To Join MBS Southeastern Chapter, download our membership form here.
Upcoming Field Trips and Programs:
Timberland Swamp Survey #1
Saturday, April 27, 2024 from 10 am - 2 pm
Timberland Swamp parking is found at the end of Ware Road and runs south where Big Lake Road and Andersonville Road intersect.
5950-5960 Ware Rd, Springfield Township, MI 48350
We will be collecting data on the spring ephemerals in Timberland Swamp Nature Sanctuary for the Michigan Nature Association. MNA would like us to help pilot a citizen science inventory system for this area. We will walk the area identifying plants and estimating their population size. "Timberland Swamp is historically known as a wildflower destination; however, years of overpopulated deer have decreased the density and diversity of spring wildflowers. In recent years, MNA and Indian Springs Metropark have begun controlled hunting of white-tailed deer, we have noticed some differences in ephemeral composition following this practice. The goal of this project is to get a snapshot of the spring ephemerals present at this time. If there is a desire to do so this could become a long-term survey that can measure changes over time.”
“Despite browse pressure, spring ephemerals are still plentiful over the 245-acre sanctuary. Visitors can expect to see large numbers of: Trout lily, spring beauty, foamflower, miterwort, maidenhair fern, and cut-leaf toothwort. Less common but still widespread include trilliums, dwarf ginseng, sharp-lobed and round-lobed hepatica. Historically rare species including wild ginseng and goldenseal were present as well as many conservative forest species such as green dragon, and orchids such as putty root and coral roots.”
Parts of the trail can be flooded or muddy so waterproof boots are recommended.
Lead by: Ayden Ehgotz, Conservation Coordinator for the Eastern Lower Peninsula for the Michigan Nature Association
Sunday, April 28, 2024 time 10 AM. Spring Walk Belle Isle Woods. Led by Suzan Campbell and Natural Resources Committee of the Belle Isle Conservancy. Because this is a very busy time of year on Belle Isle, this will be a morning walk.
Meet at Belle Isle Shelter 15.
Shelter 15 is near where the Strand (the road that goes around the Island) meets Woodside Dr. It is just before the Woodside comfort station, a brick building that is easy to see from the road. (This is on the south side, that is the Canada side of the island) There is angle parking all along the road before the comfort station.
This spring walk will focus on the restoration the DNR has done in the woods to restore the natural hydrology and the resulting regeneration. Spring wildflowers may be enjoyed along the walk as well.
The last bit of the trail is very muddy and wet, footwear for mud/shallow water would be useful.
Restoring Belle Isle’s Hydrology, link to a print interview with Greg Norwood of DNR.
Saturday, June 15 2024 Sedge Walk in Tenhave Woods led by Dr. Tony Reznicek
Tony Reznicek will lead a sedge walk in for the Southeastern Chapter, in Tenhave Woods, Royal Oak, on Saturday, June 15 at 1:00 PM. Wwill meet at the Lexington Avenue turnstile. A map to the park is found at https://www.romi.gov/1013/Park-Locations-Trail-Maps. Sedges listed from Tenhave Woods include: Juncus tenuis (Path Rush), Carex gracillima, Carex grayi, Carex grisea, Carex hirtifolia, Carex intumescens, Carex lupulina, Carex lurida, Carex projecta, and Carex swanii. Tony is Research Scientist Emeritus and Curator Emeritus of Vascular Plants at the University of Michigan Herbarium. His “major research interest is the systematics and evolution of sedges (Cyperaceae), especially the large and complex genus Carex.”
Southeastern Chapter Officers
President - Don Drife
Vice President - Colin Griffin
Treasurer - Marie Koski
Secretary - Mark Koski
State Director at Large - Alice Ward
State Director at Large - Ruth Hart
State Director at Large - Mark Koski