Forester Pin

This took some trips into the woods and some planning beforehand, but it wasn't hard once we were in the woods.

In September, 1996 we had a Pack 243 tree-transplanting event in Waterloo Recreation Area. We also had a litter pick-up and a guided walk with a ranger, who pointed out trees and plants to satisfy the requirements of this pin and gave out handouts and DNR posters. It was good, but the afternoon went longer than expected and the trail was too long after everything else, especially for the younger Scouts and siblings. I would suggest doing it again, but expect it to be an all-day event, and bring a lunch and plan a rest, or don't pack as much into the trip. Also, watch how many trees the kids dig up; you have to replant them all. The head ranger explained that part of their job is community outreach, so they are very willing to do projects and talks with groups like ours.

My son had already done the tree and plant identification on trips to other parks. I have included some nearby places that could also be used. You can also do this on your own using a field guide and a walk in any woods.

#1. Identify 6 forest trees and tell what useful things come from them. In this area you may find oak, elm, hickory, maple, pine, cedar, black cherry, musclewood, witch hazel, black walnut, alder, juniper, aspen, basswood, ash, beech, tamarack, poplar, sassafras, and others. Some field guides tell you how the trees are or were used. (A Field Guide to Eastern Trees in the Peterson Field Guides series does this.) Rangers say winter is a good time to learn trees, because you concentrate on the bark, which is the same year-round. Here are some parks that have nature trails with the trees labeled.

Hudson Mills Metropark - Dexter
U-M Matthei Botanical Garden (free) - Ann Arbor
Waterloo State Recreation Area - Chelsea
Kensington Metropark - Milford
Parker Mill County Park - Ann Arbor
Oakwoods Metropark - Flat Rock
Lower Huron Metropark - Belleville
Rolling Hills County Park -Ypsilanti (no labels on trails, but county ranger gives talks on occasion)

#2. Identify 6 forest plants useful to wildlife. Tell which animals use them and for what. The easy way might be to get a ranger to talk to the den or the pack. If you do this on your own, you'll need to check some field guides. A guide on mammals, one on birds, and one on insects should tell you what some of them eat or use for shelter and egg laying. Then get another guide on wild plants or flowers to identify the plants. This is doable in winter, but easier I think in other seasons. Your list will vary by season.
Another parent ploy: go to the Barnes and Noble bookstore on Washtenaw and Platt/Huron Parkway (near the Council office) without kids (open until 11 p.m.). Pick out a field guide and sit on one of the comfy couches or chairs there and copy out the animal/plant lists you need.
Here are some hints. Check out red squirrels, woodchucks, voles and mice, muskrats, raccoons and foxes, for mammals. For some plants to cross link to mammals or birds, try poison ivy, moss, lichens, grass (specific kinds), cattails, thistle, mullein, bracken fern, jewelweed, clover, reeds, skunk cabbage, pickerel weed, blackberries, raspberries, wild rose, pokeweed, May apples, and wild grape vines.

#3. Make a poster showing the life history of a forest tree. First, look in the 4th grade science book used at Lincoln Schools. If that doesn't work, try the library, the National Geographic, a DNR poster, or whatever you can find.
Here's another possibility: the district forester at the MSU/Washtenaw County Cooperative Extension Service (971-0079) would know about slide shows you can borrow on this from the County Soil and Water Conservation District (maybe the show Forests Are More Than Just Trees).

#4. Make a chart of how water and minerals in soil help a tree grow. Check the 4th grade science book used at Lincoln Schools, etc., the same as for #3.

#5. Collect 3 kinds of wood used for building houses. We had things around the house. My son used pine, some oak trim, and part of a cedar post. You can ask for scrap at the lumber yard, or, worst case, buy small pieces at Meijers or HQ. Cabinetry installers might have good scrap, too. Furniture grade wood is not easy to find.

#6. Plant and care for 20 forest trees. I've already described the tree transplanting at Waterloo. Other groups have gotten trees donated from nurseries and put them on private land or Ford Lake Park. Somebody planted trees at the school, which maintenance crews promptly mowed down over the summer. There is also a group you can contact: Global ReLeaf of Michigan P.O. Box 9043 Livonia, MI 48151 (phone: 1-800-642-7353). They help groups do urban plantings. They pay for 50% of the trees. You pay the rest, and agree to maintain the trees for 3 years. Sounds like a pack ongoing service project to me. The DNR may also supply trees free or cheap, or have lists of nurseries who specialize in providing bulk forest trees. Also try the USDA Forest Service, and the district forester at the MSU/Washtenaw County Cooperative Extension Service (971-0079). Huron Clinton Metropolitan Authority might let you plant trees, and there's that new undeveloped Heritage Park in Ypsilanti Township on Textile Road that might make a good site.

#7. Describe the harm caused by wildfire and how you can prevent it. See the handbook. You might also talk about how foresters sometimes start fires on purpose, to burn forest floor brush before it gets so thick that an accidental fire turns it into an all-destroying sky high inferno. See National Geographic, September, 1996. Sometimes pine cones and seeds can't sprout unless they get the high heat of a forest fire, so it's a mixed bad/good thing.

#8. Make a map of the U.S. and draw in the different types of forest growing in each part. This was easy. See the handbook.

Other Resources

Forester Leslie Science Center -call for dates

Eddy Geology Center, Waterloo State Rec Area great for
do it yourself, or pay for a ranger program. Will let you
do a tree planting project with their trees

Kensington Metro Park - 2 or 3 times a year, fee per kid

Howell Nature Center - call for dates, fees

Have Questions? Need Help?