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Michigan’s Wonderful Wetlands

By September 30, 2014 October 21st, 2014 No Comments

“Sedges have edges!” The phrase was on everyone’s tongue as Dr. Doug Valek led a walking tour to see examples of wetlands at the Hall’s Lake Natural Area. The 180-acre area contains an amazing variety of wetland habitats.

Doug began with a walk down the original strip of historic Old State Road that leads into the swamps on the southeast edge of the Kabana Preserve.  Here several different sedges were found. Doug also talked about wetland-adapted shrubs and trees such as Michigan Holly, or Winterberry, and Black Ash.

The walk continued with discussions about Michigan’s two cattail species, vernal ponds, beaver activity, the good and bad, a visit to a bog. The changing fall colors and fair weather contributed to a very pleasant and informative visit to some of the many different wet habitats to be found right in our own back yards.