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Flushing Township Nature Park
Newsletter
Fall 2005
Falling into Autumn
It will soon be the time of year when the weather changes and signals a change of events for our NaturePark inhabitants. Fox Squirrels, Eastern Chipmunks and American Beavers will soon be busy gathering their winter caches, birds will flock in prelude to migration, butterfly and moth larvae have built cocoon*s and snakes will be searching for a good winter den. Although many birds and animals disappear in the fall, many more stay here since they are cold-weather adapted. White-tailed deer, red fox and coyote are year-around residents as are blue jays, cardinals and chickadees. They stay here because they have adequate food and shelter. More than ever, people are feeding birds and other wildlife. Our wildlife friends that join us through the cold days of Fall and Winter have grown to find artificial food at back door feeders. If you have a feeder, remember to continue feeding as the weather changes. Not only will you be providing a food source for our furry and feathered friends, but you will also continue to be blessed with their presence throughout the year.
All of the upcoming late season activity provides many opportunities to observe behaviors and to catch a last look until next spring. The NaturePark will be focusing on these opportunities through special events, hikes and other programs. Be sure to check the Calendar of Events for specific details.
Yes, summer is fading, but the brilliant colors of Autumn are on the way. Along with the cool breeze and sunny skies, Autumn also brings a season of changes. The most obvious change is the change of colors, one of nature's most brilliant displays. Soon mother nature will stroke her paint brush across the canvas of the land and display her masterpiece. While this is an impressive display, there are many other less obvious changes occurring. Take time to get outdoors and notice some of the more subtle changes, like the trees, grasses and summer flowers taking to seed. This is a good time to collect multi colored leaves and match them with their related seed. Collecting from just the local Oak trees is a great project to do young or old. Embrace the changes of nature and enjoy her graceful transformation.
Programs and Events
Our first Nature Campout was a great success. We had excellent weather for our activities, which included star gazing, listening to bat calls, sensory tests, eating smores around the campfire, and a night hike. We woke up to a beautiful morning. The early birds went for a nice bird hike, then we all had breakfast and a group photo before everyone packed and departed. Thanks to all that came, it really was a great time.
We are planning another nature campout. The dates are September 9th - 10th. The activities will be similar, with a few changes. Please call the park office to reserve your camp site. See the schedule of events for more information.
The second annual Fresh Water Expo will be hosted at the NaturePark on Saturday, August 27th. This is a family oriented program that celebrates and educates the need for clean fresh water and fresh water habitats. Activities will include a live birds of prey demonstration, environmental exhibits, food, games, crafts and more. One game that will be a sure hit, is the pollution monster game. The object is to hit the pollution monster, a lucky volunteer, with a water balloon. It is sure to be fun, and to stress a point to help reduce pollution.
The 4th annual Nature's Halloween will be here before we know it. This is the NaturePark's premier event of the year. Nature's Halloween is always held on the last Saturday in October. This year it is Saturday, October 29th. We are hoping to improve upon last year's record attendance of over 1,000 people. This spooktacular event can not be successful without a large crew of volunteers. We have an event committee that organizes all of the activities. We are looking for motivated and creative volunteers to help.
Nature's Halloween is funded primarily through sponsors. Sponsor's are required to keep this a free event. Sign up to be a volunteer, or ask your work place to become a sponsor! Call the park office for more information.
Squeeze the Last Drop from Summer
I can almost hear the collective cry of the summer lovers who just read the "Falling into Autumn" column. "Where did the summer go!" Summer months go by so fast. It seems that our days, especially weekends, are already planned for us. We all know that there are still a few nice days of summer left. Although it is true that they are fading fast, which is an even stronger reason to get out into nature and enjoy what you love best about summer. Go out in search of the summer wildlife inhabitants before they begin to disappear for the year. Take a walk and feel the warm breeze on your face. Better yet take a walk at night to see the dwindling twinkle of the fire flies, the flutter of the bats and the sound of the crickets. Soon all of these wonderful sensations will be swept away by the cool Autumn breeze. Life is busy. Remember to take as many moments as possible to relax and let nature rejuvenate your soul.
DemonstrationRainGardens
The installation of two rain gardens in the NaturePark is complete and serves to demonstrate the purpose and beauty of rain gardens. These popular gardens provide many benefits to homeowners, businesses and the environment, by trapping polluted runoff from parking lots, rooftops and other impervious surfaces and purifying it through the use of native plants and soil mixtures. The larger of the two gardens at the NaturePark is located north of the Pavilion just beyond the parking lot. This garden collects a large amount of water from the parking lot and the roof of the pavilion. An information sign is placed next to this garden explaining its intended use and benefits. The second, much smaller, garden is placed on the north side of the restroom. This garden was constructed to show how anyone can install a rain garden on their own property.
There will be a presentation on rain gardens during the Fresh Water Expo, including handouts and pictures of the installation. If you miss the presentation, be sure to visit the NaturePark and see the rain garden and get more details from the staff or visit www.raingardens.org
Native Plant Interpretive Garden
This is a big project, funded by the Michigan DNR, and will be partially complete this year. To date, the area has been burned, and cleaned up. A general design has been approved, plant signs are designed and a planting schedule established. This garden will have walking paths so visitors can readily see and read about the nearly 100 native plants. There will be something for everyone in this garden and NaturePark staff will be able to discuss specifics on habitats and availability. More information will be available as this garden nears completion next year.
Nature*s Trivia: Answers are on last page, there may be more than one correct answer.
All answers can be found in the text of this newsletter.
1.*Which fact is true?
a.)*Beavers don*t store food for the winter.
b.)*All birds migrate south for the winter.
c.) Butterfly larvae build cocoons.
d.)*Snakes like the cold weather.
2.*A rain garden does which of the following:
a.) Helps purify water.
b.) Causes flooding.
c.) Helps to control runoff from roof tops.
d.) Adds beauty to a landscape.
3.*Find the correct statement.
a.) All birds migrate to warmer weather.
b.) White-tailed deer don*t eat unless fed by humans.
c.) Many birds eat seed from bird feeders.
d.) Red foxes hibernate.
4.) Which will disappear with summer?
a.) Chirping birds.
b.) The sound of crickets chirping.
c.) The fluttering of bats.
d.) The twinkle of the lightning bugs.
******Answers for Nature's Trivia
****1.) c 2.) a,c,d 3.) c 4.) b,c,d
Schedule of Events
All programs are free unless specified
**Fresh Water Expo
Saturday, August 27 10 A.M. - 4:00 P.M.
10:00 * 4:00 Exhibits and Demos Open
10:00 * 4:00 Fishing Tackle Exchange
11:30 * 4:00 Lions Food Trailer Open
10:00 * 3:00 Various Games and Crafts**
Make a Waterbug, Disappearing Wetlands Game, Pollution Monster Water Game, Make an Edible Aquifer, and more
11:00 * 12:00 Water Bug Wonders
11:00 * 11:30 Presentation * MLPA
How Lead Kills Waterfowl
11:30 * 12:00 Presentation * FTNP *
Watersheds and Wetlands
1:00 * 2:00 Live Birds of Prey
2:00 * 3:00 Water Bug Wonders
2:00 * 3:00 Presentation * Easy Growin* *
RainGardens
3:00 * 4:00 Hike * Fresh Water Habitats in the Park
**Nature Campout - September 9th and 10th**
Friday 7:00 PM - Saturday 10:00 AM
Tent set up at 7:00 PM*
$5.00/person (cost of food)
Maximum of 40 people *
call the NaturePark to reserve a tent site 639-6161
Friday night activities:
Scavenger Hunt, Night games, campfire and snacks
Saturday Morning activities:
Morning hike and Continental breakfast
Fall Hike -
Leaf and seed collection
Saturday, October 15th
10:00 - 11:30 A.M.
Nature's Halloween
Saturday, October 29th
12:00 - 8:00 pm
Look for further details
Nature prepares for winter
Saturday, November 19th
10:00 - 11:30 A.M.
Festive Nature Crafts
Saturday, December 10th
10:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M.
at the Flushing Twp. Hall
located at 6524 N. Seymour Rd.
During Flushing Walleye Festival at the Flushing VFW
Trade in your toxic fishing tackle for lead free
tackle
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