Humbug Marsh is the last mile of natural shoreline on the U.S. mainland of the Detroit River and now part of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge. The marsh serves as a vital habitat for 51 species of fish, 90 species of plants, 154 species of birds, seven species of reptiles and amphibians, and 37 species of dragonflies and damselflies, and has been designated as Michigan’s only “Wetland of International Importance” under the international Ramsar Convention.

Author Elizabeth Hartig was a student at U-M when she wrote this book. Her father is the refuge manager of the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge and oversees stewardship of Humbug Marsh. In 2004 her photo of Humbug Marsh was recognized with a Barbara Stanton Environmental Award of Excellence by The Detroit Free Press and Michigan Environmental Council. Illustrator Sarah Schwendeman has a BFA in art and design from the Penny Stamps School of Art and Design at U-M. She is passionate about holistic and sustainable approaches to the environment, as well as to human relationships.