Habitat conservation work at Dahlem
Dahlem’s mission is to provide environmental education and outdoor experiences to the residents of South-central Michigan. This includes maintaining natural habitats for you to explore and learn about.
To maintain our natural habitats, we are working to control encroaching invasive species. Invasive species are plants or animals that are not native to our area and cause harm to our ecosystems.
We have been working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) and the district conservationist to create a conservation plan for Dahlem. This conservation plan outlines work over the next several years to improve and maintain habitat at Dahlem. A key goal of this conservation plan is invasive species removal and control.
Unfortunately, many invasive plant species are found here at Dahlem. Autumn olive, buckthorn, oriental bittersweet, and honeysuckle are a few examples. These plants are fast growing and out compete our native plants for sunlight, nutrients, and space. Invasive species impact the diversity of plants and quality of habitat for wildlife. They also impact the health of ecosystems people rely on.
Our focus for removal and control of invasive species will be in areas where they have begun to out compete our native plants and take over. Physical removal, such as cutting and mowing, as well as targeted chemical control and prescribed burning are methods we will be using to control invasive plant species and restore natural habitats.
In early 2024, we completed our initial large physical removal project by working with a forestry mulching contractor (photo below). Removing invasive shrubs and vegetation has opened many areas and will allow native plants a chance to fill in those spaces. The regeneration process takes time and will need continued monitoring and maintenance.
In 2025, we have plans for prescribed burning and targeted chemical control of invasive plants, as well as seeding/planting areas with native species.
In early March of 2025, we conducted a spring prescribed burn in our grasslands with the assistance of a certified contractor experienced in controlled burns (photo below). The burn will help control invasive plant species and prepares the grassland areas for seeding with native wildflowers and grasses.
We are grateful to have the opportunity to work with USDA-NRCS on this conservation plan. Completing this important conservation work will help our natural areas flourish.
Learn more about invasive species with these resources:
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Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (JLW CISMA) – https://jlwcisma.weebly.com/
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Michigan Invasive Species Program – https://www.michigan.gov/invasives
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Michigan Natural Features Inventory: Best Control Practices – https://mnfi.anr.msu.edu/publications/best-control-practice-guides