Vol. 18 No. 2
In this issue...
Reflections from the President
Past Conservationists of the Year Caught on Film Doing More Good Works
Gray's Drive Pothole Project
Fall Update on the Intrepid Pond at Commerce Park
In the News from Around the State & World Wide Web
Gibraltar Bay Unit & Nature Area Status
Memorials and Honors
Corporate and Major Sponsors
Upcoming Events...
Fall Property Clean-Up / Dump the Junk
Meet at Nature Area
East River Road
Saturday, October 16
9AM - Noon, 1-4PM
Sunday, October 17
1-4PM
Nature Area Reopens & Refuge-Gibraltar Bay Unit Ceremony
Saturday, October 23
1-4PM
Saturday November
6
Annual Membership Meeting
10:00AM - 11:30AM
Centennial Farm
Recreation Building
Continental Breakfast
Guest Speaker:
Marcy Sieggreen, Detroit Zoo
"SE MI Amphibians & the Grosse Ile Survey"
Gray's Drive Pothole Project
by Doug Thiel
GINLC has embarked on a project to improve a micro-aquatic ecosystem on Gray's Drive just southeast of the GI Schools Bus Garage. This small "pothole" accumulates water that drains from the area just south of the football field. It had become choked with sediment and overgrown with phragmites.
Last fall, the Conservancy worked in an advisory capacity with Tim Leong, a local Eagle Scout. He and several other boy scouts cut the phragmites in and around the "pothole." Early this spring, two Conservancy volunteers, Joe and Frank Susin, from F&J Development used a front end loader to remove the accumulated sediment and regrade the area. After that volunteers Ken Tilp, Manfred Egerer and Doug Thiel planted the area. A total of 40 plants representing six native species were put in around the perimeter of the pond. The goal was to provide a more diverse habitat that would be attractive to birds, amphibians, mammals and insects.
Weather conditions were tough on the volunteers with high winds, cold temperatures and occasional sleet and snow flurries. However, they were able to get everything into the ground. Shortly after the excavating and planting effort a pair of mallard ducks seemed to appreciate our efforts as they adopted the "pothole" as their home.
Additional efforts have continued to eradicate the phragmites from around the pothole, but it hasn't been easy. Cutting the phragmites just encourages more growth. General use herbicides, which can be used by our volunteers (glyphosate products), are not very effective during the spring and summer months. Herbicides that are most effective in spring and summer, (imazapyr based products), can only be used by certified applicators.
 |
Left to Right: Manfred Egerer, Doug Thiel and Ken Tilp planted seedlings at the GIHS pothole one cold and windy spring morning. |