Annual report: Learning and action
July 1, 2026Newaygo County Environmental Coalition
Whether you’re new to the area or have lived here all your life, the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition (NCEC) wants to make sure you understand how special our corner of
Michigan is.
“We’re lucky to have really unique ecosystems,” said Sarah Pregitzer, NCEC board chair. “It’s one of the most diverse areas in Michigan.”
These unique ecosystems deserve protection, so NCEC works with other groups and passionate volunteers to generate a robust calendar of opportunities for learning and action. Offerings include youth programming, vernal pool mapping, a new pollinator pathways initiative, and more. Their healthy habitat project received a grant from the Community Foundation.
“I love the spaces we have and the land that’s been protected here,” said Sarah. “We want people to understand not only how it all works, but how to help it work.”
In addition to teaching people how to care for our exceptional ecosystems, Sarah hopes more people realize connecting to nature can be an important form of self-care.
“If you’re feeling anxiety and stress about what’s going on in the world, take a break and learn more about the natural world,” she said. “When you know even a little bit, you start to recognize things when you walk in the woods. It’s something familiar. It feels like a friend.”
