Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
At The Cook’s House in Traverse City, Michigan, Chef Eric Patterson celebrates the flavors of the Great Lakes—including whitefish, a staple on his menu and in Michigan’s culinary heritage. But habitat degradation and invasive species like quagga mussels are threatening whitefish populations, putting the species, commercial fisheries and local food traditions at risk. To continue serving this delicacy, we need strong federal, state, and Tribal policies and action to help protect and restore whitefish habitat and populations—something TNC is working toward with partners like Tribal natural resource agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
You might not know it, but policy makes conservation and climate action possible. Visit nature.org/actfornature to tell Congress to protect funding that creates a world where people and nature thrive. preserve.nature.org/page/167450/action/1
Keep up with The Nature Conservancy's latest efforts to protect nature and preserve life:
Facebook - nature.org/facebook
Instagram - nature.org/instagram
LinkedIn - nature.org/linkedin
Text NATURE to 97779 to join The Nature Conservancy on text.
To sign-up for nature e-news visit: preserve.nature.org/page/82226/data/1
At The Cook’s House in Traverse City, Michigan, Chef Eric Patterson celebrates the flavors of the Great Lakes—including whitefish, a staple on his menu and in Michigan’s culinary heritage. But habitat degradation and invasive species like quagga mussels are threatening whitefish populations, putting the species, commercial fisheries and local food traditions at risk. To continue serving this delicacy, we need strong federal, state, and Tribal policies and action to help protect and restore whitefish habitat and populations—something TNC is working toward with partners like Tribal natural resource agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
You might not know it, but policy makes conservation and climate action possible. Visit nature.org/actfornature to tell Congress to protect funding that creates a world where people and nature thrive. preserve.nature.org/page/167450/action/1
Keep up with The Nature Conservancy's latest efforts to protect nature and preserve life:
Facebook - nature.org/facebook
Instagram - nature.org/instagram
LinkedIn - nature.org/linkedin
Text NATURE to 97779 to join The Nature Conservancy on text.
To sign-up for nature e-news visit: preserve.nature.org/page/82226/data/1
