MCC Nature Trails

10/29/2026

Can you tell there are two types of maple tree leaves in the picture below? (leaf emoji)

The two leaves on the right are sugar maple, while the two on the left are black maple! How can we tell the difference? In this picture, we can tell because the two leaves on the right have pointer edges than the two on the left. Due to their similarities and the frequent hybridization between the two species, their distinguishing features won't always be present or clear, and there will be considerable variability from tree to tree and leaf to leaf.

What are some of the distinguishing features? Black maple leaves can have three main lobes, droopy margins as if they're suffering drought stress, fuzzy undersides, overlapping lobes at the base of the leaf, and mini-leaves at the base of the stem. Their geographic distribution is similar, however, sugar maple reaches farther north than black maple, while black maple is more suited for drier climates than sugar maple.

Fun fact: Black maple used to be considered the same species as sugar maple, just a different variety. Eventually, it was considered a different species entirely. Today, it is largely considered a subspecies of sugar maple (a group of sugar maples that is genetically different), though some experts still consider them to be separate species.

For more information about the differences between these two maples, check out these helpful sources:
bplant.org - https://bplant.org/compare/93-215
The Morton Arboretum - https://mortonarb.org/plant-and-protect/trees-and-plants/black-maple/

10/28/2026

Join MCD, LGROW, and MCC Kenneth J. Lehmann Nature Trails on Saturday, November 21 from 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM for a hands-on workshop! We will cover the different kinds of aquatic macroinvertebrates (river bugs) and how they are used to indicate water quality. After learning about the different types, attendees will help us identify the river bugs found during our October 3 Sampling Day and gauge the health of the Flat River Watershed! We will meet in Room G119 at the Montcalm Community College Greenville Campus.

RSVPs preferred. To RSVP, visit https://www.montcalmcd.org, email [email protected], or call 989-831-4212 x 2136.

10/16/2026

“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, 'tis near Halloween."
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We are into the thick of October. Ghouls are enjoying toxic pumpkin concoctions and goblins are running through store aisles shouting “give me pumpkin spice everything”! A scary time indeed, eh?!
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So it’s no surprise that Witches Butter is popping up all over our rain soaked woods! This shocking orange jelly fungi may appear that it’s jelly-like lobes are growing from the deadwood itself, but Witch’s Butter is actually a parasite feeding on another fungus, not the wood. It feeds on a “crust fungus” that is usually hidden beneath the bark of the dead branch. Cool, eh?!
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Photo taken along William’s Trail yesterday

10/14/2026

The Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) hosts an annual volunteer lake and stream monitoring conference each fall. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to stay up to date on monitoring methods and to meet and interact with other volunteers and aquatic professionals. Join us to engage wi...

10/07/2026

10/02/2026

Something we've been asked before: why do we collect stream insects to measure water quality instead of just testing the water?

Fall sampling season is underway, and the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program groups are out running events right now, so it's a good time to get into some of the reasoning behind MiCorps' methodology.

Testing the stream works, but it only captures the moment you take the sample. An hour later, or after a rainstorm, for example, the readings can change. If something polluted the stream a month ago and washed through, a test today might not pick it up.

The insects represent a longer snapshot. For example, mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies live in a stream for months, and each kind can only survive in certain conditions. The pollution-sensitive ones can start to diminish when water quality drops and don't return until it recovers. So the insects we find reflect what conditions have been like across the whole season, not just the day we sampled.

A single water test in a moving stream tells you about that moment. The insects are closer to an ongoing record of the stream 🙂

Here is the current list of VSMP events happening across the state: https://www.michigan.gov/egle/about/organization/water-resources/glwarm/micorps/monitoring-events

10/01/2026

October is Bat Appreciation Month! 🦇😍

To celebrate one of nature’s best pest controllers, join US Fish & Wildlife Service, Montcalm County 4-H, and MCD on Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Montcalm County Fairgrounds Ash Building to bust myths and learn about bats’ importance and how you can help protect these vital creatures.

09/28/2026

The volunteers behind Bramble Ramble.

09/25/2026

Round 1 of the race photos from 2026. These are candids and the more professional images will be uploaded soon.