Headwaters Cluster - The Stewardship Network

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!

To become a Participating Organization within the Headwaters Cluster, please click here to read our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and become one of a growing number of MOU Members.

Headwaters Cluster Contact Information

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.

Local stewards and volunteers are welcome to join the Cluster for a bag lunch as we discuss and watch each webcast. All year, you can watch at the Oakland County Parks Administration Building located at 2800 Pontiac Lake Road, Waterford. Call Kathleen Dougherty with questions at (248) 858-0704. For the webcasts during March to Ocotber, you can join us at a second location - the Paint Creek Cider Mill at 4480 Orion Road, Oakland Township. The Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy will host Stewards' Lunch-n-Learns here. Call Heather Huffstutler at (248) 601-2816 x. 460 with questions.

Headwaters Cluster Events 2009
Click the name of a workshop to be taken to a registration form for that event
NOTE: ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE REGISTRATION.

New! Are you looking to share a ride to an event? Follow this link to the carpooling section of our forum to post requests or offers for ride shares!

Wildflowers in the Forested Floodplain – Stewardship Eco-Series
May 16, Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $75 if registering for full series
$30 for single workshop.
Location: Berberian Woods in Southfield

Explore this special Rouge River floodplain with Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy and other partners. We’ll hit the trail with Heather Huffstutler (Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy) to identify the native spring ephemeral wildflowers and discuss how to protect them from a woodland invasive plant invader: garlic mustard. As we walk through the park, we will assist in the invasive plant management by pulling garlic mustard plants and see the differences that management can make. Wear weather appropriate clothing and sturdy shoes. For more information call Heather at 248-601-2816 x. 460. Register online at the www.stewardshipnetwork.org to attend this program.

Participants attending all three programs in the series will receive an “Ecosystem Explorer Certificate of Achievement” from The Stewardship Network. If you would like to sign up for all three events, click here. All series workshop hours can be used for MSUE volunteer programs.

Native Plant Festival (contrary to what the brochure says, this event does not require registration)
June 7, Sunday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Rochester, MI

Join the Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy and the Headwaters Cluster partners in a celebration of native plants! Learn about our regional native plant growers, buy plants for your spring planting and explore the use of native plants in large habitats as well as backyard habitats. Bring your whole family to this great event! This is also your chance to learn all about the Conservancy and the Stewardship Network and support these organizations’ efforts in southeast Michigan! Short programs will be held highlighting the Stewardship Network clusters, and the Earth Partnership for Schools program, and how to incorporate natives into your garden. Conservancy staff will lead walks along the adjacent Paint Creek Trail to highlight restoration and the use of native plants along the trail. Whole Foods Market will be on site providing organic refreshments as well as giving a children’s program!

North American Butterfly Count
June 27, Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at the Golden Preserve &
12:00 pm to 3:00 pm at Independence Oaks County Park
Cost: $10 per person (members)/ $15 per person (non-members)
Locations: Golden Preserve in Springfield Township &
Independence Oaks County Park in Independence Township

Join Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy staff and Oakland County Parks staff to help count butterfly populations at these two locations. This field works is part of a nationwide survey done by the North American Butterfly Association. Butterfly counts reveal important information about the geographical distribution and populations of area butterflies. This program is fun for the whole family! Join us at either one or both sites and dress for being outdoors. For more information call Kathleen Dougherty at 248-858-0704 or Heather Huffstutler at 248-601-2816. Register at one site, or both!

Moth and Night Insect Black-lighting Experience
July 18, Saturday 8:30 pm to 11:00 pm (time is subject to change)
Cost: $25 for members/ $35 for non-members
Location: Golden Preserve in Springfield Township

Come experience nature as you never have before! Lepidoptera expert Dwayne Badgero, aka the “Moth Maniac”, will lead participants in a unique and exciting evening of discovering night-time insects and moths. Some of the most amazing animals only come out at night! Participants should wear warm, dark clothing and bring a flashlight and chair. Registrants will be notified of correct time to arrive on site for this event.

Water is one of our most precious resources. Oakland County has more lakes than any other county in Michigan. Look at the water quality of a lake by participating in lake assessment measuring various physical and chemical attributes of the water and searching for aquatic native and invasive species. This program will be held at Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston and led by Dr. Lois Wolfson and Howard Wandell. Dr. Wolfson is a Water Quality Specialist in both the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife and the Institute of Water Research at MSU. She also serves as the MSU Extension State Water Quality Co-Coordinator. Mr. Wandell recently retired from MSU and now serves as the Executive Director of the Michigan Chapter of the North American Lake Management Society. For more information, call Kathleet Dougherty at (248) 858-0704.

Participants attending all three programs in the series will receive an “Ecosystem Explorer Certificate” from The Stewardship Network. All series workshop hours can be used for MSUE volunteer programs.

Prairie Fen Ecology Exploration – Stewardship Eco-Series
September 12, Saturday Details TBD by MDNR
Cost: $75 if registering for full series
$30 for single workshop.
Location: Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is managing prairie fens on its park and natural area properties as part of its Stewardship Program. Join Laurel Malvitz of the Michigan DNR, and ecologist Steven Thomas to explore the Graham Lake Fen at Bald Mountain State Recreation Area. You will be lead through the fen, learning about the very special plants that make up this endangered natural community. Participants will gain first hand knowledge of the unique ecology and natural history that create these special wetlands. For more information call Laurel Malvitz at 248-359-9040. Registrants will receive detailed location information and directions in the registration confirmation email.

Participants attending all three programs in the series will receive an “Ecosystem Explorer Certificate of Achievement” from The Stewardship Network. All series workshop hours can be used for MSUE volunteer programs.

Build Your Own Herbicide Applicator
October 17, Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $30 for member/$40 for non-member registration. Registration fee includes one applicator (participants may purchase up to two additional applicators at the workshop for $20 each).
Location: Paint Creek Cider Mill, 4480 Orion Road, Rochester, MI

Professional land managers use herbicide applicators in their every-day work. Are you curious about what there are? How to get one of your own? Come to this workshop, where Heather Huffstutler of the Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy will show how to build your own applicator and discuss proper application, licensing, and safety considerations. After you build your own, you’ll get hands on experience with the “cut stump” treatment method for woody invasive plant removal. For more information call 248.601.2816 ex. 460.

All Headwaters Cluster partners will post garlic mustard pull dates on the searchable events calendar, but here are few to tempt your taste buds! Join the Headwaters Cluster in its quest for the Cluster Cup for most garlic mustard pulled! Please register for the following events by calling Kathleen Dougherty at 248/858-0704.

May 16, Saturday 10:00 am
Location: Waterford County Park
**The Cluster’s Wildflowers in the Floodplain on May 16^th!**

May 30, Saturday 10:00 am
Location: Highland Oaks County Park

Watch for dates at Bald Mountain and Highland State Recreation!

Headwaters Cluster Participating Organizations

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.