Nature Niche

06/03/2026

Happy to be a part of Make a Difference Week and help control invasive species at Nelson Woods. Hope to see you there this Friday!

06/01/2026

Happy Monday! Do I have a treat for you! Check out all of these cool turtle species we encountered during hoop net trap checks as part of Chippewa Nature Center's (CNC) multi-year turtle monitoring program. Learn about the data CNC is collecting and how you can contribute your own observations to their study. Local folks, please help be responsible drivers and turtle crossing guards along the curves of Pine River Road and elsewhere, especially as we head into peak turtle nesting season!
Special thanks to Lindsey and Logan from CNC for sharing their wealth of knowledge and letting us see these amazing creatures up close!

Do I have a treat for you! Check out all of these cool turtle speci...

05/27/2026

Thanks to Nachai and the WNEM team for helping us share information about wild bird feeding and houses. https://www.wnem.com/video/2026/05/26/focus-5-bird-house-feeder-tips-part-1/

05/25/2026

Happy Monday and Happy Memorial Day! I wrap up May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month with a discussion about tick- and other vector-borne illnesses that can be contracted individually or multiple at a time, collectively referred to as Lyme+. Lyme+ can be anything from a long-term infection without symptoms to a chronic illness ranging from mild to life-threatening. I share the many organisms responsible for these infections, the myriad symptoms and signs they can induce, myths about the disease, the diagnoses commonly caused by underlying infections, and resources for learning more and seeking help from Lyme+ literate physicians. It is my sincere hope that this information helps you advocate for yourself or someone you care about!
Special thanks to Jill Sklenar, Rick Dulude, M.D., and the authors of Chronic: The Hidden Cause of the Autoimmune Pandemic and How to Get Healthy Again for pointing me towards helpful resources and opening my eyes to this important health concern.

I wrap up May as Lyme Disease Awareness Month with a discussion abo...

05/23/2026

Today is the last day of our spring native plant sale. All remaining plants are 20% off! We are open 10a-4pm.

05/22/2026

The Nature Niche chickadees wanted me to remind everyone to plant native species for our wild birds, pollinators, and other wildlife this holiday weekend! We have a lot of great species for sun to shade and wet to dry. Come see us today until 6pm and tomorrow 10am-4pm, before the plant sale ends. Earn double Nature Cache Rewards, too!

05/21/2026

Six Species Added to Michigan’s Invasive Plant Lists Following MI Commission of Ag & Rural Development Vote!

On May 20, the Michigan Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development approved the addition of six species to Michigan’s invasive plant lists under Part 413 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA).

Pursuant to the Commission’s decision, the following four plant species will be added to the restricted species list. Effective January 1, 2028, it will be unlawful to introduce, import, sell, possess with intent to distribute, or intentionally propagate these species in Michigan:

Common buckthorn
Glossy buckthorn
Callery pear
Japanese barberry

The following two plant species will be added to the prohibited species list. Effective June 19, 2026, it will be unlawful to introduce, import, sell, possess with intent to distribute, or intentionally propagate these species in Michigan:

Water hyacinth
Water lettuce

Under Part 413 of NREPA, invasive species are defined as species that are not native to Michigan and that cause, or are likely to cause, harm to the environment, economy, and/or human health. Regulating invasive species helps limit their introduction and spread through sale, trade, transport, and intentional propagation. Prohibited species are not widely distributed in the state and pose a significant risk to human health or natural, agricultural, or forest resources, with limited effective management techniques available. Restricted species are already more widely established in Michigan but still pose risks to human health or natural, agricultural, or forest resources.

Property owners are not considered in violation if these invasive species are already established on their property or in adjacent waterways. Individuals who seek alternatives to the newly restricted and prohibited plant species are encouraged to review resources such as those compiled by the Northwest Michigan Invasive Species Network.

For additional information on identifying, reporting, and managing invasive species, visit MDARD’s invasive plants web page.

05/17/2026

Happy Monday! This week I celebrate spring bird migration by highlighting the bird banding program at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC). I interview Michelle Fournier and Belinda Kisting with CNC and share footage from this season's first bird banding days with Belinda and Mike Bishop, retired faculty member from the Department of Biology at Alma College. What a special treat to see the wild birds up close!
Don't miss your chance--come watch bird banding this June through September at the CNC Homestead Farm:
Bird Banding: 8 am-12 pm on Thurs June 4, Wed June 17, Sat June 27, Thurs July 2, Sat July 11, Fri July 17, Wed Aug 5, and Wed Aug 26, 2026.
Fall Migration Bird Banding: on Fri Sept 11 from 4-7 pm and Sat Sept 12, 2026 from 8 am-12 pm.

This week I celebrate spring bird migration by highlighting the bird banding program at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC). I interview Michelle Fournier and Belin...

05/15/2026

Don’t forget our native plant sale starts today! We are open today until 6pm and tomorrow 10a-4pm.

05/11/2026

Happy Monday! Hope everyone had a lovely Mother's Day weekend! As we prepare for our first native plant sale of the 2026 season, I'm resharing my thought process for selecting native plant species that will thrive in various home landscapes. I share helpful resources and give step-by-step guidance for understanding important site conditions that should influence the selection of suitable native plant species. Happy native plant shopping!

This week I discuss my thought process for selecting native plant species that will thrive in various home landscapes. I share helpful resources and give st...