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The sugar bush recovers

RiChard clears snow from her lines, which carry sap from trees to a nearby barn to be boiled down to maple syrup. (Photo: Ellie Katz/IPR News)
RiChard clears snow from her lines, which carry sap from trees to a nearby barn to be boiled down to maple syrup. (Photo: Ellie Katz/IPR News)

Maple season is in full swing here at Hidden Acres Sugar Bush in Gaylord, a business run by Jennifer RiChard and her husband. But it wasn’t so long ago that none of this seemed possible.

Today, a look at how the sugar bush is recovering a year after an ice storm devastated tens of millions of trees across northern Michigan, including many sugar maples. Read the full story.

We'll also hear about money for utilities affected by that 2025 storm and round up the latest northern Michigan headlines.


Producer: Austin Rowlader
Editing: Steve Junker
Music: Blue Dot Sessions

Ellie Katz reports on science, conservation and the environment. She also produces stories for Points North.
Austin is a freelance reporter and producer based in Bellaire.
Ed Ronco is IPR's news director and the local host of "Morning Edition."