Michigan Nature Association

Organization founded in 1952 to acquire and preserve nature sanctuaries in Michigan. The association was previously named St. Clair Metropolitan Beach Sanctuary Association (1952-1955), Macomb Nature Association (1955-1965), and Eastern Michigan Nature Association (1965-1970).

The Michigan Nature Association has its origins as a "bird watching group." In 1952, moved to protest the destruction of the common tern colony at Metropolitan Beach in Macomb County, the group, lead by Bertha Daubendiek, was incorporated as the St. Clair Metropolitan Beach Sanctuary Association. In 1955, the organization changed its name to the Macomb Nature Association and established the Junior Nature Patrol division. The purpose of the Nature Patrol was to emphasize nature education in public schools through the use of presentations and field trips.

In 1960, realizing that education was not enough to preserve nature areas within fast growing Macomb County, the Association decided to assume debt to buy five natural areas to be called nature sanctuaries. With this debt quickly paid off, more nature sanctuaries were acquired, through purchase and donation. The organization's rapid growth, activities, and participation in local environmental issues led to its renaming in 1965 to the Eastern Michigan Nature Association and in 1970 to the Michigan Nature Association.

The MNA's purpose is twofold: to carry on a program of natural history study and conservation education; and to acquire, maintain, and protect nature sanctuaries, natural areas, and plant preserves in the state of Michigan.