In this issue:

• Poison Ivy and Climate Change
• Pollinator Photo Contest
• Upcoming Programs
• Partner Events
• Tales From the Trail: Makin' Nothin' Into Somethin'
• Greenways: Hail the Monarchs!

Why does CO2 make poison ivy go wild? “When carbon dioxide increases, vines are able to respond more, in part [because] they don’t need to make wood,” explains Lewis Ziska, a biologist at Columbia University. “They glom on to what other trees are there,” he says, and “convert more of that carbon into leaves and stems.” Another rhyme to remember applies to this mature woody poison ivy vine: "If it looks like a rope, don't be a dope."

The plant also produced a more allergenic form of urushiol in the future-climate scenario, with an altered amount of saturated carbon-carbon bonds that make it more likely to cause painful rashes, Ziska says.

Poison ivy has the potential to benefit from this global, human-caused phenomenon. Scientists expect that this three-leafed vine will take full advantage of warmer temperatures and rising levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to grow faster and bigger — and become even more toxic.

Migrating birds in the fall, like this Yellow-rumped Warbler, eat some of the berries; however they feed mostly on high quality fruits, those with a high fat content. This leaves berries for the winter resident bird species to feed on when other foods are scarce. (Photo by Jim McCormac)

As always, the challenge is to find the balance in an ever changing world.

-Dorothy McLeer

Fall Bird Walks

8:00-10:00 AM with Rick Simek

Saturdays, Sept. 16, 23, 30, Oct. 7

Migratory birds are heading back to their southerly homes. Catch the waves of warblers and thrushes as they fuel up on the fall harvest of berries and bugs. Binoculars are recommended but not required. Ages 10 and older.

(Wilson's Warbler [male] photo by Alexander Viduetsky)

Spiders by Moonlight (and flashlights)

Friday, Sept. 22

7:00-9:00 PM

Peering into the darkness with flashlights, the silken snares spun by local spiders reveal 8-legged architects hoping for 6-legged protein. September is spider time, so grab your flashlights and join us on the trails for a glimpse into the world of these fiber artists. All ages are welcome. Please register for this program.

This is the second in a series of nighttime walks.

(Cross Spider photo courtesy of UW-Milwaukee)

Homeschool High School Field Biology Program to Start Soon!

Homeschooled students ages 14-18 who enjoy observing and studying wildlife are invited and encouraged to participate in this exciting and in-depth field biology experience. 

In a 9 month series of Friday morning (9:30-noon) sessions, activities include:

• Accompanying a professional naturalist to explore natural habitats within the beautiful UM-Dearborn Environmental Study Area.
• Developing nature observation skills.
• Tracking changes in nature through fall, winter, spring, and early summer in a field notebook.

Potential participants are expected to submit an application, along with a personal letter of interest, no later than September 15.

For more information, please contact Rick Simek.

2023 Fall Schedule: 2:00-2:45pm on September 18, October 2 & 16, November 6 & 20, December 4^th (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 [email protected] for more information. 

Art in Nature, 2:00-3:00

September 11 & 25, October 9 & 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 [email protected]. 

Photography Walks, 2:00-3:00

September 13 & 27, 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 [email protected].

Military-Affiliated Nature Walk & Lunch 

Wednesday September 20^th 3-5pm, at the EIC

Hosted by the Environmental Interpretive Center (EIC) and UM-Dearborn Veteran Services, all veterans and family members are invited to spend time outdoors together, eat pizza, and relax on a guided nature walk at the EIC. For more information, please contact Alexis Kott ([email protected]) or Tom Pitock ([email protected]). 

Please RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/Nature20

UM-Dearborn is named a Gold-Level Veteran-Friendly School by the Michigan Veteran-Friendly School program.

Join fellow stargazers of all ages at these free, open-to-the-public events. Check the observatory's homepage one hour before the event to confirm suitable viewing and weather conditions. View the event listing.

Eagle Scout Eamon Kennedy

Turnin' Nothin' Into Somethin'

This past spring, local Boy Scout Eamon Kennedy generously donated his time and effort to design, build, and supervise the installation of a wonderful new compost bin the UM-Dearborn Community Organic Garden. Eamon also raised all the funds for purchasing the lumber and other materials for the bin.

The bins have added a substantial amount of space for garden compost while also furthering the development of a more systematic composting system at the site. We commend Eamon for a project well done, and congratulate him on his attainment of Eagle!

Hail the Monarchs!

As summer gradually turns into fall, many species are preparing to migrate towards warmer climates. One of these species is the Monarch Butterfly, which will breed throughout the next few weeks before traveling south from Michigan to Mexico, California, and Florida for the winter. Monarchs are well-known for their beauty, but also their struggle to survive due to habitat loss and deadly insecticides.

Monarchs need certain wildflowers for their survival, especially native Milkweeds, which are necessary for the butterflies to lay their eggs. Other plants, such as Butterfly Weed, Joe Pye Weed, Purple Coneflower, and some species of Aster are preferred by Monarchs for feeding. This month is ideal for plants to grow roots and establish before the cold months; so, if you start planting now, your garden could be filled with beautiful native flowers and happy Monarch butterflies by springtime!

You can also help Monarch butterflies by avoiding use of pesticides in your yard. If you are unable to eliminate all insecticides in your garden, try reducing the amount you use and only using organic insecticides. 

The EIC is a designated Monarch Way Station. Monarch Waystations are places that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. Without milkweeds throughout their spring and summer breeding areas in North America, monarchs would not be able to produce the successive generations that culminate in the migration each fall.