What is “lakeplain prairie”?
Why is lakeplain prairie important?
What is Sibley Prairie?
What is happening now with Sibley Prairie?
What can be done?
The Friends of Sibley Prairie

Lakeplain prairies are unique ecosystems which are described by the Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI) as having one of the most diverse plant communities in Michigan.  These ecosystems experience seasonal flooding and typically have only small pockets that remain wet all year.  The MNFI’s Community Abstract on Lakeplain wet-mesic prairies explains that the combination of sand and clay soils on these prairies sets up a characteristic hydrological regime with spring flooding followed by drought conditions during the growing season.”  The Abstract goes on to say that it is this characteristic water level fluctuation that is possible the most significant process in the establishment and maintenance of these ecosystems.  In other words, lakeplain prairies may not always look like wetland systems, depending on the time of year.  Also, they are dependent upon the surrounding landscape – including other types of wetlands and uplands – to survive as functioning ecosystems with all their unique plant and animals species.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) report, Conservation of Biological Diversity in the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem, also noted that lakeplain systems support highest number of globally significant biodiversity elements in the Great Lakes basin. It goes on to say that "lakeplain prairies and savannahs represent outstanding examples of two of North America's most imperiled communities."

Up to 200 plant species may be found in a single lakeplain prairie remnant.  Examples of tallgrass prairie species that are diagnostic of these communities include Colic Root (Aletris farinosa), Tall Coreopsis (Coreopsis tripteris), Marsh Blazing Star (Liatris spicata), and many species of grasses and sedges.  Purple Gerardia (Agalinis purpurea) is anotherl wet prairie species -- but this white form found on property adjacent to (and part of) the Sibley Prairie site described below is not.  Tony Reznicek, curator of vascular plants at the University of Michigan herbarium calls it very rare, and says he's never seen a white form of this species.

Why is lakeplain prairie important?

Lakeplain prairies are only located  in southeastern Wisconsin, northeastern Illinois, northern Indiana, northwestern Ohio, southern Ontario, and southern Michigan.  They are globally imperiled ecosystems because so few remain in the world today. Historically, there were over 160,000 acres of lakeplain prairie in Michigan.  As of 1995, only 0.5% of those remained.

What is Sibley Prairie?

The Greater Sibley Prairie complex is in Wayne Co., and represents the largest remnant lakeplain prairie complex in Michigan.  In 1995, MNFI published "A Survey of Lakeplain Prairie in Michigan" (hereafter referred to as the Comer report after the lead author).  It described a number of sites, most located in Brownstown Township.

The Sibley Prairie is one of those sites, located north of King Road, east of Telegraph, in sections 7 and 8 of Township 4 south, Range 10 east.  The Comer report described it as "the largest and most diverse lakeplain prairie remnant in Michigan and represents our greatest hope for preserving a functional lakeplain prairie ecosystem."  At the time of the report, the Sibley Prairie complex as surveyed was over 700 acres with 200 acres considered lakeplain prairie; the rest were oak opening uplands and other types of wetlands (remember, lakeplain prairies rely on the surrounding landscape).  Using aerial photos from 2002, it is estimated that at least 13% of this complex has been lost.

The Comer report found 190 plant species at Sibley Prairie.  It had a Floristic Quality Index (a standardized tool used to assess and compare natural areas) of 69.65, making it the highest ranked of any of the 53 lakeplain prairie sites surveyed in Michigan.  The surveys found seven state threatened plant species, seven state special concern species, and a state-threatened butterfly, Dukes' Skipper (Euphyes dukesi).

What is happening now with Sibley Prairie?

The primary landowner of the Sibley Prairie is Fritz Enterprises.  Several development plans have been submitted to the state Department of Environmental Quality, but none have been approved so far.  Virtually any development on this property will result in seriously altering, degrading, or destroying the unique characteristics of this ecosystem.

The MNFI’s Community Abstract on Lakeplain wet-mesic prairies  states plainly "To adequately preserve a [lakeplain] prairie remnant the hydrological regimes must remain intact.  This will require protecting the lands surrounding the remnant from hydrological alterations."   The Comer report, "A Survey of Lakeplain Prairie in Michigan", stated "It is critical for the conservation community in Michigan to take immediate action to conserve our lakeplain prairies before the few remaining opportunities are lost" and recommended that the prairie fragments and the surrounding open land of the Sibley Prairie "should be pursued and managed as a single unit."

The USEPA report, Conservation of Biological Diversity in the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem, also emphasized alteration of the water table as a major threat to this type of habitat, saying "lakeplain prairies, wetland communities -- particularly in the upper watershed--and the species that depend on them, are adversely affected when the water table is lowered."

It's well known that direct destruction of wetlands require mitigation, typically be creating new wetlands elsewhere.  A 2001 report by the MDEQ itself, however, found that the wetland mitigation program in the state was largely unsuccessful.  Fifteen percent of mitigated wetlands are never created, only 22% meet all requirements and are considered successful, and only 26% of projects ever receive any sort of MDEQ follow up.

What can be done?

Preserving the Greater Sibley Road prairie complex will likely involve a partnership, and will need to include cooperation from the state of Michigan, Brownstown Township, and perhaps Wayne County.  Let them all know you want to see this ecosystem preserved and restored for future generations.

You can tell Brownstown Township officials that you'd like to see them take a lead in preserving this site:

Arthur Wright
Township Supervisor
21313 Telegraph Road
Brownstown, MI  48183

Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm has made fighting urban sprawl and the environment major issues in her administration.  Write her at:

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm
P.O. Box 30013
Lansing, Michigan 48909
PHONE (517) 373-3400
FAX (517) 335-6863
Online opinion form

The Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund tends to spend more money in northern Michigan and rural areas, where land is less expensive.  Natural treasures need to be preserved in densely populated southern Michigan, too!  You can write to the board of trustees and tell them how you feel.
 

Kathleen Law is the Michigan state representative for the area:

S0787 House Office Building
P.O. Box 30014
Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Fax: 517-373-5922
Phone: 517-373-0855
E-mail: kathleenlaw@house.mi.gov

Robert Ficano is the Wayne County Executive:
Wayne Co. building
600 Randolph
Detroit, MI  48226
 

Who are the Friends of Sibley Prairie?
The Friends of Sibley Prairie is a group of individuals and organizations dedicated to the preservation of the Greater Sibley Prairie complex.  Organizations include: Clinton Huron Ecological Coalition, Detroit Audubon Society, Detroit Remedial Action Plan, Friends of the Detroit River, F.O.C.A.S., Grosse Ile Nature and Land Conservancy, Michigan Botanical Club - Southeastern chapter, Michigan Nature Association, Michigan Natural Areas Council, Nativescape LLC, Nature Conservancy of Michigan, Sierra Club - Southeast Michigan group, Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy, and the Wyandot of Anderdon Nation. 

State threatened plant species from Sibley Prairie listed in the Comer report:
Three-awned Grass (Aristida longispica)
Tall Green Milkweed  (Asclepias hirtella)
Short-fruited Rush or Whiteroot Rush (Juncus brachycarpus)
Vasey's Rush (Juncus vaseyi)
Seedbox (Ludwigia alternifolia)
Northern bog clubmoss (Lycopodiella subappressa)
Clinton's Bulrush (Scirpus clintonii)

State special concern plant species from Sibley Prairie listed in the Comer report:
Hairy Angelica (Angelica venenosa)
Gentian-leaved St. John's Wort or Orangegrass (Hypericum gentianoides)
Two-flowered Rush or Bog Rush (Juncus biflorus)
Cross-leaved Milkwort or Drumheads (Polygala cruciata)
Prairie Rose or Climbing Rose (Rosa setigera)
Tooth-cup or Lowland Rotala (Rotala ramosior)
Tall Nut Rush or Whip Nutrush (Scleria triglomerata)
 

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