Wednesday Warriors

WARRIORSWednesday

Growing Up Together

As the Wednesday Warriors look back on their 20th season of volunteering for the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy, we realize we are almost the same age as Chipman Preserve. At the time, it was one of our biggest preserves, and as such it offered new challenges. So much to do! Like eating an elephant (one bite at a time), some sections were “adopted” by individuals as their own project. And to this day we refer to these spots as Jason’s Triangle, Bob’s Barrens, Paul’s Hill. But even with monthly Saturday workdays, it wasn’t enough. Enter Stan who suggested we start working more often, and the Wednesday Warriors was born. We ranged far and wide across many of the 50 preserves in the nine-county area (we still do), but Chipman always got a lot of love. We collected lupine seeds and scuffed them in, we teased out miles of oriental bittersweet that choked the oaks, we hunted down non-native Amur maples. Along with the hardworking staff, continuing Saturday workdays, a group called the Pluggers who collect, sort and sow seeds, and even the Chipman family, and sheep! we have slowly but surely transformed this charming landscape into rolling prairies, peaceful savannas, and many inviting trails. In fact, you are almost guaranteed to see someone walking their dog any day or time that you come out here.

Chipman is one of the Conservancy’s many preserves where you are welcome to visit year-round. The trees after a snowfall are beautiful. You’ll see expansive views of snow-covered prairies against the crisp, blue winter sky and busy cardinals, woodpeckers and nuthatches searching for the last seeds and berries of the season. Come spring, enjoy the bloom of lupines, the trill of prairie warblers, the hush of woodlands. Details and maps are on the website conserveland@swmlc.org. And if you really want to see how a group of nature lovers can make a difference, come join the Wednesday Warriors. Attendance is week by week as your schedule permits. There is also a spin-off group, the Privateers who meet on Mondays. For more information, contact the Conservancy and ask to get on their email list. Their website is also kept upto-date with details of each week’s workdays.

Kristi Chapman, volunteer, Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy