The EIC is grateful for the support from

The Nicholson Family andu
In this issue:
  • Busy as Bees
  • Continuing the Vision Benefit
  • Upcoming Programs
  • Tales From the Trails: Big Birds
  • Recognizing Colleagues
  • Green Ways
Busy as Bees
It’s that time of year again when pollinators, like the many species of bees in Michigan, are out and about! In their search for pollen and nectar from flowers, these creatures are not just looking for a meal. In addition, they are helping to facilitate pollination between many flowering plant species, including many responsible for producing the fruits and vegetables that we eat. Without these amazing pollinators, our food supply would be in peril. 

Unfortunately, the numbers of pollinators that exist today are in decline, so we must educate ourselves about the importance of protecting these amazing pollinators. The UM-Dearborn is a member of Bee Campus USA, and the EIC has spearheaded a conservation program called the PolliNation Project, to help promote the use of insect hotels to support pollinators. 

This year, a project team of eight students from Professor David Susko’s Plant Ecology course collectively worked together to repair and update the Go Blue Insect Hotel. Pictured right are: Heba Zeibo, Nabeeha Ahmad, Hawraa Najaf, Zahraa Maadal, Rani Bazzi, Joseph Alaziz, Iman Aboumourad, and Hannah Jaafar.
Constructed in 2016, the hotel’s aging filler materials were replaced with fresh materials, such as pinecones, and sawn sections of bamboo. Wooden blocks, drilled on both sides with holes of varying diameters to mimic the cavities that are required by wood-nesting pollinators of different sizes, added habitat opportunities.
During the recent warm weather in the region, the Go Blue Insect Hotel was already welcoming dozens of insect visitors. So, the next time you go to the EIC or take a stroll around campus, consider paying a visit to the Go Blue Insect Hotel and welcome its many insect guests. (Video by David Susko)
Student Guest Contributor Iman Aboumourad
Continuing the Vision
An Interactive Experience to Benefit the EIC
Yellow daffodils and Siberian Squill (maize and blue colors!) in full bloom greeted the friends and supporters of the EIC at Fairlane: Home of Clara and Henry Ford last Friday where they gathered for a fundraising event to benefit the EIC. We thank the attendees, sponsors, donors, and volunteers who made the evening a success. More details to come in the next issue of our newsletter.
Upcoming Programs

They're Baaack...the birds AND
Public Bird Walks
Saturday, April 29, May 13, 20, and 27 from 8-10 am
Join Rick Simek on the trails to welcome the spring migrant back to the Environmental Study Area. Whether just passing through on migration or raising a "brood" or two here, this is an important bird habitat.
Spring Ephemeral Wildflower Walk
Saturday, May 13
10-11:30 am
Ephemeral means "lasting for a very short time," so we hope to "catch" a glimpse of these spring beauties before they fade into summer. Bring a hand lens, if you have one, for an up-close view of floral structures.
Summer Young Naturalist Program
Monday - Thursday
9:30 am -12 noon
Ages 7-9: July 17-20
Ages 10-11: July 10-13

Get your child outdoors and learning about nature! Led by UM-Dearborn student interpreters, this science-oriented program provides direct, hands-on learning in a beautiful natural setting. Session topics will include pond life, birds, insects and spiders, and frogs and turtles. The program fee is $60. Register online.
Sprouts Gardening Program for Children
Children ages 6-8 are invited to participate in another exciting season of gardening at the campus Community Organic Garden. The children will directly experience the joys of gardening as they plant, tend, and harvest their own vegetables. The gardeners will also have fun exploring soil, worms, composting, garden creatures, and pollination.
The cost of this program is $40 and children must be accompanied by an adult guardian at all the program sessions. Eight program sessions are planned, from 6 -7:30 pm on the following Tuesdays: 5/30, 6/6, 6/20,6/27, 7/11, 8/1, 8/15, 8/29. Register online.
Tales From the Trails: Big Birds
Look UP!
A couple of Bald Eagles have recently become the talk of quite a few visitors to the campus Environmental Study Area (ESA). A full adult eagle along with an immature bird are consistently being seen perched in trees along the edge of Fair Lane Lake. Check out the wonderful photos recently taken of the adult bird by Frank Iannello, a regular visitor to the ESA. Frank took the photos from the edge of Fair Lane Lake.
If you are interested in trying your hand at seeing an eagle as part of your day on campus, I recommend walking the Orchard Trail down to the lake edge and scanning from there. It's a five minute walk from the Environmental Interpretive Center. 

You will also want to look overhead for the unmistakable soaring figures of these birds. A six foot-wing span, massive bulk, and a large head and beak are your identification clues. 
Enjoy!
Rick Simek
Which of These Things is Not Like the Others...

The wild turkey resurgence in Michigan is one of the greatest wildlife conservation stories, according to the DNR. Not only have the wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) returned, but some of them look a little strange! Two turkeys have been sighted recently in the Natural Area that are missing some patches of dark color, leading to a “zebra-striped” appearance. These birds are affected by a condition called Leucism, which affects the color, or pigment, of their feathers.
At first glance, you may be thinking, “It’s an albino turkey!” Albinism and Leucism are similar, in that they both are genetic disorders of pigmentation. Albinism is a rare genetic disorder, where an animal’s cells do not produce any melanin at all. This causes hair and skin to be pale white or pink in color. It can also cause their eyes to appear pink or red, like the eyes of laboratory mice.
(Photo by Geoff Dickenson)

Leucism, on the other hand, is a more common disorder that reduces the deposition of pigments, rather than preventing their production. This means that leucistic animals can have a variety of different “missing” colors, or a “patchy” appearance.
There is debate as to whether leucism in birds is a genetic issue, or if it is caused by damage to pigment cells during development. Leucism isn’t an “illness” that directly harms an animal, but it can effect survival. Some animals that rely on a certain coloration to attract mates or camouflage for protection may be unable to find mates or more vulnerable to predators in this unique condition unique condition.
(Photo by Mike Solomon)

EIC staff member Mike Solomon
Recognizing Colleagues
UM-Dearborn Environmental Studies Honors Scholar
EIC staff member Mike Solomon received the Environmental Studies Honors Scholar award in recognition of his academic achievements. Mike graduated in December with a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies.

We call Mike the EIC's "Swiss Army Knife." As the Parkhurst Natural Areas Fellow, Mike has donned chest waders for stewardship activities in the Rose Garden Pond, overhauled the Children’s Garden and EIC Rain Garden, and other "glamorous activities."

Mike has also honed his chops in leadership and communication. Mike is now a Certified Interpretive Guide through the National Association for Interpretation (NAI). A teacher recently commented, "Our program leader, Mike, did an exceptional job of communicating high level ideas in such a way that allowed all students to fully understand what was being communicated.”
NAI Distinguished Professional Interpreter
EIC Program Manager Dorothy McLeer received the Distinguished Professional Interpreter Award from the National Association for Interpretation last month in Indiana. Nominated by UM-D alumni Griffin Bray, this is the highest honor awarded to one Great Lakes Region member who has worked in the profession for at least 5 years. Dorothy is celebrating 30 years in the interpretive profession.
Pictured from left to right, EIC founder Dr. Orin Gelderloos, Dorothy, and Griffin Bray.
Green Ways
Keeping grass green can be a difficult, expensive, and time-consuming task for homeowners during the spring, but there are a variety of ways to care for your yard that are both cheaper and more environmentally friendly. This can have beneficial effects you may never have considered.
The chemicals that are present in many synthetic fertilizers can be harmful to humans, pollinators, and other beneficial forms of wildlife. New York Times columnist Nancy Rankl recently wrote of this issue: "In most cases, my neighbors have no idea that they’ve signed a death warrant for nearly every insect in their yards. A poison meant to kill invertebrates will kill every invertebrate in the yard."
On the other hand, leaving or spreading grass clippings after mowing does much of the same work as fertilizers. When the grass breaks down, many of the nutrients that are necessary for growth are returned back into the soil. If further fertilizer is necessary, though, organic fertilizers are more favorable.
Rankl observed of her own yard, "We leave the leaves where they fall, and the leaves offer still more shelter for insects under the sheltering trees. There are fewer insects now anyway, despite my best efforts, but as spring gives way to summer, lightning bugs still rise up from our yard, blinking in the last light of day."
Additionally, watering a lawn often–especially daily–is an expensive and unnecessary task. It is best to water only on occasion, but allow the water to run for a longer amount of time. This way, the water is able to penetrate further into the soil, so the roots are hydrated more efficiently; it is also less costly and wastes less water. This should be done in the morning to prevent evaporation, which occurs under the afternoon sun. When rain is infrequent and the soil becomes dry a few inches into the ground, then it is time to water. 
Finally, weeds can be more of a benefit to a yard than a hindrance! Many weeds–such as dandelions and clovers–are visited by pollinators, which will often pollinate the rest of the garden. These weeds will also add nutrients back into the environment, which aids in plant growth throughout the lawn.

Valerie Osowski - EIC Parkhurst Fellow
Resources

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!