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Saturday, May 5, 12 pm – 1 pm  Gourmet Garlic Mustard with Suz McLaughlin  Recommended for all ages //  Trinity Lutheran Church, 955 James Street, Frankfort, MI  Join Suz McLaughlin, Benzie’s own Julia Child for a culinary treat after the “Looking Beyond the Landscape” presentation.  Participants will sample a variety of prepared garlic mustard recipes.  For more information, call Kathy at GTRLC at 231-929-7911.  $5 suggested donation.  This is a program of the 2012 Plant Heritage Week and is presented by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. 

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Tuesday, May 8, 9 am – 12 pm  Invasive Shrub Removal Training at Railroad Point Nature Preserve  Recommended for adults // Beulah Village Park, Downtown Beulah next to the beach.  Have invasive shrubs taken over you property?  Want to give native trees and wildflowers a fighting chance?  From Beulah, we will go to the Railroad Point Nature Preserve where Mike Jones of the Benzie Conservation District will train participants on invasive shrub identification and control techniques.  This will be a hands-on, get dirty training where you will learn about all aspects of controlling invasive shrubs including equipment, herbicides, treatment techniques, and safety.  Weather permitting, we will cut down and treat invasive shrubs found at the preserve.  Protective clothing is mandatory-this includes long pants, long sleeves, gloves, and close-toed shoes or boots.  For more info or to register contact the Benzie Conservation District at 231-882-4391 or mike@benziecd.org.  $5 suggested donation.  This is a program of the 2012 Plant Heritage Week and is presented by the Benzie Conservation District and the Benzie Parks and Recreation Commission. 

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Wednesday, May 9, 10 am – 12 pm  Spring Wildflowers at Pete’s Woods  Recommended for all ages // Arcadia Dunes, Pete’s Woods, Swamp Road trailhead, south of Joyfield Road  Join the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy at the Arcadia Dunes: the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve to look for spring ephemeral wildflowers!  This easy 1.5 mile hike will be led by Paula Dreezen.  For the hike, meet at the Swamp Road trailhead, south of Joyfield Road.  For directions, more information, or to register call Kathy at GTRLC 231-929-7911.  This is a program of the 2012 Plant Heritage Week and is presented by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy and Benzie Audubon.

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Thursday, May 10, 10 am – 12 pm  Garlic Mustard Madness  Recommended for adults // Parr Preserve, North of Frankfort, MI  Enjoy a rare visit to the stunning Parr Preserve, an area not otherwise open to the public, to learn how to identify native wildflowers and protect them by controlling garlic mustard.  Please call Kathy at GTRLC 231-929-7911 to register and get directions.  This is a program of the 2012 Plant Heritage Week and is presented by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy.

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Saturday, May 12, 9 am – 12 pm  Waters of Benzie-Upper Herring Lake Water Tour  Recommended for all ages //  Upper Herring Lake DNR Public Access Site, Herron Road  Bring your canoes or kayaks to learn about lakeshore anatomy and natural shoreline management on beautiful Upper Herring Lake.  We will be comparing the undisturbed natural shoreline of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve with adjacent developed areas.  Bring your own boat and equipment or reduced-rate rentals will be available.  Advanced reservations recommended.  For more information contact the Benzie Conservation District at 231-882-4391 or mike@benziecd.org.  $5 suggested donation.  This is a program of the 2012 Plant Heritage Week and is presented by the Benzie Conservation District.

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Saturday, May 12, 1 pm – 3 pm  Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore-Ranger Guided Hike  Recommended for all ages //  Sleeping Bear Dunes Visitor Center  Join a Sleeping Bear Dunes Park Ranger for a brief hike to learn about our region’s inspiring natural heritage.  Every Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm, a Park Ranger will await you at the Philip A. Hart Visitor Center in Empire on M-72, and then lead a car caravan a short distance to where the walk will begin.  Programs will be no more than a 1.5-mile round trip and will conclude by 3:00 pm.  All Park Ranger-led programs are free.  Participants need only purchase the park entrance pass or have an annual pass to join the fun.  Reservations are not required, but are suggested if you wish to bring a group.  Please call 231-326-5134, ext. 328, for details or log on to www.nps.gov/slbe.  This is a program of the 2012 Plant Heritage Week and is presented by the National Park Service. 

Blandings Turtle

Nature Discovery is a home-based nature center, run by biologists Jim and Carol McGrath, located in Williamston, MI. The McGrath’s offer wildlife education through presentations, classes, birthday parties, and summer camp. They prove to be a big hit everywhere they go, showcasing live snakes, turtles, lizards, frogs and salamanders. Learn more about Nature Discovery at www.naturediscovery.net.

Bring the kids, or express your inner child by holding a Blue Racer, feed crickets to frogs, or just observe the wildlife! Knowledgeable staff will be on hand to answer questions.

If interested in supporting this exhibit, please contact the Benzie Conservation District, 231-882-4391, and sponsor or “adopt” one of the exhibit creatures!

Check out the other events at the 2012 Benzie County Water Festival at http://water-festival.org.

Local students on a tour of the Platte River

What makes northern Michigan special? What brings tourists back year after year and contributes greatly to the quality of life for our year-round residents? Our water resources are a big factor. BenzieCountyis endowed with a wonderful variety of beautiful, high-quality lakes and streams that, in addition to providing the water that is essential in our everyday lives, provides opportunities for fishing, boating, paddling, swimming, and a multitude of other recreational pursuits. In stakeholder surveys conducted during the last two years by the Benzie Conservation District, respondents overwhelmingly ranked surface and ground water quality and protection as the top natural resource priority areas for the county.

In order to showcase some of BenzieCounty’s outstanding waters and educate the public on water issues, the Benzie Conservation District is offering the Waters of Benzie Educational Tour Series. There will be one tour per month starting in April and ending in September. Participants will paddle canoes or kayaks on one of our area lakes or streams while learning about different water themes each month. The series kicks off on Friday, April 13 at 9 a.m. with a tour of the lower Betsie River. This first tour will be the day before the Benzie Water Festival (www.water-festival.org). We’ll be talking about wetland plants, the fate of the black ash trees in the BetsieRiver swamp, and the Crystal Lake Outlet, in addition to noting wildlife species observed. Other trip locations and dates are listed below. Additional locations include Upper Herring Lake, Crystal Lake at Railroad Point, Pearl Lake, Betsie Bay, and the lower Platte River. Don’t miss these opportunities to experience the “Waters of Benzie” and learn about aquatic plants, lakeshore anatomy, invasive plants, local history, water quality monitoring, glacial geology and spring-fed lakes, our local fisheries, nature preserves and parks, and Great Lakes coastal marshes.

For more information or to RSVP for a tour, please contact the Conservation District at 231-882-4391 or mike@benziecd.org. Bring your own canoe/kayak and equipment or reduced-rate rentals will be available. Advanced reservations strongly recommended. There is a $5/person suggested donation for each trip. Check the Conservation District website at www.benziecd.org for these and other Conservation District events for 2012. Like us on Facebook to receive regular updates on District programs.

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Friday, April 13, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Lower Betsie River Water Tour Betsie River, River Road at Smith Bridge (east) Join us for an educational tour on the Betsie River.  While we float the river, our tour leaders will discuss wetland plants, emerald ash borer infestations, the Crystal Lake Outlet, and wildlife species observed.  Shuttle service will be provided to the take-out point at Lewis Bridge on River Road.

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Saturday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Upper Herring Lake Water Tour Upper Herring Lake DNR Public Access Site, Herron Road  Bring your canoes or kayaks to learn about aquatic plants, lakeshore anatomy, and natural shoreline management on beautiful Upper Herring Lake.  We will be comparing the undisturbed natural shoreline of the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy’s Upper Herring Lake Nature Preserve with adjacent developed areas.  

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Friday, June 8, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Railroad Point Water Tour  Crystal Lake, DNR Public Access Site, Mollineaux Road  Come paddle from Crystal Lake’s new access site to the Crystal Lake Outlet.  Along the way, you will learn about the history of Crystal Lake, water quality monitoring, and the newly-expanded Railroad Point Nature Preserve.  Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of Benzie’s crown jewel lakes.

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Saturday, July 14, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Pearl Lake Water Tour  Pearl Lake, DNR Public Access Site, Wagner Road  Learn about glacial geology, spring-fed lakes, and invasive plants while paddling among the bulrushes on peaceful Pearl Lake.  We will be following the shoreline of a state-owned nature preserve, and there will be great bird-watching opportunities.

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Saturday, August 18, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Betsie Bay Water Tour  Betsie Valley Trail Parking Area in Elberta  Join us on the Bay to learn about Great Lakes coastal marshes and the invasive plants that threaten them.  There will also be abundant wildlife viewing opportunities.

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Saturday, September 15, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.  Lower Platte River Water Tour  Platte River, M-22 River Access at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore  Canoe the Platte River and learn about the Great Lakes salmon fishery, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, and the effects of phosphorus discharges on the Platte River watershed.  Shuttle service will be provided to the take-out point at the river mouth on Lake Michigan.

Japanese knotweed near Beulah-January 2012

Japanese knotweed in winter: bamboo-like hollow stems, purplish in color, no leaves

Brought to this country as an ornamental plant, Japanese knotweed (Polygonum cuspidatum) spreads quickly, creating dense monocultures that shade out native plants, reducing available food resources for birds, butterflies, and other wild creatures.  Its strong root system has the ability to damage pavements and foundations.  Funds may be available to manage J. knotweed on your property. Do not attempt removal on your own as improper treatment will most likely spread the plant further.  Report sightings to the Benzie Conservation District at 231-882-4391 or mike@benziecd.org.

Invasive Phragmites along Case Road near Beulah-January 2012

Invasive Phragmites (Phragmites australis) also possesses an extensive root system that has the ability to rapidly displace native vegetation in wet ecosystems as well as drier upland areas.  Creating dense stands of tall grasses up to 15 feet high, invasive Phragmites can obstruct recreational access to shorelines, alter wildlife habitat, and during its dormant period create large quantities of dry biomass making it a fire hazard.  In some downstate areas, including Saginawa Bay and Lake St. Clare, dense invasive Phragmites infestations extend more than 100 yards from the shoreline, completely blocking lake access and reducing lakefront property values.  Work has already begun on several infestations in the Benzie area, including Betsie Bay, Lower Herring Lake, Pearl Lake, and Turtle Lake.  Report Benzie County Phragmites sightings to the Benzie Conservation District at 231-882-4391 or mike@benziecd.org.

For additional information and photos of Japanese knotweed, invasive Phragmites, and other top-priority invasive plants, visit the Invasive Species Network’s website at http://natureiscalling.org/invasive/whats-invasive/top20/.  Invasive plant sightings can also be reported directly online at the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network.

2012 SRING SEEDLING CATALOG (PDF)

2012 SPRING ORDER FORM (PDF)