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| Nature Preserve Update - Mud Alert! |
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The muddy season is upon us!
SMLC has closed the trail at Jack R. Smiley Nature Preserve due to extensive flooding and mud. Please help us keep our trails in good shape for everyone to enjoy by staying off the trails when they are muddy. If you do encounter mud on our open trails, please hike through it and not around as this tramples vegetation, creates a wider trail, more erosion, and more mud!
We also still have significant ice on shaded portions of our trails.
Thanks so much to our volunteer Preserve Watchers who keep an eye on conditions at our nature preserves! |
We're Hiring for Summer 2019! Stewardship Field Assistant Position Now Open
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| The Stewardship Field Assistant will work with the Stewardship & Outreach Specialist and volunteers on land stewardship projects and tasks. This person will work primarily in the Superior Greenway in Superior Township, with occasional projects at nature preserves in Oakland, Livingston, and Wayne Counties.
Click here for the full job posting and information on how to apply! |
 Crew Hiking by Taylor Myatt |
"Southeast Michigan: a beautiful place where people and nature
coexist in healthy, sustainable balance."
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SMLC's vision statement expresses how we feel about this special place we call home. Preserving natural areas and farmlands is good for all of us. SMLC is doing our part: more than 3,400 acres have been protected in this region through our efforts. You too can do your part by giving to the SMLC "We Care" Campaign.
To make a safe and secure online donation to SMLC, click here
To download a printable form you can mail to our office along with your personal check made payable to "Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy" click here.
You can continue the momentum and help SMLC become even stronger:
Click here to read SMLC's
latest
appeal letter (PDF)
Click here to read our Fall 2018 Landmarks newsletter (PDF)
Springhill Nature Preserve, Superior Greenway, Washtenaw County.
Photo by Charles Scott
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Rare Grassland Birds at Conservancy Farm
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SMLC has been thrilled to report a number of rare grassland bird species that have taken up residence in the grassland at the Conservancy Farm the past few years. Bobolink, Dickcissel, Eastern Bluebird, Sedge Wren, Savannah Sparrow, Clay-colored Sparrow, and the state-endangered Henslow's Sparrow were seen and heard throughout the breeding season last year. The Bobolinks, Bluebirds, and Savannah Sparrows have returned this year, and we're keeping an eye out for any other species that may still pop up. Over the winter, a few Short-eared Owls took up residence along with the occasional Northern Harrier, and many other raptors can often be seen in the area.
Less than 1% of Michigan's native prairie remains in the state, so we're thrilled to see our management efforts provide these birds with suitable habitat. Historically, the grassland was maintained as a hay field harvested by local farmers. With the arrival of these special birds last year, however, we have postponed mowing of the fields until September to give them a safe haven to finish breeding and increase their populations.
The Conservancy Farm is open for all to enjoy dawn to dusk, so please come out to see these special birds... but hurry, they'll be headed south for the winter before we know it! Stop in the SMLC office to say hi and get some birding tips from staff.
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Henslow's Sparrow at the Conservancy Farm.
Photo by Andy Dettling. |
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Dixboro United Methodist Volunteers did an AWESOME job removing invasive buckthorn at LeFurge Woods Nature Preserve. Summer is a great time to combat invasive species.
Ask SMLC how you can help. Photo by T. Myatt
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SMLC Stewardship News
Volunteers help SMLC in many important ways. You can continue the progress of natural community care and restoration! Individuals or groups are welcome to pitch in - please let us know how you would like to help.
If you would like to volunteer with SMLC
call 734.484.6565
or email us: jmclaughlin@smlcland.org to find out how you can help.
Be sure your email address is on the SMLC Events email list to get event notification of upcoming conservancy news, events, and volunteer opportunities.
It's easy, just send an email to: info@smlcland.org.
(Note that SMLC never gives or sells personal info to anyone).
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Sign up for SMLC Events, keep up with the latest SMLC news, and hear stories about the benefit of SMLC's work at our new Facebook page. If you are new to Facebook, signup is free. If you are already on Facebook, you know what to do - "like" us and see what's new at SMLC. |
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Lots of Downy Woodpeckers make Superior Township their home. Photo by Charles Scott 