Descriptions of past events

2023

Winter and Spring 2023 Stewardship Education Events

Event	Location	Date	Time
Natural Areas Stewardship Winter Potluck	Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd	January 12	6 to 8 pm
WINTER TALK: “Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan,” Barbara J. Barton	Oakland Township Hall, 4393 Collins Rd, Rochester, MI 48306	January 26	6:30 pm
WINTER TALK: “Creating Community: Native Plants, Pollinators, and People,” Marilyn Trent, Rochester Pollinators	Oakland Township Hall, 4393 Collins Rd, Rochester, MI 48306	February 16	6:30 pm
Prescribed Fire Crew Volunteer Training	Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd	February 18	9 am to 2:30 pm
Bird Nest Monitoring Training	Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd	March 23	2 to 3:30 pm

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Natural Areas Stewardship Winter Potluck

• Thursday, January 12, 2023. 6 to 8 pm.
• Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

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 natural areas stewardship programs. RSVP appreciated to bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org or 248-651-7810 ext. 401 by Tuesday, January 10.

WINTER TALK – Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan

• Barbara J. Barton
• Thursday, January 26, 2023. 6:30 pm
• Oakland Township Hall, 4393 Collins Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

Author Barbara J. Barton will share her book Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan. She will introduce the audience to the history, culture, biology, economics, and spirituality surrounding this sacred plant. She begins her story in the days before European colonization and travels in time through the logging and industrialization eras. Barton explores the worlds of the Anishinaabek and the colonizers as she contrasts their different perspectives and relationships with Manoomin. Participants also learn about Michigan’s historic wild rice beds, why many of them vanished, and how both tribal and non-tribal people have sought to restore and protect Manoomin across the landscape.

Barb Barton is an award-winning singer songwriter, author, and filmmaker. She is also an endangered species biologist, beekeeper, and wild foods forager. Her book Manoomin: The Story of Wild Rice in Michigan is the winner of a Michigan History Award, Michigan Notable Book Award, American Library Association Choice List of Outstanding Academic Titles, and Independent Publishers Bronze Medal.

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WINTER TALK: “Pollinator Conservation in Our Backyards and Local Parks”

• Marilyn Trent, Rochester Pollinators
• Thursday, February 16, 2023. 6:30 pm
• Oakland Township Hall, 4393 Collins Rd, Rochester, MI 48306
  

Since 2019, Marilyn Trent and a host of dedicated volunteers with Rochester Pollinators has been actively building community by inviting citizens to engage in action to support ecology in their own backyards. They are doing this by creating sustainable native habitats for Michigan butterflies, birds and bees.

Their primary focus is on introducing native plants into the landscape in both private and public gardens. These are absolutely necessary for pollinator life cycles. To support and spur this mission onward, Rochester Pollinators has offered numerous educational programs addressing why native plants and pollinators are important and ways to support them, offering opportunities for hands-on work to restore native habitat and providing various ways to connect citizens with quality native plants and seeds for their own projects. To date, they have: Supported the planting of 6 public gardens in Rochester that feature native plants, gathered over 1000 subscribers to their newsletter and 1700 followers on social media, given away thousands of milkweed plants and seeds, facilitated the planting of thousands more native plants in the Rochester Area, worked with over 100 volunteers, shared numerous practical ways to support pollinators through the seasons, engaged in outreach and support in numerous other local communities, partnered with other local institutions and organizations to pool expertise, resources, and plan larger projects

In this presentation, Marilyn Trent will provide a brief overview of the work of Rochester Pollinators, and share practical actions that citizens anywhere can take to make a difference. Marilyn Trent is the founder of Rochester Pollinators. She has been a businesswoman for over three decades, running her own design agency, Trent Creative, that has offices in both Rochester and Detroit. She is currently serving on Rochester City Council; is an Advisor for the Executive Committee and Board of Directors of the Rochester Chamber of Commerce; is Conservation Chair of the DAR Stoney Creek Chapter; is on the Flagstar Advisory Committee; and is the North Oakland Wild Ones’ PR Committee Chair.

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Volunteer Fire Crew Training

• Saturday, February 18, 2023, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm
• Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Rochester, MI 48306
• Register required at oaklandtownship.recdesk.com

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. New crew members are required to attend; past volunteers are encouraged to attend as a refresher. Snacks provided, but please bring your own lunch. 

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Bird Nest Monitoring Training

• Thursday, March 23, 2 pm to 3:30 pm
• Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

Become a citizen scientist and make a difference!  Learn how to safely and properly monitor bird nests, both in nest boxes and other nest types. By monitoring a nearby nest, you can help scientists study the biology of North America’s birds and how it might be changing over time. Every spring and summer, volunteers from across the country visit nests and report their findings to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s NestWatch program. For more about NestWatch, please visit www.nestwatch.org. Some nest box monitoring opportunities may be available in our parks in 2023, but you can also monitor nests in your own backyard. Register on RecDesk.

Garlic Mustard Workdays

Event	Location	Date	Time
Garlic Mustard Workday	Meet at Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd.	May 2	9 am to 12 pm
Garlic Mustard Workday	Meet at Watershed Ridge Park, 1880 West Buell Rd.	May 9	9 am to 12 pm
Garlic Mustard Workday	Paint Creek Trail. Meet at the Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd.	May 16	9 am to 12 pm
Garlic Mustard Workday	Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 West Snell Rd.	May 23	9 am to 12 pm

2022

Fall 2022 Stewardship Workdays

Seed Collecting

Invasive Shrub Workdays

We will be removing invasive shrubs such as glossy buckthorn and autumn olive to help native species thrive around the perimeter of the northern marsh at Bear Creek Nature Park. Wear solid boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt. Water, snacks, tools, and training will be provided. All volunteers must sign a waiver (with minor’s waiver signed by a guardian), and minors under 14 must also be accompanied by a guardian.

Event	Location	Date	Time
Seed Collecting Workday	Meet at Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd	Oct 4	12:30 – 3:30 pm
Seed Collecting Workday	Meet at Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd	Oct 11	12:30 – 3:30 pm
Seed Collecting Workday	Meet at Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd	Oct 18	12:30 – 3:30 pm
Seed Collecting Workday	Meet at Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd	Oct 25	12:30 – 3:30 pm
Invasive Shrub Workday	Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Rd	Nov 3	9 am to 12 pm
Invasive Shrub Workday	Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Rd	Nov 8	9 am to 12 pm
Seed Cleaning Workday	Watershed Ridge Park, 1720 W. Buell Rd	Nov 15	12:30 – 3:30 pm

2021

LECTURE: “Wildflowers in MI Garden”

• Cheryl English
  
• Thursday, January 21, 2021. 6:30 pm
• VIRTUAL. Register at oaklandtownship.recdesk.com

Often considered too wild and crazy for the average gardener, wildflowers can thrive and provide years of beauty even in a small urban garden. Don’t limit yourself to the development of “well-behaved” “garden-worthy” cultivars.  Learn how the species themselves can be a successful part of your garden while providing an attractive environment for our local fauna as well.

Cheryl M. English is an Advanced Master Gardener living in Detroit, Michigan. Formally educated as an Art Historian, Cheryl has parlayed her varied training and experience into a career as a professional gardener, artist, writer and garden and art educator. Currently on the Detroit Garden Center Planning Committee, she is also President Emeritus of Master Gardeners of Greater Detroit and wrote for the group’s newsletter The City Seedling. She has also been active with the Editorial Board for the Detroit Garden Center’s Bulletin, volunteered with The Greening of Detroit in various capacities and served as an officer of the Wildflower Association of Michigan.

LECTURE: “An Alternative to Boring Midwest Bluegrass and Fescue Lawns”

• Dr. Dan Carter
• Thursday, February 11, 2021. 6:30 pm
• VIRTUAL. Register at oaklandtownship.recdesk.com
  

Blur the separation between daily life and nature by thinking about your lawn differently, and learn how to create home landscapes that allow your lifestyle and nature to co-mingle. This presentation will introduce how North American grasses, sedges, and wildflowers can be used to create alternative lawns and native gardens that are inspired by natural plant communities in the Midwest. Preparation, planting, and maintenance will be discussed.

Dan Carter is Landowner Services Coordinator for The Prairie Enthusiasts, a conservation non-profit that protects fire dependent ecosystems in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois. He is also a research associate and former research fellow with the Milwaukee Public Museum and owner of Dropseed Ecological and Botanical Services. Dan is lead-author of several scholarly articles in botanical and ecological journals and his primary hobby has been gardening with native plants since he was a teenager.

 

2020

LECTURE: The Poweshiek Skipperling Butterfly: The life and times of Michigan’s most endangered species

• Thursday, January 30, 2020. 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).

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.

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2019

New Zealand Mud Snails: An Emerging Threat in the Great Lakes

The Great Lakes region contains 20% of Earth’s freshwater, but this enormous ecosystem is threatened by aquatic non-native species. These non-native species have altered every level of the food web and reduced the diversity of native species. Annually, aquatic invasive species impose costs of over 100 million dollars in the Great Lakes region. The New Zealand Mud Snail is the latest invasive species. Initially found in the western United States in the 1980s, the New Zealand Mud Snail has recently invaded Michigan rivers, including the Au Sable River, an internationally renowned trout stream. This presentation will discuss the impacts of aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes and focus on New Zealand Mud Snails, including current research at Oakland University to better understand the impacts of these invaders. Emily Bovee and Kennedy Phillips are graduate students in the Aquatic Ecology Lab at Oakland University.

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Natural Areas Stewardship Winter Potluck

• Thursday, January 31, 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

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 Tuesday, January 29.

Monarch Butterfly Ecology and Conservation

• Nate Haan, Michigan State University Department of Entomology
• Thursday, February 7, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

Monarch butterflies are one of the most interesting and recognizable insects in the world. Every year they migrate thousands of miles, from our backyards in Michigan to mountains in central Mexico. They also have fascinating interactions with their toxic milkweed host plants. Unfortunately, monarchs have declined in recent decades and the overwintering population in Mexico is only around 20% of its former size. Nate Haan is a postdoctoral research associate at Michigan State University who does research on monarch butterflies. He will share about their natural history and ecology, as well as some of the current research on their decline and what we can do to save them.

Volunteer Fire Crew Training

• Saturday, February 23, 9:00 am to 2:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

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.

LECTURE: Coexisting with Coyotes

• Thursday, November 7, 2019. 6:30 to 8:30 pm
• Oakland Township Hall, 4393 Collins Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

Eastern Coyotes are found across North America and are very much at home in Oakland County.   They are here to stay and have adapted quickly to our ways, our behavior, and our landscaping practices and as a result they often live in close proximity to our homes.   Human indifference however is not the appropriate response for a coyote that lingers outside a home.  It is easier than one may think to change their behavior and harmoniously coexist by keeping coyotes wild. This program will include photos and video, present facts on coyote natural history and behavior, and include techniques to minimize human- wildlife encounters and conflicts. Jonathan Schechter is the Nature Education Writer for Oakland County Government and a seasonal Lighthouse Keeper for Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.

Fall Seed Collecting and Cleaning

Many native plant seeds are only available for collecting for a few weeks in the fall, so we need as much help as possible during harvest! Seed collecting is a fun, relaxing way to learn new native plant species while experiencing unique natural areas. We use the seed to restore areas where we have removed invasive plants. All workdays are 12:30 – 3:30 pm.

• Seed Collecting. Meet at the Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, before heading to our site for the day. October 8, 17, 24 & 31 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.
• Seed Cleaning. Meet at Watershed Ridge Park, 1720 W. Buell Rd. December 3 from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm.

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Invasive Shrub Workdays

• October 18 – Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Rd. We will be partnering with Six Rivers Land Conservancy to remove invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and autumn olive to help native species thrive in the northern marsh at Bear Creek Nature Park.
  
• November 12 and 19 – Paint Creek Heritage Area Wet Prairie. Meet at the Silverbell Rd parking lot along the Paint Creek Trail, approximately 1103 Silverbell Rd. We will be removing invasive shrubs from this high quality natural area.

Wear solid boots, long pants, and a long-sleeved shirt and bring water and a snack. Tools and training will be provided. All workdays are 9 am to 12 pm.

2018

Recognizing and Preventing Oak Wilt

• Thursday, November 15, 201 at 6 pm, Paint Creek Cider Mill

If you have oak trees on your property, come to the Paint Creek Cider Mill (4480 Orion Rd., Rochester, MI 48306) tonight at 6 pm to learn how to protect them from oak wilt! Oak wilt is an invasive fungus found in Oakland County and throughout Michigan. Red oak trees are the most susceptible, and once infected can die within six to eight weeks.

Julie Stachecki, President of the Arboriculture Society of Michigan and an expert on oak wilt, will present a two-hour workshop from 6-8pm on November 15 at the Paint Creek Cider Mill in Oakland Township. Julie says: “Trees are infected in two ways. Some trees are infected by beetles bringing in the fungus to a fresh injury. The fungus then spreads through the roots to nearby oak trees leading to their death.”

See the attached press release for more information. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to protect your oak trees! We are Oakland Township in Oakland County, after all.

Habitat Restoration for Landowners

• Saturday, June 16, 10 am to 12:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

Your land can be an oasis for butterflies, birds, and other wildlife! Join us to learn about backyard habitat restoration. We will start at the Paint Creek Cider Mill at 9 am to briefly learn about planning, invasive species control, seed collection, installing plants, and working with contractors. We will then visit a few active ecological restoration sites within the township parks. Don’t miss this chance to enhance your backyard habitat while connecting with other interested landowners!

Phragmites, Knotweed, Swallow-wort, and More: High Priority Invasive Plants!

• Thursday, June 28, 2018, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

We will walk through the basics of identifying, controlling, and reporting priority invasive species. These invasive plants are known to reduce property values, degrade natural areas, and impair wildlife habitat. Don’t let these plants get established on your property!

Natural Areas Stewardship Summer Potluck

• Thursday, July 19, 2018. 6:30 pm at Bear Creek Nature Park, 740 W. Snell Rd. (rain location is the Paint Creek Cider Mill)

Come join us for our summer celebration of habitat restoration in Oakland Township! You won’t want to miss the hearty conversation and great food. Learn about natural areas stewardship work in our parks while connecting with others involved in our programs. If there is inclement weather, we will be at the Paint Creek Cider. RSVP appreciated to bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org or 248-651-7810 ext. 401 by Tuesday, July 17.

Land Preservation Park Tours

Paint Creek Heritage Area – Wet Prairie

• Tuesday, July 24, 2018. 6:30 to 8:30. Meet at the Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road.

Paint Creek Heritage Area-Wet Prairie protects unique examples of the prairie and oak savanna that used to cover over two-thirds of Oakland Township.

Purchased in 2003, the Wet Prairie was the first Oakland Township Park to be acquired entirely with the Township’s Land Preservation millage funds.  Its 10.46 acres preserve approximately one-quarter mile of scenic vistas and natural habitats along the Paint Creek Trail and it includes the Paint Creek’s former creek bed (before it was redirected by the railroad).

The Wet Prairie is a plant lover’s delight – hosting more than 200 species of native plants!  The park’s namesake habitat, “wet prairie” was formerly mined of its topsoil and is actually an old sand pit.  Its nutrient-poor soils and seasonal high-water table support a unique combination of upland and wetland plants.  In addition to the wet prairie, the park also includes a variety of oak-dominated woodlands and wet sedge meadows.

When OTPR purchased this property invasive plants and a closed-canopy forest were overtaking these habitats.  During the last 15 years, OTPR Land Stewardship staff have restored the prairie area to its grassland glory by removing unwanted woody vegetation and invasive plants and introducing prescribed burning.  Whether you visit this site in spring, summer or fall you will be surprised by the variety of flowering plants and prairie grasses!

Draper Twin Lake Park

• Saturday, August 18, 2018. 10 am to 12 pm. Meet in the parking lot at 1015 Inwood Road

At Draper Twin Lake Park we will check out Twin Lake, then head to the east side of the park. This park was purchased in 2005 with a combination of Land Preservation millage funds and a sizable donation from the Draper family.  The name of this 90-acre park honors both this family’s generosity as well as the park’s frontage on the easterly Twin Lake.  Draper Twin Lake Park protects wet meadows, a large marsh, shrub wetlands, a kettle wetland, forests and access to Twin Lake.

Soon after purchasing this park, OTPR improved its access by constructing a limestone trail, a boardwalk, and a floating dock.  These facilities allow our residents to enjoy nature viewing, kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing programs on Twin Lake.  A trail system on the east side of the park also provides a popular pedestrian connection between Inwood Road and Parks Road.  This trail passes by this park’s 20-acre field which is being restored to prairie by our Land Stewardship staff with the help of a US Fish and Wildlife Service grant.  Don’t miss this chance to see bee balm, coreopsis, and other wildflowers blooming in our prairie planting! We will also talk about the role of controlled fire in natural areas management while walking through an area that was burned by our volunteer prescribed burn crew in April 2018.

Ecology & Conservation of Metro Detroit’s Bees: Protecting Wild Pollinators in Your Own Backyard

• Caleb Wilson, Graduate Student, Oakland University
• Thursday, January 25, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

Did you know that there are over 4,000 species of bees in the U.S., at least 450 of which are native to Michigan? Caleb Wilson will explore the fascinating world of wild bee species, debunking common myths and explaining our current understanding of recent, rapid bee population declines. His research focuses on understanding how the local environment at farms and community gardens impacts wild bee communities. Caleb will share how his research into the bees of the metro Detroit area can help us better understand and protect pollinators in our own back yards. Caleb Wilson is a Master’s student in Biology at Oakland. He began his research on urban bees while working toward a BS in Environmental Sciences at the University of Iowa. Caleb is an avid gardener and conservationist, working and volunteering in Japanese gardens, prairie restorations, student farms, and native plant gardens.

Water as a Resource in Your Landscape

• Matt Demmon, Professional in Ecological Restoration and Native Landscaping, PlantWise LLC
• Thursday, February 8, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

In the past, storm water has been viewed as something to be disposed of
as quickly as possible. This viewpoint has been changing significantly in
recent years. Matt Demmon from PlantWise, LLC, an Ann Arbor based
ecological restoration and native landscaping company, will share from
his 10 years of experience with rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs,
detention basins, and more. Learn about the aesthetic, ecological, and wildlife benefits realized by slowing down and capturing water in your landscape.

Controlled Fire: Why and How Do We Use Prescribed Burns?

• Ben VanderWeide, Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation
• Thursday, February 22, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

Regular prescribed fire benefits many of our forests, meadows, and wetlands. Learn more about reasons for using controlled fire in our natural areas, preparations for controlled fire, and how a controlled fire crew conducts a burn. We will also review the Oakland Township parks scheduled for controlled fire in 2018.

Volunteer Fire Crew Training

• 9 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday, February 24 at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

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 22.

Watch the Woodcock Dance: an Earth Day Observation

• Alex Kriebel, Stewardship Specialist, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation
• Friday, April 20, 7:30 pm at Cranberry Lake Park south parking lot

We’ll savor s’mores and watch “timberdoodles” do their cool aerial mating dance! While we wait for sunset, we’ll enjoy snacks, a spring evening, and some cool facts about woodcock biology. As the light fades we will watch with hushed anticipation for this avian spectacle. Bring a comfortable lawn chair, binoculars, and layers to add as the night cools down.

2017

Seed Collecting and Processing

Many native plant seeds are only available for collecting for a few weeks in the fall, so we need as much help as possible during harvest! Seed collecting is a fun, relaxing way to learn new native plant species while experiencing unique natural areas. We use the seed to restore areas where we have removed invasive plants. All workdays are 12:30 – 3:30 pm.

• Seed Collecting – October 6, 12, 19, & 26. Meet at the Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, before heading to our site for the day.
• Seed Cleaning, December 5: Meet at Watershed Ridge Park, 1720 W. Buell Rd.

Wet Prairie Invasive Shrub Control

We will remove invasive shrubs such as buckthorn and autumn olive at the Paint Creek Heritage Area – Wet Prairie. This special natural area contains a rare prairie plant community. Expect work to be physically demanding. Meet at the Silver Bell Rd

parking lot along the Paint Creek Trail. All workdays are 9 am to 12 pm.

• November 2, 11  cancelled, 16, and 30

What to Bring

Please remember to wear long pants and closed-toe shoes suitable for uneven terrain.  Please dress for the weather and bring gloves if you have them. We provide tools, light snacks, water, and know-how. All minors must have a waiver signed by a guardian, and minors under 14 must be accompanied by a guardian.

Controlled Fire: Why and How Do We Use Prescribed Burns?

• Ben VanderWeide, Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation
• Thursday, February 23, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

Regular prescribed fire benefits many of our forests, meadows, and wetlands. Learn more about reasons for using controlled fire in our natural areas, preparations for controlled fire, and how a controlled fire crew conducts a burn. We will also review the Oakland Township parks scheduled for controlled fire in 2017.

Volunteer Fire Crew Training

• 9 am to 2:30 pm on Saturday, February 25 at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

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 at oaklandtownship dot org or 248-651-7810 ext. 401 by Thursday, February 23.

Watch the Woodcock Dance: an Earth Day Observation

• Ben VanderWeide, Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation
• Friday, April 21, 7:30 pm at Cranberry Lake Park south parking lot

We’ll savor s’mores and watch “timberdoodles” do their cool aerial mating dance! While we wait for sunset, we’ll enjoy snacks, a spring evening, and some cool facts about woodcock biology. As the light fades we will watch with hushed anticipation for this avian spectacle. Bring a comfortable lawn chair, binoculars, and layers to add as the night cools down.

Flora and Natural Communities of Southeast Michigan

Max registration is 15 people. $20 for township residents, $35 for non-residents. First two classes are free. Sign up by March 16 for the March, April, May, and June classes.

This class will meet monthly to learn about the plants of southeast Michigan, focusing on local examples in Oakland Township. We will learn about the basics of plant anatomy and morphology, winter woody plant identification, identifying common plant families, and natural communities of Michigan. All adults 16+ are welcome, no plant experience necessary. Meet at the Paint Creek Cider Mill one evening per month (two in February), 6:30-8:30 pm. Includes fields trips to locations within a 5 minute drive. Course continues through the summer! Course dates and tentative topics listed below.

• Feb 9: Jesse Lincoln, Ecological Surveys of Southern Michigan (free)
• Feb 23: Fire dependent plant communities (free)

Registration required for March – June classes

• March 23: Winter woody plant ID and family overview
• April 27: Spring wildflowers
• May 25: Early summer blooms
• June 22: Grasses, sedges, and rushes

Protecting Michigan’s Rare Amphibians and Reptiles – including the Massasauga Rattlesnake!

• David Mifsud, Herpetological Resource Management

  From the HRM website: David Mifsud “Turtle Dave” is a certified professional wetland scientist through the International Society of Wetland Scientists and a certified professional ecologist through the Ecological Society of America. He has worked for over fifteen years in wildlife biology, wetland ecology, and habitat conservation and management, with an emphasis on herpetofauna. He is an authority in Michigan on conservation and management of amphibians and reptiles. David administers the Michigan Herpetological Atlas project, sits on the State of Michigan Amphibian and Reptile Technical Advisory board, and chairs the Michigan chapter of Partners in Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (MIPARC). He serves as an expert on Great Lakes turtles for the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group. He has also served on the board of the North Central Chapter of the Society of Wetland Scientists and currently serves as a co-chair for the Michigan Wetland Association Research and Science Committee.

• Thursday, January 19, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill

 Michigan is home to over 60 species of reptiles and amphibians (called “herpetofauna”). More than half are designated as “Species of Greatest Conservation Need” by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR). In 2016 the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake was elevated to Federally Threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This designation has significant impacts on the conservation and management of these snakes in Michigan. This presentation will focus on rare amphibians and reptiles in Michigan, with emphasis on the Massasauga Rattlesnake, and discuss the basic natural history, threats, and conservation needs for these species.

Ecological Surveys of Southern Michigan: The Importance of Public Land

• Jesse Lincoln, Ecologist, Michigan Natural Features Inventory
• Thursday, February 9, 6:30 pm at the Paint Creek Cider Mill.

 Through oak savanna, floodplain forest, and prairie fen, Jesse Lincoln traverses southern Michigan to document the condition of its public lands. These surveys reveal both the natural beauty and imperiled state of our public natural areas. Jesse will share his observations of these treasures, concerns for their future health, and the shared responsibility to care for our natural heritage. Jesse has been conducting ecological surveys on public lands across Southern Michigan for past 7 years as an ecologist for the Michigan Natural Features Inventory. Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn about our natural heritage!

2016

Earth Day for the Birds!

• Ben VanderWeide, Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation
• Friday, April 22, 7:30 pm at Cranberry Lake Park, 388 W. Predmore Road, Oakland Township, MI

Join us to eat s’mores and watch woodcock do their cool aerial mating dance! Woodcock begin dancing just after sunset, which is at 8:22 pm on Earth Day 2016. While we wait for sunset we will enjoy snacks, a spring evening, and a brief intro to woodcock biology. As the light fades we will quiet down so that we can enjoy this avian spectacle. Bring a comfortable lawn chair, binoculars, and layers to add as the night cools down.

Coyote – Our Urban Adapter

• Thursday, January 21, 6:30 pm
• Paint Creek Cider Mill
• Laurel Zoet, Naturalist, Nature on the GO! As a Naturalist Educator, Laurel has over 10 year of experience, working as a Explorer Guide with the Michigan DNR, interpretive naturalist with Huron-Clinton Metroparks, Naturalist with West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation, and School Program Coordinator with the Leslie Science and Nature Center. Laurel is passionate about connecting people of all ages with the diversity and wonder of the natural phenomenon right in their own backyards.

Native Americans told legends about the coyote and yet today this wild canine only seems to see bad press. How can one animal be feared by some and revered by others? Utilizing data collected in recent big city studies, this one hour educational presentation will look at the biology, the myths, and the facts about one of North America’s most highly adaptable animals.

Learning About the Lakeplains Oak Openings Region

• Thursday, February 11, 6:30 pm
• Paint Creek Cider Mill
• Mike Losey, Natural Resources Manager, Springfield Township, MI. Mike grew up in Oakland County, and even spent some time with Oakland Township as a seasonal stewardship technician. Most recently Mike spent 6 years working in the Oak Openings region in northwest Ohio with The Nature Conservancy. He recently returned to the area as the Natural Resources Manager for nearby Springfield Township.

The Lakeplain Oak Openings is a unique region spanning seven counties in southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio. With over 150 state or federally listed species, it is well recognized as a biodiversity hotspot within the Lake Erie watershed. However, despite its noted importance the natural habitat is highly fragmented and stressed by incompatible land use.  These modifications have negatively impacted the native flora and fauna as well as compromised the ecosystem services the region provides.  Attendees will learn about the special features of this region, how it compares and contrasts with the landscape of northern Oakland County, and what efforts are underway to restore this important part of our natural heritage.

Controlled Fire in Oakland Township Parks

Ben VanderWeide, Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, Oakland Township Parks and Recreation

• Public Meeting – 6:30 pm, Thursday, February 25, Paint Creek Cider Mill. Regular prescribed fire benefits many of our forests, meadows, and wetlands. Learn more about reasons for using controlled fire in our natural areas, preparations for controlled fire, and how a controlled fire crew conducts a burn. We will also review the Oakland Township parks scheduled for controlled fire in 2016.
•  Volunteer Crew Training – 9 am to 2 pm on Saturday, February 27, Paint Creek Cider Mill. If you are interested in joining our volunteer 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. Snacks will be provided, but please bring your own lunch. RSVP required to bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org or 248-651-7810 ext. 401 by Thursday, February 25.

Prescribed Ecological Burn Public Meeting

When: Annually in February. 2016: Thursday, February 25. 6:30 pm

Where: Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Rd, Rochester, MI 48306

Description: Regular prescribed fire benefits many of our forests, meadows, and wetlands. Learn more about reasons for using controlled fire in our natural areas, preparations for controlled fire, and how a controlled fire crew conducts a burn. We will also review the Oakland Township parks scheduled for controlled fire in 2016.

Prescribed Fire Volunteer Crew Training

When: Annually in February: 2016: Saturday, February 20. 9 am – 2 pm

Where: Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Rochester, MI 48306

Description: If you are interested in joining our volunteer prescribed fire crew, or would like to learn more about using prescribed fire as a land management tool, 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. Snacks will be provided, but participants should bring their own lunch. Weather permitting we will do a small demonstration burn after lunch.

Prescribed Fire Volunteer Crew Training

When: Saturday, December 12, 2015. 9 am – 2 pm

Where: Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Rochester, MI 48306

Description: If you are interested in joining our volunteer prescribed fire crew, or would like to learn more about using prescribed fire as a land management tool, 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.

RSVP required to bvanderweide@oaklandtownship.org or 248-651-7810 ext. 401 by Wednesday, December 9.

Our prescribed fire contractor burns at Gallagher Creek Park, spring 2015.

Invasive Shrub Control

We will work to remove invasive shrubs like buckthorn and autumn olive in some of our special natural areas. Expect work to be physically demanding. All workdays are 9 am to 12 pm.

• Paint Creek Heritage Area – Wet Prairie. Prairies are one of the least common and most endangered natural communities in Michigan. Come to one of these workdays to see a spectacular example of prairie right in Oakland Township. Meet at the Silver Bell Road parking lot along the Paint Creek Trail. Workdays for summer and fall 2016 are listed below.
  • Saturday, June 25
  • Thursday, June 30
  • Thursday, July 7
  • Saturday, July 16
  • Thursday, July 21
  • Thursday, July 28
  • Thursday, August 4
  • September 27
  • November 1
  • November 12
  • November 15

Garlic Mustard Pulls

Now a rite of spring, get out to enjoy the warm spring breezes while pulling garlic mustard. This invasive biennial degrades even healthy woodlands.

• Bear Creek Nature Park – 740 W. Snell Rd., 9 am to 12 pm. May 3 and 10
• Blue Heron Environmental Area – 3320 N. Rochester Rd., 9 am – 12 pm. May 17 and 24.

Grant Funds Phragmites Control along Major Oakland Township Roads

Oakland Township will be treating invasive Phragmites along major roads right-of-ways in August and September 2016. Phragmites (pronounced frag-MY-tees) is a grass that grows primarily in wetlands and can reach heights of 15 feet or more, leading to safety and environmental problems. Phragmites can cause hot, damaging fires if ignited; blocks views at intersections; and impairs drainage in ditches and streams, damaging road infrastructure. This large grass forms dense stands, crowding out habitat for wildlife and native plants.

Oakland Township Parks and Recreation is participating in the Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (OC CISMA), which was recently awarded a $243,775 Michigan Invasive Species Grant in 2016. This grant will be used to develop a strategic plan for all of Oakland County; coordinate invasive species control among cities, villages, and townships; and perform on-the-ground treatment of high-priority infestations of six invasive species. Visit http://www.michiganinvasives.org/occisma/ to learn more. Treatment of Phragmites along major township road right-of-ways is funded by our portion of the grant.

Please visit the Oakland Township website to view the map showing road right-of-ways where Phragmites will be treated. If you have any questions or concerns please contact Ben VanderWeide, Park and Recreation Natural Areas Stewardship Manager, at 248-651-7810.