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Photograph Courtesy of David Mindell, Plantwise
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The Raisin Cluster, formed in 2003, includes groups like the Raisin Valley Land Trust, the Lenawee Conservation District, YMCA Storer Camps, the City of Tecumseh, The Nature Conservancy, Washtenaw Land Trust, and Michigan Department of Natural Resources State Parks Stewardship Unit and Land Owner Incentive Program. The Raisin Cluster's goal is to teach people how to be better stewards of the land, whatever their level of expertise. Additionally, the Raisin Cluster hopes to preserve the natural features of the River Raisin headwaters area so future generations may enjoy the special beauty of this region.
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Raisin Cluster Events
Since its inception, the Raisin Cluster has organized a series of annual workshops geared toward demonstrating hands-on stewardship and land management techniques. These workshops have been held at a variety of sites across the community. In 2009, the Cluster strived to revitalize these workshops and bring new resources and opportunities to the area.
The proposed mechanism for this was the deveopment of long-term relationships with specific sites, where learning could take place, active and useful management could be implemented, and participants could see the results of their work over time. Ideally, participants will form an attachment to a particular site that leads to long term volunteer and stewardship activities. The selected sites were the YMCA Storer Camps in Napoleon, and Iron Creek Properties, where private landowners are working together to protect and improve a Raisin tributary.
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Our Ongoing Cluster Events
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!
Upper Raisin Stewards' Meetings
Upper Raisin Stewards' Meeting - Black Oak Barrens and Other Savanna Types of SE Michigan
Tuesday, Septemebr 7 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Cost: Free!
Location: YMCA Storer Camps (7260 S. Stony Lake Road, Napoleon)
Drive down entrance road to Denmenn Lodge. Watch for signs
Click here to register online or contact Bob Kellum at rfkellum52@yahoo.com or (734) 428-8108.
Join as at YMCA Storer Camps to tour a remnant Oak Barrens. We'll define “savanna” and “black oak barrens” on our walk, and learn to recognize the oak barrens ecosystem and indicator plants we encounter along the way. We'll also see and discuss the management of oak barrens, restoration efforts and needs and Michigan's historic and present day savannas.
*** Bring mosquito repellant and walking shoes, plus rain gear. ***
Join us before-hand for an optional networking dinner at Napolean Cafe (6816 Brooklyn Road Napoleon, MI 49261 - click here to view a map). We'll gather there between 6:00 pm and 6:45 pm before heading over to the camp. We hope you can join us!
Lands for Learning Volunteer Workdays
YMCA Storer Camps
Saturday: March 27, April 24, May 22, September 25 and October 23
9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Meet at Malachi Dining Hall
6941 North Stony Lake Rd., Jackson
Please call Nancy Burger at 517/536-8607 ext. 201 or email nburger@ymcastorercamps.org to confirm you participation.
Storer comprises nearly 2 square miles of converted farmland, woods, wetlands, remnant prairie and savanna, ponds, streams and a lake: all in the northwest corner of the Raisin headwaters. About 15 of Michigan’s recognized natural community types exist on the site. The stewardship goals include:
· Invasive plant control
· Fen restoration
· Savanna restoration
· Inventory of savanna indicator species
· Inventory of listed species
Each workday will include a Lands for Learning update and educational component explaining what is to be done and why. Bring your own work gloves, comfortable shoes, and be prepared for the weather!
Lunch will be provided. Please all ahead to confirm you attendance to help us better prepare projects and food. If you find you can come at the last minute and haven't reserved a sot, please join us anyway - we'd love to have you!
Iron Creek Community Stewardship Days
The second Saturday of the month, March through October, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon.
These dates have changed since the original print of our Cluster calendars:
April 10 - Frog Holler Farm/ Kings Property - 11811 Beech Road, Brooklyn
May 8 - Coyne Property - 12100 Beech Road, Brooklyn
*Due to the high winds on May 8th, we've rescheduled the Coyne
Property workshop to Thursday, May 20th from 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm. See
you then!
June 12 - Kellum Property - 11007 Mull Road, Tipton
*Please click the link above to view an accurate Google Map of the
location. The Kellum Property is north of Wellwood Road, at the north
dead-end of Mull Road.
July 10 - Kolon Property - 11677 Noggles Road, Manchester
August 14 - Woody Kellum Property - 16866 Wellwood Road, Tipton
September 11 - King Property/ Frog Holler Farm - 11811 Beech Road, Brooklyn
October 9 - Kellum Property - 11007 Mull Road, Tipton
Contact: Bob Kellum, rfkellum52@yahoo.com, 734/428-8725 or
Sybil Kolon, skolon@rvlt.org, 734/428-8108
Iron Creek between Mud Lake and Iron Creek Millpond is recognized for its unspoiled habitats and intact plant communities, where several special concern and threatened species have been identified. With more than forty separate property owners, this stretch of Iron Creek is subject to an array of management priorities.
A half dozen family properties totaling about 500 acres are clustered in two areas adjacent to Iron Creek. Click here to see an aerial image of the properties. These families share an interest in natural areas management and hope to foster appreciation and understanding of the area's various habitats. Goals for the properties are to:
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Identify and protect quality and remnant plant communities
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Prioritize management projects
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Involve newcomers and youth in stewardship activities
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Stimulate interest in neighboring Iron Creek property owners
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Serve as a catalyst for ecosystem health dialogue throughout the watershed.
Subsequent workshops will move to other nearby locations (check the SN website for updates). See private land stewardship in action, ask questions and learn how others relate to their land. Bring your lunch if you want to have further discussion from noon to 1:00 pm. The purpose of these workshops is not work, but rather sharing ideas inspired to start your own project, no matter the size. A unique opportunity awaits your visit to these Iron Creek Properties.
A note from property owner Woody Kellum
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I have a contract with the Soil Conservation District to install prairie grass on two fields - 2.7 acres and 4.5 acres, one field per year. This year I planted the smaller field.
The process started last summer with removal of all the woody invasives, primarily autumn olive, but also some native trees and shrubs: walnuts, ash, popular and sumac. Early last fall, when much of the field was still green, we sprayed the herbicide glyphosate (commonly known by the brand name Roundup). This killed many of the existing perennials. Early this spring, the field was burned to remove debris that would interfere with the next steps. A second spraying of herbicide was done after the seeds from last year’s annuals had sprouted, to eliminate competition with the planted seed. |
Next, the seedbed was prepared by discing, dragging with an old section of fence, followed by cultipacking (a cultipacker is a wide implement that creates shallow furrows in the soil for the seed to rest in). I had ordered $1,700 worth of prairie grass seed and native forbs (flowers, etc) of a genotype local to southern Michigan. We planted these by using a hand-cranked broadcast seeder, and finished with a final cultipacking run to press the seed into the soil. Problems encountered included getting the herbicide strength correct and seeding later in the season than was optimum. All in all it has been a satisfying experience, but will truly be rewarding when I see the field full of native grasses and flowers.
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Great Lakes Photo Tours
September 26, Sunday 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm
Cost: $10 required at pre-registration to the Stewardship Network; $69 to Great Lakes Photo Tours at the event
Location: Sharon Hills Nature Preserve, Legacy Land Conservancy
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
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2010 Goals and Progress
This year's program reflects the Raisin Cluster's initiative to expand stewardship skills training to include a focus on the contexts of place and time.
For the next few years, the Stewardship Network will be a partner in projects at two special sites-- the YMCA Storer Camps in Napoleon and a private site on Iron Creek (sites chosen in 2008). These two sites will host monthly work days and special events, open to all. The activities on those days will be driven by the needs of each site and will include observation and analysis of the dynamics of those unique places over time. Volunteers are encouraged to return often enough to see the subtle and complex effects of their work unfold.
Stories of these restoration and management efforts will be told here, at the Stewardship Network website. Visit it often to see what progress is made at each site, what challenges loom, what surprises emerge, and what natural processes confound the experts.
Meanwhile, you are also encouraged to visit the places we’ve listed under “Native Habitat Sites to See” to learn more about the fine and fabulous natural features of the River Raisin headwaters region and the people who care for the area.
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Native Habitat Sites to See
Raisin Cluster members are working all around the Raisin headwaters, under a variety of conditions and using diverse strategies to reach the common goal of increasing native habitat. Here are a few sites that welcome visitors and volunteers:
Ives Road Fen Preserve
Just south of Tecumseh
This 700-acre Nature Conservancy preserve contains more than 685 identified species of vascular plants, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, including some that are state species of special concern. There are three primary habitats: 100 acres of fen, 300 acres of floodplain forest next to the River Raisin, and 300 acres of upland, including 25 acres of planted prairie. Stewardship goals for the site: remove invasives and restore native plants and animals.
Access to this preserve is limited to field trips and volunteer workdays typically held at least once a month. If you are interested in participating, please visit The Nature Conservancy’s volunteer webpage, or send email to Rebecca Hagerman (rhagerman@tnc.org)
The Leonard Preserve
Union St., Manchester, 48158
The Leonard Preserve is the largest property in Washtenaw County’s system of Natural Areas Preservation Program preserves: 237 acres that protect nearly one mile of River Raisin shoreline. Located just northwest of the Village of Manchester, this diverse landscape includes floodplain forest, remnant prairie, dry-mesic southern forest, sedge meadow/shrub carr wetlands and old fields. Many species of plants and animals are found in the preserve due to this diversity of habitat, including some unusual and rare plants and animals.
The existence of such a variety of habitats, the flora and fauna found in them, and the stewardship needs of this property makes the Leonard Preserve rich with learning opportunities for volunteers. Park naturalists offer outdoor educational programming and conduct workdays at the Leonard Preserve at least a few times each year. Check the Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation website for current events or explore the preserve on your own, year-round, during daylight hours.
(www.ewashtenaw.org/government/departments/parks_recreation/)
The Sharon Hills Nature Preserve
Sharon Hollow Rd, Sharon Township
A Washtenaw Land Trust Preserve, this 67-acre natural area contains oak-hickory forest, kettle wetlands, open fields and remnant oak savanna, all representative of the Sharon Short Hills region. Its spectacular topography makes for exciting cross-country skiing, and reveals impressive views of the surrounding area.
To visit: Sharon Hillsis southwest of Ann Arbor in Sharon Township, on Sharon Hollow Road between Walker and Washburn Roads. From I-94, exit onto M-52 and go south to Grass Lake Road, go west to Sharon Hollow Road, and go south two miles. Look for the Land Trust signs on the east side of the road and park in the grassy parking area.
Landscape scale restoration is the ultimate threshold for ecosystem health and the Raisin headwaters are composed primarily of private land. The first four workshops will be on the privately held Kellum or Kolon properties. Subsequent workshops will move to other nearby locations if local participants are inspired to start their own projects. See private land stewardship in action and learn how to put it into practice on your own land. Bring your lunch if you want to have further discussion from 1 to 2 PM
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Raisin Cluster Participating Organizations
Raisin Valley Land Trust
The Lenawee Conservation District
YMCA Storer Camps
The City of Tecumseh
The Nature Conservancy
Washtenaw Land Trust
Michigan Department of Natural Resources State Parks Stewardship Unit and Land Owner Incentive Program
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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!
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