ALPA and Volunteers Spend Two Saturdays Pulling Garlic Gustard

ALPA sponsored a series of Garlic Mustard pulling work sessions on the 1st and the 8th of May, with a final session this past weekend, May15th. Overall, 85 large garbage bags of this harmful and invasive weed were pulled by a total of over 50 people.

These work times were a great gathering of people who wanted to give back to the Preserve what it has given us, especially during this Covid season. The energy and enthusiasm of these volunteers was wonderful.

We hope to do another work session in the fall. Thanks to all who participated!

Natural Features Protection (NFP): Phase 2 Voices Needed.

Natural Features Protection (NFP): Phase 2
UPDATED Draft Map Now Available for Public Comment
Comments on the map will be taken at the NFP Review Board meeting on Tuesday, May 25 at 4:00 p.m.

The new map includes areas that border on the Asylum Lake Preserve. Please make your voices heard.

To review the full details of the draft NFP Overlay District map, text amendments, and to submit any comments, go HERE. The NFP Review Board is recommending an expansion of the Natural Features Protection Overlay District. The NFP overlay district is a special zoning district in the City where new development projects have special standards to consider as part of the City’s zoning and building review process.

The recommended expansion comes after a year of mapping natural features and seeking community input. The NFP Review Board is also recommending text changes to the zoning ordinance. These changes will help make the standards easier to interpret and apply.

New Ideas for Places to Walk and Enjoy Nature

April 2021 | We have added a new page under the ABOUT tab with suggestions for other places you might get outdoors and enjoy a walk among the trees, or under the sky and give Asylum Lake Preserve a rest from time to time. Take a look and venture just a tiny bit afar. Nearby Nature

ALPA Joins in Earth Day 2021 Celebration

April 2021 | ALPA is delighted and proud to participate in Kalamazoo Earth Day this year in a virtual manner by sharing a video with the community and the Kalamazoo Earth Week Festival Committee, “a group of volunteers committed to uplifting the work of environmental activists in Southwest Michigan and helping all of our neighbors become more involve in supporting sustainability every day.” The video can be found on community videos, Day 6 on the Kalamazoo Earth Day 2021 website or accessed directly HERE. ALPA is dedicated to protecting our fragile earth and spreading this critical message. Please take time to watch and feel free to share.

Prescribed Burn Encourages New Growth

April 2, 2021 | WMU recently conducted a prescribed burn in two different areas of the Asylum Lake Preserve. A number of acres of the prairie along Drake Rd. and a smaller section of forest along the southeast side of the lake were set on fire and carefully monitored by Plantwise LLC, a professional crew hired by the Management Council. Local firefighters and volunteers assisted the crews. These burns have been conducted a few times in the Preserve and are a tool to help restore the ecosystems to a more natural state. They help to control invasive species, unwanted weeds, encourage new growth and seed and flower production of native species, as well as welcome new insect and animal species to the area. The burn has been viewed as very successful and new growth can already been seen.

New Shadow Boxes at Entrance Focus on Seasons

ALPA has redesigned the shadow boxes at each entrance to the Preserve. We plan to update these seasonally and would love to hear your thoughts and comments on how they enhance your experience. Make sure to stop and take a look, learn and enjoy this natural space. Happy Spring!

Beavers Take Up Residence

(January 2021) As many of you know a group of beavers has taken up residence on the south side of the lake near the peninsula and have been cutting down trees for over a year. ALPA and WMU have consulted with environmental experts and we have been encouraged to leave them alone for the time being, and take some protective measures where needed. Since they do their work at night we hope everyone will tread carefully and quietly and let them rest during the day. Here is a link to recent article.

New Brochure and Trail Markers

(January 2021) ALPA and the Asylum Lake Preserve Management Council have been working together on two important initiatives over the past few months: Committees have been working on marking and describing the trails to make it easier for those visiting the preserve to enjoy its beauty and protect its natural features and living things as well, especially by staying on the trails. ALPA has created a new brochure with the updated information describing interesting sights and facts relating to each trail. Trees throughout the Preserve have been marked with blue, green, red and yellow diamonds to indicate the major trails. You can find the complete brochure and maps at all of the three entrances (in the near future) as well as in pdf form on the Trail Maps page in this website.

Vandals Destroy Bike Racks

At the beginning of October, vandals ripped off the dog poop bag dispenser and destroyed it, they also ripped out all three bike racks disturbing the bricks. WMU has taken steps to repair the damages. While nearly everyone who uses the Preserve is careful and considerate of this natural treasure, we hope everyone will treat it with care and concern for all who visit and the creatures who live there.

ALPA Board Members Spruce up Parkview Entrance

On Saturday September 26, 2020 ALPA board members joined Paul McNellis to spruce up the entrance area on Parkview. Members trimmed and cleared weeds around signs and spread mulch to keep the weeds down. A water bag was placed around the tree planted recently in memory of Arthur Falk who was an ardent supporter of the Preserve. We are planning more projects in the future and will need some volunteers. Contact us to sign up.