Establishing a Honeybee, Butterfly & Hummingbird Friendly Environment

Thirty-five persons attended the October 5, 1999 meeting of the Red Cedar Chapter.  The meeting featured a presentation  by  Dr. George Ayers of the Michigan State Entomology Department. 
Each time a new pesticide has been introduced it has resulted with negative effects on honeybees.  For example,  fruit trees sprayed with pesticides will have some runoff that can contaminate clover plants below.  The common practice of growing crops using a monoculture can exponentially increase the honeybee die off. 
Honeybees experience a nectar dearth around Memorial Day and in mid-August in the Lansing area.  Plants that are especially attractive to bees can keep them away from areas spayed with pesticides.  A planting equal to 2% of the total area with super attractive nectar plants is enough to lure honeybees away from danger.  Dr. Ayers has experimented with plants such as swamp milkweed (asclepias incarnata), buttonbush, (cephalanthus occidentalis) summersweet (clethera), holly (ilex glabra), butterfly weed (asclepias tuberosa), mountain mint (pycnanthenum pilo

attractive nectar plants to establish a sustainable, renewable, multi-functional and aesthetically pleasing system.  Production per acre may even increase but there are problems with planting and harvesting.   However, a polyculture can be designed using trees such as lindens, black locust, basswoods, japanese pagoda tree, vines or plants with commercial value like blueberries, raspberries, asparagus or holly.
Special thanks to Bill Schneider for providing refreshments.

BUSINESS MEETING

President Jason Kilgore opened the meeting and requested that as a courtesy to  our guest speakers and visitors that announcements be written on the chalkboard.  Members are encouraged to get more details after the presentation.  Also, to help shorten the business meetings further the officers have agreed to meet one hour before our regular meeting to help stay organized and up-to-date on club issues.  All interested members are welcome to attend. 

During the meeting a sign up sheet was passed around to gather ideas for field trips due to the lack of a formal committee. 
  Treasurer Hal Juran reported that our chapter is current on our dues to the Michigan Botanical Club, not a year behind as reported in the Arisaema.  Also, chapter dues will be collected in January.  A renewal notice will accompany the December newsletter.   

Calendar

Please note: 
The RCC does not have a field trip scheduled for November at this time.  RCC members are welcome to attend field trips organized by other MBC chapters.  Visit the Michigan Botony Club's  website at michbotclub.org or contact Hal Juran for more information.


F.Y.I.
The RCC's January 4th meeting will feature a presentation by Fred Case called, "In Search of the American Pitcher Plant". 

Officers and Committees

President
Jason Kilgore  Term: 8-1-1999 to 7-31-2001
6916 Richard Rd., Lansing,  MI 48911 (517) 355-5076
Vice-President
Elaine M. Chittenden Term: 8-1-1999 to 7-31-2001
2517 E. Cavanaugh, Lansing, MI 48910 (517) 887-7437
Treasurer
Harold I. Juran  Term: 8-1-99 to 7-31-2001
P.O. Box 1395, East Lansing, MI 48823 (517) 332-3762
Secretary
Nancy Kapp  Term: 8-1-1999 to 7-31-2001
411 Westmoreland Ave., Lansing, MI 48915 (517) 487-6647

Directors at Large to MBC State Board
1997-1999 Elaine Chittenden
1998-2000 Betty Peebles
1999-2001 Robert Bloye

Field Trips Committee:
Isobel Dickinson Committee: Patrick Fields, Steve Stephenson
MSU Natural Areas Plant Inventory Committee:  Bill Schneider
Foray Scholarship Committee:  Patrick Fields, Elaine Chittenden, Martha Davidson