milk and beef supplies. The mix-up is not noticed until a year later, when PBB was identified as the substance causing death and illness in dairy cattle. Over the course of this year, approximately 85% of Michigan residents were exposed to the chemical, after unknowingly consuming contaminated milk or beef. State officials ordered the slaughter of 17,000 cattle, 3,415 hogs, and 1.5 million chickens, which were then buried in special landfills.

1973: The United States passes the Endangered Species Act, which is designed to protect species that are in danger of becoming extinct. One year later, in 1974, Michigan passes its own Endangered Species Law to provide specific protection to Michigan plants and animals.

1973: The last remaining stands of old-growth white pines in Michigan are protected from being logged. Following a statewide campaign to protect the trees, the Michigan Nature Association purchases the area and creates the Estivant Pines Nature Preserve near Copper Harbor.

1976: Under the leadership of Tom Washington, Director of the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC), voters pass a beverage container deposit law, setting the deposit at 10 cents. This new law reduces bottle trash by 80% and overall roadside litter by 38 %, and makes for cleaner beaches throughout the state.

1979: Michigan enacts one of the strongest wetland protection laws in the country.

1985: Michigan Governor Engler and governors of other seven Great Lakes States and provinces sign a charter limiting water diversions from Great Lakes.

1988: The zebra mussel, native to Eastern Europe, is first observed in Lake St. Clair in 1988, probably arriving there in ballast water carried in ocean-going ships. Within three years, they have spread to all of the Great Lakes, and many inland waterways in the United States and Canada. They cause problems by clogging municipal water intake pipes, competing with native species for food, and creating a hazard for barefooted beach-goers.

1995: Governor Engler splits the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) into two agencies, creating a new Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). While the role of the DNR continues to be managing the State’s natural resources, the mission of the DEQ is to administer permits and enforce laws related to protecting Michigan’s environment.

1995: Michigan Land Use Institute forms with the mission of helping the State avoid the patterns of suburban sprawl and over-development that cause traffic congestion, pollution, loss of community, and rising costs to individuals and governments.

2005: Northern Great Lakes Forest Project. Governor Granholm and The Nature Conservancy protect more than 271,000 acres through a working forest easement on 248,000 acres and acquisition of 23,338 acres in the Upper Peninsula. The parcels link more than 2.5 million acres of protected federal, state, and natural areas across the Upper Peninsula.