July 22, 2009

The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), together with Michigan Natural Features Inventory, is conducting a series of workshops that will provide a unique opportunity to learn more about Michigan's rare wetland areas.  The workshops will be held July 30th in Wayland, August 4th in Traverse City, August 11th in Stockbridge, and August 13th in Kensington Metro Park.

Each workshop will include morning presentations from Michigan Natural Features Inventory ecologists on overall landscape, community classification, rare and imperiled wetland types present in the state, and strategies for identification.  Plants, animals, and other characteristics of each community type will be discussed.  Each training session will include afternoon field visits to one or more of the rare and imperiled wetland types in the respective area.  Attendees should come prepared with boots, water, and other field gear to participate in the afternoon field visits.

Michigan's landscape includes a remarkable array of rare wetlands including southern bogs, prairie fens, southern wet meadows, northern fen, and hardwood-conifer swamps. 

The registration fee of $35 includes workshop materials and lunch.  Registration can be done on‑line at www.michigan.gov/deqworkshops (click on "Upcoming DEQ Workshops"), and additional information is available by calling the DEQ's Environmental Assistance Center at 1‑800‑662-9278, or by e-mail at deq-ead-env-assist@michigan.gov .

Editor's note:  DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq .

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"