Reconciliation in a Michigan Watershed: Restoring Ken-O-Sha

by Gail Gunst Heffner, David P. Warners

Like many American urban waterways, Ken-O-Sha has been in decline for nearly two hundred years. Once life-supporting, the waterway now known as Plaster Creek is life-threatening. In this provocative book, scholars and environmentalists Gail Gunst Heffner and David P. Warners explore the watershed’s ecological, social, spiritual, and economic history to determine what caused the damage, and describe more recent efforts to repair it. Heffner and Warners provide insight into the concept of reconciliation ecology, as enacted through their group, Plaster Creek Stewards,who together with community partners refuse to accept the status quo of a contaminated creek unfit for children’s play, severely reduced biological diversity, and environmental injustices. Their work reveals that reconciliation ecology needs to focus not only on repairing damaged human–nature relationships, but also on the relationships between people groups, including Indigenous North Americans and the descendants of European colonizers.

Genres: Nonfiction

314 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2024

Reviews

[Craig E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having just finished Debra Rienstra's wise book _Refugia Faith_, I was keen to extend the conversation about caring for places by reading Gail Heffner and David Warner's book _Reconciliation in a Michigan Watershed_. This book was wise in completely other ways! Gail and Dave go deep in indigenous history, worldview analysis, and ecological investigation. I loved the way the book conveyed a sense of the authors' own journey, without centering the authors. They describe in vivid ways how they traveled here or waded there or advocated there. They are candid about ways they've failed, but the book's story is not finally about them. It's about place itself, with close and loving and sometimes grieving attention to a West Michigan watershed. For me, what made the book most compelling was the sense that the book itself (a clearly demanding project) was not the culmination of their work but merely one expression of a larger, multidirectional, communal project. They're clearly important (and learned) spokespersons in this creation care project, but they see themselves as neighbors. In fact, they see themselves as participants in an ecology, which is a way of life I'd like to emulate. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go get rid of my gas-powered lawn mower and shop for a battery-powered mower instead. I am literally doing that this morning, but what I should be doing is starting a curb-side rain garden. Next on the list!

[William Weld-Wallis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book about the Ken-O-Sha Creek's near destruction at the hands of European settlers and their descendents, resulting in what we now know as Plaster Creek, a place I walk and bike along near my home. The book has got to be one of the most complete histories of the native peoples of west Michigan, offering so my information and depth. The chapters on the clash of world views between native peoples and European settlers is stark and unsettling. The chapter on how the work of the Plaster Creek Stewards has impacted a younger generation by bringing them into a relationship with their environment, with resulting life-long commitments to ecological justice, and even vocational choices in environmental sciences, is inspiring. This book uses West Michigan as a model of what we can do, and points us to a methodology of Reconciliation Ecology as we move forward in restoring our damaged world, and healing our damaged selves. Highly recommended.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enlightening examination of our environment and the importance of practicing just reconciliation. This study of Michigan is an invitation for all regions to engage in reconciliation ecology.

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quite possibly the most thoughtful book I've ever read. For folks like myself who care deeply for the environment but can often get discouraged about how to make a difference, all one needs to do is look to the examples in this book of the teacher who advocated for Ken-O-Sha to become a protected nature center, the Calvin students who shut down illegal industrial waste dumping, and of course, authors Gail and Dave who spearheaded this enormous Plaster Creek Stewards "project" (as they call it throughout the book) and who continue to be stewards of Plaster Creek watershed and the natural environment.

I'm going to be completely honest, if I didn't know of this book beforehand, I would see that it was written by two professors at a Christian University and have some skepticism. Well, if you are also in this camp, cast those judgements aside. Both Gail and Dave call out their peers for not stepping up to the plate when it comes to environmentalism and don't integrate their faith as a framework of the book. Gail and Dave are prime examples of practicing what you preach, being humble, and respecting all earthlings. To clarify what this text is about they write, "instead of assuming that land is for either people or nature, a reconciliation ecology approach integrates these two, focusing on re-creating the human presence in ways that invites other species to return and coexist with people."

I took many breaks reading this book, at times because the colonization history portions were heavy on my heart, at other points I was buzzing with an inspired energy to advocate for environmental restoration in my own community and researching specific ways to institute better watershed care practices for my family and neighbors.

In regards to the colonization- truly heartbreaking to read about the historical context of destruction in West Michigan. I have deep respect for the authors in their narrative reparations and historical repair work in sharing what they call, "an honest acknowledgement of what was lost when the European American worldview became dominant," they describe how Indigenous Peoples (specifically in this region, the Anishinaabe) lived sustainably and charitably. The authors reframe the paradigm where Euro Americans view the natural resources wondering what we can take and use, and instead call for us to adopt how Native Americans had respectful conservation efforts where they lived in harmonious relationships with the natural world. I love learning more about that way of life and the reframing of colonization of America.

But this book also encouraged and energized me to take action in my own community, something I haven't felt so strongly since college about a decade ago. I reached out to my local watershed organization to plan a rain garden in my yard and will be encouraging neighbors to follow suit. The Water Projects Manager I worked with even designed yard signs to educate and encourage folks to do the same, at my suggestion, how cool is that!? Rain gardens are no small thing- if 1 in every 8 homes in a two clock area were to install curb-cut rain gardens, then the amount of runoff would be equivalent to pre-settlement times.

To summarize (and inspire), I love this quote from the book, "If humans are capable of causing such degradation, then humans are also capable of repairing the damage, and returning health and beauty to the natural world."

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book and I gained much more from it than I expected to. It’s not that my expectations were negative. It’s that the book is about much more than its title and categorization let on. It is offered as a book in environmental history, and its title tells us that it will focus on the restoration of one creek in Michigan. Both of those things are true. But the book opens up into a wealth of challenging reflections on how we learn, how we live with our environment, how we relate to our past, how we live our faith, how we take responsibility, how we gently work for change. It is about education and trees and colonial pressures and fish and race and children and politics and faith and reconciliation. It is a deeply edifying read articulated in winsome prose, and since I know the authors I know that it is written by deeply thoughtful and gracious people. (I am not praising the book just because I know them.) It should be required reading for anyone living in West Michigan, but there is no barrier to gaining a great deal from it if you do not.

[Gregory · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read for those who want to know more about working toward community-based environmental justice. Coming from a scientific research perspective, the authors draw on interviews with local residents to explore how the health of a creek (and human relationship to the creek) has changed over time. The authors explain how they built an initiative to begin the restoration of the highly polluted Plaster Creek by bringing together local residents, grade school and university students, faith community members, and state government support. The book strikes a hopeful tone and demonstrates strategies for connecting back to the land, and to the watershed. It includes an important deep dive into the indigenous history of the region, critically explains the impact of colonization then and now, and does not shy away from issues of racial and social justice.

[Ken K · Rating 5 out of 5]

We lived for a few years in the Plaster Creek watershed and I'm very familiar with the places described in the book. The history of creeks, how we have abused them, and how they can be restored are all interesting topics.
But this is not just a dry theoretical discussion; it is a case study showing us how caring for our environment can have immediate (relatively) positive effects. After all, it took many decades to get to the point of dangerous contamination and runoff. I appreciated the thought that went into the project, and the specific applications that can help. Kudos to these two professors from Calvin University, along with the many workers and volunteers who have helped.

[Nancy Mulder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book offers so much to think about. It's the story of water, particularly a once-beautiful creek near my home, which has been horribly degraded by 200 years of abuse, and which is now being carefully restored. It's also the story of community, reminding us that we are living together in a watershed: "we are always upstream from some, and downstream from others, no matter where we live or work." The authors share the hope that reconciliation between humans and between humans and their environment can bring about restoration and justice. It's a process that can be applied all around the world, not just here in Michigan.

[Elizabeth Valle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reconciliation…..could be about any stream or watershed in America. The process of working with the community and at the same time teaching college students lessons they will carry into adulthood is both refreshing and hopeful. The writers’ approach to nature is reminiscent of the 19th century naturalist, Louis Agassiz, who ascribed to the grandeur of Creation. Interesting to read, Reconciliation…regards the perspective of the Native American community. Reclaiming polluted areas in America as related in this book is a pivotal step in regaining a safer and healthier world.

[Josie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides wonderful insight into how colonialism and capitalism have harmed our earth. The ideas apply to lands and waters throughout America that have been harmed and how we can begin the process of restoration. The book provides a helpful explanation of how damage to the earth has occurred. It gives credit, where credit is due to the Indigenous people who care for and protect our lands and waters, and explores what we must learn from Indigenous people to heal the damage that has been done.

[Daniel Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the title emphasizes that the work took place in a local Michigan watershed, the themes are international in scope. This brutally honest and impassioned portrayal of the hard and good work that is needed to repair the land and our relationship to it should be required reading for any restoration ecologist who seeks to live an examined life and understand their place in their community and on this planet.

[Wisconsin Alumni]

David P. Warners MS’89
Coauthor

From the Coauthor:
This book describes work I have been doing since the early 2000s, when it was discovered that the watershed that drains the University of Michigan campus flows to a creek that is deemed the most contaminated waterway in West Michigan. After learning this, I helped launch a watershed restoration initiative called Plaster Creek Stewards (PCS) to address the contamination.

[Hannah Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book weaves together history, ecology, and personal stories to draw an interdisciplinary eye to the crisis of our urban waterways and practical ways to address the issues that threaten the flourishing of our local communities. While this is the story of a specific Michigan watershed, the lessons gleaned are broad reaching and applicable to all communities that rely on life-giving streams.

[Tom Steenwyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really appreciated the way Heffner and Warners how people are connected throughout history as well as diverse neighborhoods through their watershed. They specifically highlight a particular watershed in Grand Rapids, MI, but readers will become more aware of the watershed they live in and how their actions are affected and effect people upstream and downstream from where they live.

[Becki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous book, well written. Tells an important story about a watershed and the people around it, past and present. Inspirational and motivating, and the lessons learned can be applied to many other contexts as well.

[Nicholas Wolterstorff]

I have just finished reading Reconciliation. What a fine book it is! Superbly written, with just the right mix of big picture and granular detail. Both winsome and challenging. I found it gripping.
      I especially liked setting the background of the Indigenous dwellers in this area.

[Shelby Buis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved going to the book release. The ideas in this book could definitely be applied to places other than just Michigan!!!

[Paula Manni · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Contaminated streams illuminate the need to develop new ways of living. And the way people live is based on the worldview they hold” (5). An eye-opening look into the many factors that shape the life of a Michigan watershed, including the ways that human relationships with the environment and—importantly—with each other play a crucial role in our shared flourishing. The authors share the history and stories of the Plaster Creek Watershed, but the themes, takeaways, and next-steps towards environmental reconciliation can be applied in any context. Thanks for opening eyes towards “new ways of living.”