Michigan Nature Spring 2015 by Michigan Nature Association

Michigan Nature Association Spring 2015 Volume 64 Issue 1

magazine

michigan nature Helping Nature Lovers Explore Michigan Sanctuary Photo Contest Winners New Sanctuary Near Lake Superior

www.michigannature.org

Your gift makes a difference. By protecting Michigan’s natural heritage, together we build a brighter future. How you can help: • Join or renew your membership • Become a monthly supporter • Honor a loved one with a memorial gift • Remember MNA in your will or estate plan Use the enclosed envelope, call (866) 223-2231 or visit www.michigannature.org to contribute.

Michigan Nature Association www.michigannature.org

James and Alice Brennan Memorial Nature Sanctuary Photo © Jason Steel Kernan Memorial Nature Sanctuary Photo © Jason Steel

Spring 2015

Features Sanctuary Photo Contest Winners

Michigan’s Natural Communities

MNA highlights winning photographs from the 2014 Sanctuary Photo Contest The Michigan Natural Features Inventory’s new guide helps enthusiasts explore Michigan’s natural communities

“

You can’t expect kids to get engaged by watching a nature documentary on a television screen.

”

- James H. Harding page 27

Departments MNA 360 8 Snyder Rejects Biodiversity Bill MNA Welcomes New Neighbors Potential Monarch Butterfly Listing Sanctuary Monitoring Completed

MNA Online MNA Continues Education Iniatitives Wolf Hunt Suspended

Sanctuaries

Stewardship

Membership Matters

Booknotes

New Sanctuary on Lake Superior Protecting Brockway Mountain

Stewardship Initatives Continue in Winter

Guided Spring Nature Hikes

Recommended Reading From MNA

Voices

Legacy

A chat with author and MNA member James H. Harding

Remembering Pat Grogan Memorials and Honoraria

On the Cover: Anticlea elegans at Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary. Photo by Dan Sparks-Jackson.

Join MNA in Grand Rapids for the

2015 Annual Meeting Frederik Meijer Gardens

Michigan Nature Association 2310 Science Parkway, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864 (866) 223-2231 www.michigannature.org

Saturday, May 2 - 12:30 p.m.

1000 E. Beltline Avenue, Grand Rapids

Our Mission The purpose of the MNA is to acquire, protect and maintain natural areas that contain examples of Michigan’s endangered and threatened flora, fauna and other components of the natural environment, including habitat for fish, wildlife and plants of the state of Michigan and to carry on a program of natural history study and conservation education.

Join fellow MNA supporters for an exciting afternoon at the Frederik Meijer Gardens! The Annual Meeting will include updates on MNA’s latest projects, a chance to chat with MNA staff and Trustees, light refreshments, and the opportunity to explore the Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park!

Special Keynote Speaker Joshua Cohen, Michigan Natural Features Inventory Ecologist and Co-Author of A Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan (See page 18 for more details about the book)

For More Information Contact the MNA office at 866-223-2231 or michigannature@michigannature.org

Board of Trustees

Staff

Margaret Welsch President

Garret Johnson Executive Director

Aubrey Golden Vice President

Paul Steiner Operations Director

Steve Kelley Secretary

Andrew Bacon Stewardship Coordinator

Jerry Gray Treasurer Ruth Vail Trustee at Large Lisa Appel Mary Ann Czechowski Stanley Dole Don Gilmer Debby Igleheart Stan Kuchta Gisela Lendle King Yu Man Lee William D. McNaughton Paul Messing

John Bagley Regional Stewardship Organizer, W.L.P. Adrienne Bozic Regional Stewardship Organizer, U.P. Natalie Kent-Norkowski Regional Stewardship Organizer, N.L.P. Rachel Maranto Regional Stewardship Organizer, E.L.P. Joelle Humes Land Protection Technician Pamela Ferris Associate Director for Development Allison Barszcz Outreach & Development Specialist Cassie Miller Administrative Assistant

Don Reed David Sharpe Karen Weingarden

Please direct questions about this magazine to Outreach & Development Specialist Allison Barszcz, abarszcz@michigannature.org or 866-223-2231. © 2015. Except where used with permission, entire contents copyright 2015 Michigan Nature Association.

From the Executive Director

Years ago, I had an office in the heart of downtown Detroit. My window was on the 15th floor and overlooked the famed J. L. Hudson Department Store building. The Hudson building was once the second largest department store in America (behind only Macy’s in New York) but had sat empty for years. The controlled demolition of the Hudson building was done over a weekend to minimize its impact. One Friday I left work with the empty building hulking nearby in the Detroit skyline and the following Monday it was nothing but a heap of rubble and dust. It’s heartening to see, nearly seventeen years later, that there are now plans to redevelop the site of the former Hudson building. As the empty boast of Ozymandias in Shelley’s poem reminds us, though, our buildings and monuments are ephemeral things. One of my other memories while working in Detroit is wistfully staring out my window at a blue sky one day and suddenly seeing a monarch butterfly, fifteen stories up, as it made its way south during its autumn migration. As Michigan’s landscapes become cluttered with more and more buildings and strip malls many people seldom stop to think about the natural communities and processes that have been displaced. Unlike our buildings, often what has been lost is all too permanent. Few experience that loss of nature more directly than those who live in the midst of an industrial city. At MNA, we are keenly aware that we work to benefit all the people of Michigan. MNA’s Board of Trustees recently formed an Urban Outreach Committee to explore how MNA can help in the many important efforts underway in Michigan’s urban centers. The committee is chaired by trustee David Sharpe (who took these photos) and we’ve been on a listening tour, of late, and heard many inspiring stories. Fortunately, the proposed redevelopment of the Hudson building isn’t the only good news. Today, people in places like Detroit are taking remarkable strides toward a brighter future where nature has a beneficial role in their communities. It’s important work. The future of wide-ranging species like the Monarch butterfly will depend not just on the protection of breeding or overwintering habitat, but also on their ability to find hospitable patches of habitat within the cities, suburbs and farms in between. Like that monarch fifteen stories up, the progress may seem precarious at times. Hudson’s may be gone, but hope remains.

michigan nature | spring 2015

Inside | MNA

MNA 360

People • Land • Legacy © John Porter

Gov. Snyder Rejects Bill Jeopardizing Biodiversity Early this year, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder vetoed legislation that would have prevented the Michigan Department of Natural resources from making land use decisions based on biodiversity considerations. Snyder released a statement announcing the veto of Senate Bill 79, saying, “Biodiversity is essential to how our world-class natural resources are managed. While there are opportunities to look into our forest management practices, reducing biodiversity authority will only cause confusion and hurt our forests.” Conservation groups were critical of the bill, saying it was too broad. Senate Bill 78 would have prevented the DNR from making or enforcing rules that classify areas of land specifically to achieve or maintain biodiversity. The bill passed both Republican-led chambers on partisan lines before going to Snyder for consideration.

Welcome to the Neighborhood Michigan Audubon Society When MNA moved to our new headquarters in Okemos, we were excited at the prospect of using our new office space for education and collaboration. In January, MNA welcomed the Michigan Audubon Society as our neighbors at 2310 Science Parkway. Michigan Audubon protects over 3,500 acres of bird habitat in a network of 19 sanctuary properties across Michigan. Michigan Audubon also hosts many birding events, workshops, and programs. MNA has collaborated with Michigan Audubon in the past and we are very excited to have this fantastic group so close by. When you visit us, be sure to say hello to our new neighbors!

michigan nature | spring 2015

Inside | MNA

Monarch Butterfly Considered for Endangered Species Act Listing The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is conducting a status review of the monarch butterfly under the Endangered Species Act. Monarch butterflies are found throughout the United States and populations migrate vast distances across multiple generations each year. Many fly the 3,000 mile journey between their breeding grounds in the United States and their wintering grounds in Mexico. In 2013, the wintering population reached a record low of 34 million monarchs. That number rose to 56.5 million in 2014, but conservationists say that increase is too slight to reduce the threat of extinction. Population losses stem from habitat loss, in particular the loss of milkweed, the monarch’s sole food source, as well as pesticide use. In the mid-1990s, populations of monarchs wintering in Mexico reached 1 billion.

Annual Sanctuary Monitoring Completed Thanks to Volunteer Stewards For the last four years, MNA’s stewardship team and volunteers have undertaken quite a task - visiting and monitoring each nature sanctuary in MNA’s network of more than 170 sanctuaries. As you can imagine, this is an extensive process. Fortunately, in addition to our fantastic stewardship staff, MNA’s volunteer stewards spend hundreds of hours completing monitoring reports detailing the sanctuary’s general condition and reporting any concerns. These reports help MNA make important decisions regarding sanctuary management activities. In 2014, monitoring reports were completed for every sanctuary in our network. We can’t say “thank you” enough to the stewards who took the time to complete each monitoring report. Without you, this would not be possible! Steward Bill Atkinson picks up trash as he completes a monitoring report

michigan nature | spring 2015

Online | MNA

michigannature.org Education Initiatives Continue in 2015 MNA’s education initiatives continued in late 2014 and early this year. Regional Stewardship Organizer Rachel Maranto taught students at Addison High school about prairie fen ecology. Students were then able to join MNA staff and volunteers in the field to assist with glossy buckthorn removal in the prairie fen at Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary. John Bagley, Regional Stewardship Organizer for the southwest part of the state, taught biology students at Aquinas College about oak savanna and the Karner blue butterfly. The students also took part in a learning lab and made seedballs for habitat restoration for the butterfly at an MNA sanctuary. In total, the students made over 1,000 seedballs. Stewardship coordinator Andy Bacon visited Michigan State University to talk with students in an introductory fish and wildlife management course about the negative impacts of invasive species. Both Andy and John will be visiting MSU again this spring to educate more students about the importance of conservation. This year, MNA plans to continue to strengthen our connection with students around the state at all levels. By visiting classrooms, taking students out in the field, and providing nature field trip grants, we hope to continue to educate and inspire the next generation of conservation leaders. If you’d like to contribute to MNA’s Environmental Education Action Fund, use the enclosed envelope or visit www.michigannature.org.

michigan nature | spring 2015

Above: Students from Addison High School participate in a stewardship activity removing glossy buckthorn from the prairie fen at Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary. Below: Regional Stewardship Organizer John Bagley (second from left) leads a biology lab at Aquinas College.

Online | MNA

Michigan’s Wolf Hunt Battle Continues Last November, Michigan voters rejected two statewide ballot proposals that would authorize a wolf hunt in the Upper Peninsula. The group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected gathered enough signatures to put the laws to referenda. Wolf hunting supporters backed the laws but did not campaign for support. As a result, the wolf hunt law was suspended for the 2014 hunting season. In December, U.S. DIstrict Judge Beryl Howell threw out the Obama Administration’s 2012 removal of Great Lakes wolves from the endangered species list. The federal re-listing puts a hold on wolf hunts in Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has released an updated draft wolf management plan with four goals in mind: maintain a viable wolf population, facilitate wolf-related benefits, minimize wolf-related conflicts, and conduct science-based and socially acceptable management of wolves. It may take years to resolve the wolf hunt issue in court. Stay tuned to the MNA blog at www.michigannature.wordpress.com for updates on this issue.

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michigan nature | spring 2015

Sanctuaries | MNA

Protecting Land Near Lake Superior MNA recently acquired a new sanctuary near Lake Superior. The 80-acre sanctuary was donated to the Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in 2010 by the Martin Family. As part of TNC’s efforts to concentrate on focal areas, the group approached MNA about transferring ownership of the property. MNA accepted the transfer of the property as well as funds for its stewardship late last year. The new sanctuary is located in Luce County in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, just over a mile south of Lake Superior. It is about seven miles north of MNA’s Two Hearted River Nature Sanctuary and is surrounded entirely by state forest land. The sanctuary contains a portion of Trout Lake and a small bog, both of which are part of the headwaters of Trout Creek, which flows into Muskellunge Lake. The sanctuary is crossed by a northwest/southeast trending ridge, which was a historic beach of Lake Superior upon the recession of a past glaciation. The ridge stands nearly fifty feet higher than the wetlands below. In addition to its unique geography, the Trout Lake property contains emergent marsh, 56 acres of lowland conifer forest and logged uplands regenerating with Jack pine trees. Successional Jack Pine forest is an important habitat for one of the world’s rarest birds, the Kirtland’s warbler.

Left: A map showing the new Trout Lake property, which is surrounded by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Lake Superior State Forest in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Right: The new sanctuary.

michigan nature | spring 2015

Sanctuaries | MNA

Continued Expansion on Brockway Mountain Last year, MNA acquired a 77-acre addition to the James H. Klipfel Memorial Nature Sanctuary at Brockway Mountain, bringing the sanctuary’s total protected area to 229 acres. Located on Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula, Brockway Mountain provides some of the Upper Peninsula’s most breathtaking views. Now MNA has the opportunity to once again expand the protected area around Brockway Mountain. A 40-acre parcel of land adjacent to the sanctuary is available for purchase. If MNA is able to raise the funds necessary, this would protect additional critical habitat along Brockway Mountain. Brockway Mountain provides one of the finest opportunities in Michigan to observe raptors during their spring migration to breeding grounds in Canada. The harsh winter winds off of Lake Superior provide semi-alpine habitat for grasses, sedges and wildflowers. Here you can find unique plants like the purple cliff-brake fern, little grape fern, moonwort fern, and small-flowered blue-eyed Mary. In the spring, Brockway Mountain is home to many types of wildflowers, making it a prime springtime floral spot. In 2014, Midwest Living Magazine named the Keweenaw Peninsula one of the best places in Michigan to take a getaway. The magazine highlighted Brockway Mountain Drive as a must-see for the Keweenaw visitor. MNA needs your help once again to protect this important habitat. To make a contribution toward the protection of Brockway Mountain, use the enclosed envelope, visit www.michigannature.org, or call 866-223-2231.

Above: The Cooper’s hawk is one of many hawk species that can be seen during migration at Brockway Mountain. Right: Brockway Mountain Drive.

michigan nature | spring 2015

2014 Nature Sanctuary Photo Contest Winning Photographs

MNA is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Nature Sanctuary Photo Contest. With nearly 200 photo entries, the judges had a difficult time selecting just three winning photos for each of three categories: Flora/Fauna, People in Nature, and Landscapes. The grand prize winner was selected from all entries as the best photograph and is showcased below.

Grand Prize Winner “Kaner Blue Butterfly with Open Wings” By Marilyn Keigley

MNA Accepting Entries for the 2015 Sanctuary Photo Contest Get your camera ready! The Photo Contest is returning in 2015 with updated categories. For 2015, MNA will accept photographs showcasing MNA nature sanctuaries as well as Michigan’s natural beauty. For complete rules and entry forms, visit www.michigannature.org or call 866-223-2231.

michigan nature | spring 2015

Category: Flora and Fauna First Place “Red-Backed Salamander” By Jason Steel

Second Place “Fringed Gentians” By John Behnke

Third Place “Dewy Lupine” By Charles Vannette

Category: People in Nature First Place “Winter Refuge” By John Behnke

Third Place “Field Trip” By John Porter

Second Place “Boundary Marking” By John Behnke

michigan nature | spring 2015

Category: Landscapes First Place “Fresh Snowfall on Hemlock Trees” By Jason Steel

Second Place “Hike of a Lifetime” By Brooke Isaacson

Third Place “Warm Light Over Cold Karner Blues” By Charles Vannette

michigan nature | spring 2015

New Book Helps Nature Lovers Explore Michigan If you’re fascinated by Michigan’s rich array of natural communities, you have reason to cheer. Based on more than three decades of field work by biologists at the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, a new book, entitled A Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan has just been published by Michigan State University Press.

The book is a wonderful way to get better acquainted with Michigan’s rich natural heritage, even if you never leave the comfort of your home. But be forewarned, it will make you want to get out and explore Michigan’s natural communities first-hand. The book fits easily into a backpack, and comes with color photos, community descriptions, plant lists, distribution maps and suggested places to visit to see specific natural communities. Published in December, it has already established itself on the list of best-selling Michigan books. A number of MNA nature sanctuaries are highlighted in the book as prime examples of specific natural community types. In fact, the four co-authors all have ties to MNA. Lead author and senior ecologist Josh Cohen will be the keynote speaker at MNA’s Annual Meeting on May 2. Brad Slaughter and Michael Kost have been MNA members over the years. And MNA was proud to honor Denny Albert’s remarkable accomplishments with the 2014 Edward Voss Conservation Science Award. Continued on page 20

michigan nature | spring 2015

Michigan State University Press kindly gave us permission to publish excerpts from the new book in Michigan Nature magazine. Below are edited and reformatted selections from the introductory sections of A Field Guide to Michigan’s Natural Communities. -------------------------------------------This field guide provides a system for dividing the complex natural landscape of Michigan into easily understood and describable components called natural communities. A natural community is defined as an assemblage of interacting plants, animals and other organisms that repeatedly occurs under similar environmental conditions across the landscape and is predominantly structured by natural processes rather than anthropogenic disturbances. This natural community classification describes the diversity of native ecosystem types that have been relatively unaltered by modern human intervention. Because of its emphasis on native ecosystems, this field guide is a useful resource for identifying, conserving, and restoring important places that represent a broad range of ecological conditions. For each natural community type, we include a list of places where interested readers can visit the natural community. We have tried to include sites that are easily accessible, either on public lands or on lands accessible to the public (e.g., land trust preserves). We remind readers that many natural communities are fragile. Story continues on page 21 20

michigan nature | spring 2015

“Our state has an incredibly diverse landscape of forests, prairies, wetlands, sand dunes, bedrock, and Great lakes shoreline. This field guide is an essential reference for anyone wanting to understand the natural communities of Michigan.” - Glenn Palmgren, Ecologist, Michigan Department of Natural Resources

For three of the natural community types, we do not include any suggestions of places to visit because the community type is extirpated (bur oak plains) or nearly extirpated and no remaining sites occur on lands accessible to the public (mesic prairie and oak openings). However, readers may be able to find these natural community types along railroad tracks and adjacent to cemeteries in southwest Michigan. The landscape of Michigan is extremely varied and as such, identifying natural communities is not always a simple task. The line between two natural community types can be quite clear where vegetation changes abruptly and when environmental gradients are sharp. However, where gradual changes occur in soils, hydrology, and other factors, natural communities can subtly grade into one another, making it difficult to determine where to draw the line between natural community types. Readers should also remember that every place in the landscape is unique: no two examples of a natural community type are identical in their physical environment and species composition. It is our hope that the accompanying keys, photographs, descriptions, range maps, and plant lists will allow users to more easily and confidently identify Michigan’s natural communities and recognize repeating patterns across the landscape. Protecting, managing, and restoring representative natural communities is critical to biodiversity conservation, since native ecosystems are best adapted to environmental and biotic forces with which they have survived and evolved over the millennia. --------------------------------------------

About the Michigan Natural Features Inventory The Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) is Michigan’s state natural heritage program. MNFI’s botanists, zoologists and ecologists travel around the state to conduct field surveys to document, map, and assess the condition of Michigan’s natural features. The data MNFI collects provides vital information for conservation groups, land use planners, and developers. MNFI’s data is used to reveal population trends and ecological requirements, to help set conservation priorities, and guide land use and management activities.

For More Information A Field Guide to the Natural Communities of Michigan Joshua G. Cohen, Michael A. Kost, Bradford S. Slaughter, and Dennis A. Albert Michigan State University Press Softcover: $27.65 The field guide is available for purchase at the Michigan State University Press web site (www.msupress.org), the MNFI web site (www.mnfi.anr.msu.edu), or by contacting Sue Ridge at sridge@msu.edu.

About the Authors Joshua G. Cohen is Lead Ecologist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Michigan’s natural heritage program. Michael A. Kost was Lead Ecologist for Michigan Natural Features Inventory from 2004 to 2012 and is the Native Plant Specialist with the Mathaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum of the University of Michigan. Bradford S. Slaughter is Michigan Features Inventory’s Lead Botanist. Dennis A. Albert was the Lead Ecologist for Michigan Natural Features Inventory from 1987 through 2004, and is research faculty in the Department of Horticulture at Oregon State University.

Stewardship | MNA

Recent Stewardship Projects Focus on Restoration © Marianne Glosenger

Lyle and Mary Rizor Nature Sanctuary

Protecting rare species, imperiled natural communities, and unique geological features is often more complicated than meets the eye. Meeting these goals requires a commitment to ongoing land protection, eliminating threats to biodiversity, and managing for appropriate disturbance regimens. As MNA moves into 2015, we are pursuing each of these goals throughout the state of Michigan.

Addition Protects the Shiawassee River Watershed In the Lower Peninsula, MNA accepted the donation of a 13-acre addition to the Lyle and Mary Rizor Nature Sanctuary to further protect the confluence of the North Ore and Cornell Creeks in the Shiawassee River watershed. In the Upper Peninsula, MNA accepted the transfer of the 80-acre Trout Lake parcel, which protects the headwaters of Trout Creek and the surrounding forested wetlands. (You can read more about the new Trout Lake property in the “Sanctuaries” section on page 12.)

Volunteer Work Continues Through Winter Months Volunteer days continued throughout the winter to address ongoing invasive species problems, including at the Lefglen Nature Sanctuary in Jackson County, where volunteers worked through the winter to manage glossy buckthorn within the prairie fen.

michigan nature | spring 2015

Karner Blue Butterfly

At Goose Creek Grasslands Nature Sanctuary in Lenawee County, volunteers assisted with an extensive glossy buckthorn removal project that remains ongoing. Additionally, MNA participated in several invasive species partnerships around the state to submit invasive species grant applications in both active and supportive roles.

Stewardship | MNA

Join Us in the Field for a Volunteer Workday For complete details, visit www.michigannature.org/events or call (866) 223-2231. Date

Location

County

Contact

Apr 18

Coldwater River Plant Preserve

Kent

John

Apr 24

Broehl Memorial No. 1 Nature Sanctuary

Lenawee

Rachel

Apr 29

Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary

Cass

John

May 1

Riley-Shurte Woods Nature Sanctuary

Cass

John

May 2

Mystery Valley Karst Preserve

Presque Isle

Natalie

May 3

Powell Memorial Nature Sanctuary

Lenawee

Rachel

May 5

Broehl Memorial No. 1 Nature Sanctuary

Lenawee

Rachel

May 6

Trillium Ravine Nature Sanctuary

Berrien

John

May 7

Lefglen Nature Sanctuary

Jackson

Rachel

May 8

Joan Rodman Memorial Plant Preserve

Washtenaw

Rachel

May 9

Dauner Martin Nature Sanctuary

Genesee

Rachel

May 9

Coldwater River Nature Sanctuary

Kent

John

May 12

Powell Memorial Nature Sanctuary

Lenawee

Rachel

May 13

Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary

Cass

John

May 13

Broehl Memorial No. 2 Nature Sanctuary

Lenawee

Rachel

May 14

Phillips Family Memorial Nature Sanctuary Van Buren

John

May 17

Coldwater River Nature Sanctuary

Kent

John

On the more intensive stewardship end, MNA worked to include disturbance regimens in oak barrens natural communities over the past winter.

May 18

Big Valley Nature Sanctuary

Oakland

Rachel

May 20

Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary

Cass

John

May 20

Shiawassee River Plant Preserve

Shiawassee

Rachel

At the Big Valley Nature Sanctuary, with funding through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serviceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, MNA was able to bring in brush mowing equipment to remove woody growth. These woody plants were predominately composed of autumn olive and black cherry which were choking out the understory of the historic oak barrens habitat. This restoration project occurred in the 2013 sanctuary addition and will provide greatly improved habitat for rare species of insects and reptiles at the sanctuary.

May 27

Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary

Newaygo

John

May 30

Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary

Newaygo

John

Volunteer Peter Donnely assists with prairie restoration work at Newaygo Prairie Nature Sanctuary during a volunteer day

Ongoing Sanctuary Restoration Projects

At the Karner Blue Nature Sanctuary in Newaygo County, MNA is conducting a targeted tree thinning project over the winter to enhance habitat for the Karner blue butterfly onsite. The completion of this project will result in improved opportunity for lupine and nectar plant establishment and opportunities for Karner blue butterfly dispersal within the sanctuary.

Sign Up for a Volunteer Day Contact your areaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s regional stewardship organizer for more information about volunteering: John Bagley, Southwest Lower Peninsula jbagley@michigannature.org Adrienne Bozic, Upper Peninsula abozic@michigannature.org Natalie Kent-Norkowski, Northern Lower Peninsula nkent@michigannature.org Rachel Maranto, Southeast Lower Peninsula rmaranto@michigannature.org

Membership Matters | MNA

Get Outdoors: MNA’s Spring Nature Hikes

Earth Week Hike: April 20 at 2:30 p.m. or 5 p.m. Five Lakes Muskegon Nature Sanctuary Muskegon County, near Muskegon Join MNA to celebrate Earth Week! The Muskegon Area Earthweek Group will be leading two hikes at MNA’s Five Lakes Muskegon Nature Sanctuary. Contact: John Bagley, jbagley@michigannature.org Earth Day Hike: April 22 at 4:30 p.m. Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary Cass County, near Dowagiac Celebrate Earth Day at the spring wildflower mecca that is Dowagiac Woods. We will have a combination wildflower hike and volunteer opportunity - you can help remove invasive garlic mustard. Contact: John Bagley, jbagley@michigannature.org Michigan Botanical Club Hike: April 25 at 10 a.m. Brewer Woods Nature Sanctuary Kalamazoo County, near Portage Come and explore one of MNA’s newer sanctuaries! MNA and the Southwest Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Club will explore the beautiful Brewer Woods. All are welcome! Contact: John Bagley, jbagley@michigannature.org 26

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Morning Bird Hike: April 26 at 8 a.m. Columbia Nature Sanctuary Jackson County, near Brooklyn Enjoy the morning’s avian activity in Columbia’s wooded wetlands with knowledgeable birder and steward Dan Sparks-Jackson. We will also occasionally look toward the ground to pull second-year garlic mustard rosettes. Contact: Rachel Maranto, rmaranto@michigannature.org Spring Wildflower Hike: May 2 at 10 a.m. Polovich Memorial Nature Sanctuary St. Clair County, near Clyde Steward Bill Atkinson will lead a spring wildflower hike through one of MNA’s oldest sanctuaries. Stick around after the hike and check out the nearby Pine River Nature Sanctuary. Contact: Rachel Maranto, rmaranto@michigannature.org Spring Wildflower Hike: May 3 at 1 p.m. Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary Cass County, near Dowagiac Walk Dowagiac Woods with sanctuary steward Dave Wendling! Enjoy the sights and sounds, while Dave shares his bountiful knowledge of the sanctuary’s wildflowers and his specialty - ferns and mosses. Contact: John Bagley, jbagley@michigannature.org

Guided Spring Nature Hikes (Continued) Spring is a great time to explore Michigan! See beautiful wildflowers, hear the calls of birds, and enjoy spectacular landscapes on a guided tour with MNA! For more information about any of these hikes, call 866-223-2231 or visit www.michigannature.org. Birding Adventure at the Break of Dawn: May 9 at 6:30 a.m. Dowagiac Woods Nature Sanctuary Cass County, near Dowagiac Come out and enjoy Dowagiac Woods as it wakes up! Bring your binoculars, eyes and ears as we try to identify as many bird species as possible on this morning adventure. Contact: John Bagley, jbagley@michigannature.org

Whitefish Point Spring Fling: April 25-27 Whitefish Point Bird Observatory Chippewa County, near Paradise

Make your way with other MNA members to the Point for WPBO’s annual celebration of bird migration! Life listers, photographers and novice birders alike will enjoy this weekend, which includes bird walks, field trips, a banquet, and more. Participants can expect excellent birding along with opportunities to learn more about avian migration and conservation in the Great Lakes. Contact: Adrienne Bozic, abozic@michigannature.org

Michigan Botanical Club Exploration: May 9 at 10 a.m. Joan Rodman Memorial Plant Preserve Washtenaw County, near Saline Join steward Sheila Bourgoin and fellow members of the Huron Valley Chapter of the Michigan Botanical Club for a pensive exploration of this wooded preserve. The hike will be slower-paced and centered around careful study of the plants encountered. Contact: Rachel Maranto, rmaranto@michigannature.org Spring Nature Hike: May 10 at 10 a.m. Trillium Trail Nature Sanctuary St. Clair County, near Memphis Come see why Trillium Trail gets its name! Steward David Gruenawald will lead a hike focused on blooming trillium and other spring ephemerals. Contact: Rachel Maranto, rmaranto@michigannature.org Wildflower Sanctuary Tour: May 16 at 10 a.m. Trillium Ravine and Riley-Shurte Woods Nature Sanctuaries Berrien County, near Niles We’ll start the day wading through a sea of blood red trillium at Trillium Ravine, and then we’ll hit the road for the second half of the doubleheader at Riley-Shurte Woods for more spring wildflowers. Bring a sack lunch - we will take a lunch break between tours. Contact: John Bagley, jbagley@michigannature.org Birding Hike: May 17 at 10 a.m. Saginaw Wetlands Nature Sanctuary Huron County in Fairhaven Township Situated on the shores of Lake Huron, this sanctuary is a great spot to catch a glimpse of spring migration. Naturalist Myles Willard leads what is sure to be an exceptional hike for birding enthusiasts. Contact: Rachel Maranto, rmaranto@michigannature.org Birds and Wildflowers Hike: May 23 at 10 a.m. Sharon Zahrfeld Memorial Nature Sanctuary Genesee County, near Linden Join John Smith of Hartland Audubon to explore the diversity of birds and wildflowers in this serene hardwood forest. Stick around after lunch to help with general upkeep of the trail and sanctuary. Contact: Rachel Maranto, rmaranto@michigannature.org

Spring Nature Hike: May 24 at 10 a.m. Jasper Woods Nature Sanctuary St. Clair County, near Emmett This unique hemlock forest along the Pine River supports an interesting mix of understory plants. Join co-stewards John Fody and Bill Atkinson for a knowledgeable guided tour! Contact: Rachel Maranto, rmaranto@michigannature.org

For additional nature hikes and tours, visit www.michigannature.org/events or call 866-223-2231

michigan nature | spring 2015

Booknotes | MNA Recommended Reading Welcome to Subirdia

John M. Marzluff, With Illustrations by Jack DeLap Yale University Press Cloth: $30.00 Wide ranging, migratory species like birds present special challenges to conservation. Given their complex life cycles, protected nature preserves alone cannot ensure their survival. As a consequence, it is important to look afresh at landscapes dominated by human uses and consider how those landscapes can be adjusted or used in ways that better accommodate wildlife like birds. Marzluff, an ornithologist with the University of Washington, and his research team found that suburbs can be more biologically diverse than sometimes thought and can be especially hospitable to birds. He offers a list of ten things suburbanites can do to ensure their backyards and communities provide suitable habitat for birds and other species.

The Book of Beetles

Patrice Bouchard University of Chicago Press Cloth: $55.00 Perhaps the humble beetle needs a marketing makeover. After all, there are more types of insect than any other animal in the world and there are more types of beetles than any other insect. In fact, there are 350,000 known species of beetles and scientists estimate there may be millions that remain unknown. And they are amazing creatures. As Darwin himself pointed out, “From the small size of insects, we are apt to undervalue their appearance. If we could imagine a male Chalcosoma with its polished, bronzed coat of mail, and vast complex horns, magnified to the size of a horse or even a dog, it would be one of the most imposing animals in the world.” This book is a wonderful corrective and naturalist’s delight. It features life size photos with stunning colors, and descriptions of 600 species of beetles that amply demonstrate their astonishing diversity.

New & Noteworthy Mapping Detroit

June Manning Thomas and Henco Bekkering Wayne State University Press Paperback: $34.99 Maps tell the story of Detroit’s rise, its subsequent decline, and how vacant and neglected land could impact hopes for renewal.

The Human Age Diane Ackerman W.W. Norton & Company, Inc. Hardcover: $27.95

A surprisingly optimistic look at humankind’s dominant position on earth and our changing relationship with nature.

H is for Hawk Bats: A World of Science and Mystery M. Brock Fenton and Nancy B. Simmons University of Chicago Press Cloth: $35.00

If beetles need a marketing makeover, then bats need an image consultant. Typecast by Hollywood, feared and misunderstood by many, these fascinating creatures play important roles in ecosystems around the world. There are more than 1,300 species of bats, about a quarter of all mammal species, and according to scientists more than half those species are endangered, threatened or considered vulnerable. Bats: A World of Science and Mystery provides a comprehensive overview, guiding the reader though topics like biosonar (echolocation) and bats’ social patterns (some live alone, some in colonies). And here’s some advice to the image consultants: lead with the bumblebee bat, the world’s smallest mammal, which is smaller than a person’s thumb and about as cute as can be.

michigan nature | spring 2015

Helen Macdonald Grove Press Cloth: $26.00

This poignant mix of memoir and natural history won the prestigious Samuel Johnson Prize for NonFiction.

Voices | MNA

Q&A

“Not many species can live in a parking lot or a soybean field.”

James H. Harding We sat down with long-time MNA member James H. Harding, co-author of Michigan Turtles and Lizards and Michigan Frogs, Toads and Salamanders.

How did you become interested in herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles (or “herps” for short)?

ago. As I sometimes say to my students, not too many species can live in a parking lot or a soybean field.

When I was a little kid, about 5 years old, a painted turtle walked through our yard and across our driveway. In those days there were still quite a few around, even in the Birmingham area where I grew up. Dad let me keep it in a sand box for a day. He bought me a guide to Michigan’s reptiles and turtles, and I was hooked. I had a little menagerie at home. I was just one of those kids interested in turtles and snakes, digging for dinosaurs, that type of thing.

What are some of the causes of decline among amphibians and reptiles?

Later, when I attended my first scientific conference, I sat down at a table during a break and found myself talking with people who were truly giants in the field. They all had a similar story about how they got started. One of the things that grabs a lot of people about herps is that you can handle them more readily than some other species. I should add that I’m not advocating the commercial trade in herps, but I don’t think we should criminalize kids collecting what they find, either. Are you concerned today’s kids do not have the same kinds of opportunities?

It’s a little different than for some other species. For some species direct habitat destruction is the biggest threat. For amphibians and reptiles its things like roads, the spread of invasive species like phragmites, and the introduction of a whole host of deadly diseases like ranavirus and snake fungal disease, which was just found in massasauga rattlesnake populations in Michigan.

“You can’t expect kids to get engaged by watching a nature documentary on a television screen.”

Yes, I am. There is something special about the direct experience of nature. You can’t expect kids to get engaged by watching a nature documentary on a television screen. That won’t do it. When I was growing up it was more common to just go off exploring on your own, and back then there were still things to see and places left to explore. Today everything is declining. I took herps and ornithology at MSU back in the 1970s. When we went out in the field we would see so much more than you see today, and even then our professors would tell us we were seeing far fewer than they had seen decades

Another is the large increase in predators like raccoons. Raccoons adapt well to the landscapes we are creating, and they eat turtle and snake eggs and nestlings. All of these things are driven by the impact of humans on the landscape. Where can people learn more? What can MNA members do to help?

MSU Extension just issued a revised edition of Michigan Turtles and Lizards last year, and Michigan Frogs, Toads and Salamanders is still in print. Both of these are field guides and easy to carry around. I should stress that data is very important. Herps are the kind of things you don’t just see as readily today, you generally have to go looking for them. So when you’re outdoors, be aware of herps. If you’re confident in your identification, report it. Even for common species. You never know what data will be useful 20 years from now. I would encourage people to take a look at the Michigan Herp Atlas (www.miherpatlas.org). It’s a good way to let us know what is seen and where.

michigan nature | spring 2015

Legacies | MNA

MNA Remembers Friend and Supporter Pat Grogan Late last year, MNA lost a dear friend. Patrick W. Grogan passed away at the age of 87 on November 11, 2014. Pat was born in Detroit on March 17, 1927 to William and Erma (Nickerson) Grogan. He was a Seaman in the United States Navy during WWll. Following this service, he worked on tug boats in Sault Ste. Marie, and retired in 1988 from a career with the Mackinac Bridge Authority. He married Mary Anna “Nan” Bellant in 1952, his loving partner and caretaker until her death in 2012. Pat was a long-time friend and active member of MNA. He was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed learning and teaching everything he could about nature. He was particularly involved with stewardship of the Fred Dye Nature Sanctuary, Lake Huron Dunes Plant Preserve, Beavertail Point Plant Preserve, and the Lennagene Rossman Stratton Memorial Nature Sanctuary, all in the Upper Peninsula. Named in his honor, the 80-acre Pat Grogan Shelldrake Bog Nature Sanctuary northwest of Paradise, Mich. is part of a large wetland complex extending to Whitefish Point. The sanctuary was brought to MNA’s attention by Pat for its high-quality habitat and species diversity. MNA would like to pay tribute to Pat Grogan’s life and contributions to Michigan conservation with trail improvements including a wetland observation deck at the sanctuary named in his honor. We are seeking contributions to help defray construction costs. A private donor has generously offered to match all donations to the Pat Grogan Memorial Fund up to $1000. You can make a contribution using the enclosed envelope or by calling 866-223-2231.

Above: Pat Grogan (right) with former MNA Executive Director Jeremy Emmi at the 2000 dedication of the Pat Grogan Shelldrake Bog Nature Sanctuary. Below: Pat Grogan Shelldrake Bog Nature Sanctuary in 2010.

Leave a Lasting Legacy MNA’s Guardians of the Future are a special group, dedicated to protecting Michigan’s unique natural heritage for generations to come. By including the Michigan Nature Association in your estate plans, you can leave a lasting impact on the conservation and education programs you value at MNA.

Give a gift that lasts more than a lifetime. For more information, contact Garret Johnson at 866-223-2231 or gjohnson@michigannature.org. If you have already included MNA in your will or estate plan, please let us know so we can thank you.

Legacies | MNA

Memorials and Honoraria September 1, 2014 to February 1, 2015

Donations given in honor or memory of MNA members and friends appear here in tribute. To learn how you can honor a loved one, call (866) 223-2231 or visit www.michigannature.org.

In Memory of: Eugene Cichoracki by Albert and Grace Sowa Paul Clancy, M.D. by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Hazel Dallaire by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Charles Frederic â&#x20AC;&#x153;Fredâ&#x20AC;? Dye, Jr. by Catherine H. Anderson by Doris Applebaum by Darcy and David Dye by John Dye by Jeremy Emmi and Karen Meagher by GRCC Faculty Association by Reed and Dorothy Lenz by Daryl Mark and David Nelson by Don and Carolyn Reed by David and Jeannette Sharpe by Phyllis Turner by Ruth Vail by Clifford and Margaret Welsch Chad Fuller by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Dr. Haig Garabedian by Dr. Joseph James Jean Gaudet by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Mira Genzer by Rena and Ken Kirshenbaum Marvin Goldman by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Betty Goldstein by Lisa Goldstein and Stewart Prog by Leo and Betty Goldstein Family Foundation Rose Gorgas by James and Barbara Gusfa Clement Greenman by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Pat Grogan by Steve and Sue Baker

In Honor of: Irene Gusfa by James and Barbara Gusfa Helen Holdinski by James and Barbara Gusfa Ronald Holloway by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Gordon Kallunki by Jacquelyn Kallunki Marjorie C. Kotyuk by Ilona Tobin Yovnne Lillian Kroll by James and Barbara Gusfa Lois Lance by Cole and Priscilla Hawkins by Jim and Alice Xenakis Bonnie Lindau by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum John Marakas by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Karin Mason by David and Jeanette Sharpe Alice McMahon by Shelley Varvil Mildred Moss by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Sara Parker by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Marilyn Pufpaff by Michael Fitzpatrick and Sue Fortuna Rose Sciturro by Dr. Joseph James Lewis and Joan Senghas by William and Nancy Zarkis Sophie Smiler by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Stuart Allen Smith by Deborah A. Barry by Margaret A. Welsch Mike (Milton) Taylor by Eleanor Taylor Charles Teichart by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Ruth Traurig by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum

Evelyn Tucker by James and Barbara Gusfa Curt Vail by Jonathon Beeton Leo Williams by Dr. Lewis Rosenbaum Donza Worden by James and Barbara Gusfa Sharon Zahrfeld by Ted Zahrfeld

Adrienne Bozic by Jonathan and Barbara Previant Glenna and Lefty Levengood by Andrea Thach Debra MacGregor by Lucinda Orwoll Colleen McInerney and Mary Mueller by Sandra Murphy Lucy Katherine Messing by Paul and Jill Messing George Swensen Jr by Mary Knight Sally Young by Margaret Auer

Visit www.michigannature.org or call 866-223-2231 to learn how you can honor a loved one.

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Nature

Discover Michigan

Michigan Nature Association

Represent MNA in Style There is nothing better than discovering Michigan’s great outdoors. Show your pride in Michigan’s natural heritage with the “Discover Michigan Nature” T-shirt, a true MNA original. pure michigan nature 9.ai

Men’s “Discover Michigan Nature” Tee

$30

Support MNA in style and make the versatile “Discover Michigan Nature” T-shirt part of your collection. These shirts are made from 100% fine jersey cotton for a soft, comfortable feel and available in forest green with white lettering or white with green lettering. Price: $30 Sizes: Men’s S-XL Shirts are made and printed in the USA. Available to ship within 4-6 weeks.

Women’s “Discover Michigan Nature” Tee Nature

Discover Michigan

Michigan Nature Association

$30

Show your love of all Michigan has to offer while wearing MNA’s flattering, fitted scoop-neck “Discover Michigan Nature” tee. Made with a combed cotton/poly blend for an ultra-soft, comfortable fit that holds its shape, even with repeated washings. Available in heather forest green with white lettering or white with green lettering. Price: $30 Sizes: Women’s S-XL (shirts run small, if between sizes, size up) Shirts are made and printed in the USA. Available to ship within 4-6 weeks.

Show Your Support in Style!

Use the enclosed envelope, call (866) 223-2231, or visit www.michigannature.org/merchandise 30

michigan nature | spring 2015

Help MNA protect sensitive habitats every day MNA Protectors are a special group of individuals who provide MNA with steady support throughout the year. MNA’s monthly giving program is a convenient way to help MNA protect special natural areas and spread your gift out over a period of time.

Become an MNA Protector

A fast, easy way to protect Michigan’s natural heritage

Each month, your contribution will be charged to your credit card or bank account. You can increase, decrease or cancel your monthly gift any time. The minimum monthly gift is $10. For details, visit www.michigannature.org or call (866) 223-2231.

Michigan Nature Association www.michigannature.org

Michigan Nature Association 2310 Science Parkway, Suite 100 Okemos, MI 48864 www.michigannature.org

Become a member of MNA to receive Michigan Nature magazine. Visit www.michigannature.org to learn more.

Help MNA Meet the $50,000 Challenge

Donations of $500 or more will be matched until October 1, 2015

Help MNA meet this exciting new challenge! All donations to MNA of $500 or more will be matched, dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000. Time is Limited - Donate Today Use the enclosed envelope, call 866-223-2231 or visit www.michigannature.org to donate.

Double Your Impact Today

ÂŠ Mike Zajczenko