Follow land steward Kyle Clarke in a year of conservation work

Here in Southeast Michigan, we experience the beautiful and dynamic seasons of the humid continental climate. Blue Heron Headwaters Conservancy’s land steward Kyle Clarke works with the seasons; his responsibilities at the conservancy are ongoing yet constantly changing. Conservation is a year-round effort, and your continuous support drives a community mission and provides the materials, equipment, technology and labor needed to safeguard natural spaces throughout the year.
When nature is in full bloom in the summer, Kyle is out almost every day maintaining preserves by mowing parking lawns and trails, picking up litter, and addressing violations or trespasses on private land. The blooming native demo gardens at our office and public preserves require consistent watering and upkeep in hot, dry weather. The spreading growth of invasive plant species needs to be monitored and combated. Staff and volunteers often inspect properties, map trails, and collect geospatial data using GIS and GPS technology. Summer at the conservancy is also the peak season for events and collaboration with the community. Nearly every week there are local groups, Scouts, school students, and college interns helping us steward a property for a special project. We extend our green hands to other natural spaces outside of our own properties. Last summer, Blue Heron partnered with Independence Township to improve Depot Park, a popular public park in the heart of Clarkston. Kyle spent multiple workdays weeding invasive species and planting native species at Depot Park.
While nature appears to be winding down in the fall, conservation efforts are in full swing. In addition to many tasks that continue from the summer, Kyle leads special projects specific to the season, such as harvesting native seeds and planting natives on preserves. In late fall, with less brush, staff and volunteers are able to get a clear view of the land and more easily navigate properties for inspections and potential land acquisitions. Every year, they install and update boundary posts and property signage. Less brush and cooler temperatures also allows them to plan out new trails and public access points.
Winter has proven to keep Kyle and the Blue Heron staff busy. The outdoor work slows down a bit, but Kyle spends his indoor days planning the stewardship schedule for the year. He also leads indoor volunteer activities such as native seed sorting and seed ball making sessions. Winter is the optimal season for sowing seeds and seed balls on the properties. Sowing in the winter provides the seeds sufficient time to infiltrate the winter soil and go through their natural cold stratification period required for germination. Kyle and his team can also safely burn piles of brush with the cold and moist conditions containing the fire.
Kyle has big plans for the upcoming spring season. While invasive removal is a task for any season, it is especially important in the spring because plants are easily identifiable and herbicide treatment can be effective on early growth. Like the fall, spring is the planting season, so Kyle and volunteers plan to be working hard to get a diverse array of native plants on all of the properties across our 20 mile radius service area.
Kyle and all of the dedicated individuals at Blue Heron require ongoing support to solve problems, accomplish essential tasks, and keep conservation work up and running—Every day, and all year round. Recurring support allows our mission to root in resilience, grow to new heights, and protect what matters most in any weather. Consider donating the cost of one lunch, once a month, in order to help perpetually protect the natural spaces in your community.
Give monthly, protect forever.
Until February 15th, all new recurring donations of more than $20 a month or increases to existing recurring donations by $10 a month receive an exclusive 2025 Blue Heron Headwaters Calendar! And due to a generous match, all new and increased recurring donations will be matched up to $2000.
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