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Vernal Pools: Protecting, Monitoring, and Celebrating!

...pools, be sure to check out the Vernal Pool Patrol! Be sure to check out “Ephemeral”, a short film created by the Michigan Nature Association (MNA) about the wonders of vernal pools.   Sources: https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Indicator-Species-ID-Sheet-1.pdf https://vernal-pool-patrol-mnfi.hub.arcgis.com/ https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Vernal-Pool-Fairy-Shrimp#:~:text=Before%20the%20vernal%20pool%20dries,in%20such%20a%20temporary%20habitat. https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/2022/05/31/vernal-pools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdJDe3bA7j8  ...

How Do Michigan’s Animals Beat the Heat?

...the heat in your backyard? Check out these other Metroparks’ resources: What is Garden Ecology? Harnessing the potential of Lawns Rain Gardens- Putting your yard to work for you (and your community)! Sources:   https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2010/animals_beat_the_heat   https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/panting-pooping-8-weird-ways-animals-keep-cool-180952226/   https://www.audubon.org/news/how-help-birds-beat-heat  ...

Celebrate Michigan’s Tiniest Bird on National Hummingbird Day

...cooler fall weather, and our native plants benefit from the cold and freezing temperatures of winter. Get them planted before the first hard frost and you and your hummingbirds will celebrate come summer! Resources and more reading https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Ruby-throated_Hummingbird/id https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/feeding-hummingbirds/ https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/tiny-hummingbirds-incredible-migration/...

Water Footprints

...water seeps down into spaces underground. These aquifers also eventually feed the rest of the area’s exposed freshwater. Even in areas coated in asphalt and pavement, the water of gutters moves to storm drains and other channels with outlets to...

Kensington Metropark

4570 Huron River Parkway, Milford, MI 48381 (810) 227-8910 Park Hours: 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. Park Office Hours: 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. Park Fees: $10 Daily Vehicle or Boat Pass OR Annual Passes DETAILS Please be advised, construction...

Bird of the Week: Bald Eagle

...continued conservation efforts and federal protection. Visit https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/bald-eagle to learn more about the species. Check out the Cleveland Metroparks’ livestream nest cam at https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/about/conservation/natural-resources/bald-eagle-nest-livestream. Bald Eagles nest in a few of your Metroparks, so be on the lookout the next...

Fighting for the Great Lakes Coastal Wetland

...about some of our partners, please visit some of the following: The Michigan Natural Features Inventory – https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/communities/description/10671/great-lakes-marsh The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration – https://www.noaa.gov/ The Great Lakes Commission – https://www.glc.org/ St. Clair-Detroit River System Initiative (SCDRS) – https://scdrs.org/...

Metroparks Improves Access to Paddling at Kensington Metropark

...This project compliments additional paddling improvements the Metroparks are making in other areas of the Huron River. Learn more on the Metroparks blog at https://www.metroparks.com/metroparks-improving-access-to-paddling-along-the-huron-river-and-healing-its-headwaters/. From the West Boat Launch area, visitors can access the Huron River or Kent Lake...

Bird of the Week: American Crow

...example, crows can fasten tools, understand analogies, exercise self-control and like to play – all signs of what humans would call intelligence. This article from Natural Habitat Adventures has more about crow intelligence: https://www.nathab.com/blog/crows-are-as-intelligent-as-a-seven-year-old-child/ To hear crow calls visit: https://www.bird-sounds.net/american-crow/...

Bird of the Week: Baltimore Oriole

...inches deep, with a small opening on top and a bulging bottom chamber, where her eggs will rest. To find out more about how Baltimore Orioles build their hanging nests, visit https://www.audubon.org/news/how-orioles-build-those-incredible-hanging-nests To hear oriole songs and calls visit https://www.bird-sounds.net/baltimore-oriole/?type1648...

Bird of the Week: Common Yellowthroat

...Yellowthroat this spring and summer throughout your Metroparks and even your own backyard. Visit https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Common_Yellowthroat/sounds to listen to this warbler’s unique song. Check out https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/common-yellowthroat for more information on this bird and similar species. Common Yellowthroat (Female) Common Yellowthroat (Male)...

Bird of the Week: Tree Swallow

...are great insect eaters. If you place a nest box on your property, it is best to put up two, about ten feet apart. Nest box plans can be found here: https://www.audubon.org/news/how-build-bluebird-nest-box. To hear Tree Swallow songs and calls: https://www.bird-sounds.net/tree-swallow/....

Bird of the Week: Yellow Warbler

...two weeks of May. If you have a smartphone, consider downloading the free Merlin Bird ID app to try your hand at spring warbler identification. Www.allaboutbirds.org and www.ebird.org are also great resources to learn about native bird species. Happy birding!...

Climate Action in #YourMetroparks

...coming months. To read more about how phenological data is used to understand climate change: https://www.aldoleopold.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2013-paper.pdf To read more about climate change impacts people in Michigan: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/safety-injury-prev/environmental-health/topics/mitracking/climate-change#:~:text=The%20region%20has%20gotten%20warmer,patterns%20and%20more%20extreme%20events. To read more about climate change impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, and more: https://19january2017snapshot.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2016-09/documents/climate-change-mi.pdf...

George Washington Carver: Agricultural Scientist and Inventor

...career, yet still invented several techniques and products that pushed the boundaries. Crop rotation and his work with peanuts were some of the key factors in helping the South move away from their reliance on cotton production. Sources: https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/george-washington-carver https://www.britannica.com/biography/George-Washington-Carver...

Parks in Partnership Highlight: Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership

March 27, 2024 By Erin Parker, Interpretive Services Supervisor This article is part of a series intended to showcase some of our community partners in 2024 through occasional “Parks in Partnership” highlight articles. Erosion, poor water quality, reduced aquatic wildlife...
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