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Southwest Michigan's Fall Colors

Posted on October 6, 2025

Fall has officially arrived in Southwest Michigan, bringing with it the beauty of changing leaves. Each year’s mix of sunlight, temperature, and rainfall creates a unique display that influences when colors peak, how vibrant they appear, and how long they last. It’s part of what makes Michigan’s fall season so intriguing and magical.

Why leaves change color:

As days get shorter and sunlight fades, trees stop making chlorophyll - the green pigment that fuels photosynthesis. When that green fades, the yellows and oranges that were hiding underneath start to show. Reds and purples appear when sugars get trapped in the leaves on sunny days and cool nights, creating those brilliant fall hues that we all love! The first trees to change over will be drought-stressed trees, and trees that are near roads or highways that have less soil availability.

How weather affects fall color:

The best fall color happens after a warm, sunny summer followed by cool (but not freezing) nights. How bright the leaves appear and how long the colors last depend on the temperature and moisture levels leading up to and during the time when trees begin losing chlorophyll. Too much rain or drought can dull the display or cause leaves to drop early. A warm, dry fall can also shorten the leaf-peeping season. 

Michigan’s most colorful trees:

🍁 Sugar and red maples – fiery reds, oranges, and yellows
🌳 Aspen and birch – golden yellows across northern forests
🌿 Oaks and hickories – deep reds, rusts, and golds
🍂 Sassafras – rainbow tones from yellow to purple
🌲 Tamarack (larch) – a rare conifer that turns bright yellow before dropping its needles

In a typical year, the first trees to change colors are maples and sassafras, which give us fiery oranges, reds and yellows. The oaks and hickories typically change later in the season.

COL preserves offer some of the best vantage points to take in the colors of fall. Across the prairies, goldenrods fade from bright yellow to soft brown as they dry, while the tree lines beyond offer sweeping views, as the tops of maple trees are some of the first to change a brilliant red. Walking trails through the understory, you can look up through golden sassafras leaves and catch glimpses of sunlight filtering through the canopy. Take some time this fall to get outside and enjoy the beautiful transformation unfolding around you!

Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease Returns

Posted on October 1, 2025

As summer transitions into fall, Michigan often sees the seasonal appearance of Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) in white-tailed deer. EHD is a viral disease spread by biting midges, tiny insects that thrive during late summer and early fall. Outbreaks typically subside after the first hard frost kills off the midge population.

Within the last month, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources confirmed the state’s first cases of EHD for 2025 in deer from several southern counties. While small, localized die-offs occur almost every year, these outbreaks can be concerning for hunters, landowners, and anyone who enjoys time outdoors.

What to know about EHD:

• The disease is not transmissible to humans or pets, nor can deer transmit the disease directly to one another. The virus must pass through the insect.
• Venison remains safe to eat if handled and cooked properly, as long as the meat is handled properly and cooked thoroughly. The virus does not infect humans and does not pose a food safety risk.
• Infected deer may appear weak, disoriented, or unafraid of humans, and are often found near water sources. Unfortunately, most deer that contract the virus die within days.
• EHD outbreaks are often localized, meaning one area may see significant losses while nearby areas are unaffected.
• Environmental conditions—such as hot, dry late summers that create more muddy water where midges breed—can increase the likelihood and severity of outbreaks.

Signs of EHD include:

• Weakness, reluctance to move
• Excessive salivation
• High fever
• Decreased fear of people
• Seeking out water to lie in (to cool down)
• Bleeding - including from mouth or in internal organs
• Rapid progression to death (often within 1–2 days after signs appear

Because there is no treatment for EHD, public awareness and monitoring are key. If you encounter a sick or dead deer that you suspect may be affected, please report it to the DNR and the landowner (such as Chikaming Open Lands) if you are at a preserve or park.

For more information about EHD in Michigan and the latest updates from the DNR, or to report a sick deer visit: michigan.gov/ehd

Pictured: Photo taken by Don Ashley of a healthy deer at Grand Beach Marsh Preserve

Invasive Species Alert

Posted on August 15, 2025

Chikaming Open Lands was recently notified by CISMA that two species on Michigan’s Invasive Species Watchlist, parrot feather (Myriophyllum aquaticum) and cinnamon vine (Dioscorea polystachya), have been documented in Berrien County. CISMA (Southwest by Southwest Corner Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area) works to protect natural resources in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties from the threat of invasive species.

The sightings, confirmed through the community science platform iNaturalist, were on property not owned by COL but close enough to put our stewardship team on alert.

Why This Matters 

Watchlist species are not yet widespread in Michigan, but they have the potential to cause significant environmental harm if they spread. Early detection is critical, as finding and reporting them early gives us the best chance to stop them before they become established. If you’ve heard about the spotted lanternfly, another species on the state’s watchlist, you know how quickly invasive species can spread and the damage they can cause to plants, trees, and crops. Parrot feather and cinnamon vine may not be as well-known, but they pose serious risks to our waterways and natural areas. 

Parrot Feather is an aquatic plant with bright green, feathery leaves that grow both above and below the water’s surface. Its whorled leaves have 4–6 leaflets each, and stems rise above the water like bottlebrushes. Dense mats of parrot feather can crowd out native plants, disrupt water flow, and reduce habitat for fish and wildlife. 

 Cinnamon Vine is a vigorous climbing vine with bright green, heart-shaped leaves and small, cinnamon-scented flowers. It produces aerial tubers that resemble tiny potatoes, as well as underground tubers, allowing it to spread rapidly. Once established, it can blanket and smother native vegetation. 

What You Can Do 

Invasive species are easiest to manage when they are first introduced, since it is much easier to mange just a few plants, instead of acres of them. Because of this, early detection is key to protecting our resources! CISMA leans on partners, residents, and citizen scientists to help report emerging species, since they see far more of the county than the CISMA ever will. When you spot invasive species, report them using MISIN!

MISIN, the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network, is program through MSU to help identify and map invasive species throughout the area. Using either the website or the phone app, you can report invasive species locations for managers and municipalities. Or, visit the website to look at what has been reported in your area!

Chikaming Open Lands Protects 31 Acres in Royalton Township

Posted on July 30, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2025

Chikaming Open Lands Protects 31 Acres Near the St. Joseph River

New Nature Preserve Will Offer Future Public Access in Royalton Township

BERRIEN COUNTY, MI — Chikaming Open Lands (COL) is proud to announce the successful acquisition of a 31-acre property near the St. Joseph River in Royalton Township. Adjacent to the Royalton Township Nature Trail property, this newly protected land, featuring forested ravines, wetlands, and a former vineyard, represents an exciting step in COL’s commitment to protecting open space throughout all of Berrien County.

Thanks to the generosity of former landowners Thomas and Eileen Chapman, who offered the land at a significantly reduced price, the property is now permanently protected and will remain natural and undeveloped for generations to come.

“This is a meaningful milestone for Chikaming Open Lands,” said Executive Director Ryan Postema. “It’s our first preserve in this area of the county and adds more than 30 acres of protected natural area to the St. Joseph River corridor.”

Protected land corridors like this one, especially those along river systems, are vital for supporting native plants and wildlife. They help maintain biodiversity, protect water quality, and contribute to a healthy, balanced ecosystem. Because this property sits next to the Royalton Township Nature Trail, it also creates exciting opportunities to expand public access for recreational use.

Highlights of the property include:

• Mature forested ravines with beech, maple, and oak trees.

• A former agricultural field and vineyard, which COL plans to restore to native habitat.

• Expansion of an existing trail system, offering future public access and recreational use.

• Conservation value as part of a natural corridor in a rapidly developing area.

While the purchase is now complete, COL is continuing to seek donations to support restoration, trail development, and long-term stewardship of the preserve.

“We’re deeply grateful to the Chapmans for their generosity, and to all of our donors who made this acquisition possible,” said Executive Director Ryan Postema. “Their support has enabled us to protect land and provide outdoor recreation opportunities for communities in a part of Berrien County that we hadn’t yet reached.”

To support this project and learn more, visit www.chikamingopenlands.org/pre...

A Flurry of Wings: It’s Peak Butterfly Season!

Posted on July 25, 2025

There’s no better time than mid-summer to witness the beauty and diversity of butterflies in Southwest Michigan. Whether you’re exploring Burns Prairie Preserve or any other grassland and prairie habitats, you may be greeted by flashes of orange, yellow, and blue fluttering through the landscape.

Butterflies aren’t just beautiful, they’re also important pollinators and indicators of ecosystem health. That’s why Chikaming Open Lands participates in the Michigan Butterfly Network’s citizen science monitoring program. Stewards and volunteers spend time on our preserves each summer to document butterfly species and help track long-term population trends across the state.

Native Butterflies to Look For

While monarchs tend to get all the glory (and for good reason!), many other butterflies call our region home. Below are just a few that are stewardship team has spotted this week while working on the preserves. Want a resource to take with you on the trails? We recommend this Michigan Butterflies & Pollinators pocket guide

Photos taken by COL Stewardship Field Supervisor, Mandy Allred

Create Habitat at Home

Want to attract butterflies to your backyard? Start by planting native species that provide both nectar for adults and food for caterpillars. Many butterflies are specialists, meaning their larvae can only feed on specific host plants. For example, monarch caterpillars only eat milkweed. Here are some key host and nectar plants to consider:

• Milkweed (especially Asclepias tuberosa and A. incarnata) provides nectar and serves as a larval host for monarchs

• Wild bergamot, coneflower, and black-eyed Susan are excellent nectar sources for many adult butterflies

• Native violets are critical for fritillary larvae

• Herbs such as parsley, dill, and fennel, as well as golden alexander are a great host plant for black swallowtail

By planting a mix of these native plants and wildflowers and leaving some “wild” spaces in your yard, you’ll support butterflies through all life stages, from egg to adult. Learn more about habitat restoration from our friends at Pizzo & Associates.

Take a Walk, Spot Some Wings

While Burns Prairie Preserve is one of the most popular COL preserves for butterfly-viewing, Chris Thompson Memorial Preserve, Sugarwood Forest Preserve, and Castle Keep Preserve are also great spots to visit on a warm, sunny day. 

Together, we can enjoy and protect the vibrant species that make our landscapes so lively and colorful!