In this issue:
  • EIC staff contribute to new book about the Rouge River
  • Upcoming programs
  • Meet the Holland Family Intern
  • Recent happenings & opportunities
  • Tales From the Trails
A River Runs Through It
There are authors among us. In a new book, Rouge River Revived, published by University of Michigan Press, a number of individuals and organizations associated with the Rouge River have contributed chapters to tell the stories of this historic river.

Edited by Dr. John Hartig*, visiting scholar at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research of University of Windsor, and Jim Graham, former executive director of Friends of the Rouge, this book includes writings on the history, ecological functions, and human associations with the Rouge from some familiar names, including Dr. Orin Gelderloos, Dorothy McLeer, and Rick Simek!
William Clay Ford, Jr., writes in the book's forward about the Rouge and its importance to his great-grandfather Henry Ford's industrial accomplishments, and the effects of industrialization and development on the health of the river over time: "What impresses me about this effort today is that we have not only a cleaner river, but also a more educated and engaged citizenry and a growing sense of community pride...I commend this book to you as proof that river revival is possible when communities are committed to making the world a better place, and I encourage you to get involved in caring for the watershed you call home."

*Dr. Hartig is speaking about the book on Sunday, October 23rd – 4 PM at the Hickory Island Pavilion on Grosse Ile. For more information contact John H. Hartig at johnhartig1@gmail.com
Upcoming Programs
Fall Color Foray
Saturday, October 22, 10:00-11:30 AM
Celebrate the change of season on a guided exploratory stroll through the various forests in the Environmental Study Area (ESA), including the mature Beech-Maple forest in full autumn splendor. Binoculars can help you see the leaves high in the canopy--and maybe a few late migrating birds fueling up before their long distance flights.
Whooooo's There....?
Friday, November 11
7:00-9:00 PM, participants 9 years and up
The Environmental Study Area is home to several owl species, big and small, as well as migrating owls. Fall and early winter is courtship time for local owl species and the way to find a mate and secure a territory is to vocally announce your presence. We'll take a page from the owls' book and send out a neighborly "hello" into the night. We'll see who gives a hoot and responds to our calls.
Meet Alexis Kott!
As the EIC's Holland Family Intern, Alexis Kott helps lead environmental programs for school classes. She is also hard at work with Director Claudia Walters updating the EIC website, developing graphic materials (flyers, posters, developing signage), helping re-envision the exhibit area and more.

Before she started her internship, Alexis Kott helped lead the Children’s Gardening program and assisted with a summer science camp. In addition, she has been helping maintain the sensory garden and the rain garden, as well as helping collect honey and maintaining the hives in the honeybee yard.
Her newest contribution to the EIC begins on October 18th. Alexis has been working with UM-D Counseling and Psychological Services Peer Educators to organize Nature Walks for Mental Health.

Alexis is an Urban and Regional Studies major with a concentration in Environment, Design and Space, minoring in Applied Art.
Recent Happenings and Opportunities
Tiny Turtle Time!
Several small hatchling snapping turtles have turned up recently during our outdoor activities. Snapping turtles from the ESA typically lay their eggs in May and June. Mature females are often encountered on hot humid days, well away from the water, as they dig their nests.

On average, it takes 80-90 days for the eggs to hatch. If all goes well for this little snapper, it could live for decades and grow much too big and heavy to rest in the palm of a hand. Fortunately, for it and other snappers in the ESA, Fair Lane Lake has ample resources it needs to survive, and thrive. 

EIC staff member Alexis Kott moved this little turtle off the road before sending it on its way.
Hey, Punkin'!
We have entered the competitive arena of giant vegetables, thanks to UM-D & EIC alumnus-now faculty member--Dr. Jeff Boutain. Jeff and his friends have grown some amazing squashes and he has proposed a contest to guess how many seeds are contained inside the 95 pound pumpkin and the 70+ pound Marrow squash. The contestant list is "growing" daily and those who guess closest to the number, ala "The Price is Right," will receive a share of the seeds to continue this tradition! We'll let you know the results when the contents are revealed.
More than vegetables were growing in the Children's Garden!
(Children's Garden Program Coordinator Dale Browne reflects on another successful "growing season.")
On September 27, we held the final meeting of our Children’s Gardening program in the Community Organic Garden. It was hot and dry summer (when it wasn’t pouring), which made gardening difficult, but our little gardeners rose to the challenge!

Now that the guided sessions are over, gardeners have the option to continue using their skills through the fall while they maintain their plots and harvest crops. We’re seeing some massive tomatoes starting to turn red, carrots are plumping, and watermelon flowers are forming the cutest tiny fruits.
One of our best sessions was a lesson on using our senses to determine when these veggies will be ready to harvest. “How many can you come up with? Think about the tomato; we can use our eyes to check for color, and our sense of touch to check for a tomato that is getting softer but still a bit firm. We can even smell a tomato get sweeter as it ripens! We can try a radish or piece of arugula to make sure it doesn’t taste too spicy or bitter as they tend to do when over-ripe.”

But what about our sense of hearing?

 I thought I would stump the students with this one, but I was wrong. One of our young gardeners remembered that his mother will knock on a watermelon in the store to see if it sounds right; and he was sure it would work with the ones he is growing too! We were lucky to have such observant and eager gardeners in the program this summer and we know they’ll never stop growing!
(Photos by Alexis Kott & Dale Browne)
Lend a hand on Stewardship Saturdays that take place from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm on the third Saturday of the month. Pick one or more days to come out and help.

This year-round, ongoing effort will help address the many threats posed by various invasive plants to habitat health and quality. Each month will bring opportunities for removal of various invasive plants according to current best management practices, etc.

Children must be at least 10 years of age to participate. For more information or to register for Stewardship Saturdays, please contact Rick Simek, the EIC Natural Areas Manager, at rsimek@umich.edu or call 313-583-6371.
Tales From the Trails
Asters: The Flowering Stars of Autumn
There is an exceptionally abundant display of blooms of plants in the Aster family (Asteraceae) in the Environmental Study Area (ESA) this fall. The name Aster, Greek for “star”, reflects the star-like appearance of the flowers. At least a half dozen aster species are currently in peak flower in the ESA. Especially large and dense masses of these are currently in bloom along both sides of Jensen’s Meadow, just north of the south end of Fair Lane Lake. (Photo courtesy of Monticello)
Aster identification can be tricky. Differences among species can be subtle. This aster identification site covering the asters in Ontario can be a great guide for starting your aster-watching journey. Visit a patch of asters in flower in the ESA on a warm, sunny afternoon, and you are likely to see a wonderful array of native insect pollinators. Fall-blooming asters serve as an important “last call” of the season for nectar and pollen for bumblebees, solitary bees, honeybees, and syrphid (hover) flies(Photo by Roger Rittmaster)
This year’s super-bloom of asters in the ESA may be related to the recent deer cull conducted in the ESA. Asters are a favorite deer browse. The reduced deer density in the ESA Is likely providing a much-needed boost to native pollinators and other aster-associated fauna.
If you wish to do some late season aster gazing, the next couple of weeks should offer some good opportunities. Enjoy!
-Rick Simek (Photo by Rick Simek)


Venturing outdoors and encountering nature is good for your health. Our trails are accessible daily from sunrise to sunset, so please visit our Environmental Study Area. Check out our Remote Learning Activities & Resources page for ideas to create a “Neighborhood Nature Journal” and “Family Nature Walk” activities!