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Forest Composition
The intrinsic value of the Valley Woods is a result of its composition. A page published by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) serves an an excellent primer for individuals newly discovering the value of mature forests. Below is an overview of the species diversity in the patch of woods that would be lost with the development of the new dining hall facility at the currently proposed location.
Trees
This patch of woods is of educational importance because it represents a type of forest, Oak-Hickory, which is both native and represents the type of forest that was present during pre-settlement times in southwest Michigan.
Ash, Black Cherry, Cornelian Cherry, Crab Apple, Dogwood, American Elm, Slippery Elm, Hawthorne, Shelbark Hickory, Shagbark Hickory, Pignut Hickory, Hop Hornbeam, Honey Locust, Amur Maple, Norway Maple, Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Musclewood, Red Oak, White Oak, White Pine, Redbud, Sassafras, Serviceberry and Sumac
Wildflowers
Trillium, Mayapple, wild geranium, Pennsylvania sedge
Wildlife
As local Kalamazoo filmmaker Matthew Clysdale demonstrates in his film, Animals Among Us, even fragmented urban ecosystems in Kalamazoo have a surprisingly rich presence of wildlife. Furthermore, they provide an opportunity for people in areas urban to reconnect with nature. The Valley Woods provide the same opportunity for students to take joy in knowing that small mammals, medium-sized mammals and migratory birds share a space with them on campus.
Whitetail deer
Students routinely spot the presence of these deer in this particular patch of woods during all seasons. Springtime evaluations by students also allowed for quick identification of deer scat and prints. This directly falsifies a statement based on a winter survey outlined in a recently publish Herald article that suggested that the woods have little wildlife due to the lack of deer prints in the snow.
Also:
Eastern Cottontail rabbit, Fox Squirrel, Red squirrel, chipmunks, skunk, woodpecker, turkey, red fox, wood duck and red tailed hawk.
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