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Revised 02/27/08 |
RED CEDAR CHAPTER NEWS February 2004 Our guest speaker, Mo Nielsen, delighted the 18 attending members with slides of beautiful Michigan butterflies. It was such a delight on a cold, snowy, and slushy February night. Mr. Nielsen has been surveying Michigan for the past 50 years. His recently published book lists 159 Michigan species but since then another 3 have been added to this list. It was surprising to learn that some of our common native wild plants are just the flowers that attract the flying kaleidoscopes of color. These “weeds” include such plants as: common and orange milkweed, lupine, hawkweeds, Joe-pye –weed, Black-eyed Susan, aster, Spotted Knapweed, mullein, and vetch among many others. Other butterflies are not attracted to nectar but prefer more vulgar food sources, such as: sap from tree and shrub wounds, fresh animal feces, and dissolved salts in road water. Most of Michigan butterflies winter here such as the Tiger swallowtail, the Monarch is a “snowbird” wintering in California, Mexico, or more southward. Our species that wintering as adults do so under loose tree bark or other protective crevice. Other species may winter in the egg stage. Most butterflies live for only a week or two but the Mourning cloak and Monarch do survive 6 – 8 months! BUSINESS NOTES The business meeting brought to order at 7:30 PM by Ron Priest in place of Jason Kilgore who is currently student teaching. Another call for Secretary was made. Sherry Kovach kindly agreed to be “scribe” for this meeting. A few announcements were made before introducing our speaker: 1) In addition to his duties as Chapter President, Jason is representing the Michigan Botanical Club on the City of Lansing master plan revision. 2) This years Spring Foray on Memorial Day weekend is being hosted by our Chapter. Jason is chairing the planning committee. Currently we have 21 field trips planned with a few indoor “field trips” for those either not able or not desiring to make outdoor trips, They include; Lichen ID and ecology; Shakespeare flora in MI, among others. Beyond the many included outdoor trips we’re also offering kayaking at Duck Bay for an extra $25 with instructions included. Our current evenings speaker, Mo Nielsen, will also lead a bog field trip and be one of our evening speakers. Jason is asking one chapter member per trip to volunteer to assist the field leader to keep participants together. 3) for students there is a possible stipend scholarship available to defray meeting costs. See our web site for details: <www.michbotclub.com. A combined meeting with, “The Wild Ones”, was suggested. Bob Peebles suggested that since their meeting date is rather firmly fixed, that we invite their members to attend our announced meeting and they may invite our members their next meeting. FUTURE PROGRAMS In March we have the pleasure of Mike Bryan’s experience as he gives us some understanding of Invasive Michigan Plants species. Mike works for the Michigan Department of Agriculture. He manages the plant inspection program that certifies commercial plants for sale and enforces plant protections laws. Prior to working for the State, Mike worked 20 years for USDA at the Niles, Michigan biocontrol laboratory. Our April guest will be Chuck Peirce from Carson City. Chuck is a high school science teacher. He will give us insights into photographing Michigan wildflowers with enhanced digital techniques. Don’t miss it and see for yourself his many exquisite images. SCRIBE NEEDED TO TAKE NOTES AND WRITE THIS NEWSLETTER FOR MARCH AND APRIL. GUIDENCE PROVIDED AS DESIRED. The Greater Lansing Orchid Society, Twenty-first Annual Show: the show "draws top exhibitors from across the Midwest and showcases some of the most beautiful and exotic flowers in the world...," including "plants from the MSU Orchid Collection." Admission is free. The show will take place February 28 (Saturday, noon-5pm) and 29 (Sunday, 11 am-4pm) at the Plant and Soil Science Conservatory at the southwest corner of Bogue Street and Wilson Road. For more information, fee free to contact Jan Szyren (szyrenja@msu.edu). NEXT SPRING FORAY PLANNING MEETING Elaine Chittenden’s contributions to Beal Gardens are well known. Letters of support for reinstatement of her position as Beal Collections Manager can be sent to Mr. Jeff Kacos, Director Campus Park and Planning, 412 Olds Hall, MSSU, E. Lansing, MI 48824.
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