MICHIGAN BOTANICAL SOCIETY
SOUTHWESTERN CHAPTER FIELD TRIP
Dry-Mesic Northern Forest At Turner Creek Forest in Barry State Game Area
With Ben Savoie, District Forester for Allegan, Barry & Ottawa Counties
Michigan Association of Conservation Districts
Saturday June 29, 2024, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
The Barry State Game Area is just over 16,600 acres dominated by oak and mixed forest and includes wetlands, lakes, and grasslands. On this field trip, we’ll visit the Turner Creek Forest, an unusual southern example of a dry-mesic northern forest. Dry-mesic northern forest is a pine or pine-hardwood forest type of generally dry-mesic sites located mostly north of the transition zone. The community historically originated in the wake of catastrophic fire and was maintained by frequent, low-intensity ground fires.
White pine (Pinus strobus) is nearly always a dominant or important canopy species within this forest type, often forming a ‘supercanopy’ above other tree species. Red pine (Pinus resinosa) and hemlock (Tsuga canadensis) are frequently present and occasionally codominant with white pine in the canopy.
Hardwood associates include white oak (Quercus alba), black oak (Q. velutina), red oak (Q. rubra), and red maple (Acer rubrum). Paper birch (Betula papyrifera), aspen (Populus tremuloides and P. grandidentata), and balsam poplar (P. balsamifera) are also common in the overstory. Balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and white spruce (Picea glauca) are often present in the subcanopy, especially in fire-suppressed systems.
Hiking will be slow with no trails, and some steep hills. Insect repellent, sunscreen, water as well as suitable clothing are suggested. The trip difficulty level is rated moderate.
Ben Savoie earned a B.S. in Forestry from Michigan State University, specializing in Resource Management. He has spent 8 years as the District Forester for Barry, Allegan, and Ottawa conservation districts. As District Forester, he helps people understand what is on their land as well as come to decisions on how to manage it. He is passionate about community involvement in ecological restoration and improving public knowledge on conservation management.
Directions. We will meet at the intersection of Bowen's Mill Road and S. Bassett Lake Road in Yankee Springs Township. The coordinates are 42.653084, -85.471672. From the Kalamazoo area, take US-131 north to M-179 (Gun Lake Casino) and turn right (east). Go 10 miles to S. Bassett Lake Rd and turn left (north). Go 1 mile to the intersection of S. Bassett Lake Rd and Bowen’s Mill Road.