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Welcome to Notes from Nature!
This is our new monthly e-newsletter where we will highlight all things natural resources in Rochester Hills. If there is anything in particular you would like to learn about, share it with us via email at parks@rochesterhills.org.
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The City is home to several types of wetlands and their importance cannot be understated.
Wetlands are areas where water covers the soil, or is present either at or near the surface of the soil all year or for varying periods of time during the year. They are extremely important when it comes to dealing with stormwater and protecting our water. They help store water, slow water down, filter water, recharge groundwater, and provide a valuable wildlife habitat.
Rochester Hills is home to several types of wetlands in our parks and green spaces. Here are a few examples:
- Swamps - Dominated by woody vegetations and often forested along rivers and lakes (Seen at Ruby or Innovation Hills Green Spaces)
- Marsh - Dominated by emergent vegetation in open landscape, think cattails (Seen at Auburn Green Space or Innovation Hills Park)
- Wet Meadows - Only has standing water for brief periods of time, mainly from run-off (Seen at Clear Creek and Innovation Hills Green Spaces)
The City continues to provide stewardship in these wetlands to remove invasive species and improve their quality. There are also local ordinances and state/federal regulations in place to protect wetlands throughout the community.
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Kayaking 101
This great beginner class will cover basic kayaking safety, etiquette, and boat and paddle basics. Boats and safety equipment provided. Program takes place on Saturday, Aug. 12, at 9am, 10:30am, or noon at Spencer Park. Cost is only $20 per person.
Click here to register!
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Fishing for Beginners
Learn the basics of fishing, the common types of fish, local fishing regulations, general safety, and even catch a few fish of your own at our Fishing for Beginners program at 10am on Wednesday, Aug. 16 at Spencer Park. All materials will be provided. Program suitable for ages 8+. Cost is only $8 per person.
Click here to register!
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Evening Kayak
Enjoy a beautiful summer evening at Spencer Park with an evening kayak around the lake at 7pm on Thursday, Aug. 17. We will look for wildlife and soak up the good weather. Kayaks will be provided. Cost is only $15 per person.
Click here to register!
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Night Hike and Campfire - Owl Prowl
Take a guided hike through Spencer Park as we call for owls and listen to the sounds of nature. We will wrap up with s'mores over a campfire. This program takes place at 7:30pm on Thursday, Aug. 24. Cost is only $7 per person.
Click here to register!
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Spencer Park Bass Tournament
See if you have what it takes to take home the Bass Tournament crown! Prizes will be awarded for most bass caught and for the largest bass. Event takes place at 3pm on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Spencer Park. Cost is $5 to participate.
Click here to register!
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Explore green space at Innovation Hills
The playground area at Innovation Hills gets a lot of attention...and for good reason. But another highlight of this 110-acre park is the 48 acres of green space on the north side of the Clinton River.
Bordering the river on both sides are floodplain and high-quality wetlands. The north side includes forested swamps, including a tamarack swamp. On the south side, the wetland opens up into more of a marsh-like wetland, with cattails, sedges, and other wetland plants.
These wetlands are home to an abundance of diverse wildlife, including reptiles, amphibians, waterfowl, birds, mammals, and insects. You can even come across some open water ponds and wetlands where you may spot painted turtles, snapping turtles, green frogs, and other aquatic species.
To learn more about this green space and other green spaces in the City, visit rochesterhills.org/greenspace.
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The magic of the red-backed salamander
The red-backed salamander is always a fun find! These amphibians are native to Michigan and typically come in two color phases - black/grey or red/orange like the one pictured.
They live in wet environments, under rocks, logs or in leaves. They have to be wet all the time because they need to keep their skin damp enough to breathe. That's right, red-backed salamanders do not have lungs so they essentially breathe through their skin instead! By absorbing oxygen through their skin, they can be very sensitive to environmental stressors, making them a good indicator species of high-quality wooded areas and wetlands.
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Don't 'sneeze' at the value of a cottonwood
When people think of a cottonwood tree, they think allergies and "cotton" floating through the air. However, these trees native to Michigan offer great benefits to urban watersheds.
The cottonwood has one of the strongest connections to the water cycle and is one of the fastest growing trees. A single cottonwood tree can consume anywhere between 50-200 gallons of water each day, compared to an oak tree that consumes up to 50 gallons.
Cottonwoods, which can grow to 70-100 feet, prefer moist areas and can be found in floodplains. Young trees and twigs provide food for rabbits and whitetail deer, while many species of game birds and songbirds use cottonwoods for nesting.
This common tree has caterpillar-like flowers, called catkins, which are wind pollinated. The seeds have a fluffy tuft of fuzz, hence the term "cottonwood."
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