ALL OAKLAND TOWNSHIP PARKS & RECREATION EVENTS ARE CANCELLED THROUGH MAY 20, 2020 DUE TO COVID-19. Please check back later for updates, and make sure you spend some time outside!
Please come out and join us for one of our events! Updated information and any last minute changes to these events can be found at this website. Details for each event are found below the table.
Winter 2020 Stewardship Education Events
| Event | Location | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Natural Areas Stewardship Potluck | Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road | January 23 | 12:30 to 3:30 pm |
| LECTURE: “The Poweshiek Skipperling Butterfly: The life and times of Michigan’s most endangered species” | Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road | January 30 | 6:30 pm |
| LECTURE: “Beautiful to Wildlife, Beautiful to People: Native Plant Landscaping” | Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road | February 13 | 6:30 pm |
| Prescribed Fire Crew Volunteer Training | Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road | February 22 | 9 am to 2:30 pm |
Natural Areas Stewardship Winter Potluck
- Thursday, January 23, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm
- Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306
Trying to shake that winter gloom? Come join us for a celebration of last year’s achievements as we warm ourselves with some hearty conversation and great food. Learn about upcoming event and projects while connecting with others involved in our programs. RSVP appreciated to bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org or 248-651-7810 ext. 401 by Monday, January 20.
Wednesday bird walks are a great way to meet other nature-minded people.
LECTURE: The Poweshiek Skipperling Butterfly: The life and times of Michigan’s most endangered species
- Thursday, January 30, 2019. 6:30 pm
- Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306
The Poweshiek Skipperling butterfly was once common in the Upper Midwest in tallgrass prairies and prairie wetlands. Over the last 20 years its population has crashed and the species is now endangered in North America and critically imperiled in Michigan. One of its last strongholds is Oakland County, Michigan. Dr. Blank will discuss the current population status of the Poweshiek Skipperling, its life history, and efforts to bring it back from the brink of extinction. Pete Blank has a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Maryland, where he studied grassland bird populations in agricultural landscapes. He just started a new position as the Oak Openings Restoration Manager for The Nature Conservancy. He and his wife live in Royal Oak with their 9 pets (2 cats, 2 rabbits, 1 corn snake, and 4 chickens).
Poweshiek Skipperling butterfly on black-eyed susan
LECTURE: Beautiful to Wildlife, Beautiful to People: Nature Plant Landscaping
- Thursday, February 13, 2019. 6:30 pm
- Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306
Landscaping with native plants is critical to build habitat, reduce resource inputs, and build healthy outdoor living areas. Learn why only native plants can do this and some design tips to make your native landscape beautiful as well. Drew Lathin is the owner of Creating Sustainable Landscapes, LLC, a company laser-focused on creating ecologically restorative landscapes for residential, commercial, and public spaces.
Volunteer Fire Crew Training
- Saturday, February 22, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
- Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306
If you are interested in volunteering with our prescribed fire crew, join us for this training workshop. We will cover reasons for using prescribed fire, preparations for conducting a fire, necessary tools, roles of each burn crew member, and ignition patterns. Weather permitting, we will do a small demonstration burn after lunch. New crew members are required to attend; past volunteers are encouraged to attend as a refresher. Snacks provided, but please bring your own lunch. RSVP required to bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org or 248-651-7810 ext. 401 by Thursday, February 21.
Fire Crew Volunteers Walter, Alex, Jon, and Dena (L-R)
