The Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) and Michigan State University Press are pleased to announce the publication of a new book entitled "Prairies and Savannas in Michigan: Rediscovering Our Natural Heritage." Highly readable and beautifully illustrated with more than 100 photographs, it will be of great interest to naturalists, private landowners, and field biologists.

"Few people realize that Michigan once contained significant expanses of prairies and savannas, and was not entirely forested," said Brian Klatt, director of MNFI. "Based on field research, scientific publications, and historical accounts, the book is the culmination of years of research. It brings together information from a wide variety of sources to paint a picture of these once extensive natural communities."

"Prairies and savannas are critical habitat for a wide variety of wildlife ranging from game species to rare and declining species," said Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Division Chief Russ Mason.

Mason said that the book and the ongoing restoration of prairie and savanna habitat represent a strong partnership between MNFI, the DNR, and other agencies. In particular, the book will be a new educational tool for the DNR's Landowner Incentive Program, which helps private landowners manage their land for rare and declining species in prairie, savanna, and open wetlands through a grant from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Like MNFI's recently published ?Atlas of Early Michigan's Forests, Grasslands, and Wetlands,' the new book will be very useful to conservation organizations and individuals alike," explained Tom Coon, director of MSU Extension. "Especially useful is a section on what private landowners can do on their own property."

Available from the MNFI, the book retails for $24.95. More information about MNFI and publications it offers is available at http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/.

The MNFI is a part of MSU Extension. Their mission is to deliver the highest quality information that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity, especially rare and declining plants and animals and the diversity of ecosystems native to Michigan. The MNFI maintains the statewide database of rare species occurrences and conducts surveys, research, planning efforts, and educational workshops to enhance the conservation of biodiversity.