Getting Our Feet Wet, Virtually |
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One of the busiest locations within the entire 300-acre Environmental Study Area (ESA), especially during spring and summer, is usually Clara Ford’s former Rose Garden Reflecting Pond, designed by American rosarian Harriett Foote. As depicted in a historic photograph, this section of the Ford’s “backyard” was once the largest rose garden in the country, including architectural features bookending the garden’s three water features. The largest reflecting pond looks quite different today because nature has created an amazing resource for the study of aquatic ecosystems and benthic macroinvertebrates. The pond now houses a diverse collection of plants and animals that has been the focus of hands-on, experiential education programs for thousands of schoolchildren and families.
Due to Covid restrictions, we have been missing the ongoing arrival of school buses filled with eager participants unloading outside the EIC, many of whom are ordinarily heading to the Rose Garden for a Pond Study. Covid has technically not stopped our pond program, however. Like many other interpretive/education centers, we have entered the world of virtual programming. Thanks to our talented student staff, we have virtual programs available on our website. Our latest offering is a virtual pond program that began as an Independent Study project for Environmental Studies major (and now graduate!), Samantha Opolski.
Samantha became part of our staff during her enrollment in Dr. Orin Gelderloos’ famous Field Biology 320 course. The Pond Study is without question our most requested educational program, so Samantha is well versed in its delivery. Samantha collaborated with EIC full-time staff and UM-Dearborn videographer Rick Morrone to put all the pieces of this project together, such as writing and editing the science content, using her interpretive skills to develop a factual and engaging program, and going to the pond to facilitate a pond program for a virtual audience. Our learning curve was long and careful editing of the components of this project helped to make this a resource for audiences unable to travel to our campus, as well as a pre-field trip preparation resource for those who can visit in post-pandemic times.
So, get your feet wet on our virtual pond program without actually getting your feet wet!
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Are You Blue?
A sure sign of spring's arrival is the carpet of blue iin the Environmental Study Area! Siberian Squill "escaped" from Clara Ford's Blue Garden, planted near the Rose Garden next to the Henry Ford Estate, and now covers the woodlands along the Orchard Trail and unexpected patches in Dearborn.
Blue being Mrs. Ford's favorite color, Siberian Squill was part of this garden, as well as other flowers with blue-toned blossoms. Their origins are colder, Asian climates as their name reflects, and they are not popular with our native White-tailed Deer. Though pretty, this non-native bulb plant is challenging to manage in our southeast Michigan ecosystem.
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Save the Date--Happy 20th Anniversary to the EIC! |
On May 21, we will be recognizing the 20th Anniversary of our 2001 Grand Opening with a virtual celebration! As part of our celebration Dr. Orin Gelderloos will give his long-awaited, postponed Legacy Lecture, reflecting on a life and career well spent. Fear not! Orin is still hard at work exercising his ever present Sense of Wonder!
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You, Too, Can Be A Scientist!
Did you know that April is Citizen Science Month? The arrival of spring is a great time to look anew at changes we may take for granted or maybe have never previously noticed.
Look around your neighborhood to document your sightings. Reporting sightings is a neat way to connect with a network of like-minded people of various ages, interests, and expertise. This can be done individually or as a collective working towards one goal and there are lots of different web sites and apps through which to connect.
SciStarter offers a variety of options to get started on projects already in progress or a project of interest to you and your family. iNaturalist is a joint initiative between National Geographic and the California Academy of Sciences that shares your findings with scientific data repositories like the Global Biodiversity Information Facility to help scientists find and use your data. As they say, “Every observation can contribute to biodiversity science, from the rarest butterfly to the most common backyard weed. All you have to do is observe.”
These are just a few citizen science options for anyone interested in science to make contributions to our local and global communities in a time when “community” can take shape in many forms. Take a look in your own backyards and share with other interested folks what’s new in your neighborhood.
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In this time of social distancing, venturing outdoors and encountering nature is even more important. Our trails are accessible, 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! |
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Please stay safe, stay tuned, and stay engaged in learning activities while we eagerly wait for the opportunities to share experiences together. In the meantime, watch for our new online activities to satisfy your curiosity about the natural world. |
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Please remember...
The EIC Environmental Study Area is open daily from sunrise to sunset. When walking the trails, please follow Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s orders on social distancing, mask wearing and small groups. We would also 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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