RANGER STEVE’S NATURE NICHE 76 Natural Communitiesby Ranger Steve Mueller Seventy-six trombones led the big parade is a tune from the musical The Music Man. Hopefully, Michigan’s 76 natural communities within the Great Lakes ecosystem are even more popular. They are essential to the survival of specialized life forms adapted to unique habitats and for […] Continue reading "Ranger Steve’s Nature Niche: 76 Natural Communities"
Living with Biodiversity By Dr. Douglas Tallamy (for Biodiversity Day, May 22, 2022) In case you haven’t heard, life on earth is in trouble. This is why I am asking you to get on the Homegrown National Park® MAP. Each and every one of us has the power to regenerate biodiversity and we don’t have […] Continue reading "Living with Biodiversity by Douglas Tallamy"
NATIVES TO KNOW Ramps, Allium tricoccumBy Linda Shuster, WORC member Allium tricoccum goes by many common names, including ramps, ramp, ramson, wild leek, wood leek, spring onion, and wild garlic. Ramps belong to the onion (Alliaceae) family. It is a native herbaceous perennial that is harvested as food. Ramps are found in nearly all Michigan counties […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Ramps"
RANGER STEVE’S NATURE NICHE Helicoptersby Ranger Steve Mueller Flying about our yards are tens of thousands of silent helicopters. Our grandson, Walden, was visiting as we walked among the whirling maple seed samaras. Karen said we used to call them “helicopters”. I jokingly asked, what do you call them now? Most of us have experienced […] Continue reading "Ranger Steve’s Nature Niche: Helicopters"
NATIVES TO KNOWBowman’s Root, Gillenia trifoliata By Joyce Tuharsky Bowman’s Root features clusters of ethereal, white, five-petaled blossoms that will dance and whirl in the slightest wind. It is one of the loveliest of native perennials yet rarely seen in gardens. Not only is it handsome and hardy, it is also long-lived! A member of […] Continue reading "Natives to Know: Bowman’s Root (Gillenia trifoliata)"
