Holliday Nature Preserve Association

06/12/2026

Our last Walk&Work event last Saturday, in Foxlands, had a few people for the walk. Five very busy workers cut more invasive plants, then stacked the pieces in piles. The weather forecast was for rain, which likely reduced attendance. It did not rain until after we stopped working. Just eleven mosquitoes.
No more scheduled walks or work in Summer. See you all in September.
Many thanks to the hard-working volunteers. Only one photo: Wayne, Scott, Steve, without camera-shy Mike and (only on Walk) Chester.

06/04/2026

Join us for Walk & Work in Foxlands this Saturday, June 6, at 9 a.m. Park at the Koppernick entrance on Koppernick Road. See how much this area changed in the last two months. After the walk, we will work.

06/02/2026

Went to Holliday Preserve to check grant work progress. Men were working at the Wayne Road platform and boardwalk area grading around the sidewalk. I did not see anyone working at the Ellsworth platform, but the posts are installed. I did not see anyone working at the Joy bridge. The new bridge was installed on May 20. Work has been done west of Wayne Road on the new trail. Work is getting done slowly. Very dry. Water level in Tonquish Creek is low. Just a few mosquitoes........so far.

06/01/2026

A fun one-hour event for everyone Wednesday! PLEASE REGISTER if you intend to go. Link to location map in Comments section.

Interested in hearing what amphibians live around you? 🐸Join Friends of the Rouge on Wednesday, June 3rd, to learn about nature and the Frog & Toad Survey program! 💙

This family-friendly event will consist of a walk around Nankin Lake where we will listen for frog calls, learn about the habitat restoration work, and spend a nice evening with your frog Friends.

Date: Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026
Time: 8:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Parking Location: Oak Grove Parking Lot, Nankin Lk Dr, Westland, MI 48185

Please register at the following link so that we can provide you with updates if plans change: https://volunteer.bloomerang.co/volunteer/ #/join-party?k=3e2wj3ir5sdr2c

Thank you to the Livonia Community Foundation, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, Bell's Brewery, and the Michigan Association of Environmental Professionals for their generous support.

05/25/2026

Our friend Molly sent these photos and this note. Handsome male mallard in the water:
Much construction the last few months in Ellsworth--nice wood used in these muddy areas!

05/22/2026

* * * CANCELLATION * * *
Tomorrow's Tonquish Creek Rescue in conjunction with Friends of the Rouge is being cancelled because of the persistent rain predicted. (Ironic to have to cancel a creek rescue due to an overabundance of water . . .)
We thank everyone who was planning to come and who have participated in past years at this annual event.
Enjoy your 3-day Memorial Day Holiday Weekend!

05/21/2026

The trail has been cleared to the worksite for Tonquish Creek Cleanup this Saturday, May 23, our annual partnership with Friends of the Rouge.
Sign in in starts at 8:30 AM at the Hix Park entrance, on the west side of Hix Road, just north of Warren Road. Tools and supplies will then be carried from the Hix Road parking lot across Hix Road east to the power line corridor. A large log jam awaits our attention. This is WDM 101 (Woody Debris Management) -- Clean and Open. We will just take out the trash and move some of the small wood up on to the floodplain. NO big wood coming out. There will be work in creek, work on bank and some invasive plant removal. Two tires need to be dug out and removed. Tools, gloves, water provided. Wear long sleeves and long pants.
NOTE: with rains forecasted the days before, IF water level is HIGH, the event will be cancelled. Check website Friday and early Saturday morning.

05/18/2026

Our friend Mike Rudell sent this today with this message:
I had a beautiful hike on my lunch time in the Koppernick section of the preserve. There are still some spring wildflowers and hardly any mosquitoes! Unfortunately I didn't find any morels. Here are a few pictures. I wanted to add that I was thinking of our dear friend Phil and missing him. I was admiring so many of the bridges that he built and the trails that we cleared together over the years.

05/12/2026

Went to HNP to check grant work progress. No progress on boardwalk in Newburgh section. The pink dogwoods are in full bloom. Removed an abandoned tent and usual trash and blankets.
Disturbed a garter snake. Checked work site for Tonquish Cleanup May 23. The logjam has collected the usual trash. Two tires to get out. Found a rather large morel. Bob will cook it with some butter and garlic. Forestry shredder has done lots of invasive plant shredding on north side of Tonquish between Newburgh and Hix Road.

05/11/2026

The Saturday Walk&Work in Koppernick started with a leisurely walk on the Tulip Trail Loop. People noticed the mayapples, trilliums, and wild geraniums. Most of the blooming is done.
Normally this trail would be wet and muddy, but things are still dry in the Preserve. Still activity in heronry, with noisy birds in their penthouse nests. Took some stops to answer questions and give update on grant projects. Then a few eager volunteers stayed for cutting down honeysuckle and buckthorn in Foxlands. Extra thank you to Scott, Brian, Larry, and Mike (of course). No mosquitos yet...coming soon.