Local preserves get helping hand from Americorp, WMU

Garlic mustard grows well in Michigan. Too well, actually. The invasive species will overwhelm native plants if allowed to.

For six weeks, an eight-member Americorp team has been working to improve the health of two local nature preserves in the Kalamazoo area. WMU owns and manages the 50-acre Kleinstuck Preserve and the 274-acre Asylum Lake Preserve. The eight team members conclude six weeks of work on the two preserves June 30.

The team has removed invasive plants, taken on erosion control projects, and educated community members and students in local schools about environmental stewardship.

Trail systems at both preserves were improved by repairing them or closing severely eroded trails to new ones in order to minimize visitor impact.

The team stayed on the campus of WMU while they were in town.

Not only have they removed invasive plants such as garlic mustard, European privet, and dame’s rocket, but they also have planted native vegetation grown in WMU’s Finch Plant Science Greenhouse.

For the past two years, a Natural Areas Program has been in place at WMU to enhance and preserve the natural environments of the two preserves and the campus.

Writer: Kathy Jennings
Source: Cheryl Roland, WMU