Your Account Email Sign-Up Buy Annual Pass

Black History Month

...it took many years before ideals became a reality for black citizens. The last quarter-century has finally witnessed significant strides in the full integration of black people into every area of national life. In celebrating Black History Month, we can...

Organization Overview & History

...in Southeast Michigan from its 194 1 total of 14 state parks or recreation areas containing about 955 acres. It identified about 100,000 acres in southeast Michigan as having potential as public parklands. So, early in the park siting process,...

Lake Erie Metropark Marshland Museum

...part of the scientific name which means “white-headed” in Greek) was originally from the Saginaw/Bay City area. He arrived at the Marshlands Museum in July of 2008. While the cause of his injuries is not clear, he is now partially...

Stony Creek Metropark Nature Center

...and those in transport chairs. Accessible restrooms are available inside. Accessible van parking is available in the main parking area. A long, paved walkway leads from the parking lot down a hill to the Nature Center. Stony Creek Metropark Nature...

Bird of the Week: American Woodcock

...you can hear this whistling-chirping-like sound get louder, until you hear its wing beats as it lands on the ground. It will land in in the same area each time, allowing the most silent and respectful viewer to get a...

Metropark Express Powered by Smart

...Clair Metropark or vice versa. Your ride to the park is FREE if you are transferring from a SMART fixed bus route. All SMART and Dart passes (except for SMART value passes) are accepted as payment. Visit https://www.smartbus.org/Fares for information...

The Most Beneficial Gardener Is a Lazy One!

...leaves under trees or in garden beds if you choose to clear your lawn of leaf litter. Avoid the use of chemicals and fertilizers in your gardening practices. Links for more Information: https://www.canr.msu.edu/home_gardening/pollinators/ https://xerces.org/blog/dont-spring-into-garden-cleanup-too-soon https://xerces.org/pollinator-resource-center/great-lakes https://extension.psu.edu/programs/master-gardener/counties/lackawanna/news/how-to-support-our-pollinators-insects-and-birds-during-the-winter-months https://www.gardencityharvest.org/the-real-dirt-garden-city-harvest-blog/2022/9/30/native-pollinators-creating-year-round-habitat-in-your-yards-and-gardens-gbbyd https://www.xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/18-014.pdf https://homegrownnationalpark.org/ https://www.michiganaudubon.org/fall-garden-clean-up-dos-and-donts/...

Wild Wednesday: Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus catenatus)

...sighting within your Metroparks, please call the nature center within that park (visit www.metroparks.com for center phone numbers). You can also report a sighting by searching Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake at www.michigan.gov/dnr. To learn more about this amazing reptile, visit https://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered/reptiles/eama/index.html...

Natural Resources

...An invasive species is one that A) does not naturally occur in a specific area AND that B) can cause harm if/when it gets introduced to that area. An invasive species can crowd out (and kill) existing native species; it...

Bird of the Week: Bald Eagle

In honor of the upcoming Independence Day we are featuring, you guessed it, the Bald Eagle! This #BirdoftheWeek was chosen as the symbol of the United States in 1782 for its strength, longevity and majestic appearance, which represents the strength...

Harnessing the Potential of Lawns

...with your personal aesthetic preferences or HOA guidelines. Tending to native plants with a slightly elevated mowing height encourages deep root development, enhancing soil vitality and resilience against drought.   For more information: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/smart_lawns_for_pollinators https://www2.dnr.state.mi.us/publications/pdfs/huntingwildlifehabitat/landowners_guide/habitat_mgmt/backyard/Grass_Ground_Cover.htm https://xerces.org/pollinator-conservation/yards-and-gardens https://wildseedproject.net/2017/01/native-groundcovers-beauty-biodiversity-ground-level/ https://www.prairienursery.com/plants-seeds/native-plants/groundcover-plants.html https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/xeriscaping-ground-cover-plants-7-230/ https://www.a2gov.org/departments/Parks-Recreation/NAP/Native-Plants/Pages/NativePlants.aspx...

Vernal Pools: Protecting, Monitoring, and Celebrating!

...pools, be sure to check out the Vernal Pool Patrol! Be sure to check out “Ephemeral”, a short film created by the Michigan Nature Association (MNA) about the wonders of vernal pools.   Sources: https://vtecostudies.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Indicator-Species-ID-Sheet-1.pdf https://vernal-pool-patrol-mnfi.hub.arcgis.com/ https://www.nwf.org/Educational-Resources/Wildlife-Guide/Invertebrates/Vernal-Pool-Fairy-Shrimp#:~:text=Before%20the%20vernal%20pool%20dries,in%20such%20a%20temporary%20habitat. https://www.michigan.gov/egle/newsroom/mi-environment/2022/05/31/vernal-pools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdJDe3bA7j8  ...

Water Footprints

...water seeps down into spaces underground. These aquifers also eventually feed the rest of the area’s exposed freshwater. Even in areas coated in asphalt and pavement, the water of gutters moves to storm drains and other channels with outlets to...

Bird of the Week: Bald Eagle

Happy Independence Day from your Metroparks! This week’s Bird of the Week feature is the Bald Eagle. The Bald Eagle was chosen as the symbol of the United States in 1782 for its strength, longevity and majestic appearance, which represents...

Bird of the Week: American Crow

...example, crows can fasten tools, understand analogies, exercise self-control and like to play – all signs of what humans would call intelligence. This article from Natural Habitat Adventures has more about crow intelligence: https://www.nathab.com/blog/crows-are-as-intelligent-as-a-seven-year-old-child/ To hear crow calls visit: https://www.bird-sounds.net/american-crow/...
Back To Top
Search