Tuesday, September 7, 2004   “The Emerald Ash Borer in Michigan”  Our guest speaker next month will be Dr. Therese Poland. Dr. Poland is a researcher with USDA Forest Service at the East Lansing office. Though very committed to research on a variety of forest insect pests, Therese has the skill to distill her work and present it in understandable terms for the non-specialist. Her topic is quite in the forefront of many landowners as well as homeowners concerned with the fate of their ash trees. How destructive is this newly found pest? How far has it spread? What is being done to eliminate it? What practical steps can be taken by land and home owners to safeguard their ash? Do plan to attend our next meeting and learn about this lethal exotic pest that may already be in our backyards - and do bring your questions!
 

October We have very close to us one of the foremost prairie restoration specialists, Dr. Clifford Welsch. He has established a twenty-acre prairie on his Dewitt property. A world traveler and speaker, Dr. Welsch has invited us to his residence for and introductory talk on prairie restoration. Following his talk Dr. Welsch will lead us on a tour of his prairie plants. He has suggested that meeting in October will be superior to September and that grasses will be at their height. Since a normal meeting time in October would bring us out-of-doors near dusk, I am suggesting a change in both our meeting time and day. For this meeting please plan to meet on SUNDAY, 03 OCTOBER IN THE AFTERNOON. The exact time will appear in next months newsletter. The change in plan will allow us to roam the prairie at the warmest part of this October day and with ample daylight.
 
You may recall that the Wild Ones had invited us to join them this past 24 July to tour this restored prairie. We are reciprocating their kind offer by inviting them to join us in October. If you took the opportunity to visit the prairie already, I’m sure you will find a very changed plant appearance in October. Don’t miss this exciting experience.
 
Dr. Welch’s home is located at: 11408 Forest Hill, Dewitt. From I-69 take Airport Road exit north 3 ¼ miles to Cutler Road, then west four miles to Forest Hill Road, and north ½ mile.

Tuesday, November

Tuesday, December .  Brian Walters, a forestry student

Tuesday, February 1.  Don Simons.  Late Ice Age Peopling of the Lower Great Lakes.

Tuesday, March 1.  Jeremy Emmi, Executive Director of the Michigan Nature Association.

Tuesday, April 5.  Heather Hallen-Adams  “Putting the Fun Back in Fungi”

SATURDAY, 19 March, 10:00 AM.  Van Atta Woods.  Location, in Okemos.  From Grand River Ave. and Van Atta Rds, 3/10 mile east (toward Williamston) on Grand River.  Parking lot, and meeting site, on north side of road.  This woods consists of primarily mixed deciduous woods, some evergreen trees, and some low, possibly wet spots.  Bob Peebles will be our trail leader.

SATURDAY, 16 April,  10:00 AM   Scott Woods. Location, in Lansing; Clifton St. entrance: from Mt. Hope and Pennsylvania Avenue, 4/10 mile east (toward E. Lansing) on Mt. Hope to Clifton (near overhead walk), parking lot, and meeting site, at south end of Clifton.  This mature deciduous forest is bounded on its west side by Sycamore Creek.  Some areas of low land forest.  Abundant wildflowers.  Our trail leader will be Bob Peebles.

SATURDAY, 21 May, 10:00 AM.  KirkKenDEL, Dynamic Ecological Laborary , operated by Olivet College, Olivet, MI.  Meet at 10 AM on Lansing’s South side at Don’s Truck Stop, Lansing Rd just South of I-96 Exit 98.  Trail leader Pat Fields will meet us there to caravan to this outdoor laboratory. The DEL has 7 habitats including a classic deciduous mix forest, restored woodland meadow, prairie remnant, 2 ponds, and a lake.  Spring ephemerals will likely be in bloom.  Our field trip will last until 12:30 to 1 PM with an informal lunch at a local restaurant for those desiring to stay.

SATURDAY,  11 June, 10:00 AM.  Trail leader:Heather Hallen-Adams  Fungi trip site to be set closer to trip date

SATURDAY,  16 July .  Prairie Restoration Project, Dewitt.  Take Exit 90 off I-96, north on Frances Rd. 4 miles to Howe Rd., west (right) one mile to Forest Hill Rd., right (north) 6/10 mile to 11408 Forest Hill.  Clifford has restored 20 acres to native prairie plants. July is the peak time to see prairie flowers.  Our host and trail leader will be Clifford Welsh.

SATURDAY,  AUGUST (date and site to be set)Summer BBQ