SPRING ISSUE 2018
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etlands are Mother Nature’s cradle of life—depressions in the earth’s amazing landscape that provide shelter and sustenance to fish, reptiles, and animals, and contain over one third of all endangered plant species. Our West Michigan wetlands are a welcome resting, nesting, and feeding stopover for migrating waterfowl that summer in the remote reaches of northern Canada and then winter on the sub-tropical coast of South America. Wetlands have a significant effect on water quality, and are Mother Nature’s way of gently easing the rage of storm water seeking the path of least resistance. When Blandford Nature Center and the Land Conservancy of West Michigan partnered to purchase, protect, and begin restoring the Highlands last year, the thought of eventually incorporating wetlands into this ‘blank slate’ as part of its return to nature was downright tantalizing. Last fall, with assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the first new wetland was created on land formerly known as “the driving range” (see page 10). By late winter, this rough-hewn wetland was filled with water and teeming with waterfowl. The input given at community meetings last summer is now helping shape a plan that will create additional wetlands, incorporate an ADA trail system and natural playscapes, restore native prairie grasses and Michigan forests, and connect four neighborhoods that have been separated since Theodore Roosevelt was president in 1908. The addition of this land to Blandford’s footprint will enable them to provide an enhanced educational opportunity for Grand Rapids urban youth as well as children all over West Michigan. Accessible via car or city bus line, this gem will add immeasurable value to the quality of life in Grand Rapids, for generations to come.
While excitement for this journey continues to grow on the northwest side of Grand Rapids, so does the Land Conservancy’s continuing commitment to natural lands all over west Michigan. For example, the Flower Creek Dunes Addition, completed this spring, borders another wetland—a Great Lakes marsh—one of the most diverse ecosystems in Michigan and one that helps maintain water quality throughout the entire great lakes region (see page 4). And it’s not just wetlands—the addition to the preserve protects critical dunes and forests, all overlooking Lake Michigan. This newsletter is chock-full of the very good reasons you so kindly support and engage in the full breadth of work the Land Conservancy does, every day. As we preserve valuable habitat for endangered species of butterflies, fields of wildflowers, stands of soaring hemlock, and family histories nurtured by the forests and streams of West Michigan, the Land Conservancy remains blessed to have your support for these and other exciting projects just over the horizon. With thanks,
Joe Engel, Executive Director
Cover: A Karner blue butterfly—a federally endangered species found in West Michigan—poses for a picture. See page 8 for a story on Karner blue butterflies and other imperiled species. Photo by Colin Hoogerwerf, Communications Director.
Land Conservancy of West Michigan Spring 2018
BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Byl President Suzanne DeVries-ZImmerman Vice President Cindy Ackerman Secretary Bob Van Stright Treasurer Lydia Barbash-Riley Carl Erickson Claire Guisfredi Steve Heacock Margaret Idema Mike Julien Bill Lawrence Priscilla Nyamai Dave Rinard Trish Taylor Elise Tripp STAFF Joe Engel Executive Director April Scholtz Land Protection Director Pete DeBoer Land Protection Coordinator Justin Heslinga Stewardship Director Andre Otte Stewardship Specialist Brian Obits Development Director Colin Hoogerwerf Communications Director Diane Sampson Database Administrator Gretchen R. Mousel Finance Director 400 Ann Street NW, Ste. 102 Grand Rapids, MI 49504 (616) 451-9476 naturenearby.org LCWM is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax deductible.
STEWARDSHIP
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE 2017 VOLUNTEERS OF THE YEAR Jill and Dotti volunteering at Flower Creek Dunes
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ach of the Land Conservancy’s sixteen nature preserves is watched over by a volunteer preserve steward. At Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve, Jill Henemyer and Dotti Clune share that title. The work they have done at Flower Creek Dunes and elsewhere to protect fragile and threatened landscapes recently earned them the 2017 Volunteer of the Year Award. We caught up with Jill and Dotti this winter to find out more about what draws them to this kind of work.
Jill and Dotti began their long history of volunteering with the Land Conservancy at the Second Saturday volunteer workdays. The workdays met their shared goal of finding more ways to spend time outside, get exercise and get to know other conservation minded people. One of Jill’s favorite quotes is from E.B. White: “I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world, and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.” She found a solution to the dilemma in volunteering. Volunteering with the Land Conservancy allows us to improve the world and enjoy it at the same time. JH When the opportunity came to be the preserve stewards at Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve, they jumped at the chance. Since then, the preserve has become like a second home, always offering new thrills. They’ve seen eagles, sandhill cranes, large flocks of mixed migrating warblers and river otters. They often spot a resident fox and once found an ancient piece of pottery left by local tribes who inhabited the area long ago (middle). One spring, Jill had the delight of spotting and photographing a piping plover, a federally endangered species (pictured above). I was able to photograph the leg bands of this particular banded bird, send it to a friend who is involved with Piping Plover research in the Sleeping Bear Dunes area, and in very short time knew the entire life history of this very bird! It was amazing to think that this bird had traveled thousands of miles to find a resting spot at Flower Creek Dunes before continuing on the last leg of its journey back home to its northern breeding grounds in Sleeping Bear Dunes. JH
Dotti and Jill each grew up with an appreciation for nature ingrained in their family lives and taught to them at an early age. My mother introduced my siblings and me to the joys of nature— identifying wildflowers, picking wild berries, observing birds and other activities on the little hikes she took us on. So although I have very little academic background in the sciences, I’ve always had a passion for being outdoors and exploring nature. DC While both Jill and Dotti have found a lot of benefits from their volunteer work in their own lives, they are constantly reminded that preserving natural areas has far reaching benefits to friends and family, to future generations, and to the many plants and animals existing in our natural places. I believe that exposure to nature nourishes us in ways that are critical to our wellbeing at every stage of our lives. I’ve seen that in the delight of young children as they splash in the water at a Lake Michigan beach or race down a trail in the woods. I’ve also seen it with both my mother and Jill’s mother when, toward the end of their lives, we spent time outdoors with them—the joy they experienced just seeing fall colors, watching the antics of squirrels, delighting in spring wildflowers. DC My interest in preserving natural areas focuses mostly on preserving habitat for native plant and animal species. Habitat loss is one of the greatest threats to species diversity and the natural world. When I think of all the fascinating plant and animal species I’ve seen at Flower Creek, it’s hard to imagine losing them. JH
naturenearby.org
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PRESERVES
DOUBLE THE DUNES
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rom the lookout up at the peak of the dunes, at the end of the John J. Helstrom Dune Ridge Trail, a hiker can look west over an expanse of open blue water. To the south, the stairs lead back to the beach and rolling, grassy dunes, and to the east the dunes drop steeply and are covered in tall hemlocks and oaks. To the north, the dunes continue until reaching Big Flower Creek where a large Great Lakes marsh hides behind the dunes. But since the preserve opened in 2012, this lookout was the end of the trail for visitors to the preserve and these northern dunes were not accesible. Last spring, the property to the north of the preserve was listed for sale. When an anonymous donor came forward with a large gift and a passion to protect the property, the imagined future of this preserve suddenly became real. Over the summer, Land Conservancy members and new friends came forward to make the dream come true. The preserve was officially expanded and the campaign was completed this winter. The expanded preserve, now more than double the size of the original, will allow for a longer trail to be developed on the property, significantly increasing the hiking opportunities. It will double the habitat where the endangered Pitcher’s thistle has a foothold (pictured top right) and where endangered piping plovers have been spotted stopping along their migration route (previous page). And it will now offer views of a Great Lakes marsh, a rare Michigan ecosystem that offers habitat to numerous rare and protected plants and animals.
SAVE THE DATE:
Dedicate the Dunes MAY 19TH | 2 PM Meinert County Park We hope you’ll join us to help dedicate the new addition to Flower Creek Dunes with guided hikes, refreshments and the unveiling of a new donor sign. Parking will be available at Meinert Park (8390 Meinert Road, Montague, MI 49437).
thanks to This project made possible with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, the J.A. Woollam Foundation, the estate of Elizabeth C. Getz, a grant from the James Hanna and Mary H. Murphy Land Fund of the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and over 140 passionate donors.
a rare opportunity When the addition to Flower Creek Dunes was purchased, an old cottage stood at the top of the dunes overlooking the lake. Over the winter the house was removed. This perch will now become a lookout open to all visitors to enjoy views of Lake Michigan and the surrounding dunes. It is not often that developed Lake Michigan shoreline ever finds it way back to being open, natural land again. So while development continues to be a threat to the critical dunes along Lake Michigan’s shoreline, Flower Creek Dunes will stand out as an incredible conservation victory showcasing the reversal of developed land into natural, healthy, publicly accessible dunes for all to enjoy.
FEATURE
american copper
Lycaena phlaeas Status: Common
GETTING TO KNOW THE IMPERILED CREATURES IN OUR MIDST By: Colin Hoogerwerf
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e met on a sunny morning near the border of Muskegon and Newaygo counties. We were happy about the sun, not just because we could still feel the distant edges of winter pulling away and the spring opening into summer, but because we were out to look for butterflies. Butterflies, like other insects, tend to be active when it is sunny, and use the sun’s heat to gather energy.
Karner blue
Lycaeides melissa samuelis Endangered (US)
common and rare butterflies of west michigan nature preserves
little wood-satyr Megisto cymela Common
Dusted Skipper
Atrytonopsis hianna Special Concern (MI)
Frosted Elfin
Callophrys irus Threatened (MI)
Dave Cuthrell was our butterfly guide for the morning. He works for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory, an organization committed to the conservation of our state’s rare and declining plants and animals. He wore a vest with many pockets and he had a butterfly net stowed in the back of the truck. He drove through the woods, down the rutted two-track until it opened up into a prairie. The property we were visiting was special because it contained large areas of oak savanna. Oak savanna habitats are a rare kind of grassland and are the habitat for a number of rare and threatened species. They are ecosystems that have adapted to disturbance, for example from fires that periodically hold back the shrubs and trees. Over the past century, with disturbances removed, these habitats have been slowly overtaken by encroaching forests, tilled and turned into farmland or developed into residential areas.
Karner blue
Lycaeides melissa samuelis Endangered (US)
Spangled Fritillary Speyeria cybele Common
like the piping plover (recently spotted at Flower Creek Dunes) and prairie warbler (known to nest at Saugatuck Harbor Natural Area), also found on the state list of endangered species, have been losing their lakeshore nesting grounds. The federally threatened Pitcher’s thistle faces the loss of the dune ecosystems it requires. And these are some of the more noticeable creatures—there is also a long list of insects in decline, many requiring very specific habitat conditions. The world’s endangered predators and lovable mammals have received a lot of air-time, hype, and an entire industry of tourism has started bringing people out to spot them in the wild. West Michigan’s endangered insects, mussels, and plants will not likely receive the same attention, which is why it’s all the more important that we continue to protect habitats and manage land in a way that supports these creatures.
We stopped the truck beside an open grassy area that stretched for a couple hundred yards along the road. Our main target for the morning was the Karner blue butterfly, a federally endangered species that feeds on the wild lupine that grows in oak savannas. A small population of Karner blue butterflies exists at Maas Family Nature Preserve. The property we were visiting is known to have a much larger population. The Land Conservancy is partnering with the Michigan DNR and the landowner to acquire this property for public ownership. Once acquired, the DNR will incorporate this property with existing oak savanna restoration in the area. Only a few steps into the grass, Dave pointed. “There’s one,” he said, pointing just ahead. I saw the butterfly land on a yellow flower and I moved toward it with my camera. Through the zoom lens I watched it flex it wings in the sun. The blue on the tops of the wings shimmered as it nosed around in the flower. Then it lifted and casually made its way to another bloom. As a child who watched a lot of nature documentaries on VHS and subscribed to Ranger Rick Magazine, I have always been well aware of the world’s charismatic endangered species—tigers, whales, pandas, gorillas—but it was more recently that I came to realize how many small, local creatures are fighting their own battle for existence. Many of these local species are non-distinct, small, or hard to find and so they don’t get the same attention. Many of our local imperiled species are in their predicament because of a loss of habitat. Reptiles and amphibians like the Blanchard’s cricket frog and the spotted turtle, both on the state list of endangered species, are losing their wetland homes. Birds
Dave Cuthrell watches for butterflies
I spent the rest of that morning following butterflies around the savanna and saw several more Karner blue and many other species including the Dusted Skipper, listed by the state as ‘special concern’. Just as we were about to leave, Dave spotted what to me looked like a very non-distinct brown butterfly. It turned out to be a Frosted Elfin, another species listed as threatened in the state of Michigan and even more rare in the area than the Karner blue. The current research and statistics do not provide a lot of hope for the future of many of these creatures as we continue to lose species at a startling rate. But right here in our own corner of this wild planet, it is good to know there are places where rare butterflies can gather in peace, where a bird can take a quiet rest in the midst of a thousand-mile migration, and where reptiles, amphibians, plants, bats, snakes, bees, crickets, and even the most common creatures can live in peace.
naturenearby.org
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LAND PROTECTION
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When families are able to he shared memories of a family often center around place. protect land, they find they For some families it is a place of vacation, a cottage, or neighborhood gathering spot. For some families those memoare protecting much more ries are centered around their own backyards and the landscape than just nature. surrounding their home. These are places where children explore and learn, places that offer relaxation and places that have been lovingly cared for by many generations.
Photos left to right: The MacDougall Lodge; View of The Pere Marquette River from the MacDougall property; Graham MacDougall Sr. (back) and George Cannon Sr. (front) fish the Pere Marquette River; A trail on the Coopers’ property; Dick Cooper looks over protected land.
This is often the starting point for families when they work with the Land Conservancy on conservation agreements. Conservation agreements offer landowners a way to protect land that is important to the family history and make sure that it will be a piece of the future, all while maintaining private ownership. This is the case for two conservation agreements that were completed at the end of 2017.
Macdougall Family (left page)
Cooper Family (above)
As last year came to a close, the Cooper Family was able to put the finishing touches on an agreement that will protect 120 acres in Kent County near Lowell, Michigan. The property contains a high quality oak-pine forest and many pockets of oak barrens.
The health of the landscape has been kept on track thanks to the careful attention over many years by Dick Cooper. The Coopers worked with the Land Conservancy and the DNR to create a forest stewardship plan for the property. The plan allows for the harvest of timber while ensuring the long-term health of the forest. The sustainable managment of the forest has been a deep pride for Dick Cooper and continues to be a passion of his.
The Pere Marquette River is a magical place in any season, though most people enjoy it in the warmer months, fishing in the spring and fall and canoeing and kayaking in the summer. But on a cold day last winter, with ice floating by on the river, these 81 acres were officially protected and will now remain natural and scenic in all seasons, forever.
The property has been in the MacDougall family since the early 20th century and has a rich history on the river. A fishing lodge still stands on the property, known simply as “MacDougall Lodge.” The property contains nearly a mile and a half of river frontage on the main branch of the Pere Marquette River, with white pine and white oak forests, conifer swamps, and old fields covering the rest.
The natural features found here are relatively rare, especially the oak barrens–a habitat that is defined as critically imperiled by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory and often contains many rare species of plants and animals.
The Pere Marquette Wild campaign, which has the goal of protecting 10 new miles of the river, received a boost with this addition and now stands at 6.4 miles protected since launching the campaign. A 319 grant from the Nonpoint Source Pollution Program of the Michigan DEQ helped in the protection of the property.
The conservation of this land will ensure that the forest remains intact forever, providing wildlife habitat as well as a scenic backdrop for neighbors and passers-by. This is especially important since the surrounding area has undergone significant development in the past decades and has lost much of its natural character.
The PM Wild campaign, including the conservation of this property, was made possible with support from the Carls Foundation; the Community Foundation for Mason County; the Charles R. Evenson Foundation; and the Fremont Area Community Foundation and its affiliate, the Lake County Community Foundation.
naturenearby.org
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A DIGITAL GUIDE TO THE
WILDFLOWERS OF WEST MICHIGAN
Without the name, any flower is still More Or less a stranger to you. —-John Burroughs
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ach spring, fields, forests, roadsides, and wetlands begin to bloom with color. This summer we have a guide that will help you to find, identify and enjoy 30 native species of wildflowers at preserves and natural areas nearby. The guide is specially formatted for use on mobile devices and is interactive, with links between pages and to more information about the flowers and the preserves. You can download the guide for free on our website. Look for more guides to follow!
Download the interactive guide at: naturenearby.org/wildflower-guide
Changes at The Highlands
RESTORING WETLANDS
This spring and summer, when you visit The Highlands, you will begin to notice some dramatic changes to the landscape including a large new wetland area undergoing restoration (pictured behind). Over the winter, with the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Ducks Unlimited, drain tiles that have been preventing water from collecting on the ground’s surface for a century were removed, bringing back about an acre of wetland that is already attracting ducks and other wildlife. The Highlands project is currently in its first Phase—acquiring the property, paying off the loan, and collecting input and planning for Phase Two. This wetlands restoration is just a glimpse of what is ahead after Phase One is completed.
Business PARTNERS SAVE MICHIGAN
HEMLOCKS The Hemlock Woolly Adelgid (HWA)—first detected in West Michigan in 2016—is an invasive species that has devastated the hemlock forests in the southeast US and now threatens the hemlocks of our own lakeshore and northern forests. The known extent of HWA runs right through our service area along the Lake Michigan shoreline. HWA is a tiny insect that targets hemlocks as their source of food. They can be found at the base of hemlock needles on the undersides of branches. The best time to detect HWA is in late fall through spring when it produces woolly masses to protect the insects and their eggs from cold temperatures. The adelgids and their eggs are spread from tree to tree by birds, vehicles, clothing, and equipment. There is currently a large effort underway, led by the West Michigan Hemlock Woolly Adelgid Taskforce, to detect and contain the pest. Large scale surveys are occurring throughout the spring to determine how widespread the infestation is in order to guide a strategy for treatment and restoration. The taskforce is requesting that conservation organizations and concerned individuals help spread the word about HWA to get more eyes on our hemlocks. As you hike through your favorite natural areas this spring, we ask that you join in the effort to save our hemlocks by looking for and reporting any HWA that you find. Just make sure to watch your step as you walk through the woods! For more information on identifying and reporting HWA please visit the taskforce website (below) or contact the Land Conservancy of West Michigan.
savemihemlocks.org
An automatic monthly gift to the Land Conservancy can make a big impact and is more convenient for you. Here’s why: 1. A steady stream of support helps to sustain ongoing care for our many natural areas. 2. You can create an account that allows you to update your gift at any time. 3. Less mail means less waste and more time caring for the natural places that we love. Visit our website and click “donate” to find options for monthly gifts and other methods of giving.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Grand Rapids, MI Permit No. 906
$35,000 Matching Gift Challenge Announced Mission: Helping people protect, enjoy, and care for natural land in West Michigan
The board of directors has announced a matching gift challenge for this spring. For a limited time, until the challenge is met, donations to the Land Conservancy will be matched dollar for dollar.
Second Saturdays: Summer Schedule
From 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month, we host a volunteer event that focuses on ecological restoration activities, including invasive species removal, seed collecting, and native plant installation or other tasks that help visitors better enjoy our magnificent natural areas.
MAY 12 | B.D. White Nature Preserve JUNE 9 | The Highlands JULY 14 | Flower Creek Dunes Nature Preserve AUGUST 11 | Wege Foundation Natural Area Find all the latest details and RSVP for Second Saturday workdays on our website at: naturenearby.org/volunteer