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The Headwaters Cluster

 
Photograph Courtesy of The Headwaters Cluster

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.

 

 

 

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Support Your Local Cluster Today!

Become a Member 
or
Find Out More about Membership Within the Headwaters Cluster

Are you Part of an Organization?
Find out More about our Memorandum of Understanding Memberships!

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Jump To:

Our Ongoing Cluster Event

Cluster Events for 2010

The Garlic Mustard Challenge

Contact Information

Participating Organizations

The Headwaters Cluster Forum Page

 Where is the Headwaters Cluster?

Oakland County and the Surrounding Areas

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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.

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Our Ongoing Cluster Event

Lunch and Learn:
11:45 AM to 1:00 PM on the Second Wednesday of Every Month!

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 October, 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.
 

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2010 Headwaters Cluster Events
Click the name of a workshop to be taken to a registration form for that event
Click the location to be taken to a map
NOTE: ALL WORKSHOPS REQUIRE REGISTRATION.

Looking to share a ride to an event? Follow this link to the 
carpooling sectionof our forum to post requests or offers for ride shares!  

 

Developing A Land Ethic
February 12, Friday 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: E.L. Johnson Nature Center

Click Here to Register Now!

As stewardship professionals, we often forget about our innate connection to land and nature that brought us to this work. Come discuss existing programs (like Earth Project for Schools and the Leopold Eduation Project) and new ways to inspire young people in a land ethic, including leading more youth-friendly workdays, and talking about our own land ethics.

 

Community Action Garlic Mustard Challenge
March 24, Wednesday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Lookout Lodge, Waterford Oaks County Park

Click here to register now!

Garlic Mustard (Allaria petiolata) is one of the most problematic invasive plants in that it is spreading throughout the area and affecting the health of our forests. Each year, the Stewardship Network hosts a region-wide Garlic Mustard Challenge. Community planners, officials and neighborhood associations along with any interested individuals are invited to attend this workshop to learn about the adverse impact of garlic mustard and how to mobilize your community to control its spread. Oakland County Parks natural resources staff will provide materials and field experience to all participants. Any questions call Kathleen Dougherty at 248/858-0704.

 

Rattlesnake Response for Dog Owners
May 1, Saturday
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Orion Oaks Dog Park in Orion Oaks County Park

Click Here to Register Now!

Michigan's only venomous snake - the Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake will be featured at an informal expo lead by Kathleen Dougherty of Oakland County Parks at the Orion Oaks Dog Park. Live snakes and other displays will help everyone identify this protected reptile. Dog owners will learn how to respond if they find a Massasagua on the trail. The Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake is listed as a species of special concern in Michigan. Stewardship efforts on behalf of the Eastern Massasauga will also be discussed. Anyone interested in reptile conservation is welcome to attend. The Dog Park is located on Joslyn Road in Orion Township. For information or questions call Kathleen at 248/858-0704.

 

Weeds in the Woods
May 15, Saturday 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Berberian Woods, Southfield

Click Here to Register Now!

Join Heather Huffstutler, of Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy, to discuss the natural history of garlic mustard and other herbaceous invasives, why we are concerned about their spread and how to easily control them. The day will end with a walk to look for some of the special native spring ephemerals that grow in this forested floodplain. Participants will receive information about herbaceous invasive plants.

 

Rain Gardens and Bioswales Installation and Maintenance
Held in collaboration with our friends in the Lakeplain Cluster!
May 22, Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: $10 for members/$15 for non-members
Location: Ernst Greenhouses, Waterford Oaks County Parks

Click Here to Register Now!

Learn how to install, maintain and select the proper plant material for a rain garden or bioswale. There will be a hands-on planting demonstration of an on site rain garden. Light refreshments will be available.

Great Lakes Photo Tour
Sunday, May 23
10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Cost: $10 required at pre-registration to the Stewardship Network; $69 to Great Lakes Photo Tours at the event
Location: Golden Preserve (near Davisburg)

Click here to register now!

Great Lakes Photo Tours treats participants to some of the most inspiring scenic and natural areas in the Great Lakes region. Digital 'snap-shooters' and advanced amateur photo enthusiasts alike will benefit from Mark Carlson and Bob Grzesiak's over 50-years worth of combined experience as professionals in their respective fields. Mark presents a wealth of naturalist information to attendees, as well as many helpful suggestions on how to make better nature photographs. Bob offers his expertise assisting digital photographers with their camera and accessories. Create cherished photographs while enjoying your excursions. Learn more about Great lakes Photo Tours at the GLPT website at: http://www.markcarlson.com/glpt/

Questions: Email info@greatlakesphototours.com

 

Native Plant Festival and National Trails Celebration Day
June 5, Sturday 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Paint Creek Cider Mill, Oakland Township

Celebrate native plants and National Trails Day on the Paint Creek Trail! The Plant Festival will feature the Trails Day events, as well as educational sessions and the opportunity to purchase your favorite native plants from Michigan growers. No registration required for this event.  

 

Annual Butterfly Count
June 26, Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm (at Golden) &
                            12:30 pm to 3:30 pm (at Independence Oaks)
Cost: Registration to cover NABA administrative fees and will be collected the day of the event. Check back to this site soon for 
         more specific details.
Location: Golden Preserve & Indepence Oaks County Park

Click Here to Register Now!

This count, held by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA), helps to track butterfly populations and reveal important information about the geographical distribution and population size of each species counted. This is a wonderful family event! All supplies needed are provided; just be sure to dress for the outdoors! We'll be joined by local experts Doris Appelbaum and Dwayne Badgero, so don't let a lack of butterfly knowledge stop you from joining us! Please note, the two locations for this event have different start and end times.



Early Detection Rapid Response
July 17, Saturday 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Cost: Free
Location: Highland State Recreation Area

Click Here to Register Now!

Learn about this important approach to invasives management from Brittany Bird (Oakland County Parks), Vern Stephens (MDNR), and Laurel Malvitz-Draper (MDNR). This year, we're featuring two new invaders in Oakland County - Swallow wort and Japanese knotweed. We'll discuss their natural history and why we're concerned about their movement. Learn how to get involved with the County Parks and the DNR's rapid response programs.

 

Black-Lighting for Night-Loving Insects and Dusk Hike
August 21, Saturday
8:00 pm to 12:00 midnight
Cost: $15 for members/$20 for non-members
Location: Golden Preserve

Click Here to Register Now!

Join us for a hike and refreshments at dusk to explore the oak barrens and prairie  fen, then learn about night-time insects from Oakland County's own "Moth Maniac", Dwayne Badgero. Bring a folding chair and headlamp or flashlight if you can!


Phragmites Field Day!
September 18, Saturday 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Cost: Free
Location: Kingsbury School

Click Here to Register Now!

This workshop will engage both area volunteers and students at Kingsbury School in learning about and removing the small patch of Phragmites on school grounds. We will be working with Heather Huffstutler (Six Rivers Regional Land Conservancy) and Anne Sousanis (Kingsbury School).

 

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Garlic Mustard Challenge 2010

April – June

Join the Headwaters Cluster in its quest for the Cluster Cup for most garlic mustard pulled! All Headwaters Cluster partners will post garlic mustard pull dates on the searchable events calendar.

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Additional programs to learn about stewardship through our partners at Oakland County Parks

Prescribed Burn Workshop
Sunday, February 28
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Location: Wint Nature Center at independence Oaks County Park
For more information, contact Kathleen Dougherty at doughertyk@oakgov.com

Garlic Mustard Pull
Saturday, April 10
10:00 am to 1:00 pm &
Tuesday, May 11 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Drayton Plains Nature Center in Waterford, MI
For more information, contact Heather Huffstutler at hhuffstutler@sixriversrlc.org

Garlic Mustard pull in the Clinton River floodplain.

Garlic Mustard Pull
Sunday, April 25
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm &
Sunday, May 2 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: Highland Recreation Area
For more information, contact Laurel Malvitz-Draper at malvitzL@michigan.gov

Help pull garlic mustard in the Haven Hill Natural Area and Beaumont Woods sections of this beautiful state park.

Garlic Mustard Pull
Saturday, May 15 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Location: Highland Oaks County Park
For more information, contact Kathleen Dougherty at doughertyk@oakgov.com 

Compete for a prize! Bring a team and pull as much garlic mustard as you can! 

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Headwaters Cluster Contact Information


Do you have any questions regarding the Headwaters Cluster?  If so, please don't hesitate to ask!

Contact the Headwaters Cluster:
Headwaters@StewardshipNetwork.org

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Headwaters Cluster Participating Organizations

  Oakland Land Conservancy

Clinton River Watershed Council
 
 Oakland Township Parks & Recreation Commission 

Oakland County Planning & Economic Development Services Environmental 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

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We'd Love to Have You!

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, and people who like getting exercise outdoors.  Let's have some fun!



© 2007 Stewardship Network Photography: Summer Tanager © Brian L. Zwiebel; others by David Mindell, Plantwise, L.L.C.