By: Maddie Lukens, Park Interpreter

We have all experienced a heat wave at some point in time, especially here in recent weeks in Southeast Michigan. Luckily, most of us are able to seek shelter in an air-

conditioned building, go for a cool swim, or simply find a large tree to relax under. But have you ever wondered what animals do to beat the heat? Just like people, Michigan animals seek to stay cool… by burrowing, seeking shade, taking a dip, and some even stranger strategies.

Pond plungers

Take for instance, Michigan’s state reptile, the painted turtle. This turtle is commonly seen basking in the warm spring sun, but come summer’s heat wave, how does it cope? Painted turtles, and many other Michigan turtles, will take a dip into cooler and deeper waters. Because reptiles are cold-blooded, or ectothermic, they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. You might even see a painted turtle basking in the sun on a log in the morning, and then in the afternoon heat, retreat to the cooler waters underneath.

Shade seekers

Another symbol of Michigan, the white-tailed deer, uses different strategies to stay cool. Unlike us humans who can excessively sweat to release body heat, the white-tailed deer is only able to sweat a little, if not at all. Its summer coat is much thinner than in the winter, allowing what little sweat they can produce to evaporate and cool down the animal more efficiently. Like other furry mammals, white-tailed deer pant if they require an even faster way of cooling down. Panting allows the animal to quickly expel hot air and take in cool air. This cool air then reaches the animal’s lungs, helping to cool down its body temperature.

Although white-tailed deer cannot sweat like we can, they can find a shady spot to cool down. It is not often that we see deer grazing in fields or out in the open in the afternoon in the summer, but more so at dawn and dusk. This is because they will limit their movement and stay in the shaded forest for our hot summer days. Forests, especially those which are conifer dominated, create their own micro-climate, that can be cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter than their surrounding habitats. Many animals will take advantage of this micro-climate as their midday retreat.

Tunnels, burrows, and hideouts

Now, moving onto a much smaller animal in Michigan, the American toad. This toad is mainly terrestrial, meaning it spends most of its time on land, unlike some species of frogs that take refuge in ponds to cool off. So, if it doesn’t hop into cool water, how does it stay cool in the summer heat? Because toads are amphibians, they breathe through both their lungs and skin. This means that they must stay somewhat moist to breathe properly. So, the American toad will burrow into the damp soil or leaf litter to both stay moist and cool in the summer heat. If you’ve ever had a toad in your flower bed or garden, they were probably trying to find a nice place to burrow!

Do not try this at home

These cooling strategies aren’t too far off from what humans have been doing for millennia, however, there is one Michigan animal who uses an especially unique strategy. This Michigan animal is the turkey vulture. You’ve probably seen these birds circling high in the sky, perched in trees, or near roadways on the search for their main diet of roadkill and carrion. You’ve probably also seen the white and brown liquid that falls from the sky, sometimes ending up on you or your property… you might see where I’m going with this. Yes, turkey vultures defecate on their own legs to cool down. While many of the strategies we’ve already discussed are common, this one is unusual even among wildlife! Bird poop is liquid at first and then slowly dries, essentially creating a similar effect that sweating does. The dried poop will aid in evaporative cooling and decrease the body temperature of the turkey vulture.

Cool creatures

All in all, Michigan animals have adapted to the heat that comes and goes in our Great Lakes region, however, these temperatures have become more extreme and variable in recent years due to climate change. Some animals struggle to adapt to the severity of our changing climate, coupled with habitat loss.

But don’t worry, you can help! Animals are the most susceptible to heat stress and heat related issues in urban areas due to their decrease in green space. So, if you have an urban backyard, offering shade and water are simple things you can do to help animals beat the heat!

Interested in learning more about how to help animals beat the heat in your backyard? Check out these other Metroparks’ resources:

• What is Garden Ecology?
• Harnessing the potential of Lawns
• Rain Gardens- Putting your yard to work for you (and your community)!

Sources:

https://www.nwf.org/Magazines/National-Wildlife/2010/animals_beat_the_heat

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/panting-pooping-8-weird-ways-animals-keep-cool-180952226/

https://www.audubon.org/news/how-help-birds-beat-heat

OAKLAND COUNTY — Pre-school children from a local day care facility shared a newly installed giant wooden chair with 2023 Miss Michigan Maya Schuhknecht during Michigan Education Trust’s “Sit with MET” event Wednesday at Kensington Metropark to promote Michigan’s Section 529 prepaid tuition educational savings plan.

MET Executive Director Diane Brewer kicked off the event, which coincided with National 529 Day, by telling children from Rosebrook Child Development Center in Wixom and parents that “MET wants to help your family and families all over Michigan save money so you and other kids can be whatever they want to be when they grow up.”

She added, “MET wants your families to know that the gift of learning begins with reading in the same way that the gift of education begins with saving for school and there’s no place more fun to read than in a giant chair in the park.”

Since it was signed into law more than 35 years ago as Michigan’s Section 529 prepaid tuition program, MET’s objective has been to help families financially prepare for their children’s educational future by prepurchasing future tuition at today’s rates.

The installation of the oversized Adirondack chair at Kensington Metropark and another one at Lake St. Clair Metropark are part of a new sponsorship arrangement between MET and Huron-Clinton Metroparks.

“As we focus on expanding supplemental science learning, field trips and other educational programs through our Metroparks and Me initiative, I am reminded of the similar focus that MET has to expand education opportunities for students in Michigan,” said Jim O’Brien, Metropark’s district superintendent. “We are honored to have MET as one of our sponsors this year and excited to house this giant and creative chair here at Kensington and Lake St. Clair Metropark this summer for visitors to enjoy.”

As part the program, Miss Michigan 2023 Schuhknecht memorialized the unveiling in a painting she created as the children looked on. Schuhknecht is a professional artist and speed painter. She is the first pageant winner to highlight speed painting in the talent portion of the scholarship contest.

“I went to college to become an artist,” Schuhknecht told the children. “I am living my dream and I want all of you and other children to live your dreams with help from the Michigan Education Trust.”

MET is offering financial incentives to new and existing customers from now to May 31, 2024. See rules and eligibility requirements.

Additionally, MET holds events periodically throughout the state to provide attendees the opportunity to purchase a MET contract. Representatives from MET are available at the events to help educate people on the features and benefits of each plan and offer tips to parents, grandparents and others on saving for college. MET also offers one-on-one consultation sessions for those unable to attend one of the events.

Investing with MET

MET contracts can be opened by purchasing as little as one credit hour, and anyone can contribute to a child’s education savings plan, including grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends and others. With a Pay-As-You-Go plan, once the plan is opened, contributions can be as low as $25.

The 529 plan also has tax advantages. For instance, distributions from MET are not taxed by the state or federal government when it comes time to pay for qualified higher education expenses. Michigan residents who are MET contract holders can also claim a state tax deduction on the total contributions they make during a calendar year.

Contributions to an existing account can be made at any time during the year through MET’s secure online pay site. MET gift declarations also allow contributors to print out certificates of their contributions designed for holidays, birthdays, graduations and more that can be put in a card or gift wrapped.

More information about MET is available at www.michigan.gov/setwithmet or 800-MET-4-KID (800-638-4543).

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By: Ali Groulx, park interpreter 

There are many ways that every-day people can lend a helping hand to revitalize and repurpose spaces in our communities, not only for the Earth’s benefit, but for the people and the animals who inhabit them. The innovation that was harnessed to create the technologies Detroit is most known for, is the same energy that brings meaningful change to the neighborhoods of Southeast Michigan. Reclaiming spaces through art installations and new, native plantings of trees, grasses, and flowers allows for harmonic beauty that is unmatched by any other area in the United States. What is happening in Detroit and the surrounding areas is special, and every one of us has the opportunity to be a part of it.

Real-time data, real-time change

Like we mentioned in part one of this two-part series, the Clean Air Act of 1963 was the first federal legislation to allow the United States government to take direct action to control air pollution. This legislation enacted 60 years ago is still extremely relevant today, and it is a marker of the generational impact required to mitigate the harms of climate change. As we know, it would be impossible for the Clean Air Act to be a blanket solution – there is a great deal of nuance when it comes to what is and is not controllable. This is where innovation and creativity converge, allowing for direct community action and unique solutions.

Unique solutions can present themselves in many forms, from sculptures hosting air quality sensors, to mindful placement of pathways and vegetation to shape visitor experience. Art parks, community gardens, and green spaces have an added opportunity to include scientific gathering points – a crucial step in learning how and when pollution laws are broken. Transforming public spaces into urban and community forests allows not just for reprieve from the sun and heat but provides the setting for personal rejuvenation through connecting back to the land and the culture that surrounds us. Collective engagement at the highest level involves community members lending their voices and stories to decide how neighborhoods change, and the blueprint for the progress that can be achieved with the voices of many.

One tree, two tree, red tree, blue tree

What is better than one tree? Two trees! Even if you already have an older tree in your yard or in your community, perhaps you should plant a tree if you have an open space. You can even put it on an interactive map through the DNR! By including a variety of plants and companions in your yard, you can help fill the ecological spaces that may need attention. Looking around your neighborhood, it can be tough to determine what kinds of trees and plants you see. Luckily, technology comes in clutch – check out free smartphone apps like PictureThis for identification, or iNaturalist, where you can see what others have identified all over Southeast Michigan. Trees and plants are a shared resource, and it is beneficial to communicate with your neighbors on what may be best for the spaces you occupy.

Parks and the Metroparks

The Metroparks cares for 25,000 acres of land across 5 counties, but we know that often our parks are not the green spaces that people interact with the most daily. The Metroparks LOVES parks. City parks, state parks, small parks, big parks… you name it! It comes with being passionate about how people interact with their environment. What if you could make your backyard feel like the Metroparks? Through our free education programs, Metroparks interpreters work to help people understand Michigan’s ecological importance and their impact, be it through a guided nature walk at a park, a pop-up program at a Detroit library, or by becoming a Master Rain Gardener through the courses we offer in partnership with The Friends of the Rouge. Keep an eye on the Metroparks event calendar to find a program near you! You can be a driving force for change in your community – plant a tree or a rain garden, start a conversation with your neighbors, or just be present while enjoying the many green spaces Southeast Michigan has to offer. You may be surprised by what you learn about yourself and the people closest to you!

By: Ali Groulx, park interpreter

Neighborhoods are the lifeblood of Southeast Michigan. Good neighbors make lifelong memories – from long summer days playing in combined backyards with all the neighborhood kids to borrowing the proverbial cup of sugar from the person next door. Without them, collective engagement would be nearly impossible. Engaged neighbors lift each other up and share common goals, look out for each other, and help us get through good times and bad.

Neighborhoods can also have impacts not just on our happiness but also our health. Tree canopy cover, the amount of branches and leaves as viewed from above, varies dramatically from zip code to zip code. Areas that score higher on the tree canopy index have more shade, cooler temperatures during heat waves, better stormwater absorption during precipitation events, more wildlife habitat, and reduced air pollution. Especially in densely urban areas, these things make a big difference to health and wellbeing of residents along with making these communities more aesthetically appealing to tourists, visitors, businesses, and community members.

Air pollution and ozone are increasingly impacting southeast Michigan and neighborhoods with the lowest tree canopy levels may be most at risk of harm.

You can explore your city’s tree equity score here: americanforests.org

How did we get here?

In 1948, there was an extreme smog event in New England that caused the federal government to begin discussing air pollution as a major problem. Factories, industrial plants, and automobile emissions contributed to dense clouds over many cities, affecting the health of the population. To remedy this, the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955 authorized research and training programs to get to the bottom of it. This program was so successful that it was renewed several years in a row while Congress debated how to move forward with regulations. The Clean Air Act of 1963 was the first federal legislation to allow the United States government to take direct action to control air pollution, putting a cap on emissions from vehicles. The standard for emissions was lowered again in 1967, and by 1970, all 50 states had an air pollution prevention program.

The Clean Air Act was a monumental and important moment for American society. Everyday citizens recognized a problem and worked together to solve it, going to extreme lengths to improve their lives through the uncertainty of a new technology like automobiles. Today, the Clean Air Act has made substantial progress in terms of air quality. Wildfire smoke blowing over from the West plus an influx of small particulate matter pollution has challenged the effectiveness of the Clean Air Act, and these events continue to increase with climate change.

More Than Just Another Layer in the Atmosphere

Emissions from industrial plants and travelling automobiles also contribute to the creation of harmful ground-level ozone, which has a different effect than the stratospheric ozone that occurs miles above us. You may already be familiar with ozone action days – meaning that on that day, it is expected to be hot and sunny, allowing more emissions to chemically react and transform into ozone, or O₃. In heavily urban areas, ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter are extremely tough to contend with, especially with fewer trees and green spaces to absorb or buffer the air quality. We are beginning to see positive change in these neighborhoods, with more green spaces to cleanse the air and community centers that provide a much-needed reprieve from the sweltering heat. The large trees that now line many roads in Metro Detroit have had 90 years to grow, however, many neighborhoods do not host trees of that age. The shade that older trees provide is paramount for the health of our communities, and the investment of planting and maintaining new trees goes a long way. As neighbors, we can understand the need to mitigate and uplift communities who carry an undue burden when it comes to the effects of climate change. Parks, from small city “pocket parks” to the 4,500 acres of Kensington Metropark can help all of southeast Michigan’s communities during heat waves and ozone action days by providing the benefits of trees and vegetation- not to mention pools, splash pads, and lake access!

In many cultures, there is a teaching that every person must guide their choices by how it will affect our ancestors seven generations from now. Every action and inaction have an effect, and if our choices are framed by thinking how they would shape reality seven generations into the future, it can help us feel empowered to do the right thing. Life is better with good neighbors and great neighborhood parks!

Sources:

American Lung Association – State of the Air

Ground-level Ozone Basics

By Jolene Poet, Park Interpreter

As summer continues to warm the air and the sun shines well into the evening, the season of outdoor festivities in fully underway. From graduation parties to backyard barbeques, the goal is always to have a good time. However, amidst the excitement, its often easy to overlook the environmental impacts of our celebrations. Things that we may think of as commonplace party essentials may be the biggest threats. Thankfully, there are lots of alternatives and ways to have a good time without being detrimental to the environment.

One of the first steps to take towards a sustainable celebration, is rethinking the way we decorate. Our go to, no matter what the occasion, are balloons, glitter, confetti, and streamers. Unfortunately, they pose some pretty significant challenges to the environment. Balloons are often released or just float away after an event, and they can end up miles away from their original location. They get caught in trees, pop and fall into our waterways, and they may even end up in the mouth (and stomach) of some wildlife. Glitter and confetti are often made of plastic and once they take flight in the wind, there’s no cleaning it up. It will go off to pollute the ecosystem and potentially harm wildlife. The thing about plastic is, it never biodegrades. It will remain long after the party is over, and even long past the next one.

There are eco-friendly options for decorations, with some creative thinking and mindfulness, you may even find a new favorite decoration. Try to opt for items that you can reuse in the future. An inflatable birthday cake works great instead of balloons, and it can be reinflated every year. When releasing balloons as a form of honoring your loved ones, consider blowing bubbles instead. Confetti or glitter can be replaced by natural elements such as leaves or flowers. If you’d like to hang decorations, choose items made from paper or cardboard which can be easily recycled. If you’d like to add some creativity to it, make your own decorations. These alternatives have a lesser impact on the environment and they look really great too!

It doesn’t end with decorations, there are a few other party staples that threaten the natural world around us. Single use plastics can be found at nearly every celebration. They are something that often gets overlooked, because they’re so often used. Plastic silverware, plastic cups, and plastic tablecloths all get thrown away after the event. Reusable is always an option, of course it leads to more clean-up. If doing dishes isn’t your thing, there are compostable or biodegradable options available. Bamboo plates and silverware can be of great quality and aren’t as costly as you may think. Paper cups and paper straws break down more readily than plastic and Styrofoam. Tablecloths can actually be rented and returned, that way they look nicer, and you don’t get stuck with the laundry.

Furthermore, the proper management of any waste you create is imperative to maintaining our natural surroundings. Allowing your napkins to blow in the wind,or leaving items behind can cause harm to wildlife or the flora growing nearby. Ensuring you have proper waste disposal helps prevent this. Having a separate receptacle for recyclables such as cans and bottles helps cut back on what is being sent to the landfill.

Arguably the most important part of any celebration, is the food. You may be wondering, how can the food I serve impact the environment? Well, there are actually many ways. Eating foods which are out of season in your area means that item had to be transported in. The further away it came from, the larger impact it has. This also includes foods that aren’t grown in your region, looking at you avocado. Eating foods grown locally this season can actually be more cost effective for you. Visit local famer’s markets and produce stands to not only help your community, but also get the most bang for your buck. Stacking your menu with a lot of meat options can also have an impact on the environment. Animal farming can be a significant contributor to deforestation, water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. I’m not suggesting you make your guests eat vegetarian for the day, I’m not sure they’d attend your events in the future if that were the case. When planning your menu, opt for more vegetable-based dishes than meat-based. You can still have your fried chicken or hamburgers on the grill, but instead of doubling up on meat options, add side salads, mixed vegetables, fruit and veggie trays and a carb.

In conclusion, celebrations of any sort are meant to be fun, but making a few changes can reduce their impact on the environment. There must be a balance between the traditional party staples and making more sustainable choices. By being a little more mindful of the decorations you choose the food you serve, and what you serve it with you can still make your event fun and memorable but also environmentally friendly.

If you’ve been following along on our articles about sustainability, you should start to see some overlap. The food we choose to eat, the products that we buy, and the way we manage our waste products all have big impacts on the environment. by being mindful about some of the daily choices you make, you can be sustainable with minimal effort.

By Erin Parker, Interpretive Services Supervisor

Hot temperatures and sunshine mean the water is calling! Whether you head straight for the beaches for a swim, rent a paddleboard, stick to the shore for fishing, or launch a boat, summertime is peak season for water-based recreation.

Visitors to Eastwood Beach at Stony Creek may notice a small area near the kayak and paddleboard rentals that is fenced off this year. The fencing isn’t protecting against people, but rather geese. Geese, great gobbling herbivores (plant eaters) that they are, would love to taste test all the new plantings behind that fence and we’d like to give those plants a chance to grow. But what are they and why were they installed along the shoreline?

Softened shorelines, also called living shorelines, rely on a mix of plants indigenous to the place where they’ll be installed to replace hard or human-made surfaces. Along with aesthetic value, they provide food and shelter for land- and-water-based wildlife, reduce shoreline erosion, and even help to filter water running off from parking areas. The mix of taller and shorter plants, once established, can also be part of a natural goose reduction process as they typically don’t spend a lot of time in places where they don’t have clear views of their potential predators and move on the spaces with shorter grass.

The first phase of the Eastwood Beach shoreline project was done as a hands-on learning opportunity for participants in the Michigan Natural Shoreline Professional Training, that took place over two days in March and a third day in June of 2024. This gave Metroparks staff as well as 30 additional people from all over the state time to learn and then put into practice their new knowledge. The beach installation functions as a hands-on laboratory for the class participants as they work towards certification as well as an educational opportunity for the Metroparks and their visitors.

While many of the plants are planted directly on the shoreline, others can be installed in the zone where they are typically under water or partially underwater. This adds important habitat for larval fish and the small aquatic creatures that make up the bottom of the food chain in our inland lake ecosystems- feeding everything from turtles to birds to larger fish. These plants also host wading birds like herons and a variety of pollinating insects will visit the flowers in future years. This small patch will provide myriad benefits to humans, water quality, and wildlife.

According to the Metroparks’ Chief of Natural Resources and Regulatory Compliance, Katie Carlisle, “Softening or naturalizing a shoreline is a great way to reduce erosion, increase water quality, and provide space for pollinators and wildlife. For the first year, we fence off the planting in order for flowers and grasses to establish without the browse pressure from geese. After the first year, visitors can expect to see native perennial flowers that attract a variety of butterflies and birds. We hope to continue to naturalize a portion of the shoreline every year until we reach the beach!”

Softening or naturalizing some shorelines are just one of the ways your Metroparks are working to address stormwater, water quality, and wildlife habitat in southeast Michigan. For those interested in learning more about the benefits and processes of developing a living shoreline, or to learn how to become a Certified Natural Shoreline Professional,  find additional resources below:

Read more about the efforts the Metroparks are taking to keep our water clean and beaches open:

Beach Management: Combating E. coli

WaterWise: Empowering Students through Stormwater Education

Parks in Partnership Highlight: Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership

Natural Shorelines for Inland Lakes (pdf guide)

Michigan Natural Shoreline Partnership

Permits and FAQs about natural shoreline projects

By Erin Parker, Interpretive Services Supervisor

One of the best parts of living in southeast Michigan is the number and variety of parks available to residents and visitors. Your Huron-Clinton Metroparks span 25,000 acres and five counties, but we also have access to state parks, county parks, city and municipal parks. This wide variety of green spaces offer opportunities for residents to engage with the outdoors and outdoor recreation in many different ways. And this diversity of parks also lends itself to collaborative projects and partnerships across park system boundaries.

Sidewalk Detroit

One of the groups we’ve been excited to work with over the last few years is Sidewalk Detroit, a nonprofit launched in 2013. The mission of Sidewalk Detroit is: ”… to advance the public life and strong social infrastructure through the lens of arts, culture, collaborative design, and deep engagement with residents.”

In 2016, Sidewalk Detroit began the process of re-activating and re-imagining Eliza Howell Park in the Brightmoor Neighborhood on Detroit’s northwest side. Bounded by the Rouge River, the 250-acre park has almost 2 miles of hiking trails, picnic shelters, athletic fields, and now, thanks to the deep community-building work of Sidewalk Detroit, plans for updated signage and trail improvements. Metroparks staff were able to participate in supporting community-input sessions and the development of some draft interpretive signage for the trail system.

Community-based art is another facet of Sidewalk Detroit’s work in Eliza Howell and other Detroit parks.

In 2021, Sidewalk Detroit launched their Eco-Artist Residency with artist Patrick Dougherty. Dougherty, along with more than 150 volunteers and artists, created “Stickwork”- a large, woven installation near one of the entrances to Eliza Howell Park’s trail system. Designed of entirely natural materials, Stickwork still stands today, engaging park visitors of all ages.

In 2023, Sidewalk Detroit’s Artist-in-Residency program worked with New York based artist Jordan Webber and the Canfield Consortium, where installation “NewForest, Ancient Thrones” was unveiled in May 2024. This sculpture, located in East Canfield Art Park, combines crown imagery from African Queens Ranavalona and Idia with real-time air quality monitoring that allows residents and visitors to explore air quality, social justice, and art.

In 2024, Sidewalk Detroit’s Eliza Howell Park Eco-Artist Residency is hosting artist Halima Cassells. Starting with community-based river clean ups in the park, the artist engaged the community with hands-on workshops to develop a new installation for the park, to be unveiled on June 22.

According to August Morrison, one of Sidewalk Detroit’s Program Directors:

“The Eliza Howell Park Eco-Artist Residency reflects Sidewalk Detroit’s dedication to environmental justice, stewardship, and addressing our climate crises. In collaboration with award-winning artist Halima Cassells and the environmental justice organization, Ecology Center, we are fulfilling our mission by creating a new upcycled art installation. Community members contributed to this initiative during the river cleanup on April 20, and have been attending workshops to learn about the impact of microplastics. They are also assisting Halima with the installation. A beautiful new archway will guide parkgoers along the trail to the river. We hope this will raise awareness about the importance of keeping our parks clean and the dangers of plastics in our waterways.”

To join in the unveiling of the new installation, an open celebration and artist talk with Halima Cassells is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. at Eliza Howell Park on Saturday, June 22. The park can be located at 23751 Fenkell Ave, Detroit.

For more about Sidewalk Detroit and the many ways they engage with the community:

Sidewalk Detroit

Eco-Artist-in-Residence Projects

View a panel discussion “Sculpting Sustainability” that took place in April, 2024: Sculpting Sustainability

The Adaptive Recreation program series aims to make outdoor recreation accessible and enjoyable for people of all abilities. The series will feature a variety of inclusive activities, ensuring that everyone can connect with nature and participate in recreational programs. This series of programs provides accessible options for individuals with physical, cognitive, and sensory disabilities.

MiAble is the presenting sponsor for the Adaptive Recreation programs. MiABLE is a savings program that helps people with disabilities save without the risk of losing government benefits.

The Metroparks collaborated with local disability advocacy groups and experts to develop the Adaptive Recreation Series, ensuring that each activity is thoughtfully designed and implemented. Additionally, the series will feature staff and volunteers who are trained to provide support and assistance to participants, ensuring a welcoming, accommodating, and inclusive experience for all.

“The partnership between Disability Network Eastern Michigan and the Metroparks is built on our shared belief in inclusivity. Together, we work to ensure everyone, no matter their abilities, can enjoy and connect with nature and recreation. This partnership has enhanced the lives of people with disabilities in Macomb County,” says Carrie Gerdeman, Recreation & Health Services Director for the Disability Network of Eastern Michigan.

The learn more about the Adaptive Recreation program visit, https://www.metroparks.com/adaptive-recreation/. Participants are encouraged to register in advance as space is limited.

Additional work this summer is updating the Metroparks ADA Transition Plan. This plan provides a framework for the Metroparks to meet or exceed the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements when creating new or improving current spaces and amenities and it is intended to guide the Metroparks efforts in providing inclusivity for all visitors.

Over the past few years many accessibility improvements have been made, including parking lots, walkways, door openings and knobs, restrooms, portable restrooms, picnic facilities, tables, adding accessible recreation equipment, and much more. Projects have included resurfaced sections of hike-bike trails, a mountain bike trail built for handcycles at Stony Creek, and picnic shelters now include accessible tables and grills as well as a fixed table layout that ensures proper table spacing for wheelchairs and others to navigate throughout the space. Accessible playgrounds are now at Maple Beach in Kensington Metropark, Woods Creek at Lower Huron, Lake St. Clair Metropark, and very soon at Indian Springs Metropark.

Grant funding has allowed the Metroparks to make additions to accessible water recreation. An accessible fishing pier and accessible canoe/kayak launch at Lake St. Clair Metropark, an accessible floating canoe/kayak launch at Kensington Metropark, a canoe/kayak launch with a moveable transfer station at Rapids View in Hudson Mills Metropark, and two more accessible canoe/kayak launch improvements coming soon to Dexter-Huron and Delhi Metroparks. Each of these projects encompasses much more including accessible parking, walkways, restrooms, signage, and picnic tables.

The public can provide feedback on the accessibility of each of the Metroparks through an online survey that will feed into the updates to the ADA Transition Plan. They are looking to learn what accessible features are most important to you. You can explore the surveys at https://www.metroparks.com/planning-and-development/#FEEDBACK.

By Steve Dishman, Park Interpreter

“Beach Closed” It’s a sign we all have seen before, usually right when the weather would be perfect for a swim. It’s frustrating and annoying when you can’t get in the water. But why do beaches get closed? Simply put, it’s water quality issues. We have a bacteria that helps us test the water and it is called E. coli.

Escherichia coli or E. coli is a strain of bacteria. Found naturally inside the digestive tracts of most animals- including humans, waterfowl, and cows-  E. coli doesn’t usually cause a problem. When it enters our waterways (or food systems) through sewage or manure spills, E. coli  has the potential to cause harm if it’s ingested or enters an open wound.

But it plays a bigger role in understanding our water quality because it is readily detectable. While the bacteria itself is usually not hazardous, it is used by many agencies, including your Huron-Clinton Metroparks, as an indicator of fecal pollution. This can happen when heavy precipitation overloads storm sewers and causes overflow or when manure on the landscape is washed into the waterway.  So, when E. coli levels are high, we must close beach access to people until the levels decrease. E. coli testing is done multiple times per week in the summer to monitor the levels correctly. Everything from precipitation levels to wind and wave action can impact E. coli levels.

But how do we keep E. coli levels down? Since it is present in animal feces, beaches do their best to control the effect of animals on the beach. Domestic animals like dogs are generally not allowed on public swimming beaches. Also, measures are in effect to control wild animals, namely waterfowl, on our public beaches. E. coli can be also present in storm water after periods of heavy rain, so it’s important to keep stormwater drains away from public beaches.  E. coli does not exist in water long. Usually, UV light and waves in the water will help to lower the rate of E. coli.

As citizens, we can help to reduce E. coli on public beaches several ways. For one, do not feed birds such as gulls and geese, especially by beaches. Vegetation is allowed to grow taller in areas to reduce waterfowl from congregating – they prefer short, mowed grass where visibility is high and predators can’t sneak up on them.

Feeding wildlife leads to animal health problems as well as raising E. coli levels in our waters. Cleaning up after your pet when walking is a second way you can help and dispose of the waste in proper containers/bags. A further way you can help is to join a local watershed group to help with river cleanups or even water monitoring! It doesn’t take much to keep pollutants out of our water and keep E. coli levels down. With everyone doing their part, we can keep beaches open, safe, and ready for summer fun!

“The efforts made within our Supplemental Science program have not only helped students better understand science but have also forged memories and relationships that inspire and excite them about their futures,” said Huron-Clinton Metroparks Director Amy McMillan. “This grant from the Russell Family Foundation complements those efforts. Our goal is to raise $1.8 million for the Supplemental Science program to ensure we can expand our reach and impact even more students. By investing in these programs, we are enhancing education, fostering a love for science, and making a significant, positive impact on the lives of young people in our community.”

The Supplemental Science Program gives school-aged children in Southeast Michigan the opportunity to explore the state’s natural resources and S.T.E.M career opportunities through science education. Under the program, Metroparks staff work with teachers to create customized, hands-on learning programs that align with the existing curriculum. This includes visits to classrooms a few times a week for the entire school year to build a love of science and create lasting relationships with students.

In the two years since the program’s launch, Metroparks staff has spent nearly 357 hours across 126 school visits, engaging with hundreds of students and their teachers. Data from evaluations from students and teachers at the end of the 2022-23 engagement found that nearly 90% of all eighth graders who participated in the program reported an increase in positive outlook for science, demonstrating the success of the program and excitement from students.

The grant from the Russell Family Foundation will support a series of teacher workshops to provide educators in kindergarten through eighth grade from underserved schools in Wayne County with the tools, practice, and capability to integrate experiential learning into their existing science curriculum. It will create a lending library of Investigation Boxes that reflect workshop explorations with materials and lessons. The Bird Kit is one of the Investigation Boxes available to teachers who attend the workshops. Teachers will also be provided with information on nearby field trip locations, highlighting places where ecosystems, rivers, glacial landforms, bird migrations and more can be experienced first-hand.

“The Bird kit was awesome, and my students had a great time engaging and learning,” said Stan Wheeler, a third-grade teacher at John R. King Academy. “Bird Olympics was a great way for students to understand the different skills birds have and how they have to adapt to everything within their environment. They cannot wait to explore the other units while having fun and learning at the same time!”

“Experiential learning is a wonderful way to bring classroom lessons to life and help young people connect with the natural world,” Russell Family Foundation Chair John G. Russell says. “Expanding access to these types of S.T.E.M. lessons also can ignite more students’ curiosity and, hopefully, inspire future scientists.”

The Supplemental Science program is part of the Metroparks & Me initiative, a multi-year, multi-million-dollar program geared toward breaking the barriers that limit access to health, wellness, education and quality-of-life opportunities. To expand its impact across Southeast Michigan and reach thousands more families, Metroparks, through the Metroparks Foundation, is looking to raise $2.4 million over three years: $1.8 million for the Supplemental Science program and $600,00 for the Everyone in the Pool program.