July 2004

SUMMER FIELD TRIP SCHEDULE

Saturday, July 31, 10:00 am, Lake Erie Metropark

Four years ago we marveled at the huge beds of the beautiful North American Lotus, Nelumbo lutea, in bloom at Lake Erie Metropark. It’s time for another trip to see this unusual plant and many others along the wetland trail and boardwalk. Lake Erie Metropark is located in Brownstown Township, near Gibraltar. Take I-75 south to the Gibraltar exit. Turn left (east) on Gibraltar Road. When you reach Jefferson, turn right (south) until you reach the park entrance. There will be a $4.00 charge per vehicle to the enter the park. Meet at the Marshlands Museum and Nature Center. Rain date: August 7, same time. (A photograph of an American Lotus flower taken at this site was featured on the cover of The Michigan Botanist, May 2003. -Ed.)

Saturday , August 14, 10:00 am. Ojibway Prairie, Windsor, Ontario

We will join the Huron Valley Chapter for a guided field trip to this fabulous prairie. The 600 acre Ojibway Prairie will be in prime bloom. Bring your passport OR birth certificate and a photo ID for the border crossing. Also, bring a lunch, beverage, sunscreen and insect repellent. For more information contact Paul DesJardins at the prairie at 519-971-9562 or pdesjard@greenshield.ca

Directions to Ojibway Prairie, Windsor, Ontario

From the Ambassador Bridge:

Go south on Huron Church about 1/2 mile to Tecumseh Road (the first signal past Ontario Tourist Info Center).
Go right on Tecumseh about 1/4 mile to the Prince Street / Matchette intersection.
Cross Prince Street at an angle and turn left on Matchette. Continue about 1 mile on Matchette to the Ojibway Prairie Nature Center on the right.
Park in parking lot and look for the Huron Valley Group (expected arrival time: 10:00 am).

From the Windsor Tunnel:

Go south on Ouelette about 3/4 mile to Tecumseh.
Turn west on Tecumseh, following its zig zag up Crawford and west again over the rail yards, 1 1/4 miles to the Prince Street / Matchette intersection shortly after Huron Church.
Cross Prince Street at an angle and turn left on Matchette. Continue about 1 mile on Matchette to the Ojibway Prairie Nature Center on the right.
Park in parking lot and wait for the Huron Valley Group (expected arrival time: 10:00 am).

WHITE PINE CHAPTER TO HOST MBC FALL STATE MEETING

Saturday, October 9, Aquinas College, Grand Rapids

The forthcoming MBC State Fall Meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 9, at Aquinas College, Albertus Hall, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Judge Ed Post will be the featured speaker. He will show a selection of his award winning wildflower slides. An avid nature photographer, Judge Post is the 58^th District Court Judge for Ottawa County at Holland, and is the recipient of many photography awards. Following the program refreshments will be served.

After the slide program, a field trip is planned for the Holmdene Gardens at Aquinas College and will be lead by Dr. James Doyle. The MBC State Board Meeting will precede the lecture and field trip and will be held from 12:30 to 2:15 pm. Bring your lunch if you wish. Everyone is welcome, you do not need to be a board member to attend the meeting. Watch the fall issue of Arisaema for more information.

MBC STATE BOARD MEETING REPORT

After deliberations over the past several meetings, the MBC State Board at its last meeting voted to modestly increase the subscription price for The Michigan Botanist. Increased publication costs make a subscription increase necessary. Effective with the 2005 issues, the subscription for MBC members will increase $2 per year -- from $8 per year to $10 per year (4 issues). (The price for members is 50% of the price for nonmembers, i.e., the price for nonmembers will increase from $16 to $20.) This will be the first subscription price increase since 1993.

The price of the Botanist is included in chapter dues. SEC dues are currently $20 for an individual or family membership. The Chapter dues cover: (1) chapter costs for meetings and mailings; (2) state MBC dues ($6 per year); and (3) The Michigan Botanist subscription. More details will be published in the fall Arisaema.

2005 SPRING FORAY PLANNING MEETING SCHEDULED FOR MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 10:00

Our Southeastern Chapter will be hosting the State MBC Foray next spring. Although that seems like a long time from now, we need to make some decisions about location, so reservations for accommodations and meals can be made. A year in advance is not too soon. Anyone interested in planning the 2005 Spring Foray is invited to attend a meeting to be held on Monday, August 2 at 10:00 am at Kathleen Thomson’s home, 5066 Elmhurst Ave. in Royal Oak. Elmhurst runs north from 14 Mile between Coolidge and Crooks. Her yellow brick ranch house is about 1 ½ blocks north of 14 Mile on the right (east) side. If you will be attending call or e-mail her at 248-435-2070 or at tkatkep@aol.com

At this year’s foray, SEC members solicited attendees and leaders for suggestions about where to visit next year. We received a number of good suggestions ranging from the Bruce Peninsula to the Thumb to Oakland County. If you have a location suggestion, or would like to volunteer to plan the foray but are unable to attend the meeting, e-mail your ideas to Emily Nietering at knietering@att.net

Our 2004 membership year began on January 1. Please check your mailing label. If you have a flower sticker on your label this means you have not renewed for 2004 and this will be your LAST mailing. If you wish to renew, please send your dues ($20 for either individual or family membership) to our treasurer at the following address. There is also a “Benefactor” membership category ($30) for those wishing to include a donation in addition to their membership. Those of you who have e-mail may wish to include your e-mail address. It will not be published or distributed, and will be solely used for the purpose of sending meeting and field trip reminders.