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Napier Avenue Campus Natural Area
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Mission
The Environmental Center provides environmental education
opportunities for the students, staff and community served
by Lake Michigan College. Providing a broad spectrum of
environmental activities, we hope to heighten environmental
awareness and appreciation in our college and community.
Location
Located in the northwest corner of the Napier Avenue Campus,
just north of the softball field, is our Natural Area, containing
more than a mile of trails which wind through five different
habitats. These trails are maintained for the educational
usage and enjoyment of our students, staff and local community.
We invite you to visit our natural area, walk its trails
and enjoy its beauty as the seasons pass.
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The 50-acre tract serves as a wildlife sanctuary and outdoor
classroom in conjunction with the College's Environmental
Center.
All we ask is that you protect this area during your visit.
Ecological systems are fragile, so please stay on the trails
and do not disturb the plant or animal life. With your help
this sanctuary will remain a place of beauty and solace
from our hectic world.
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Deciduous Woods
Deciduous refers to trees which lose their leaves annually. In
this approximately three acre woodlot you can see a variety of
trees and shrubs, including sugar maple, red maple, beech, elm,
sycamore, white ash, white oak, basswood, shagbark hickory and
spicebush. This mix of trees creates a blaze of color in the fall.
Pond and Marsh
One of the richest and most productive wildlife habitats, the
pond and marsh are where you are most likely to spot a sunning
turtle, frog or snake. Here salamanders, crayfish, birds and mammals
can be seen at the water's edge. It is also home for a large number
of insects and plants that provide food for the areas many inhabitants.
White Pine
This stand of pines was planted in 1967-68. The trees are very
close together causing less light to filter through. This inhabits
photosynthesis and causes the lower branches to die. As you walk
the trail you can see how the trees which grow more quickly, shade
the smaller trees until they too die. This naturally thins the
stand.
Old Field
This area was once farmed, then abandoned. It is slowly progressing
back to its natural state. This represents what is known as "old
field" or secondary ecological succession. A variety of grasses,
wildflowers, shrubs and young trees inhabit the area.
Prairie and Grassland
This open "prairie like" area is the habitat for many
plants and animals not found in the woodlot. Here you may observe
swallow, pheasant, quail, fox, rabbit, hawk, groundhog and small
rodent. Along the edges of the grassland there are nesting boxes
for the eastern bluebird which favors this type of habitat. This
area contains many native tall grass prairie plant species.
This page was last modified :
August 17, 2007
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