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In this issue:
- From the Director
- The Gift of Curiosity
- Gifts in Small Packages
- Upcoming Programs
- Tales From the Trail
- Greenways: Gifts From the Heart
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From the Director
End of year reflections can sometimes be a formidable process, but as Director of the EIC, reflecting on the impact the EIC staff and programs have on our community and campus is exciting and rewarding. At the heart and soul of the EIC are incredible staff that have decades of knowledge and experiences and student staff that are ambitious and creative.
Our student naturalists eventually graduate, but they never really leave the EIC. Since midsummer, nearly 100 volunteers have pitched in hundreds of hours of maintenance and support, while flocks of school-aged children and teachers have enriched their knowledge and appreciation of nature through our programs.
We look forward to a wonderful new year in 2024, as we plan to build and strengthen partnerships with campus and community members, expand programming, and increase accessibility, inclusivity, and diversity of our space. Our work at the EIC has never been more important, but we cannot do it without the generous support from our volunteers and donors. Please continue your support of the EIC, as even a small donation will go a long way in boosting our capacity to promote a healthy and sustainable environment in metropolitan Detroit.
Cheers, and Happy New Year!
Jacob Napieralski
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The Gift of Curiosity
During an Insects and Spiders program, very curious 7th graders from Dearborn's STEM Middle School discovered a striking purple and yellow caterpillar munching away on its goldenrod snack. This new discovery also grabbed the curiosity of several EIC Naturalists, which inspired an enthusiastic and meandering search after the program to match a name to the caterpillar face. (Photo by Babette Kis)
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The first sources employed with the students in the field included identification books and the image recognition software in the mobile app Seek, by iNaturalist. Names like “hooded owlet” and “asteroid moth” popped up, leaving us yet again without a definitive answer.
After the program, we sought out community science expertise from a local insect Facebook group, but the caterpillar in question was nowhere to be found. Then the naturalists then “kicked it old school,” scouring the EIC for caterpillar books and field guides and dug right in. It seemed fruitless initially, as moth and butterfly species are numerous—there was a lot of material to get through.
At last, we had a breakthrough! All the characteristics of the specimen seemingly matched up with the field guide image of larval Cuculia asteroides: the goldenrod hooded owlet moth, or the asteroid moth. (Sound familiar?)
Whenever changes in taxonomy and contradictory resources introduced confusion to the scientific process, the naturalists found the virtue of synergy driven by curiosity and collaboration with peers. Practice-based learning, on multiple levels, at its best!
-EIC Naturalists Dalia Rabbah and Dorothy McLeer
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Gifts in Small Packages
Here’s a raptor riddle: what is the size of a soda pop can, is able to hide in plain sight, turns toads inside out to eat them, and beeps like a construction truck backing up?
That would be smallest owl in Michigan; none other than “the Acadian Adorable,” more commonly know as the Northern Saw-whet Owl (Aegolius acadicus). The petite size and docile demeanor of this owl has melted the hearts of even the most hard-core researchers.
There are several stories about the origin of the name “saw-whet.”
Lumberjacks sharpening saws would use a whetting stone to restore the bite to the saw’s teeth, producing a rasping sound. The saw would also occasionally squeak during the process, which resembles some of the noises this owl makes. Another version plays off the Anglicization of the French word chouette, a word traditionally used in France or French Canada to refer to any small owl.
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Typically found in such habitats as mixed hardwood or conifer forests bordering wetlands to cedar swamps and woodlots, this tiny owl efficiently preys upon insects, rodents, shrews, bats, songbirds, and in warmer weather, yes, toads. Saw-whets are known for their incredible agility, making swift, sharp turns in pursuit of equally agile prey. They are adept at ground hunting as well as hunting on the wing. (Photo by Fredrik Norrsell) | |
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This strictly North American owl breeds from southwest Alaska through British Columbia and most of the western United States into central Mexico; east across central Canada to Nova Scotia; south to the central U.S. (except in the prairies); and the east, south to the New Jersey highlands, continuing in the mountains to South Carolina. Saw-whets winter throughout their breeding range and south erratically to the Mexican border, Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, the coastal Carolinas, Georgia, and northern Florida.
Occasionally, we come upon them in the Environmental Study Area. Their camouflaged “dappled sunlight” plumage allows them safety from daytime predators and curious naturalists as they hide in inaccessible grapevine tangles, hunting mice and voles that scurry through tunnels under the snow. During some recent evening programs, an unusual, unfamiliar call could heard. It was the migration call of a saw-whet owl!
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These little owls get around! Banding records reveal only a small part of their migratory habits. This saw-whet (left) is awaiting "lift off" after receiving a uniquely numbered leg band. In 2020, one was found in the branches of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree in Manhattan upon delivery from upstate New York. What an interesting "migration"--over 170 miles on a flatbed truck!
(Photo by Jason Sodergren)
We'll be giving our resident owls a call on December 15 (see below), and possibly the migrating owls as well. Come on out and see who gives a hoot!
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Whoooooo's Out There?
Friday, Dec. 15, 7:30-9:30 PM
Join EIC naturalists to listen and look for owls in the Environmental Study Area. A short program indoors will be followed by a nighttime walk through the woods. Dress in layers for the weather that evening.
Please register for this program.
The Eastern Screech Owl, pictured left, was playing "peek-a-boo" with volunteer Joe Turek on a wintry day. Can you spot this little owl...
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EIC Volunteers: A Gift That Keeps on Giving
This year, the Center continued to be supported by wonderfully dedicated volunteers who lent their hearts and hands toward an assortment of stewardship projects, including:
EIC Rain Garden Maintenance
Thanks to the consistent and steadfast efforts of John Berger and Donna Kolojeski, these native gardens, which receive rainwater runoff from the EIC rooftop, have improved dramatically in both function and appearance.
Habitat Improvement in the Environmental Study Area (ESA)
Stewardship Saturdays
Crew of volunteer “habitat doctors” continued their ESA habitat health improvement activities on the 3rd Saturday of each month. Their varied activities included invasive plant removal, planting native species, and collecting and sowing seeds of native plants into areas cleared of invasive plants. This standout group includes “super stewards” Lisa Campbell, Marion Harris, Chuck Irish, and Joe Turek, who have regularly been coming to Stewardship Saturdays for several years.
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Ladybug Foundation
This highly motivated group, comprised of 40 conservation-minded students from different high schools in Dearborn, assisted with an assortment of stewardship endeavors. This included caging over 50 oak saplings to prevent overbrowsing by deer in the ESA. Students Mohammad Alsaidi and Ali Berry headed up the group and organized their project days.
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UM-D Students
Several students lent a great deal of care and service toward a host of ESA habitat management projects. These include Abigail Freeman, Emi Garcia, and Zeinab Cheaito.
We greatly appreciate the efforts of these and other EIC volunteers who helped in so many ways!
-Rick Simek
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Gifts from the Heart
During the holidays, many of us spend a significant amount of time shopping, hunting for deals, and buying gifts for all of the important people in our lives. However, this creates a lot of waste, from packaging to wrapping to unused items. Luckily, there are various simple ways to consume less during this season of giving!
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Rather than buying individually wrapped candies and treats for your friends and family, consider making them at home instead. Although this may take some time, it will cost less, and your effort will certainly be appreciated.
Experiences are also wonderful waste-free gifts. Whether it be tickets to a comedy show, concert, movie or museum, (or even a walk in the Environmental Study Are) your loved ones will certainly cherish the memories for years to come.
Moreover, you could do some favors for your loved ones. This may be paying a bill, purchasing a month’s subscription to a recreation center or streaming service, taking their car to the car wash, buying a week of groceries, cleaning their home, or any other necessities. This gift could alleviate stress for your friends and family, which can be one of the most rewarding gifts of all!
Enjoy the gifts of the season and may all your holidays be "green."
Valerie Osowski, EIC Cooper Family Intern
Student Sustainability Coalition President
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Venturing outdoors and encountering nature is good for your health. Our trails are accessible, so please visit our Environmental Study Area. Stay engaged in learning activities and check out our Remote Learning Activities & Resources page for ideas to create a “Neighborhood Nature Journal” and “Family Nature Walk” activities!
We also hope to see you in person at our upcoming programs!
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Please remember...
The EIC Environmental Study Area is open daily from sunrise to sunset. We would like to remind nature-goers that fishing on site is prohibited and to leave bikes and dogs at home because they cause disruption and stress to the EIC wildlife.
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