Photo of the Week: Zibiwés Nature Area Naming Ceremony

With clear blue skies, bright sunshine, and temperatures in the low 70’s (Farenheit), you couldn’t have asked for a better day for our township to hold the official outdoors naming ceremony for Zibiwés Nature Area.

Formerly known as Patriot Park, the nature area is a favorite birding and hiking location for me as well as other outdoor enthusiasts.

It’s one of the few areas in our township where the park area hasn’t been developed. I’m grateful township members prioritized keeping it a nature area over developing it for another soccer or baseball field.

It’s also one of the only, if not the only location in our county for the rare Clay-colored Sparrow that breeds in late spring/summer.

Township officials and community members enjoyed the dedication, along with our township’s U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell.

Members of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Nation from southwest Michigan and other Indigenous American dancers in Michigan gave presentations of dance and music during the ceremony.

I learned the name Zibiwés stands for “creek” in the Bodwéwadmimwen Potawatomi language, which is fitting since Fellows Creek runs through the nature area.

Wish I could have gotten a better photo of everyone looking in one direction after the ceremony!

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About the Author

Deborah Edwards-Oñoro enjoys birding, gardening, taking photos, reading, and watching tennis. She's retired from a 25+ year career in web design, usability, and accessibility.