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

See pictures of beautiful Ives Road Fen in late summer on the Stewardship Network's Facebook page- click here!

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