Our Michigan Parks

The Story of How Genevieve Gillette
Rescued Nature for You and Me

Have you explored the dunes at Sleeping Bear, enjoyed a sunset over Lake Michigan from Big Sable Lighthouse, or hiked among the majestic white pines at Hartwick State Park?

We enjoy these natural wonders today thanks to one resolute, nature-loving woman—Genevieve Gillette.

This children’s picture book will tell the inspiring true story of Genevieve, the first woman landscape architect graduate from Michigan State and eventual president of the Michigan State Park Association. As a child, she was heartbroken when her family’s farm was bulldozed for logging. She vowed to protect other natural places and went on to help build the Michigan park system from one park to more than one hundred.

Young readers will be inspired by Genevieve’s adventurous scouting trips down dusty backroads and camping beneath waterfalls. Follow her into the halls of the capital as she wears her trademark hat and carries a picnic basket overflowing with research. Her “booming voice that scared the bejeezus out of Congress” will spark bravery in the youngest environmental activists.

Older readers will discover the origins of Michigan’s parks—among the most beautiful parks in the US—and appreciate learning about an overlooked conservation champion who was steadfast in her belief that Michigan’s natural wonders should be preserved for everyone to enjoy.

The book will end with simple ways we can be like Genevieve, from appreciating nature to acts of conservation.

Interested in contributing to the publication of Genevieve’s story?
Feel free to contact us regarding partnerships, sponsorships, or media opportunities.

FORTHCOMING

Children’s Picture Book
Hardcover
32-40 Pages

Written by Heather Dean Brewer. Heather is the author of the Candlewick children's book Love Is Powerful, illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Love Is Powerful was A Mighty Girl Book of the Year. She lives with her family of four on the Lake Michigan shore and would almost always rather be outside mountain biking, hiking, or camping.

The Inspiration Behind the Story 

I was invited to attend a hike in 2019 sponsored by Merrel. During the walk, another participant asked our guide about Genevieve Gillette. I’d never heard of her before, but I learned that she was a close friend to the namesake of the park, P.J. Hoffmaster, and that she was responsible for scouting and securing  a lot of the land for Michigan’s state and national parks.

Intrigued and feeling a connection with her adventurous spirit, I decided to learn more about her. Genevieve was a conservationist and activist who spent her entire life advocating to protect natural resources. She was one of the first conservation lobbyists in the state and in DC. 

I love her story because talking to legislatures terrified her and was something she felt she wasn’t qualified to do, but she did it anyway and was successful because of her sheer persistence. 

Genevieve had her own landscape architect business and spent weekends scouting for land to be donated to the government to be made into parks for everyone to enjoy. She slept under the boughs of evergreen trees next to Tahquamenon Falls, she lobbied for wealthy Chicago elites to donate their lakefront property to become Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and so much more. 

Much of her personal correspondence is archived at the University of Michigan along with recordings and interviews. Currently I’m researching, writing, and storyboarding the book. You may see a few updates on Bracket’s Instagram from time to time. 

Facts about Michigan State and National Parks

• Porcupine Mountains named most beautiful park in US

• 28 million people visit a Michigan state park annually

• More than 1 million people visit Sleeping Bear Dunes annually

• There are 642,032 acres preserved in Michigan state and national parks