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In this issue:
- Welcome, Laura Mallard!
- "Wild" Neighbors
- Upcoming Programs
- Tales From the Trail
- Greenways: Autumn Composting
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Welcome, Laura!
Hello I am Laura Mallard, a newly hired administrative Assistant/ Office Manager and receptionist at the EIC! I have the privilege of joining the EIC team back at the beginning of September and am getting acclimated to my role and responsibilities here.
I create social media content and am getting our Instagram page established to promote all the great work that we do here with students at University of Michigan Dearborn.
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Over the past 5 years, I coordinated a local Non-Profit, Mom Co. in partnership with MOPS International. Before that, I was a certified middle school teacher in math and sciences. I live in Dearborn with my family, and when I'm not working I enjoy gardening, cooking and crafting. I look forward to meeting you on your next EIC visit! | |
October Opportunities, Outdoors! | |
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Wild Neighbors
Article and photographs by Dale Browne
Since 2017 the EIC has been my home-away-from-home, and I’ve had some incredible wildlife encounters over the years. So what do I do when I can’t be here? As it turns out, much the same thing - and you can too! In my own backyard I spend a lot of time exploring, and with a little effort you can also get to know your “wild neighbors.”
(Monarch caterpillar on swamp milkweed)
I have a particular love for birdwatching, and a visiting opossum or deer is very exciting, but you may be surprised to hear that my favorite neighbors are... bugs! They are plentiful, easy to find, and fascinating. Even if they give you “the ick”, give them a chance and you’ll find an incredible variety of species and behaviors. Here are some tips on how to get acquainted.
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Insects, spiders, and other arthropods need the same things we do in a good home - food, water, shelter, and space. Providing these things is easy and benefits other animals as well. Bugs can be found in almost any place; flip over logs, sit quietly near flowers, or look closely at the underside of a plant’s leaves. The types of bugs you find will be determined by their particular habitat needs and diet, so try several different approaches.
(Banded garden spider enjoying a meal!)
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Because bugs are so important to the diet of other creatures, their first defense is to hide from view, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t see anything right away. This Eastern Eyed Click Beetle (left) is always on the "look-out." Those big eyes are an illusion to ward off predators. When on their backs, they can "click" their thorax to flip over, right-side up!
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Another way they hide is to be active when predators are not, so nighttime is a great time to search. Grab a flashlight for a fun expedition! And if you really want to up your bug hunting game, try a blacklight (practice eye safety with this method) because many arthropods fluoresce or “glow” under UV light. | |
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Many insects make distinctive sounds to attract a mate, so use this to your advantage. Crickets, locusts, cicadas and katydids sing until hard frost sets in, which advertises their location. Although the urge may be hard to resist (I may be speaking for myself here), be a good neighbor and refrain from handling these creatures, even if you can identify them. The vast majority of Michigan bugs can do us no harm, but their delicate bodies can easily be injured by us.
If you don’t know what you’ve found, many resources exist to help including field guides, and smartphone apps. With their variety and resiliency, bugs can be found in any neighborhood, including yours. Look around your yard, visit a local park or come see us at the EIC and make some arthropod acquaintances!
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Take a Hike--at Night!
Friday Evening, October 27
7:30-9:00
Just for the fun of it, join the EIC Naturalists for a unique experience, exploring the Environmental Study Area at night. If you have a blacklight, bring it along and we'll try some of the fun things Dale Browne wrote about above. This program is suitable for "kids" of all ages.
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Detritus Detectives
(AKA get the dirt on soil)
Saturday, November 4th, 1:00-2:30 PM
Curious about the hustle and bustle happening below your feet? Come and find out some fascinating facts about soil! We will examine the different components of soil,
compare soil types using our senses, and observe interesting invertebrates that make
the soil their home! Maybe you’ll even get your hands a little dirty! This program is open
to all ages, meet at the EIC! Please register for this program
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2023 Fall Schedule: 2:00-2:45pm on October 16, November 6 & 20, December 4th (Last Walk & Celebration)
Focus on your mental health this fall by attending 45-minute guided walks through nature. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are invited to join!
These 45 minute strolls, hosted by Planet Blue Ambassadors, Counseling & Psychological Services Mental Health & Wellness Peer Educators, and the Environmental Interpretive Center, are meant to help you press pause on the chaos of life and reconnect with nature and your well-being.
EIC Parkhurst Natural Areas Fellow and Program Coordinator Alexis Kott will point out any interesting wildlife and natural phenomena encountered along the way and a Mental Health and Wellness Peer Educator from Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will share brief guided meditations and mental health check-ins. Meet inside the EIC.
Contact ankott@umich.edu for more information.
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Art in Nature, 2:00-3:00
October 23, November 13 & 27
Experience art outdoors with an EIC Naturalist and Artist! Guided nature walks include art demonstrations and tips. Meet inside the Environmental Interpretive Center, and bring your own art supplies. For more information or for supplies please email ankott@umich.edu.
Photography Walks, 2:00-3:00
October 11 & 25, November 8 & 22
Join EIC Naturalist and Nature Photographer on a guided nature walk. Bring your own cameras and accessories, we supply the scenery! Meet inside the Environmental Interpretive Center. For more information, or for accommodations, please email ankott@umich.edu.
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Military Affiliated-Nature Walk and Pizza!
On Wednesday October 25, from 5-6pm, the EIC and UM-Dearborn Veteran Services invite all Military-Affiliated community members to hangout, eat pizza, and enjoy a 30-minute walk through the environmental study area. Dress for the weather, food and drinks will be provided at 5pm, and the nature walk will begin at 5:30pm. Students, staff, and members of the public are all welcome. Meet at the EIC.
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For more information or for accommodations please email EIC Parkhurst Fellow Alexis Kott ankott@umich.edu. UM-Dearborn is named a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veteran-Friendly School program. | |
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Is Bird Migration Over Your Head? (You have no idea!)
Recently, a gap in data collection about migrating birds was closed. The Motus Tower is part of statewide network and can track tagged birds, bats, and, butterflies, according to a news release from the city of Ann Arbor. The data the tower collects provides researchers with insight into the animals' migration patterns and behaviors. (Photo courtesy American Bird Conservancy)
"It's part of a string of towers that stretch across the Lower Peninsula. Ann Arbor was actually the last gap in the string of towers to fill. So now there's coverage all across the Lower Peninsula," said Becky Hand, a stewardship specialist with the city of Ann Arbor.
Many scientists say migratory birds have been affected by climate patterns shifting in recent years, and certain species have arrived earlier or departed later from their seasonal breeding grounds. Motus towers can help track these changes.
"We've got a state-threatened Eastern whip-poor-will, we actually detected two of those, and state-endangered Kirtland's warbler (pictured above). Already, and it's only been a couple of weeks since we put the tower up."
Keep your eyes (and ears) on the skies!
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Speaking of Birds, Here's a "New Eagle!"
This past summer, local Boy Scout Ahmed Hammoud generously donated his time and effort toward sprucing up the UM-Dearborn Community Organic Garden. Ahmed designed, built, and supervised the installation of a wonderful new fence around one of the large plots at the garden.
Ahmed also raised all the funds for purchasing the lumber, fencing and other materials for the project. We commend Ahmend for a project well done, and congratulate him on his attainment of Eagle!
-Rick Simek
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Turnin' Nothin' Into Somethin': Part 2
As the blooming and harvesting seasons come to a close, you may be collecting a lot of yard waste. Rather than sending that away to your city’s waste facility, you can use these materials to process compost at your own home!
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Compost is created by mixing together food and plant wastes with a little bit of water and oxygen. Once the materials decompose, the nutrient-rich, soil-like compost can be spread in your garden to help your plants grow–just like any topsoil you can buy at the store! You can compost in something as easy as a pile or bucket, construct a classic three-section bin, or simply buy a compost tumbler.
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At the EIC’s Organic Community Garden, a system is currently being developed to help gardeners in over fifty gardening plots put their plant waste to use (left). Recently, volunteers from the garden sorted through a large pile of garden waste and organized it into five composting bins. Thanks to the efforts of these gardeners, this material will be converted into compost which will help their community and the environment!
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Though it may be done at a community level, composting can also be done on a smaller scale. The EIC utilizes two compost bins for the staff’s food scraps and plant wastes from the gardens surrounding the building. When schoolchildren visit the EIC for various programs, their scraps are also collected and composted in the tumblers. | |
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When your city picks up your yard waste, it is usually processed at a facility to be sold back to the public. So, rather than buying mulch and topsoil for your garden, you can save money by making it at home! In addition, nearly 120 million pounds of food is wasted each year in the U.S. Composting is an easy way to make that waste useful, while also helping your garden grow big and beautiful!
If you would like to learn more about how to compost at your own home, check out how composting can help fight climate change in five easy steps!
-Valerie Osowski--President, Student Sustainability Coalition
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Venturing outdoors and encountering nature is good for your health. Our trails are accessible, so please visit our Environmental Study Area. Stay engaged in learning activities and check out our Remote Learning Activities & Resources page for ideas to create a “Neighborhood Nature Journal” and “Family Nature Walk” activities!
We also hope to see you in person at our upcoming programs!
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Please remember...
The EIC Environmental Study Area is open daily from sunrise to sunset. We would like to remind nature-goers that fishing on site is prohibited and to leave bikes and dogs at home because they cause disruption and stress to the EIC wildlife.
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