MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY

  SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER PROGRAM

Southwest Michigan Forest Communities

Dr. Scott Warner

Conservation Associate - Botanist

Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Monday April 15, 2024 @ 7:00 PM

Peoples Church, 1758 10th St. N, Kalamazoo MI 49009, Room 19

(Socializing begins at 6:30)

People have a special attraction to forests, and southwest Michigan is fortunate to have several different kinds of natural forest communities.  Scott’s presentation will cover how MNFI categorizes natural communities and the benefits & limitations of categorization.  He will spend most of his presentation comparing the natural forest communities of southwest Michigan: Dry Southern Forest, Dry-Mesic Southern Forest, Mesic Southern Forest, Southern Hardwood Swamp and Floodplain Forest. He’ll briefly cover some forest communities that are not-so-common in southwest Michigan.

Scott’s presentation will be a great introduction to the chapter’s upcoming field trips. We have seven field trips scheduled and we’ll visit most of the natural forest communities in southwest Michigan.

Scott grew up in Berrien County and became interested in plants while working at a campground as a teenager. He received his BS in Biology from Western Michigan University and his PhD in Plant Biology from Michigan State University. He has been a conservation associate with MNFI since 2021 and instructor of Plant Systematics at MSU since 2023. He is a member of the Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Society.

All indoor programs are at the People’s Church, 1758 N 10th St, Kalamazoo, 49009.  Socializing begins at 6:30 pm and the programs begin at 7:00 pm.  Non-members are always welcome to join us for programs and field trips.  Masks are recommended but not required in the church.