Partnership, access, and equity in action

Land and water are not only essential natural systems but also vital elements of our histories, our identities, and how we understand one another. With the lands and waters we steward as our Living Land Lab, MBGNA’s work in this space unfolds across four primary domains:

• Tribal and Indigenous Partnerships and Collaborations

• Food Systems, Access, and Sovereignty. 

• Inclusive User Experience + Accessibility

• Outdoor Education + Play Equity

For more than 20 years, MBGNA has partnered with Indigenous Communities and Tribes - the original stewards of Michigan’s lands and waters - on numerous initiatives. Over time, these relationships have evolved into deeper approaches, combining Traditional Ecological Knowledge with emergent science and practice. MBGNA now co-leads, with the College of Menominee Nation, the Midwest Hub for the Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledge and Science. In parallel, through the Campus Farm and its partners, MBGNA leads food systems efforts with a wide variety of local and regional collaborators, ranging from community farms and organizations in Detroit to refugee resettlement agencies in Washtenaw County.

At MBGNA, we believe access to nature should be universal. Whether it’s experiencing the mental and physical health benefits of time spent outside or engaging in educational nature programs, we strive to create opportunities for everyone. Specifically, MBGNA aims to further efforts in providing equitable access to outdoor play and natural space across the State of Michigan, including in our own community. Equally important, ensuring that MBGNA is not only accessible from a compliance standpoint, but able to develop positive accessibility-driven programmatic and physical improvements is key to our mission. 

Your support is vital in driving this mission forward. Join us in this essential work to protect our environment and promote equitable land relations for all.

Funding Goal: $3,500,000