March 15, 2021 Big Trees: How to Measure, Track, and Manage Ted Reuschel and Jacqueline Corteau The Michigan Botanical Club developed and maintains the Michigan Big Tree Register. In tonight's program, Big Tree Program Coordinator Ted Reuschel describes how trees are nominated, measured, and certified for entry in the Big Tree Register, and how the register data is kept up to date. He will explain the factors affecting growth and leading to potential big tree status, and hence where new…

The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) is in year five of restoring the remnant lakeplain wet prairie at its Sibley Prairie Nature Preserve-West Prairie site in Brownstown Township. This presentation highlights the rare plants and obligate species found at the site, the restoration partnership with The Nature Conservancy's Oak Openings program, what the future could look like for this globally unique habitat, and the challenges and benefits of working to protect this declining natural community within an urban setting. Julie…

The Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy (SMLC) is in year five of restoring the remnant lakeplain wet prairie at its Sibley Prairie Nature Preserve - West Prairie site in Brownstown Township. This presentation highlights the rare plants and obligate species found at the site, the restoration partnership with The Nature Conservancy's Oak Openings program, and what the future could look like for this globally unique habitat; as well as the challenges and benefits of working to protect this declining natural community…

We're very excited to bring you a discussion of J. Drew Lanham's The Home Place. National Geographic wrote that Lanham's book is a "lyrical story about the power of the wild  synthesizes J. Drew Lanham’s own family history, geography, nature, and race into a compelling argument for conservation and resilience.” Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum is partnering with the Ypsilanti District Library in a community read program featuring books that portray the intersection of race and the environment. Two titles have…

Huron River Watershed Council has been conducting volunteer-led botanical and ecological assessments of privately owned natural areas throughout the watershed since 2008.  Come and hear from HRWC's Kris Olsson and Kate Laramie about what we’ve found and how citizen science can lead to protection of important ecosystems. Kris Olsson, HRWC Watershed Ecologists, specializes in natural areas assessment, GIS analysis, landscape ecology, and code and ordinance development. Kris earned two Masters of Science (resource ecology, natural resource policy) degrees at the…

Join ace birder Ben Lucking for a trip to Ecuador, a bird-rich country with diverse ecosystems. Ecuador has 1600 bird species and has more biodiversity per square kilometer than any country in the world. Ben found over 500 species, most of them lifers, during his recent trip. (A "lifer" is a bird that is seen and positively identified for the very first time by a birder.) His program will include many excellent photos. Ben was born in England but has…