Upcoming College & Adult Programs
Creating and Maintaining Amphibian & Reptile Habitat Workshop
Join us as naturalists and herpetologists teach us about Michigan’s reptiles and amphibians and how to create and maintain their habitats. In preparation for the keynote address, Jeanette Henderson, naturalist, will start the morning off with a hands on lab introducing participants to the basic identification of these animals. This will be a great review for those of you who are familiar with herps and a good introduction for those of you who are just being introduced to the subject. Keynote speaker, David Mifsud from Herpetological Resources and Management will then go in depth in a two hour workshop on the basic natural history and ecological needs of amphibians and reptiles in Michigan. We will approach this topic with an emphasis on both the site-specific and landscape scale needs for these species in habitat restoration and creation efforts. Topics will include the importance of slope, microtopography, predators and prey, habitat structure, refugia, nesting, breeding, immigration and migration, Best Development Practices (BDP), and various management techniques including mowing, herbiciding, prescribed burns, and subsidized predator control. Light refreshments provided.
David A. Mifsud, herpetologist, is a Certified Professional Wetland Scientist and Certified Professional Ecologist. He is the owner and founder of Herpetological Resource and Management (HRM). He has been working for over fifteen years in wildlife biology, wetland ecology, and habitat conservation and management. Currently he is developing a manual for the State of Michigan for the best management practices for amphibians and reptiles.
This event is sponsored by the Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve and other members of the West Michigan Cluster of the Stewardship Network.
When: Saturday, February 18, 2012 9:00 am to 12:00 noon
Location: Bunker Interpretive Center
Cost: $25 for Stewardship Network members or $30 for non-members. Register by Wednesday, February 15 online at or by calling the Stewardship Network office at (734) 996-3190
