Events

We are going to meet at the Barton Nature Area in the west parking lot near the dam and buildings just off West Huron River Drive. There is lots of parking . We will congregate down by the river, then cross the bridge and follow the main trail that connects the two bridges and runs along the railroad tracks. You can always catch up to us. Wear boots and long pants.

Parts of this area contain a remnant of a lovely Oak Savannah with some trees that were able to spread their branches with no interference. They are magnificent. However, where will their successors grow? We will explore the impact of the growing number of deer on oak seedlings. It is easy to miss the damage as you hike along enjoying the birds or the showy goldenrod or the other pleasures of the area. However, once you learn the distinctive profile of deer browse and the resulting deer shrubbery or stumps, you have a better understanding of the pressure on our natural areas.

Remember what Douglas Tallamy said about oak trees: Quercus supports 532 species of Lepidoptera. The caterpillars of those butterflies and moths provide part of the nearly 100% protein diet that our songbirds need to raise their young.

If we have time, you are also invited to come out to our place just 5 minutes down the road. In our neighborhood, the deer herbivory is of a different order of magnitude. You will see what happens when virtually nothing is done to curtail the deer population. (We started in 1999 after much of the permanent damage was done.)

Please come and see what is happening.