Michigan Botanical Society,

Southwestern Chapter

The Southwestern Chapter, based in Kalamazoo, serves amateur and professional botanists and nature enthusiasts in the southwest corner of Michigan.

Conservation of Imperiled Insects

Logan Rowe

Conservation Associate - Zoologist

Michigan Natural Features Inventory

Monday April 20, 2026 @ 7:00 PM (Socializing begins at 6:30)

Western Michigan University, 2708 Wood Hall, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009

Many of Michigan’s rarest inset species rely on native plant species for foraging resources during their larval or adult stage. I will provide an overview of rare insect species found in Michigan and highlight their close associations with native plants. I will discuss interesting insect life histories and provide examples of ongoing conservation efforts and partnerships that aim to improve populations of rare insects at both local and landscape scales. Together we will explore multiple taxa, including bumble bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and more.

 Logan Rowe is a Conservation Associate with MNFI and works primarily with rare and declining insects in Michigan. He received his BS from Western Michigan University (2012), his MS from Michigan State University (2017), and has spent the past 8 years committed to the conservation of imperiled insects and their associated habitats.

 All indoor programs are at Western Michigan University, 2708 Wood Hall, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49009. Socializing begins at 6:30 pm and the programs begin at 7:00 pm. Non-members are always welcome to join us for programs and field trips.

2025-2026 Winter Schedule

Field Trips

During the warmer months, the Southwestern Chapter organizes field trips to some of the most spectacular natural sites in southwestern Michigan, many of which are not open to the public. 

Meetings

Meetings occur in November, January, February, March & April, on the 3rd Monday of the month at the Western Michigan University, 2708 Wood Hall, 1903 West Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49009. Socializing begins at 6:30 PM and the presentation starts at 7:00 PM.

Membership

As members, you may attend field trips to some of the most spectacular natural sites in southwestern Michigan, many of which are not open to the public.  During colder weather, we have monthly meetings featuring presentations on botanical, ecological and conservation subjects.  Members also receive a subscribe to the peer-reviewed journal, The Great Lakes Botanist, a Journal of North American Botany, which is published twice a year and a subscription to the spring and fall newsletter Arisaema. 

Follow the Southwestern Chapter

Join the Southwestern Chapter

Use this link for the easy online payment. A small convenience fee of 3.5% will be added to your payment through the Cheddar-Up platform.

2026 Southwestern Chapter Officers

Officers

President: Joe Trapp: mbs-swc@michiganbotanicalsociety.org

Vice President: Michael Dombos: swc-vp@michiganbotanicalsociety.org

Secretary : Abbie Bristol: swc-secretary@michiganbotanicalsociety.org

Treasurer: Chuck Jordan: swc-treasuruer@michiganbotanicalsociety.org

Directors at Large

Michael Dombos: swc-vp@michiganbotanicalsociety.org

Abbie Bristol: sec-secretary@michiganbotanicalsociety.org

Connor Nussbaum: swc-dl3@michiganbotanicalsociety.org

Useful Links

Michigan Botanical Society

The Great Lakes Botanist https://journals.publishing.umich.edu/glbot/

The Michigan Botanist (1962-2006) https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000497763

Winter Wildflowers: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~ldnum/WinterWildflowers%281973%29dblpgs.pdf

University of Michigan Herbarium https://michiganflora.net/home.aspx

State of Michigan

Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/services

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) https://www.michigan.gov/dnr

Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) https://www.michigan.gov/egle

MSU Extension Service https://www.canr.msu.edu/outreach/

 W.K. Kellogg Biological Station (KBS)  https://www.kbs.msu.edu/

 Kellogg Bird Sanctuary http://birdsanctuary.kbs.msu.edu/

Conservation

Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy (SWMLC) https://swmlc.org/

Michigan Nature Association (MNA) https://www.michigannature.org/

Chikaming Open Lands https://chikamingopenlands.org/

The Nature Conservancy https://www.nature.org/en-us/

Michigan Audubon https://www.michiganaudubon.org/

Land Conservancy of West Michigan https://naturenearby.org/

Michigan Wetlands Association https://miwetlands.org/

Michigan Prescribed Fire Council https://www.firecouncil.org/

Wild Flower Association of Michigan https://wildflowersmich.org/

Michigan Lakes and Stream Association (MLSA) https://mymlsa.org/

Kalamazoo River Watershed Council (KRWC) https://kalamazooriver.org/

Conservation Districts

Michigan Association of Conservation Districts https://www.macd.org/

Allegan Conservation District https://www.allegancd.org/

Barry Conservation District https://www.barrycd.org/

Berrien Conservation District https://www.berriencd.org/

Calhoun Conservation District https://www.calhouncd.org/

Cass Conservation District https://cassccdistrict.org/

Kalamazoo Conservation District https://www.kalamazooconservation.org/

St Joseph Conservation District https://stjoecountycd.com/

Van Buren Conservation District https://vanburencd.org/

Invasive Species & Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas (CISMA)

Michigan Invasive Species https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/take-action/local-resources/view-cisma-locations-as-a-list

Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) https://www.misin.msu.edu/

Barry, Calhoun & Kalmazoo CISMA contact: bckcisma@gmail.com

SW x SW Corner CISMA https://vanburencd.org/invasive-species/

Southern Michigan IST https://stjoecountycd.com/smist-cisma#:~:text=Southern%20Michigan%20Invasive%20Species%20Team,a%20multitude%20of%20regional%20partners.

West Michigan CISMA https://wmconservation.net/

Nature Centers

Kalamazoo Nature Center https://naturecenter.org/

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute https://cedarcreekinstitute.org/

Whitehouse Nature Center https://www.albion.edu/about/our-campus/whitehouse-nature-center/

Sarett Nature Center https://sarett.org/

Native Plants & Gardens

Kalamazoo Area Wild Ones (KAWO) https://kalamazoo.wildones.org/

Hidden Savanna Nursery https://www.hiddensavanna.com/

Adjacent

Michigan Entomological Society https://www.michentsoc.org/

Indiana Native Plant Society https://indiananativeplants.org/