SWC 04-05

Revised 02/27/08

2004 Field trips

Saturday 9 AM, October 2 , Pretty Lake, Texas Township. Ken Kirton will help us explore this Clarence and Florence Hanes collecting site. The Pretty Lake area contains a sand-bottom, draw-down, kettle-hole lake surrounded by a mixed, mature upland forest that was once an oak barren. The land rises dramatically from the lake and is part of the same morainal system as Crooked Lake and the Al Sabo well field. In addition to the mixed upland forest, the area contains plants characteristic of prairie remnants and of disjunct coastal plain flora. Besides the fascinating diversity of habitat and flora, the autumn foliage display should be underway. Ken is the immediate past president of our MBC chapter and of the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy
Directions: We will meet to carpool at 9 AM at the I-94 and Oakland Drive Park & Ride. Pretty Lake is on the south side of West Q Avenue ( the west extension of Centre Ave.) between 5^th and 3^rd Streets. We will access the area through the Pretty Lake Adventure Center. If you wish to drive directly to the site, plan to be at the entrance of the Adventure Center by 9:30 AM. The entrance to the Adventure Center is just west of the entrance to Pretty Lake Vacation Camp.

Monday, November 15, 7 PM. Barbara Mead – What Archeologists Learn from Plants, Oshtemo Branch, Kalamazoo Public Library. We begin our indoor season with Barbara Mead, Assistant State Archaeologist, helping us understand “What Archeologists Learn from Plants.” Barbara, a member of the Michigan Botanical Club’s Red Cedar Chapter, studied plant remains in archeological dig sites as part of her Master’s degree. She is trained in archeology, soil science and botany. She will explain how plant remains provide clues about the age of sites, about native peoples’ diets and about historical building materials.

Monday, December 6, 6:30 PM, Christmas Potluck, Markin Glen House. Christmas Potluck with members slide show. Now is not too early to begin putting together your slides and photos to share at our holiday get-together. Many of you have been taking photos on field trips, Spring Forays or your own botanical adventures. We’d be delighted if you would share them with the group. Please let Becky Csia know if you plan to show slides.

Monday, January 17, 7 PM. Tour of WMU Greenhouses & Herbarium, Wood Hall, WMU Campus. Chris Jackson, manager of the WMU greenhouses, will provide us with a tropical break from the cold weather with a tour of the Finch Plant Science Greenhouse at WMU. In addition we will visit the Hanes Herbarium, which contains historical plant specimens collected from Kalamazoo County, southwest Michigan and beyond. To reach Wood Hall, walk west from the metered parking lot near the end of West Michigan Avenue in the middle of WMU’s campus. Then turn south (left) down the sidewalk . Go to the second entrance on the east end of the building. You will need to feed the meters to cover parking until 8 PM. Rate is 25 cents per ten minutes. Free after 8 PM.

Monday, February 21, 7 PM. Ellery Troyer – Fernwood’s Botanical Diversity. Oshtemo Branch, Kalamazoo Public Library. Ellery Troyer, Andrews University Master’s candidate, will share with us the results of his recent study of plant biodiversity at Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve. He carried out the study in 2003-2004. His presentation will cover the property history, the presently occurring plant species, and the forest communities. He will also discuss the impact of horticulture, agriculture and invasive species on the biodiversity of the area.

Monday, March 21, 7 PM. Bob Pleznac – Prairie Plant Propagation. Oshtemo Branch, Kalamazoo Public Library. Prairie expert Bob Pleznac will help us understand how best to initiate and foster the growth of prairie plants. Bob has not only extensively studied the remnant prairies of southwest Michigan, but has also rescued, planted and restored a number of prairies in the Kalamazoo area. He will describe propagation techniques specific to prairie species – including when and how to gather seed, plant seed and transplant.