Joint Venture: Priority Bird Project Update
Phragmites patch at YMCA Storer Camps that was treated last week!
As you read previously, several partners in the Raisin Cluster were awarded a Great Lakes Restoration Initiative – Joint Venture grant to protect and restore 98 acres of priority bird habitat in the upper Grand and upper River Raisin watersheds! Read on below for an outline of how this project is impacting your area!
The ICP Field Crew has begun work in earnest the last two weeks. Efforts thus far have been focused on a unique wetland complex located at the Kellwood Property. This complex wetland and upland site has an interesting combination of a pond, stream, prairie fen, hillside stream, and a suspected “hanging” fen, which all interact in a roughly 10-acre area. The Crew has been working to remove invasive plants, such as common buckthorn, autumn olive, Japanese barberry, and others. In preliminary work this spring, the Crew identified a number of high-quality plants and animals, including a nesting Woodcock, White Lady’s Slipper, and Showy Lady’s Slipper. Once work in these areas is complete, the Crew will likely move to the King property and work in a high-quality remnant prairie!
The Dahlem Conservancy has begun the prioritization and prep work to begin implementing their portion of the project. Utilizing the efforts of the all-volunteer ‘Cut ‘n Daub Society’, Dahlem will focus efforts on Bug Field to remove invasive brush to promote habitat for grassland nesting birds!
Do you remember the phragmites patch that YMCA Storer Camps burned last spring? If not, click here to be reminded! Phragmites is a highly invasive wetland grass that can grow over ten feet tall. Thankfully, this patch of phragmites was treated last week by Plantwise, Inc! As the first documented infestation of phragmites on Stony Lake, removing this wetland specie is critical to the long-term health and viability of the various high-quality wetland areas at YMCA Storer Camps. Noticed several years ago by Storer staff and volunteers, this patch has slowly (by human standards) expanded to cover over two acres. Good work YMCA Storer Camps!
Recognition for our Collective Conservation Efforts
And lastly, The Stewardship Network was awarded the Carl N. Becker Stewardship Award from the Natural Areas Association! The Natural Areas Association presents the Carl N. Becker Stewardship Award to individuals or groups in recognition of excellence and achievement in managing the natural resources of reserves, parks, wilderness and other protected areas. Last night at the 2013 Natural Areas Conference, our Executive Director Lisa Brush accepted the award on behalf of The Stewardship Network. Many thanks to the Natural Areas Association for this tremendous honor! And especially, thank YOU for all the great work you do as part of the Raisin Cluster on behalf of your local community and environment – the credit for this award goes to you!
See photos of the awards ceremony here!
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If you’d like to join us at the next Raisin Cluster event or learn how you can get involved with the Raisin Cluster, please contact the Cluster Co-Coordinators (Sybil Kolon and Bob Kellum) both at raisin@stewardshipnetwork.org!
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Share your story! We want to know what you’re doing on your land and how we can help! Contact skellum@stewardshipnetwork.org for more information.
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For a list of upcoming Raisin Cluster events, visit http://www.stewardshipnetwork.org/rc
Raisin Cluster Stewardship Stories 
