Upcoming Events

 
 
Augusta Creek - A Treasure in your Backyard

 

What:    a seminar to learn more about Agusta Creek and what makes it unique.

When:  Monday, March 12, 2012
            7:00-8:30 PM

Where:  Kellogg Biological Station  Auditorium                                   
             3700 East Gull Lake Drive
             Hickory Corners, MI

Presenters:
    Stephen Hamilton, Ecologist and Professor, KBS
    Kregg Smith, Senior Fisheries Biologist, DNR
    Josh Haas, Birder and Nature Photographer
    Julia Kirkwood, Environmental Quality Analyst, DEQ

 

Desserts and beverages provided by the Four Township Water Resources Council. For more information visit www.swmlc.org or call the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy office at (269) 324-1600.

Augusta Creek

Come to an informational seminar to learn more about this treasure in your backyard. The Augusta Creek flows from southern Barry County into the Kalamazoo River in Augusta it is a cold water, pristine creek like streams commonly found in northern Michigan but this one is right here in your backyard. It remains healthy because it is largely free-flowing, has extensive wetlands surrounding its headwaters, and is forested through much of the stream valley.  Said Hamilton, “The combined effect of cool groundwater inputs and shady channels maintains the summer water temperature low enough to support trout fisheries. Brown trout is currently the primary target of fishermen and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources stocks several thousand brown trout into Augusta Creek every year.” Come learn about what makes this creek unique and why it was ranked by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality as one of the most important water bodies to conserve in the State.

Map of the Augusta Creek Watershed

Map of the Augusta Creek Watershed

Get to know the Presentors

Stephen K. Hamilton:  Steve is a Professor at Kellogg Biological Station (KBS), Michigan State University, where he has worked since 1995. Steve’s principal research interests involve ecosystem ecology and biogeochemistry, with particular attention to aquatic environments, the movement of water and nutrients through landscapes, and agricultural ecology.  His research topics are diverse and his study sites span from lakes and streams to wetlands and soils. He also leads the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and is actively involved in local water issues.

 

Kregg Smith:  Kregg earned his PHD from Montana State University studying the geomorphology of mountainous trout streams. Kregg began his current position in 2003 with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources as a Fisheries Biologist at the Southern Lake Michigan office in Plainwell. Kregg is currently a Senior Fisheries Biologist covering assessments of fish populations and habitat projects in the Kalamazoo River Watershed.

Josh Haas:  Josh is a local Birder and Nature Photographer that leads trips & workshops helping people to connect with nature. Each year he is heavily involved in the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary's spring Ornithology Course and his Photography can be seen in numerous Michigan publications, on-line at www.glancesatnature.com, and at Michigan Art Shows all summer.

 

Julia Kirkwood:  Julia has a degree from MSU in Fisheries and Wildlife and has worked for DEQ for 10 years and prior to that did a variety of other positions in the natural resource field.  Currently she is an Environmental Quality Analyst for the DEQ working in the Non-Point Source program where her main responsibility is as a grant project administrator. Julia works collaboratively with local stakeholders on these grants to restore and protect our rivers and lakes due to impacts mostly from land management practices.