Wetland Ecosystem

I have a special affinity to wetlands. The last nine summers of my life have been spent in and around one. Our trip on Saturday June 2, 2007 was to Metro Beach Metropark's Nature Center. It was here were we got to get up and close with at least an example of what's left of Michigan's once grand wetland ecosystems. For the last nine years, I've worked out at Metro Beach and was routinely encouraged to come out into the nature trails and experience the abundant life inside. This place allowed me to give a sense of nature inside a busy suburban area.

Over the years, of both working there and learning about wetlands in college, the interaction between all the abiotic and biotic organisms is what amazes me. I can remember learning about the complex, yet vital importance of the muskrat and cattail, and how without each other, neither would flourish. Out here I can transport myself to a place where nature can be at peace. Blue herons fly overhead, turtles take the time to bask in the sun's warm rays. The same family of swans have made this wetland home for as long as I have been coming here. This wetland, during the summer is almost a home away from home.

What was new to me, although I could swear that I have heard this somewhere in my education was the vernal pond. To see something that is so vital to the ecosystem here was very interesting. A small pool of water, only available in the spring and early summer was home to a variety of life, including many of the salamanders that call this wetland home. As the vernal pond drys and shrinks, the salamanders will grow and leave the vernal pond, making the rest of this wetland ecosystem home. Along the edges of this pond, beautiful iris would give nourishment to many birds and insects that would travel by. This place was truly special.

This is a place where many memories will stay with me. I have spent too much time with this wetland to forget how important it is and it is with this knowledge that I plan to reach out to my students and get them to grab hold and make someplace special to them.