Woodland wildflowers are blooming!

One of the resources we’ve created to help people during the pandemic is our Greener Together program. Research shows that reconnecting with nature calms, restores, and rejuvenates people. Plus, getting out into nature during our restrictions is allowed as long as  you maintain social distancing. Our Greener Together materials include lots of activities for kids like our Nifty Fifty, which lists 50 environmental themed activities people can do with their kids while social distancing.

If you’re getting out on Michigan’s many trails and into our woods, and we hope you are, you’ll notice the forest spring wildflowers are blooming. A number of wildflower species call Michigan home, and identifying them can be a snap. You can check out a brief DNR picture guide here, or purchase any number of great field guides. 

In mid-Michigan, we’ve noticed the trout lilies (pic 1 below) are almost done, but we’re still seeing quite a few bloodroots (pic 2 below), spring beauties, and jack-in-the-pulpits (pic 3 below). The trilliums and mayapples are just getting started depending on where you look.

Take the time and get outside. Our greenspaces are one of the special Michigan things that make living here great. Did you know we have more state park acreage than any other state east of the Mississippii? Those places and others are waiting for you.

Trout lily (photo credit Nathan Murphy)

Blood root (photo credit Nathan Murphy)

Jack-in-the-pulpit (photo credit Nathan Murphy)