When I discovered September 21-28, 2024 was Michigan Trails Week, I decided to focus on hiking and birding at my community parks and nature areas.
With the announcement of a new nature area by our township supervisor in this month’s community newsletter, I thought that would be a good place to start.
Never dreamed our elected local government would respond to my email questions about a map of the new nature area by telling me I had to submit a Freedom of Information Act request.
(Note to all local governments publicly announcing a new nature area with existing trails to their community: be prepared to provide a map and location.
Otherwise, don’t make the announcement publicly.)
Despite the odd and disappointing response from our local elected government, I was able to hike the new nature area. Thanks to a new friend who was familiar with the nearby area.
Which is where I saw the amazing eastern jack-o-lantern mushroom (Omphalotus illudens) featured in this post.
I learned the jack-o-lantern mushroom is a poisonous (when eaten), orange-gilled mushroom, often found on dead stumps at the base of hardwood trees.
Originally I planned to publish a post highlighting our local Canton Township trails for Michigan Trails Week, but given the issues I had getting information, I changed my plans.
And focused on visiting a specific trail each day of Michigan Trails week.
Here’s where I hiked and birded:
- Saturday, September 21, 2024: University of Michigan Dearborn: Environmental Interpretive Center, Dearborn, Michigan
- Sunday, September 22, 2024: Lake Erie Metropark, Brownsville Township, Michigan
- Monday, September 23, 2024: Canton Lower Rouge Trails (Trailforks map) and Zheshkwédokan Nature Area, Canton, Michigan (thanks to Mike for his help in finding and hiking the nature area)
- Tuesday, September 24, 2024: Belleville West Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Boat Launch, Belleville, Michigan (thanks to Frank for showing me the back trail where we saw beaver activity along the shore of Belleville Lake)
- Wednesday, September 25, 2024: Wick Road Great Lakes Water Authority (new trail near Detroit Metropolitan Airport), Romulus, Michigan
- Thursday, September 26, 2024: Nichols Arboretum, Ann Arbor, Michigan
- Friday, September 27, 2024: Leeann Park, Canton, Michigan
- Saturday, September 28, 2024: University of Michigan Dearborn: Environmental Interpretive Center, Dearborn, Michigan
For my readers in Michigan, did you know about Michigan Trails Week? If you did, what trails did you enjoy this past week?
