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Flushing Township Nature Park Newsletter
Spring 2004 - Newsletter
A Wet Spring Brings Challenges and Rewards
This year the Nature Park has seen some amazing things. This spring, one of the wettest springs on record, has brought both rewards and challenges. One of the rewards has been an amazing year for wildflowers. This spring the woodland wildflowers were absolutely stunning. The diversity seemed about the same, but the number of flowers dramatically increased from last year. This trend has carried over into summer. Currently there is a very healthy crop of prairie flowers blooming. Species like the Michigan Lily and Foxglove Beardtongue have expanded their range, some growing in less fertile areas. This coming fall it is expected to see increased numbers of Joe Pyeweed and Touch-Me-Not flowers as well as others.
Another amazing effect of the wet seasons has been the abundant numbers of tadpoles, which are now froglets and toadlets. One of park trails (going East to West), that runs through the wet prairie and leads to the observation tower, has been extremely wet this year, holding up to 18 inches of standing water. The reward for this was the opportunity to see hundreds of American Toad Tadpoles swimming around. The challenge has been traversing this trail and other extremely muddy trails down by the river. Wooden walkways made from pallets were placed on some trails, but many areas remain muddy. Hopefully, the DNR grant proposal will be funded, which will provide wooden boardwalk on all the trails adjacent to the river. The grant results will be known by the end of December. Another side affect of this wet year has been the abundant mosquito population. Although humans do not like mosquitoes, bats do, which is a reward for bat populations. Yet another lesson of nature's checks and balances. One species challenge is another's reward.
New Additions Bring New Possibilities
Walking through the Nature Park, you may notice a few new additions. Though these new items may be small, they add a lot towards public environmental education. Three new signs have been placed in the park that have informational text on a certain type of ecological function within the park. The first sign was put up in the spring, just after the prescribed burn of the prairie. This sign educated the public on why to burn and what benefits result from burning. This sign has now been changed and replaced with a map of the park, indicating your current position in the Nature Park. The other two signs feature prairie restoration and floodplain ecology. More new signs will be installed this year, along with a new informative series of brochures covering a variety of environmental topics. These brochures will be available at the kiosk, park office, and possibly attached to the new signs in the park.
Another addition to the park is on the park staff. Glenn LeFeber formerly the director of the Flint River Watershed Coalition has signed on as a seasonal naturalist. With his help and knowledge, more opportunities are possible for Public Programs, programs, and possibly a summer day camp next year. Glenn may bring the Nature Park good luck. The first public hike he assisted in running was a night hike, where a Grey-phased Eastern Screech Owl was observed. It was an amazing experience, and for some it was the first time they had seen an owl.
Other new possibilities are tied to the DNR grant proposal submitted this year. The grant, if awarded, would provide boardwalk on all trails adjacent to the river, three fishing / observation decks on the river, a native interpretive plant garden, and a water line providing water for a drinking fountain.
Guess this Animal
This mammal belongs to the order Didelphidae family, with 69 living species, but only one naturally occurring in North America. This mammal is an omnivore (eating various types of foods from meat, vegetation, berries and nuts), and has 50 teeth, more than any other mammal in the Great Lakes Region. It is also a scavenger, eating carrion (dead rotting meat). Being a scavenger is one of its benefits to the environment, although it is also one of the reasons for its short lifespan due to vehicle collisions. This mammal is a marsupial, meaning females have a pouch where it gives birth and carries its young who are so tiny and undeveloped, that it would take 20 newborns to equal the weight of one penny. It has a long scaly prehensile tail that is used often for balancing and grabbing objects. It will play dead, this is an unconscious defense mechanism and can last up to six hours.
Answer at bottom of page
Guess that Flower
This is an exotic, invasive species, meaning it is not native to North America, and it can invade into an environment and out compete the native vegetation. This flower has beautiful purple petals that form a dense spike on its stem. It has opposite or whorled leaves and a square, rigid stem. It is so beautiful that it has been cultivated and sold in nurseries. It prefers moist soils near bodies of water. Flowing waters of rivers and streams aid in its seed dispersal of more than 2 million seeds per year. This flower has decimated many natural areas by out competing other vegetation leaving a lack of diversity, which decreases wildlife diversity. This is such a large problem that governmental and environmental agencies have set up a program to release beatles that will eat this flower and control its population.
Answer at bottom of page
Schedule of Events
Local Native American History
Saturday, August 14th 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Ottawa and Chippewa history and artifacts
Night Hike
Friday, August 20th 8:30 pm - 10:30 pm
Bats, frogs, crickets, moths, lightning bugs, and more
Nature Park Water Day
Saturday, September 18th 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Learn about the amazing properties of water, and its
importance to us, plants, and wildlife. Activities include:
water cycle program - edible aquifer - water games and crafts
aquatic invertebrates display - snacks /refreshments - hike
Fall Hike
Saturday, October 16th 10:00 am - 11:30 am
Come and see some beautiful colors of the Nature Park
Nature’s Halloween
Saturday, October 30th 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Our biggest event of the year! A great family event.
Games and crafts - Costume Contest - Pumpkin Carving
Pumpkin catapult - Food and drinks - Live Owls
Trick-or-Treat Trail filled with fun education and candy treats
We are creating a mailing list. This newsletter has been sent out to only those on our mailing list. If you know someone who would like to receive the newsletters from the Nature Park please have them call the park office at 810-639-6161 to be added to our mailing list, or email your address to taenright@comcast.net
The Guess that animal Answer:
American Virginia Opossum (Didelphis viginiana)
The Guess that Flower Answer:
Purple Loostrife (Lythrum salicaria) to learn more go to wwwinvasivespecies.gov/profiles/purplstrf.shtml.
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