Scientific Anglers Partners with Cedars for the AuSable, November 2023

For over a decade Scientific Anglers has supported a Michigan group called Cedars for the AuSable.  Since 1997, this group has worked with the AuSable River Property Owners Association, various river conservation groups, and the Michigan DNR to plant over 30,000 white cedar seedlings in protective enclosures on both the AuSable and Little Manistee Rivers.

The northern white cedar tree is native to the area and an important part of the river corridor ecology.  They provide needed shade to help reduce water temperature and maintain the important cold-water fisheries of these rivers.  In addition, the cedars lock in soil to help secure the riverbank.  Finally, cedar sweepers at the waterline provide critical habitat and protection for trout.   Without the white cedar these high-quality fisheries would not exist.

Unfortunately, there is little to no natural reforestation of these trees.  It has been found that deer and hares consume nearly all of the natural seedlings.  To combat this problem, Howard N. Johnson and Cedars for the AuSable designed pre-packaged planting kits that include 10 northern white cedar seedlings, protective fencing materials with stakes, and planting instructions.  Volunteers then plant these at pre-selected locations along the river corridors.  In 2023, 1000 seedlings were planted.

Johnson is Cedars for the AuSable Chairman.  According to him, “The Cedars for the Au Sable project, administered by the Au Sable River Property Owners Alliance, is a unique undertaking to help with the reforestation of northern white-cedars along both the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers in northern Michigan. For the past several decades, only the 30,000 northern white-cedar seedlings planted and protected by our local river property owners and volunteers have the likelihood to survive to maturity providing seed stock for the future.  Scientific Anglers of Midland, Michigan has been a valued and dedicated contributor to this project since 2016.”

 For over 75 years Scientific Anglers has helped support a variety of fisheries-focused conservation projects throughout Michigan, across the U.S., and beyond.  Giving back to the fly-fishing community is an important part of what we do and this help often extends beyond just fish.  What benefits fish, in this case trout, also benefits a larger ecosystem.

Scientific Anglers President, Brad Befus, states, “Scientific Anglers supports fisheries conservation and restoration through various organizations and groups. Cedars for the AuSable is one such organization we are proud to contribute to for the planting of cedar trees along the banks of the AuSable River to help maintain the health of this famed Michigan fishery.”