Tag Archives: Ecosystem

Butterflies Are Blooming: Frederik Meijer Gardens announces 29th annual butterfly exhibition

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Common Morpho (Courtesy, FMG)


By WKTV Staff

deborah@wktv.org


Enjoy an up-close encounter with thousands of unique tropical butterflies as they fly freely throughout the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory!

A global journey

Tailed Jay (Courtesy, FMG)

Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park announces the return of the much-loved Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition, now in its 29th year.

The largest temporary tropical butterfly exhibition in the United States, this event showcases the stunning diversity and intricate beauty of butterflies and moths.

Butterflies Are Blooming opens March 1 and runs through April 30. Visitors are invited to celebrate the unique spectacle of lepidopteran flight and the exquisite patterns of their wings in the lush environment of the Conservatory.

This year’s exhibition is a true global journey. More than 60 species from Africa, Asia, and Central and South America will be featured.

The five-story, 15,000-square-foot glass house provides the ideal tropical setting for these vibrant world travelers. Featured species include dazzling blue morphos, stealthy clearwings, majestic Atlas moths and elegant tree nymphs. Each species adds its own unique brushstroke to this living canvas of color and motion.

The science behind butterflies

Butterflies are cold-blooded insects requiring a body temperature of 85–105 degrees Fahrenheit to take flight. The black markings on northern species are not just for show, they are nature’s solar panels, absorbing sunlight to warm these delicate creatures.

Red Lacewing (Courtesy, FMG)

The dual-wing design of butterflies is a marvel of nature’s engineering, providing lift and precise steering. Witness the distinct flight patterns of each species, from the powerful and swift swallowtails to the playful, zigzagging flight of the large-winged morphos.

Up-close experiences

Chrysalides and cocoons can be seen at the Observation Station (Courtesy, FMG)

In addition to the butterflies’ aerial ballet, the exhibition offers guests unique up-close experiences at feeding stations brimming with nectar plants. At the Observation Station, thousands of chrysalides and cocoons emerge and reveal the magic of metamorphosis.

Approximately 1,000 chrysalides are delivered to Meijer Gardens each week of the exhibition. This year, grapevine spheres adorned with flowering vines and other tropical plants were introduced, creating enchanting landing spots for the winged guests.

Begin your journey amidst the tranquil beauty of the Grace Jarecki Seasonal Display Greenhouse, setting the tone for an unforgettable visit.

(Courtesy, Aly Zuiderveen)

“As we eagerly welcome the return of the Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition for its 29th year, we invite guests to immerse themselves in the spectacular world of butterflies and moths here at Meijer Gardens,” said Steve LaWarre, Vice President of Horticulture. “This year’s exhibition is more than just a display; it’s a celebration of the breathtaking beauty of flight.

“Each visit is a unique journey through the vibrant patterns and unique flight dynamics of these enchanting creatures. We’re also thrilled to enhance this experience with special events, educational programs and exclusive member activities.”

FMG invites guests from near and far to join us in celebrating the wonder of these magnificent creatures. The Fred & Dorothy Fichter Butterflies Are Blooming exhibition is a vivid reminder of nature’s incredible artistry, the beauty of flight, and the delicate balance of our ecosystem.

(Courtesy, FMG)

Exhibition rules:

  • Please do not touch the butterflies.

  • During the butterfly exhibition, tripods are not allowed in the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory. While monopods may be used, please be courteous to other guests.

  • Per USDA regulations, no butterfly or plant materials may leave the Lena Meijer Tropical Conservatory.

Extended Hours & Exhibition Activities

  • Extended Spring Break Hours: Open until 9 pm March 29 and April 1–5.
  • Exclusive Member Early Hours: Members enjoy exclusive early open hours every Sunday morning in March and April, from 9–11 a.m.
All ages can enjoy the butterfly experience (Courtesy, FMG)

Volunteers

Various volunteers jobs and shifts are available. Contact Tony England at aengland@meijergardens.org or 616-974-5221.

Online Ticketing

Guests can visit MeijerGardens.org/tickets to reserve and purchase tickets online. When on-site, head directly to the Entry Desk for easy entry.

Labor Day weekend last chance to see ‘Zoo in You’ exhibit at Public Museum

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Race the clock to build a DNA strand in the Public Museum’s next exhibit “Zoo in You.”

By Christie Bender

Grand Rapids Public Museum

 

Visitors have their last chance to explore the fascinating and complex world inside our bodies in Zoo In You: Microbes, before it closes on Sept. 2. Trillions of microbes make their homes inside our bodies and Zoo in You allows all ages to discover our microbiome — a dynamic, adaptable and delicately balanced ecosystem much like any other found in nature.

 

At Zoo in You, learn who our constant microbial companions are, where they live, how diverse they are and in what ways scientists are discovering just how important they are to our personal health. Explore this vibrant world of our inner microorganisms through engaging, interactive, and bilingual exhibits and programs.

 

“Zoo In You has been wildly popular among visitors all summer long.” said Kate Kocienski, VP of Marketing & PR. “Featuring a variety of games, puzzles, video and digital experiences, this exhibit is hands-on and engaging for all ages to learn more about science. It’s a great way to keep the entire family entertained while learning.”

 

Zoo in You has three thematic areas:  Meet the Microbes, Our Complex Ecosystems and Exploring our Microbiome:

 

Meet the Microbes

Go on an interactive journey to learn all about the four major types of microbes that live in and on us! From bacteria to archaea, fungi to viruses, these tiny non-human organisms outnumber our human cells ten to one. Through hands-on activities, learn about “good” microbes, watch how our microbiome reacts to every day occurrences, and manipulate a marble maze to learn how a newborn baby is first colonized by microbes.

 

Our Complex Ecosystems

Delve deeper into the lives of microbes with green screen technology to get a “weather report” on the climate conditions of your nose, mouth, gut or skin, and a touch-screen video game that challenges guests to keep gut microbes in balance. Adults and kids alike are invited to explore the eye-opening hand “washing” station to observe just how long it takes to be free of germs.

 

Exploring Our Microbiome

Get up close and personal with microbes as they answer tough questions and use a microscope to examine real preserved specimens. Build your own viruses using puzzle pieces, assemble DNA strands as quickly as possible, and even try your hand at matching DNA patterns to the correct microbes. Plus, a unique photo opportunity allows you to imagine what they would look like as a microbe.

 

Zoo In You is free with general admission to the GRPM and runs through Sept.2. For more information, visit grpm.org/ZooInYou.

 

Zoo in You was produced and is toured by the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry. This exhibit was made possible by a Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Pond plants are a vital part of a balanced aquatic ecosystem

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By Beth Clawson, Michigan State University Extension  

 

Plants in your pond balance your pond’s ecosystem. Aquatic plants offer food, shelter and environment for fish in ponds.

 

Michigan has thousands of natural ponds, vernal pools and wetlands where plants perform a specific role in those ecosystems. Understanding the important role of pond plants in Michigan before seeking plant removal management makes dealing with problems situations easier. Plants are a problem when they interfere with the intended use of the pond. This is particularly true with ponds constructed for a specific purpose such as ponds for sport fishing. Plants play a key part in the natural pond and the constructed pond.

 

The presence of aquatic plants in ponds are vital to maintaining a balanced ecosystem. Aquatic plants come in a four specialized types in the pond. Forming the base of the food chain for almost all life in the pond, they produce dissolved oxygen in the water and serve as protection for small fish and invertebrates. Their roots hold the soil in place.

 

The four categories of aquatic plants are:

  1. Submerged: Plants that thrive under water that have roots in the soil at the bottom (pond weed and bladderwort)
  2. Floating: Plants that float at or near the water surface and have either floating roots or roots in the soil at the bottom (duckweed and lily pads)
  3. Emergent: Plants that is rooted in the soil under water, but the larger part of the plant is above water (arrowhead, rushes and cattails)
  4. Shoreline: plants that prefer the shore, but can take being moist and flooded seasonally. (blue flag iris, some shrubs and trees)

Aquatic plants benefits include:

  • Algae control. Plants absorb nutrients in the water from fish waste and reduces nutrient availability slowing algae blooms.
  • Shade and protection for fish. Plants can provide a hiding place for fish from predators both above and below the water. Additionally, plants shade the water reducing the amount of sunlight entering the water helping to slow algae blooms.
  • Food for fish and other wildlife. Fish, turtles, insects, ducks and geese and some mammals feed on aquatic plants.
  • Improved water quality. Many water plants not only absorb nutrients from the water, they also absorb pollutants and heavy metals too.
  • Erosion control. Emergent and shoreline plants often have very large root structures. This enables them to reduce wave action and stabilize the shore creating the most effective erosion control you can get in a pond.
  • Aquatic plants in the pond improves its aesthetics. Many emergent and Shoreland plants offer four seasons of interest at the pond providing attractive flowers, interesting structure, color and depth.

There are many native plants that offer a great variety of choices for managing your natural pond. They range from grasses, rushes and reeds; to lily pads, iris, pickerel plant and arrowhead; to shoreline shrubs and trees. Careful planning of your pond management including planting will go a long way to ensuring a balanced natural pond system. Avoid introducing non-native and invasive plants into your pond. When managing the plants in your pond, consider the role of the plant before considering its removal. If you have excessive plant growth, there may be a nutrient overloading issue that must be addressed first.

 

For more information about the aquatic plants and invasive species contact Beth Clawson, MSU Extension Educator. To learn more about invasive organisms and invasive aquatic plants contact Michigan State University Extension Natural Resources educators who are working across Michigan to provide aquatic invasive species educational programming and assistance. You can contact an educator through MSU Extension’s “Find an Expert” search tool using the keywords “Natural Resources Water Quality.”

 

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://expert.msue.msu.edu, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888.678.3464).