In this blog entry, Dana Wright, Legacy’s Stewardship Coordinator, shares some news and observations from two recent Legacy outings– a guided hike at the Reichert Preserve and a guided hike at the Beckwith Preserve. 

Cream Pea Plant

Rare plant found at Legacy’s Reichert Preserve! Botanist Bev Walters, led members of Michigan Botanical Club and Legacy supporters on an exciting walk through the Reichert preserve recently to see cream pea (Lythrus  ochroleucus). This fairly nondescript plant in the pea family is an oak savanna indicator species. The thriving population at Reichert has the only known examples of this plant in Washtenaw County! This site also has other savanna indicators like yellow pimpernel (Taenidia integerrima), and low sweet blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), making management of this area sensitive and a high priority.

Beckwith Preserve

Legacy also recently hosted a walk at Beckwith Preserve with the Huron River Watershed Council. Research done by the Watershed Council at Beckwith in Portage Creek informed us that this is the cleanest tributary to the Huron River!

Working with the groups like the Botanical Club and Huron River Watershed Council  boost Legacy’s resources while allowing Legacy a means to share knowledge and engage people in our mission of protecting the special places in southern Michigan.

If you would like to attend a guided hike through one of Legacy’s Preserves, we have two more scheduled this year! Check out our calendar of events to find out the details!