New fen resources available

posted on April 16, 2010 9:41am

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  517-432-1555, ext. 177

  EAST LANSING, Mich.—Prairie fen wetlands are rare habitats with many rare plants and animals. If you live in Michigan, there’s a chance you may have one in your backyard.
             
  Aside from being beautiful, prairie fens provide clean water for lakes and streams and prevent flooding. Two new resources will help property owners identify this rare ecosystem and possibly restore it.
             
  The first is a new Web site, “A Prairie Fen Companion,” at www.prairiefen.msu.edu. This site is a collaboration between Michigan State University (MSU), The Nature Conservancy, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Landowner Incentive Program and The Stewardship Network.
             
  The site explains how to identify and restore fen habitats as well as who to contact for help managing and restoring it.
             
  Another new resource is a book titled “Exploring the Prairie Fen Wetlands of Michigan.” This book, by Michael A. Kost and Daria A. Hyde, is a full-color publication with photographs, illustrations and information about the ecology of the rare habitat. It also covers some of the threats to prairie fens and what readers can do to restore theirs.
             
  A sample of the book is located on the Extension Web site at http://web2.msue.msu.edu/bulletins/Bulletin/PDF/E3045.pdf.
             
  To order a print copy, visit the MSU Bulletin Extension office or call 517-353-6740. The cost of the printed publication is $10, and the inventory number is E3045.
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