Huron Valley Chapter
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2025 Field Trips
2025 Lecture Programs
2025 Grand Foray information
2025 Mini Foray Information
Ways to Join the Huron Valley Chapter
Advocacy Corner
HVC Mission
HVC Officers and Contacts
2025 Field Trips
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunity: Help with botanical surveys on UM Lands in Ann Arbor
I am writing on behalf of my students to ask for assistance with conducting botanical surveys on UM lands in Ann Arbor. If you’re willing to assist the students, please contact Camryn Brent (248-979-8024 or brentcam@umich.edu) to schedule a time to help.
As background information, one of the UM SEAS Capstone projects I am supervising is evaluating the ecological integrity of campus natural areas (undeveloped lands) as part of the university's conservation planning effort. The ecological survey the students are conducting includes compiling a plant list for each site. Because they have little formal training in plant identification, we are seeking assistance with the botanical surveys from MBS-HVC members. All of the survey sites are in Ann Arbor. If you’re willing to help, please contact Camryn Brent.
If you would like more information about the project, please reach out to Camryn or me.
Thanks for considering this request,
Mike Kost
Associate Curator, Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum
Lecturer, School for Environment and Sustainability
University of Michigan
michkost@umich.edu
Saturday, 31 May 2025. 10:00 AM
Sedges and Late Spring Flora at the Draper-Houston Preserve - Trip Leader: Anton Reznicek
The Draper-Houston Meadows preserve is just west of Milan with a diversity of habitats along a half mile of the Saline River. There are a couple of miles of trail, forming a nice loop. Along the river, there is a diverse floodplain forest with a variety of trees, including large stands of pawpaw, plus typical floodplain sedges. The wettest parts are silver maple bottoms, and open buttonbush wetlands, which will likely still be flooded. Upland from the floodplain, there are wooded slopes replete with wildflowers as well as stream valleys with a rich sedge and wildflower flora. At the far end of the preserve, there is a mature woodlot also with rare trees and interesting sedges.
Rivers are corridors for plants and animal migration, so we will see some southern plants that are generally uncommon in Michigan such as Kentucky coffee tree (Gynmnocladus dioicus), red mulberry (Morus rubra), pawpaw (Asimina triloba), four-angled ash (Fraxinus quadrangulata), and wahoo (Euonymus atropurpureus) and also southern sedges like Carex davisii and Carex frankii. Trails are flat or gently sloping, but may be muddy if it has recently rained. Depending on the season, there may be a few mosquitos. - Anton Reznicek
The parking lot address is 578 Mooreville road, Milan, MI 48160. Please feel free to reach out with any questions, or recommendations for future trips. I am hoping to have the schedule for the second half of the year figured out shortly.
Saturday, 7 June 2025. 10:00 AM
Saginaw Forest: A Focus on Physiography & Woody Plants – Robert Ayotte
Join us for an exploration of Saginaw Forest, a unique 80-acre research site owned and managed by the University of Michigan. The site played an important role in the establishment of the practice of Forestry in North America. The white pine plantation is the second oldest in the nation, and the first one on which silvicultural experiments were performed. Professor Filibert Roth, the founder of the UM Forestry school, is one of the fathers of the American conservation movement - which began at the turn 20th Century.
Our foray will focus on physiography (landforms and soils) and the current vegetative cover type to gain insights into the site’s ecological history. Saginaw Forest consists of 33 acres of conifer plantations and 14 acres of deciduous canopy. By studying these features, we will estimate the pre-European settlement forest ecosystem and assess the site’s ecological potential.
Notably, Saginaw Forest is home to one of only two known sites in the world where the rare Murray’s Birch (Betula murryana) grows. This species was first discovered and named by U-M forest ecologist Burt Barnes (Barnes & Dancik, 1985).
This excursion will be a preview of an anticipated lecture program by U-M facility managers, scheduled for our October meeting.
📍 Meeting Point: Saginaw Forest Trailhead behind Church 242 at 648 S. Wagner Rd, Ann Arbor, MI
🥾 Hiking Details: Expect to walk approximately 3 miles on mostly flat to gently rolling trails. We’ll be examining at least one soil pit and moving at a Forest Ecology pace.
Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with Michigan’s ecological history in a hands-on setting!
Saturday, 14 June 2025. 10:00 AM
Plants of Lefglen Preserve and Conservation Management – Trip Leader: Ayden Ehgotz
Lefglen Preserve is a 213-acre parcel owned and maintained by the Michigan Nature Association (MNA), located roughly 2.5 miles north of Napoleon, MI. It encompasses Mellen Camp Lake and contains natural communities such as dry and dry-mesic southern forest, prairie fen, rich tamarack swamp, and southern hardwood swamp.
We will begin our walk at the SOUTH entrance, where we’ll have a discussion on the conservation management that has occurred in the preserve and its purpose. We’ll also take a look at the plants growing in the fen and the rich tamarack swamp, where management has occurred for a number of years.
Members should plan to meet at the parking for Lefglen Preserve off of Wolf Lake Road (42.186168727681334, -84.22052715157305). Parking is quite limited at this location, so please carpool if possible. Additional parking is located at the county park to the north (42.190834980289, -84.22073388506415), but note that it is a slight walk from our meeting area. There is no sidewalk, so please exercise caution if walking to our meeting location!
We highly, highly recommend bringing mid-calf rubber boots (Muck brand or similar style) as we will try to enter the fen area to discuss a multitude of interesting plants. It is quite wet in the fen.
After experiencing the fen, we will carpool over to the northern entrance of Lefglen Preserve, where we will walk through a mix of dry-mesic southern forest and southern hardwood swamp. We’ll encounter plants such as narrow-leaved chickweed (Stellaria longifolia), blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica), Swan’s sedge (Carex swanii), and many other interesting plants.
Saturday, 28 June 2025. 10:00 AM
“Through the Seasons” - Summer at Nan Weston Preserve - Trip Leader: Bill Brodovich
Now, ushered on by an explosion of verdancy, we experience the third iteration of this year’s “Through the Seasons” experience. Please meet us at the parking area off of Easudes Road (42.18613113955541, -84.1105184101961), and plan to carpool if possible as parking is limited. According to our trip leader Bill Brodovich, “Nan Weston is one of the richest preserves in southeastern Michigan. It never disappoints”.
Walking will be over a combination of narrow boardwalk and rolling hills, and no more than a couple miles. Hiking boots, bugspray, and something to take notes with are all highly recommended!
Saturday, 12 July 2025. 10:00 AM
Riverbend Gardens and Oak Openings - Trip Leader: Wayne Oliver
Riverbend Gardens is a 65-acre private botanical garden, aviary, and family retreat established in July 2017 and founded by Wayne & Julie Oliver. The property contains unique natural features and a half mile of frontage on the River Raisin and is adjacent to the Leonard Preserve. According to Wayne,
“There are twelve gardens that make-up River Bend, with nine natural plant communities, and several glacial features in the landscape from kames, an out-wash plain, to a floodplain that includes a Buttonbush depression. In addition to the River Raisin, the property includes a 4 acre pond, two brooks, and over 30 natural springs.
While the trails are established, they are not completely groomed, the garden is not ADA compliant, nor is there a restroom present on the property.
After a discussion and Q&A, the guests will be free to walk the trails and experience the gardens at their own pace.”
We will park and meet at this coordinate (42.15335836130749, -84.04579059934771), where Wayne will be waiting to lead us through his property, and provide commentary. Please carpool if possible, as parking is limited.
Saturday, 16 August 2025. 10:00 AM
Wetland Plants at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve – Trip Leader: Travis Wilcox
Wetlands are critical landscape features that help to control and filter stormwater, prevent erosion, store carbon, and of course provide habitat for a multitude of animal and plant species. Join us at Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve, where we will explore a wetland unit managed by the Washtenaw County Parks, Natural Areas Preservation Program, with Stewardship Technician Travis Wilcox.
Watkins Lake State Park and County Preserve is over 1,100 acres of protected land nestled between Jackson and Washtenaw Counties and is comprised of a mixture of open grasslands, mixed oak woodlands and low open wetland areas. The open landscape within the park and preserve is critically important habitat for grassland bird species. A large part of the park, over 13%, is high-quality prairie fen (MNFI). We will also see areas of southern-wet meadow, and wet-mesic prairie.
The hike down to the wetland complex is roughly 1/3 mile down a gravel trail, however there are no trails in the wetland and boots are recommended (although there should be little standing water at this time). Parking is at this location (42.12978848245112, -84.13802937346644) off Arnold Road.
Saturday, 13 September, 2025. 10:00am
Aquatic Plants at Cedar Lake (Sylvan Township, MI) - Trip Leader: Amanda Klain
(Limited to 12 watercraft – sign-up link to be released at a later date)
Join us on a kayak and canoe event at Cedar Lake where Amanda Klain, (botanist with the Michigan Natural Features Inventory), leads us around the lake and discusses the aquatic vegetation that is has to offer.
“Light will be shed on these wondrous watery beings, and participants will have the opportunity to be up close and personal with the species growing in and around the waters of Cedar Lake. The class will focus on the emergent (emerging out of the water), submergent (underwater) and floating-leaf plants of Cedar Lake, as well as the plants along the lake edge. There will be some discussion on the general characteristics of lake systems and aquatic plants. There is a great diversity of plant species in Cedar Lakes. Some highlights include spike rush (Eleocharis robbinsii), horsetail spike rush (Eleocharis equisetoides), purple bladderwort (Utricularia purpurea), and many other bladderworts (Utricularia spp.)” — Amanda K.
We have decided to require a non-motorized watercraft and have limited the event to 12 watercrafts to provide the best (and safest) experience possible. Given the nature of the event, everyone is required to have a life jacket and must follow boating safety laws. Lastly, neither Amanda nor anyone at the Michigan Botanical Society, HVC, is responsible for your safety. However, if we all follow the aforementioned rules, there should not be any problems!
Saturday, 11 October, 2025. 10:00am - 12:00 pm
“Through the Seasons” - Fall Woodies at Nan Weston
Trip Leader: Neal Billetdeaux et. all!
The variety of plant communities at Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow reflects the amazing underlying geological diversity of the area. We will discuss the ecology of the area and fall is the best time of year to view the distinctive vegetative characteristics of woody plants. This trip will focus on trees and shrubs of rich mesic and lowland woods. We may also take a trip off-trail to look for cork elm or rock elm (Ulmus thomasii). Wear sturdy walking shoes and dress for the weather. There is a small parking lot and you can also park on the south side of Easudes Road, between the preserve sign and Jacob Road. Please be sure not to block any of the preserve neighbors’ driveways. These coordinates in your browser will take you right there: 42.1861, -84.1105. You can also find directions at the link below:
2025 Lecture Programs
Fourth Tuesdays at 7:00 pm (unless otherwise noted) at
Matthaei Botanical Gardens Auditorium
23 September 2025: Current Invasive Species Concerns in Southern Michigan - Dr. Shikha Singh
Join Dr. Singh for a discussion about some of the current invasive species challenges we face in both aquatic and terrestrial environments in the Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw region. We will learn how to identify a few invasives, how to prevent their spread, and how to report their occurrence.
Shikha Singh is the coordinator for the JLW CISMA (Jackson Lenawee Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area). She has a BSc. in Biology from University of Western Ontario, and her master's and PhD at Michigan State University from the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife. She has been working on Great Lakes environmental issues for 19+ years in the fields of water conservation and invasion biology. She works to assist residents and partners in identifying invasive species, providing management information, and how to prevent their spread to new areas. She also gives talks on strategies to increase accessibility and participation related to natural resources outreach and education. Outside of work, Shikha also enjoys nature photography, cooking and playing soccer.
28 October (TBD)
25 November: Environmental Toxidromes Part III: Bites and Envenomations - Robert Ayotte
What is a Toxidrome? Join Naturalist and retired Emergency Department Physician Assistant, Robert Ayotte, for a primer on potentially toxic exposures common to the Great Lakes Region. This is a 3-part series that focuses on; Part I Allergies and Rashes, Part II: Poisonings, and Part III Bites and Envenomations. Part III focuses on animal poisonings and envenomations with reference to caterpillars, ants, bee and wasp stings, spider and tick bites, scorpion stings, snake and turtle bites, and more. Throughout the series we review real emergency cases and track their management and outcomes.
Environmental Medicine is a very broad field which addresses temperature related conditions and injuries, elevation sickness, chemical toxins, lightning strikes, infectious diseases, as well as allergies/rashes, poisonings, bites, and envenomations. For more information see The American Academy of Environmental Medicine (AAEM) (aaemonline.org)
Robert Ayotte is a naturalist, and former Emergency Department Physician Assistant with 28 years of experience treating emergency patients in both Traverse City and Chelsea, MI.
The 2025 Grand Foray in Gladstone, MI
***Please note foray registration deadline is 18 June 2025***
The 2025 MBS Grand Foray will be held at the Terrace Bay Hotel in Gladstone, MI from July 7 through the 10th. It is being coordinated by the White Pine Chapter of the MBS. Enjoy Upper Michigan! There will be field trips to various natural areas daily, and natural history lectures in the evenings. A block of discounted rooms is available at the Terrace Bay Hotel - make your reservation asap!
The 2025 Mini Foray in Traverse City, MI
The Great Lakes Chapter will be hosting the 2025 Fall State Board Meeting and Mini-Foray on September 20th at the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s new Conservation Center on 3-Mile Road near East Bay in Traverse City. Expect a Saturday morning board meeting followed by guided hikes at nearby natural areas. There will be opportunities for additional hikes at Sleeping Bear Dunes on Sunday. There are a plethora of hotels and motels on the east side of Traverse City to choose from. If you prefer camping, unfortunately the Traverse City State Park will be closed for construction in September, but you could look into Timber Ridge Resort and Arbutus Lake State Forest Campground. More details to come!
Join the Huron Valley Chapter!
Member Benefits
The HVC Newsletter (Spring/Summer/Fall): We’ll keep you up to date on HVC Lectures, Field Trips, Field Trip Reports, and other happenings.
The HVC Listserv: Event announcements, reminders, and group discussion.
Admission to Lecture Programs: The lectures are held the last Tuesday of the month (January-April & Sept.-November) at the Auditorium of the University of Michigan’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens, 118 N. Dixboro Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48015. See above for current lecture schedule.
Admission to Field Trips: See above for current schedule. Some field trips have limited attendance.
The Arisaema: This Statewide Newsletter, issued by the MBS State Board will keep you apprised of the activities of all five chapters, officer elections at the state level, and updates on both the Grand and Petit Forays.
Subscription to the Great Lakes Botanist: A Journal of North American Botany (2 issues per year). The GLB is a peer reviewed journal that publishes papers on all aspects of the natural history of plants of North America north of Mexico, including systematics, floristics, ecology, conservation, botanical history, economic botany, ethnobotany, and ecosystem restoration. Plant groups include vascular plants, bryophytes, fungi, and algae. The journal maintains the Great Lakes region as one area of special focus. This region is defined as the entirety of the states and provinces bordering any of the Great Lakes: that is, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Ontario, Pennsylvania, and New York. The GLB welcomes students wishing to publish their research!
Advocacy Corner: Keep up on legislation and opportunities for public comment in our Advocacy Corner section (below)
An Opportunity to Help the Cause: We are looking for talented people willing to volunteer at both the Chapter and State Board levels. If you would like to make a contribution, please send a note to us at michiganbotanicalsociety at gmail.com. Currently, the MBS State Board seeks folks who are interested in working with any of the following: Archives, Treasury, Education & Outreach, Environmental Advocacy, and Webspace Design. Contact us at michiganbotanicalsociety at gmail.com
How to Join?
Join here! < This link will open in a new window.
You can also fill in a membership form and mail it in: Click here to access the membership form.
Or, you may attend a lecture and talk to our membership coordinator, in person!
Advocacy Corner
Welcome to the Advocacy Corner, where regular updates on Environmental Advocacy Initiatives/Legislation of interest to MBS members will be posted!
MBS Membership in MEC
Michigan Botanical Society (MBS) is a member of the Michigan Environmental Council (MEC), an environmental policy and advocacy organization. MEC acts as an organizing body to coordinate policy and legislative initiatives among over 100 participating environmental and conservation groups in Michigan. Their policy priorities focus on the following seven critical areas: Climate and Energy, Water, Land and Wildlife, Health and Justice, Transportation, Waste Reduction and Democracy and Good Governance.
Currently, MEC is working on the following environmental campaigns: Affordable Healthy Homes, Comprehensive Climate and Energy Reform, Statewide Septic Code, Rulemaking Restoration for EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy), Polluter Pay regulations, Cumulative (Industrial) Impacts Assessment, Transportation GHG (Green House Gas) Reduction, Michigan Bottle Deposit Reform and Critical Dunes protections.
Link to MEC website: Home - Michigan Environmental Council
Planned Activity
The Advocacy Corner will be reviewing and reporting on MEC activities of relevance to MBS and any “calls to action” that may prompt participation in initiatives or show of support for legislation via communications with our State Government in Lansing.
Other Organizations
Updates from other environmental organizations and initiatives will be highlighted to keep MBS informed and engaged as stakeholders in protecting our native plant communities. Land Conservancy, Natural Areas Preservation organizations, educational institutions and government organizations, among others, operate within the HVC area and statewide to preserve, protect, restore and provide educational opportunities for natural areas.
Current Issues of Interest:
Save the Arb! No Monorail impacting Nichols Arboretum!
The University of Michigan is proposing an elevated monorail (Campus Connector) that would facilitate commuting between Central, North and the Medical campuses in Ann Arbor. A proposed location of the monorail through and over areas of the Nichols Arboretum would have adverse effects on its ecological and historical significance as well as impact the experience of its users.
UPDATE (JUNE), GOOD NEWS!: Good news received in a recent communication from the University of Michigan (June 6, 2025) regarding their position on impacts to the Arboretum from the proposed Automated Transit System (Campus Connector). See Link below to UofM update including “What about the Arb?” Please read!! To quote:
“…U-M plans to only consider potential routes that would not pass through the Arb.”
UofM Automated Transit System Update
The Michigan Botanical Society, Huron Valley Chapter, submitted a letter to Santa J. Ono, President, University of Michigan expressing concern regarding the proposed Campus Connector project impacting the Nichols Arboretum. See the letter (Dated 4/4/25) from Neal Billetdeaux, our Chapter President, via the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xDp9y7tao59UYuLycRFxFq39uTORiP2K/view?usp=drive_link
Below is a link to a petition currently being circulated in order to add your voice to the request to reconsider this plan:
For additional information and background on this issue, please see the letter written by the former Director of the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum and professor emeritus, Bob Grese, to the President of the University of Michigan:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hIEIokzgacvh2TvleqGyZtLSF_PMp8aj/view
Neonicatinoid (Neonics) Pesticide Impacts
Neonicatinoid Pesticide (Neonics) use in U.S. Agriculture has been identified as having major impacts on insect populations and in particular, our pollinator species, effecting both agricultural crops and native plants. They have been described as one of the most ecologically destructive pesticides of our times and pose those same impacts here in Michigan. Information and action items on impacts of use of neonics on our State’s pollinators and the public health are included herein. Background information is provided via this link:
UPDATE (June):
A new report, “Neonicotinoid Pesticides in Michigan: Surface Water Contamination and Threats to Aquatic Ecosystems” has just been released on a study further illustrating the impacts to Michigan’s Ecosystems by these pesticides. Please see the link below to the MEC website page on this topic which includes a link to the full report:
Please consider signing a letter to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARP) expressing your concerns:
Tell MDARD: Protect Our Health, Pollinators, and Water from Toxic Neonic Pollution
Thanks!!
“Better Bottle Bill” proposed by the MEC:
The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) is proposing an update to Michigan’s current bottle bill to address the significant amount of non-carbonated beverage containers that are not covered by the current bill. Water bottles and containers for sports drinks, juices and others would be added to the bottle deposit and refund approach to keeping bottles and cans from littering our landscapes and ending up in landfills. Review of the current allocation of funds from unclaimed deposits as well as proposals to improve the return process are addressed.
You can add your name to the petition below to communicate to our legislators the need to update and improve the existing law:
Bottle Bill Petition - Michigan Environmental Council
For additional information you can visit the MEC website dedicated to this issue:
Better Bottle Bill - Michigan Environmental Council
- 6/24/25
The Mission of the Huron Valley Chapter of the MBS includes:
The preservation of native floras and their intrinsic native ecosystems.
the education of the public as regards the importance of the preservation of native floras and their intrinsic native ecosystems.
the sponsorship of research and publications on the floras and native ecosystems of the Great Lakes Region.
the sponsorship of legislation, in the State of Michigan, to establish sanctuaries for the preservation of native floras and their intrinsic native ecosystems.
stewardship of local sanctuaries managed for the preservation of native floras and their intrinsic native ecosystems.
cooperation between organizations whose aims are the establishment and stewardship of lands managed for, among other goals, the preservation of native floras and their intrinsic native ecosystems.
HVC Board members and Contacts (2025-2026)
President: Neal Billetdeaux
Vice President (Programs): Robert Ayotte - michiganbotanicalsociety at gmail.com
Secretary: Julie McLaughlin
Treasurer: Deborah LaForge
Directors at Large:
David Malmquist (HVC Newsletter)
Brad Ruhfel (Webspace Manager)
Ken Shaw (Facilities Coordinator)
Field Trip Coordinator: Christian Tibaudo
Nominations Chair: Neal Billetdeaux
Nominations Committee: all members!
Refreshments Chair: Allison Krueger
Immediate Past President: Anton Reznicek