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photo provided by Headwaters Cluster
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The Headwaters Cluster was the first Stewardship Network local Cluster to form in the fall of 2003. The Michigan Chapter of The Nature Conservancy (TNC) led the formation of the Cluster as a way to build cooperative relationships between the various agencies who were repsonsible for managing high quality ecosystem areas under protection in Oakland County and surrounding areas, thereby enhancing the stewardship of those areas. Oakland County is home to the headwaters of five different river systems along with an exceptional ecological diversity and is experienceing extreme development pressure on remaining natural areas.
The Headwaters Cluster was seen as a way to enhance communication about stewardship among public agencies, including Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Oakland County Parks & Recreation, Huron Clinton Metropark Authority, and Oakland Township Parks & Recreation, as well as private nonprofit agencies, including TNC, Oakland Land Conservancy (now the Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy), North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy, and Michigan Nature Association.
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Educational programs delivered by the Headwaters Cluster are designed to deliver hands-on instruction from experienced stewards to build the expertise of the staff and volunteers who help to manage natural areas. Programs have included workshops on herbaceous and woody invasive plant removal, seed collection, and management planning, biodiversity surveys, and rare and endangered animal education.
Coordination of the Headwaters Cluster is a cooperative effort of the Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy, Oakland Township Parks & Recreation, and Oakland County Parks & Recreation Stewardship Division. Oakland County Planning & Economic Development Services (OCPEDS) is an important organizational partner and cluster updates are provided quarterly to the Natural Areas Advisory Group, which is coordinated by OCPEDS.
We are expanding to include more local groups, such as nature centers and parks departments within Oakland County and the surrounding areas. The Cluster holds monthly Lunch-and-Learn sessions to view the Stewardship Network's webcast and engage in stewardship conversations with our partners and volunteers, new and old (scroll down for more details). We are looking forward to welcoming and increasing the participation of all kinds of groups caring for natural areas and look forward to your help and participation!
Headwaters Cluster Contact Information
Heather Huffstutler
hhuffstutler@sixriversrlc.org
(248) 601-2816
www.oaklandlandconservancy.org
Headwaters Cluster Events
The Stewardship Network Headwaters Cluster offers a selection of learning opportunities beginning with planning for the stewardship year and continuing with stewardship techniques and principles you can take home to apply in your backyard or community.
Pre-registration is required. In case of cancellation due to inclement weather, a cancellation message will be recorded at the Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy telephone: call (248) 601-2816.
Most workshops are held outdoors and include hands on experience. Please dress appropriately for the weather. Boots and gloves are recommended. Specialized equipment will be provided. Children, with supervision, may participate in all workshops.
Lunch and Learn Every second Wednesday 11:45am- 1:00pm
The Stewardship Network webcasts are held on the second Wednesday of each month. You are invited to meet us for lunch every month to view the webcast and have a discussion afterward. Webcast topics will be announced via email one week prior to each Lunch and Learn. Upcoming topics will include: monitering strategies, controlling invasives with insects, and more.
Lunch and Learn Location Map for March 2008 webcast -- in the Rochester Room in Executive Building. Ask front dest attendant for admittance.
Lunch and Learn Location Map for April-September 2008 webcasts -- Building #97 on the map in the West Campus of the Oakland County Service Center
Please bring your own lunch to enjoy.
Headwaters Cluster Events 2008
NOTE: ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE REGISTRATION.
Click here for a list of past events
Saturday, June 28: 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
Annual Butterfly Count
Location: (10.00 a.m.) at The Golden Preserve and (1:00pm) at Independence Oaks County Park.
The North American Butterfly Association (NABA) butterfly count will be held in two locations this year! This count helps to track butterfly populations and reveal important information about the geographical distribution and population size of each species counted. This count will start at Oakland Land Conservancy's Golden Preserve at 10am, and continue at Oakland County Parks, Independence Oaks in the afternoon. This is a wonderful family event! All supplies needed are provided; just bring smiles and sharp eyes! Local experts will be joining us; don't let a lack of butterfly knowledge stop you from joining us on a great summer day!
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Sue Greenlee, Oakland Land Conservancy and local expert Doris Appelbaum.
Registration: Click Here To Register or call (248)-601-2816
Cost: $3/Person--payable at event only
Download postcards and flyers here.
Saturday, August 9: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Narrow-leaf Cattail Removal and Monitoring Workday
Location: Bevins Lake Fen in Ganshaw Park, downtown Holly.
Explore this fen right in downtown Holly! North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy is working with the village to restore the health of it's wetland by removing the invasive narrow-leaf cattails. Join us to continue removal and also monitor the effects of different methods used.
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Sue Julian, North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy and Volunteer.
Registration: Click Here To Register or (248)-634-3513
Cost: NONE.
Click here for event postcards and flyers
Saturday, October 11: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Seed Collection Workshop and Workday
Location: Highland State Recreation Area
Join the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stewardship staff for this fun native wildflower seed collection workshop and workday. Seeds will be used to restore oak barrens and prairies in the area. Come to learn about seed collection and restoration activities at this site, and stay for a few hours to help collect seed. Meet at the Silo Field Trail Area parking lot on Livingston Road, between Pettibone Lake and Beaumont Roads.
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Laurel Malvitz, MDNR.
Registration: Click Here To Register or call (248)-359-9057
Cost: NONE.
Saturday, October 18: 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Bittersweet Busters
Location: Orion Oaks Dog Park. Meet at the Joslyn Road N. parking lot located at the northeast corner of Orion Oaks Park.
Join the Oakland County Parks and Recreation stewardship staff members to help remove oriental bittersweet from one of the few forested areas within the Dog Park. Oriental bittersweet is a non native vine that twines into trees and forms a thick wall of vegetation that smothers other plants. Be prepared to pull, cut and get dirty. Parking permits will be provided to workers along with gloves, water and snacks.
Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Brittany Bird, Oakland County Parks and Recreation, and OCPR Staff.
Registration: Click Here To Register or (248)-858-1726
Cost: NONE
Headwaters Cluster Participating Organizations
Oakland Land Conservancy
Clinton River Watershed Council
Oakland Township Parks & Recreation Commission
Oakland County Planning & Economic Development ServicesEnvironmental Stewardship Division
Oakland County Parks & Recreation
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
North Oakland Headwaters Land Conservancy
Friends of Bald Mountain
Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve
Rochester Hills Environmental Education Center
E. L. Johnson Nature Center
City of Southfield Parks & Recreation
Huron Clinton Metropark Authority
Please join us - We would like to invite you to join our Cluster. Groups and individuals who may be interested include: Community Service volunteers, Eagle Scouts, Master Gardeners, Conservation Stewards, field interns, people who want to connect to nature, people who want to meet with like-mnded people, people who like getting exercise outdoors.
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