FRIENDS

OF

 THE

 NATURE

 CENTER

Spring Issue, 2001
A Quarterly Publication

Prairie Burn

On Monday April 9, the Hudsonville Fire Department conducted a controlled burn to aid in the ongoing maintenance of the prairie. Conditions were near perfect and approximately one half of the prairie was successfully burned. Keep watching throughout the summer to see the effects and benefits of this practice. Thanks to the Hudsonville Firemen.

Turkeys?

For approximately three years, Wild Turkeys have been seen in and around the City of Hudsonville. They have been seen in fields and at people’s bird feeders, and they have now been documented within the Hudsonville Nature Center. Keep an eye out for this large, fast running bird, and if you see any, do not disturb them, as it is possible that one may consider nesting in the nature center.

Species Profile

Prairie Smoke – Geum triflorum

Prairie Smoke usually grows to a height of less than one foot, and is found dry prairies. The basal, compound, deeply cut leaves are four to nine inches long and may have as many as 19-toothed segments. The flowers are born in mid to late April through early to mid June on hairy stems with three to six flowers on individually nodding stalks. These nodding flowers have five somewhat triangular red sepals and five smaller creamy white to pinkish or purplish petals, which may appear to not bloom when they actually are. The showiest and most desirable feature of the plant is the seed plumes. The seed plumes are up to two inches long, feathery and pink. This plant can survive fires and is helped by fire, but can be out competed by dense grasses.Prairie Smoke is a native prairie flower that was introduced to the Hudsonville Nature Center from the Newaygo Prairie in 1995 through a relocation project. The Prairie Smoke was relocated because it is both federally and Michigan listed as a “threatened” species. Hudsonville started with 100 plants and mostly due to soil differences, the number declined to around 60. The good news is that this spring we are now back up to nearly 100 plants, with several young seedlings appearing away from the original plantings.

 

Calendar of Events  

April 22, 2:00 pm
Early Spring Wildflowers

Come enjoy some of the early spring wildflowers such as Spring Beauty, Bloodroot, Twinleaf and Marsh Marigold, while learning about and to identify them.

May 5
Trillium Festival and opening of the newly rebuilt Gillett Visitors Center

Hoffmaster State Park, Muskegon
Call 231-798-3573 for more information

May 6, 2:00 pm
Spring Wildflowers

May is the best time to view and enjoy the highest number of spring wildflowers at one time in our area. Come view, learn to identify and learn about these beautiful flowers of Hudsonville’s woods, as it is not uncommon to find as many as 30 or more species blooming here at one time in May.

May 14, 6:00 pm
Evening With The Wildflowers

Come for a lovely evening stroll along the nature center trails while viewing the many spring wildflowers. We will take a more leisurely pace while identifying and talking about the wildflowers and some of the uses of the flowers we see along the trails. This is also a good time to watch for some early migratory songbirds.

May 19, 8:00 am
Morning Bird Walk

Come spend a couple of hours walking the trails and looking for some of the 60 species of birds that have been recorded in the nature center. This walk in set a slow, leisurely pace that allows for the sighting, observation and enjoyment of birds as the feed and scurry about early in the day. Binoculars are not required, but are suggested if you have them.

June 24, 2:00 pm
Early Summer Wildflowers and Nature Hike

Learn to identify the joyous wildflowers of the early summer while enjoying them. The prairie is beginning to bloom and butterflies are flying more out in the open. Long pants are suggested attire since we will be walking in the prairie.

All walks at the Hudsonville Nature Center are led by City naturalist Craig Elston and begin at the end of New Holland St. east of 32nd Avenue.  Come prepared for weather and other elements as walks will be held except in the case of severe weather.  The Winter Ecology Hikes are a good opportunity to use snowshoes if you have them.

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