Eddie Chaffer, muralist, director and founder of Pleasant Peninsula, paints a mural for an upcoming festival in Grand Rapids. More at PleasantPeninsula.org.

GRAND RAPIS — Now showing in downtown Grand Rapids are some of Michigan’s rarest species: a piping plover, Michigan monkey flower and Karner blue butterfly. But they’re not moving in; they’re painted on the side of buildings.

On July 26, the Pleasant Peninsula Mural Festival transformed 52 Front Avenue into a vibrant gallery of conservation-inspired street art. Through bold murals painted by 21 local and national artists, Michigan’s threatened and endangered species took center stage in an unexpected setting: the city.

So why host a mural festival focused on rare plants and wildlife in an urban space?

“It’s our mission to make nature more accessible,” said Eddie Chaffer, muralist, director and founder of Pleasant Peninsula. “Public art makes Michigan’s spaces and species feel familiar, and familiarity leads to confidence, so the next time folks end up out in the woods or at the beach, they’ll feel more assured about their place in the natural world.”

Pleasant Peninsula, launched in 2022, is a nonprofit built from the ground up to promote conservation, biodiversity and environmental education through public art.

The one-of-a-kind mural festival paired muralists with conservation experts and educators from across the state to learn more about the plants and animals they will be painting.

“The plants and animals featured, and many more like them, are important parts of Michigan’s natural heritage,” said Jennifer Kleitch, DNR endangered species specialist. “They’re the building blocks of healthy ecosystems, clean air and clean water.”

“A festival celebrating these species brings visibility to their conservation needs and invites us all to connect with nature in a fun and exciting way – and hopefully in a way that drives greater connection and response,” Kleitch said.

The festival included booths and presentations from conservation partners who work to manage and conserve rare species and their habitats. It’s a celebration, yes, but also a call to action. “When it comes to rare species conservation, it takes a village,” said Kleitch. “Artists, scientists, nature centers, land conservancies and everyday people all play a role. When we work together, we can create real change.”

Learn about threatened and endangered species and explore Michigan’s Wildlife Action Plan. Plant native flowers and grasses in your yard to support insects and birds. Donate to the Nongame Fish and Wildlife Fund or purchase a Kirtland’s warbler license plate.

Volunteer at or support your local conservancies or nature center. Report observations of rare species to help scientists monitor populations.

Familiarize yourself with invasive plant, insect and animal species and know what to do if you spot them. For more on the mural festival and Pleasant Peninsula, visit PleasantPeninsula.org.