June 2023

A Big Surprise in a Small Package by Fred Wooley It was May 22; I was working alone in the Wooley Fen spraying Canada thistle. The vegetation was knee to thigh high, and thick. Backpack sprayer on, its wand in hand, I walked slowly, looking and down and around for my target plant.With each step, I looked down, as you can’t see exactly where you step due to thick plant growth. I walked slowly to not stumble over a hummock or into a wet hole in muck soil.As I walked, I looked at where my foot was sliding through the vegetation. On one step, as my foot was going down, I saw something brown with light spots. My weight was already shifting as I put my foot against it and it let out a sharp and loud, “BLEET!”Startled, I leaned and quickly shifted my weight and nearly fell in the process. I realized I just stepped on a fawn white-tailed deer!It was a tiny thing and remained motionless and stared at me. It was doing exactly what instinct tells it to do. It was classic defense behavior for a baby deer.

Male white-tailed deer in Wooley fen. May 22, 2023

Deer are born with light spots on brown fur. The spots appear as points of sunlight penetrating vegetation and break up the solid brown background. When motionless, they blend in with surroundings on the forest floor, in this case, the fen floor.Remaining motionless is another adaptation for fawn survival. At that age, they could not move fast on those tiny spindly legs. Its mother is not far off and keeps a watchful eye. If a predator approaches, it can run off and possibly distract the predator from its fawn. When danger leaves, the doe returns. If feeding time, the doe comes in and nurses the fawn and then backs away leaving it to hide and remain safe.Fawns that age also have yet to develop the scent the glands that older deer use to attract mates and mark territories. If they keep still, a predator can pass right by or over them and never realize their presence.I probably would have stepped right by or over it and kept going too, had I not stepped directly on it. It just looked at me while I took this photo. The dark spots up and behind the eyes showed it was a young buck.I then went back to work, and it back to hiding. I’m not sure who was more surprised. I’m sure I was the only one smiling.

The Wooley Fen Remembers by Fred Wooley In the spring of 1997, Jackie and I purchased 21 acres of old farm north of Fremont on the Michigan border. I have written about it in past Rustling Grass. Three small fields were previously farmed and total about 10 acres. As far as I could tell from remnant crop stubble, two acres were in beans, about three in hay, and the nearly five acres on which we built our home, in corn. Beyond the worn, wire farm fence marking the edge of the old cornfield, is a wooded slope of almost four acres falling to the edge of an extensive fen wetland, seven acres of which we own.The property was part of a once 100-acre farm. The upland fields are an agricultural mosaic of hundreds of acres in northern Steuben County. The lowland fen is a small portion of an expansive fen valley stretching from Fish Lake to the east, to Huyck and other lakes to the west. Cutting through and connecting the lakes is the headwaters of the Little Fawn River that emerges from Fish Lake and then flows lazily through this fen valley crisscrossing the Indiana/Michigan, continuing, and finally emptying into the St. Jospeh River near Constatine, Michigan.

The Wooley Fen in late May from the home back deck. Looking through the oak opening slope. A Leopold bench awaits for viewing and further contemplation.

Suffice it to say, the fen is a postage stamp of a large watershed. Floristically, however, it shows signs of integrity. As a matter of fact, I remember an early walk and showing the property to BHM Executive Director, Nate Simons. Upon seeing the fen for the first time, he said, “Fred, this is nature preserve quality.”I felt my chest puffing, but it was really luck, us securing the land. I had not really explored the fen thoroughly before we purchased. In visits until we built in 2000 and soon after moving here in 2001, I saw its significance and the need to protect and restore what might be lost.With the old farm and abandoned fields come the usual assortment of non-native plants; the invasive bush honeysuckle, autumn olive, and multiflora rose in the uplands and a smattering of those and reed canary grass and Canada thistle down in the fen.Once settled, I began the process of restoration, both around the house in the violent disturbance of construction and further out on ground disturbed by farm implements and the march of invasive plants.I was guided in part by the inspiration of Aldo Leopold, renowned forester, wildlife manager, naturalist, and author. His seminal work, “A Sand County Almanac” has inspired many in our field and his contributions of thinking of land as a community and caring for all the pieces, is a legacy long after his passing in 1948. He worked to restore and nurture an old farm in central Wisconsin; we could do the same on this old farm in northern Indiana.On these 21 acres we employ science and the best methods and practices that Blue Heron Ministries promotes and employs in all our projects. We cut and remove invasive species and carefully apply herbicides where necessary. We reintroduce fire over much of the landscape. Fire provides wide benefits now long documented by research and resource management.The uplands are the easiest to work. Down in the fen, a bit more challenging. It was not until 2016, did we first reintroduce fire to the fen. About the same time, we more actively cut and checked back invasive shrubs and trees. The oak slope was cleared of choking invasives and unwanted shrubs and now features the more proper oak openings and continuum from prairie and meadowlands above to wetlands and fen below.

Emily Schmidt spraying for reed canary grass Wooley fen, June 1, 2022.

Two years ago, we started working to control reed canary grass in the fen. On June 13 of this year, Josh and Madeline from the Blue Crew were here spraying for RCG, as we call it. I was working from home that day and we three enjoyed lunch together on the back deck. The following day, we were working on another property. The day was three-fourths complete when Josh casually mentioned enjoying the grass pink orchids in my fen.WHAT?! WAIT! You saw grass pinks in my fen?! This orchid, Calopogon tuberosus, is known only to high quality fens and is not a common plant. Josh figured I knew they were there! I did not.

Grass pink orchid, Calopogon tuberosus, in Wooley Fen. June 14, 2023.

I went down that night and found nearly 30 plants in perfect habitat. I was elated. If the plants were there these past 22 years, they escaped me. That’s the joy of resource management. The seeds are there or possibly a few remnant plants struggle every year only to be nearly choked by previous years’ duff or competition from shade and nonnative species. Once the area is opened and fire reintroduced, conditions allow the plants to return and thrive.

Tall meadow rue and Angelica in Wooley Fen.

It’s truly a charm of resource management to see plants continue to respond with each passing year. In previous years, I would see an occasional angelica, Angelica atropurpurea, and some purple meadow rue, Thalictrum dasycarpum. Last week while down there, I was met and surrounded by strong stands of each. The giant angelicas with their round, softball-sized flower heads and the purple meadow rue with their displays of small whitish flowers, from a distance looking like cotton candy floating on tops of tall plants.

Angelica in Wooley Fen. June 22, 2023

These plants are an exciting mix to a rare community. The diminutive grass pink orchids are jewels down low and these large plants add robust, tall texture above. They were always there but forgotten by time and suppressed and pushed aside by human change. With a little loving touch and time though, the fen remembers…

Seasonal Field Steward Position Available We are a non-profit Christian land conservation organization based in Angola, Indiana. We work with other nonprofit organizations, governmental agencies, and private land owners in northeast Indiana and southwest Michigan to assist them with stewardship of their lands. Our mission is to build communities where creation is kept and keep creation so that community may be restored.Blue Heron Ministries exists as an opportunity for folks to apply the hands-on craft of ecological restoration to steward our Father’s creation within the context of community.A description of the positions is as follows:Intensive and arduous labor.Term will begin ASAP. (seasonal position ends Oct 31)A typical work week is 35-40 hours…more during fire season or the occasional away trip.Beginning wage will be $17-$22/hour commensurate with experience.Uniforms provided.The work environment is casual but intense. It has been said by former employees that the Blue Crew is great to work with and mostly feels like family, and the flexibility of work/time off scheduling is great.Stewardship of creation is our banner. We work to restore relationships within the prairie-oak continuum landscapes of the Southern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift Plains Eco-region.Invasive species control predominantly in wetlands in Steuben and LaGrange and surrounding counties (Indiana and Michigan). Some travel and overnight stay will be required for distant  projects.Control of herbaceous invasive species (i.e. reed canary grass, cattails, purple loosestrife, etc.) will involve herbicide applications. Upland and wetland brush control will be included and will involve cutting and herbicide applications. Experience with chainsaw work is preferred.The field steward will participate in Blue Heron Ministries’ prescribed fire team. Experience in prescribed fire is preferred.Prairie and wetland seed collection and installation projects are a minor component of our work, as well.Work conditions will be cold or hot, wet or dry, and poisonous (herbicides and sumac and Massasaugas)…but where else can you enjoy the presence of God while caring for His creation in such a tangible way?The field steward must have a positive attitude, the willingness to learn and take direction, the ability to work independently and with a crew, the physical and mental ability to work outdoors under difficult conditions, and possess an attention to detail.The field steward will gain knowledge on a number of topics including but not limited to:Land management practices within prairie and oak ecosystemsKingdom principles of creation stewardshipPlant identification and monitoringThe lawful, ethical, and safe use of herbicidesWildlife surveys and monitoringOpportunities to network with other conservation organizationsSend resume and cover letter to stuartbheron1@hotmail.com attn: Nate Simons. Interviews of shortlisted applicants will follow.Position announcement will remain open until the position is filled.

View from the Crew by Freya Berntson

After coordinating a woodland native plant rescue back in April, I volunteered to “plant sit” around 100 individuals until the Northeast Chapter of the Indiana Native Plant Society annual plant swap in June. Here they are the day before the big event, resting under my elderberries. June 2

Some serious native plant enthusiasts gathered at the barn at Eagle Marsh at 8am on a Saturday for the Indiana Native Plant Society, Northeast, annual plant swap. This is a fun, free, and educational event. June 3

Party favor bags made of shear, breathable fabric make great seed collection bags for small seeds and those that may drop when you aren’t ready. These were given to me as a gift this spring and used to collect some bishop’s cap seeds from my garden.  June 3

One of my favorite things to watch: pollinators crawling into Foxglove Beardtongue flowers. This little bee was having a meal of nectar at LaGrange County Park’s Duff Lake Fen.  June 5

Summer Intern Madeline McQuiston greeting a fellow boardwalk user at Duff Lake Fen.  June 6

More wildlife! A fledgeling redwing blackbird trying very hard to be “unseen” in a shrubby cinquefoil at Duff Lake Fen. June 6

Signs of wildlife! Leaf cutter bees have been busy in my rain garden. I was delighted to see them make use of the sundrops’ petals. I frequently see these holes in redbud, wild senna, and even young oak leaves. June 11

Wildlife viewing. Madeline McQuiston, Fred Wooley, and Matt Neff take a moment to watch a family of 3 sandhill cranes after treating reed canary grass in the fen at Collins Bay.  June 12

Beautiful “moody” landscape photo, as Fred described it. Duff Lake Fen. Credit Fred Wooley

Another lovely shot shared by Fred who noted the gorgeous combination of purple and yellow, thanks to the blooms of Ohio spiderwort and golden Alexander. The beauty reminds me of Robin Wall Kimmerer’s “Braiding Sweetgrass” when she describes late summer fields of asters and goldenrods as “embroidered with drifts of golden yellow and pools of deepest purple, a masterpiece.” Duff Lake Fen  Credit Fred Wooley

A delightful wetland scene with the last hurrah of iris in bloom surrounded by sedges and rushes at Duff Lake Fen.  June 14

Grasspink orchid. Nate shared that this species is an “upside down” orchid. Duff Lake Fen.  June 16

A first in the wild for me! Pitcher plants in bloom at Duff Lake Fen. These plants are simply amazing. June 16

A fly is living on the edge… literally the edge of a carnivorous plant that will gladly consume the fly if it takes a wrong step! Pitcher plant at Duff Lake Fen.   June 16

A plant with a complicated reputation but one of my absolute favorites: poison sumac. It might make some of us miserable if we come into contact with it, but it plays an important part in ecosystems like that at Duff Lake Fen. June 16

Matt Neff assisting a painted turtle as it crosses the road, likely seeking a safe place to lay eggs. Clear Lake Township Land Conservancy’s Clear Lake Preserve. June 20

Upcoming Events

Guided Butterfly Hike at Duff Lake Boardwalk Saturday July 29th from 1-3 PM Come join us on a hike through the new boardwalk trails at Pine Knob Park, around Duff Lake.  We will spend the afternoon trying to get as many good looks at butterflies as time and the winged beauties will allow.  Bring water, footwear that can get a little wet (we may go off trail in pursuit of butterflies, but attendees can opt to stay on the trail, if desired.)  Bug spray can be helpful, though so far bugs have been minimal.  Binoculars and a good camera will also come in handy.  If the weather looks rainy, we will postpone the event until August 5th.  Check our Facebook page or text John Brittenham at 260-242-2759 on Friday, if the weather looks questionable.  We will meet in the Pine Knob Park parking lot at 1 pm (2835 E IN 120 Howe, IN 46746).  Hope to see you there!

Summer Events Watch for details on other activities such as: a guided wildflower hike at Duff Lake boardwalk on Sunday August 13th from 2-4 PM, a canoe/kayak tour, stewardship time at LaTierra, and seed collections. Dates will be determined soon and shared via email and on our facebook page and our website.

Stewardship Help at La Tierra PreserveThe trails at our La Tierra Preserve are in need of some maintenance, and we need your help! We are looking for someone with carpentry skills that would be willing to lead efforts to repair the boardwalks at our LaTierra Preserve. If you (or someone you know) is interested or would like more information, please contact John Brittenham at johnbrittenham@gmail.com.La Tierra is near the spot where the borders of Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan meet. From Fremont, IN – travel east on SR 120. Turn right on Cope Rd/1000 E, (depending on your navigator) which is also the IN/MI state line. La Tierra is approximately 1/2 mile south on the west side of the road. A map is available here.