Lake Erie Islands Chapter Black Swamp Conservancy

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Lake Erie Islands Chapter Black Swamp Conservancy Our Mission: To encourage conservation and Protection of Natural and Agricultural Lands in the Lake Erie Islands for the Benefit of Future Generations. Fall 2013 The fundraiser was a $20,000 SUCCESS! The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center made progress towards our new addition at LEINWC The LEINWC is raising money for more space to provide education for youth and adults that visit the islands as well as the local community. The mission of the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center is to promote conservation and education of the flora, fauna, and lands of the Lake Erie Islands ecosystem. Auction Donors Lisa Brohl Bob Smith Middle Bass Island- $25 gift certifi- The Perry Group Mary Ann Hoover cate to Walleyes, MBI Sweat shirt, Amy and Peter Huston Jet Express Robin Glauser homemade jelly Sandi Glauser OSU Stone Laboratory Celeste Mycoskie- 2 paintings Susan and Mike Byrnes David Holman Rudy & Linda Rence- Star Wars Judy Prinz Bergman's poster, and movies Kate Ptak Sally Duffy Jessie Hill- Hand crafted ring Marc Nemec Topsy Turvey Old Forge Cafe- $25 gift certificate Chocolate Cafe Board Walk Zoe and Brad Titchener- 8 Perry Isola Day Spa The Island Hardware Store plates, Ohio Plate, 2 rectangular David and Laura Stubblebine Brewery- stained glass panels, stain glass plates The Ashley House Mojito Bay Cameo Pizza Blue Luna

The $20,000 success of the Hog Roast- Fundraiser for the Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center (LEINWC) is a reflection of the increasing dedication and enthusiasm from the volunteers’ and donors that helped to make the event great. We Winter Bird Seed Sale——–Page 6 would like to personally thank everyone for your Donation Box———–——Page 9 What’s recent contribution of time to the LEINWC. This Membership——————Page 11 event would not have been a success without Happening everyone's enthusiastic involvement. MB Bird Banding———–Page 14 LEIC-BSC Annual Meeting At the LEINWC The Project Managers Dina Holman, Jackie Taylor, and Team Leaders Kristin The Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy will hold their annual meeting on Sat- Stanford, Lisa Brohl, and Sandi Glauser appreciate urday, September 14th at 3:00pm at Heineman’s the gift of time, energy and generous support which Winery. Join us for a great afternoon! Bring a snack was received. We would like to take this opportunity to share and we will enjoy some fine Lake Erie Wa- to say a heartfelt “Thank You!” We look forward to tersnake Noiret wine. working with everyone again in the future.

Special Thanks To The Goat Restaurant for letting the LEINWC host the event on it’s premises Island Band Steve Stapleton, Bruce Miles, Russ Brohl, and Peter Huston ran the sound. Gordon Barr and Rudy Rence helped emcee. Miller Boat Line donated the transportation for the truck for the band. Thanks, Island Band, for keeping everyone entertained with good vibrations . Hog provided by Kristin Stanford Prepared by Rob Hard and Pinky Batt for carving Food donated by Brewery Goat A big thanks to Bob Russell, Roger Wharfside- Topsy Turvey Fulton, Marsha Vanscoy, and Bryan Gilles Marsha Collette for volunteering Marsha Collette many hours at the Lake Erie Is- Peggy Leopold lands Nature and Wildlife Center. Dina Holman Sorry if we forgot anybody-we are Jackie Taylor so grateful for everyone's help Sandi Glauser Put-in-Bay Fire Department for the use of the tables and garbage cans Wyland Gallery & artist Walfrido The Ohio State University Stone Laboratory Volunteers Jessie Green-Hill- Local Artist Gordy Barr John & Peggy Leopold Kate Ptak Laureen Mooney AWSOME SPECIAL THANKS TO THE ISLAND BAND! Amy and Peter Huston Rose Kahler WE KNOW YOU DID IT FOR THE TURTLES!!! Sally Duffy Lianne Genzman Marsha Collette AJ Mason Brad & Zoe Titchener Bryan Gilles Sue and Greg Bixler Dusty Shaffer

Article by Jackie Taylor

Contributions to the Building Fund

Peter and Amy Huston John Leopold Colton W. Plumb Julene Market Kristin Stanford Judy Printz Glenn Cooper Toledo Community Greg and Sue Bixler Foundation/ William E. The Goat Market Family Fund Airborne Designs Doris M. Hubschman Kevin W. Heart John and Paula Ladd Hil and Jody Carstensen Muriel Sneller Lenore Frederick Laura Coviello Russ and Lisa Brohl Janice Williams Linda Parker Zoe and Brad Titchener R Gump Builders

Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center Road Scholar Programs The following Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center Road Scholar programs are open to the public. Come join us! Monday, September 9, 7:15pm Put-in-Bay Town Hall, Lake Erie Water Snakes, Dr. Kristin Stanford. Wednesday, September 11, 7:15 pm Put-in-Bay Town Hall, Geology and the Battle of Lake Erie, Dr. Charles Herdendorf. Monday, September 16, 7:15p m Put-in-Bay Town Hall, Geology and the Battle of Lake Erie, Dr. Charles Herdendorf. Tuesday, September 17, 7:15 pm Put-in-Bay Town Hall, Lake Erie Water Snakes, Dr. Kristin Stanford. Wednesday, September 18, 7:15 pm Put-in-Bay Town Hall, My Life as a Great Lakes Captain, Captain Russell Brohl. Visiting Sea Cadets By Carmen Lavand The U.S. Navy Sea Cadets paid Put-in-bay a visit this month. On Tuesday July 16th and Friday July 19th they helped mulch the trail at Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve. As the intern for the Lake Erie Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy, I try to keep the trail clear and enjoyable for visitors to walk. Recently there has been poison ivy in the trail becoming a problem for guests. {Photo: Maggie Beckford Only humans are allergic to the oil from poison ivy, and not everyone is sensitive. Many animals rely on poison ivy as a food source. It is relatively unknown that poison ivy yields berries that many birds eat; especially during the winter. For a while I have been clipping the plant to keep it back, but Sea Cadets volunteered their time to mulch the trail to keep the poison ivy out. Sea Cadets are the Department of Defense’s youth organization whose mission is "Through organization and cooperation with the Department of the Navy, to encourage and aid American youth to develop, train them in seagoing skills, and to teach them patriotism, courage, self-reliance and kindred virtues." Three young men from all over Ohio came to help out their environment from the Naval Cadet Corps. Cadet Stanley and Cadet Zamora will be sophomores in high school this year, and Cadet Hernandez will be starting eighth grade. Our Scheeff East Point

{Left to right Cadet Stanley, Cadet Zamora, and Cadet Hernandez Nature Preserve trail is pleasant to walk again thanks to these young men.

August Perseid Meteor Shower Program We had a great turnout for the August 11 meteor viewing program at the Scheeff East Point Preserve with Gene Zajac! A good time was had by all and even a few meteors were glimpsed in between the clouds. Gene is a wealth of information and stories. Thanks again Gene! Gene has now retired and moved to South Bass full time so we look forward to more stargazing this fall and winter.

Majestic Monarchs by Jackie Taylor When I came to Stone Laboratory to work during the 2012 season I was excited to learn one of my jobs was going to be tagging Monarch Butterflies, and maintaining the certified Waystation and butterfly garden. The first ques- tion that came to my mind was how in the world do you tag a butterfly, let alone one that is at risk of becoming endangered? Keeping the plants healthy in the butterfly garden was what I knew best; participating in Monarchwatch.org’s tagging program is what taught me the importance of tagging, why we need to be a part of this program, and why the Monarch Butterfly is at risk. There are some very simple things that we all can do to help improve the chances for the Monarchs. Everything I have learned makes it obvious that the survival of Monarch Butterflies is important for a number of reasons. In many ways it is surprising that an insect that weighs less than one fifth of an ounce and has a wingspan less than four inches is able to make the 2,000 plus mile journey from Canada to Mexico where they will spend the winter. Every Fall Monarch Butterflies hatch all over Canada and began to eat as fast as they can to store up the energy they will need on their journey to Mexico. The timing of their journey is critical because the Monarchs cannot stand freezing temperatures and cannot even fly if it gets too cold. The trip south is a dangerous one, because it is long, and there are many predators and natural barriers that make it difficult for the Monarchs to survive. In addition, the Monarchs’ bodies are not well suited to the demands of the long flight. In order to conserver their energy they rely on tailwinds, thermals, and geography. The Great Lakes are the first geographic hurdle because the butterflies cannot see across the water, and the wind is constantly shifting. For this reason Monarchs will congregate at the southern tip Pelee Island, Canada waiting for the perfect flight conditions. After they successfully make this crossing we see them as they pass through South Bass Island. This is where we participate in the Monarch Watch butterfly tagging program. As the butterflies continue south to Mexico they face constant threats from predators, weather conditions, and humans but without any great geographical barriers until the very end of their journey when they began to climb the Sierra Madre Mountains in Mexico to the sites where they will spend the winter. When they arrive there they have spent around two months traveling more than 2,000 miles, and are more than ready for a rest. The butterflies will congregate in a few small areas within the Mexican Sierra Madre for five months, clustered on the Oyamel fir trees to survive and keep warm through the winter. This generation of butterflies, which were born in Canada, will live for over seven months. In mid-March as the weather starts to get warmer the trip north to Canada begins, but with interesting differ- ences. First, they will take four generations to complete their journey north to Canada to spend the summer. Each of these generations will live for one month. Second, the caterpillars depend only on Milkweed as habitat and food; if they are not able to find Milkweed the next generation will not survive. Unfortunately, due to the destruction of breeding habitat in the United States from the widespread use of genetically engineered crops and powerful herbicides it is becoming harder and harder for the Monarch Butterflies to find the habitat they need to survive. The surviving butterflies that migrated south and overwintered in Mexico begin the trip north in the spring, going as far as Texas and Oklahoma before they stop and mate. The females will lay 300-400 eggs each, only on Milk- weed plants, where they will hatch in four days as larvae (caterpillars). After the female lays her eggs she will die. The caterpillars spend the next two weeks eating the Milkweed leaves, which contain a toxin that is lethal for most of their predators although not for them. This toxin makes most predators sick when they try to eat Monarch caterpillars or butterflies, and is one reason that they can survive despite their bold coloring. After two weeks the caterpillar turns into a chrysalis which hatches into the adult butterfly after another two weeks. Once they have hatched, the newly born butterflies will continue north. This generational process is repeated four times during the journey to Canada. The final generation is hatched in Canada, spends the summer there, and begins the great migration South in the early fall. A successful migration depends on many factors. Perhaps the most important is the proper habitat. The two habitats that are absolutely essential for the Monarchs are the fir forest in Mexico, and sufficient Milkweed in the United States for each generation to lay eggs, hatch, and have food. Both of these habitats have recently been greatly reduced. In Mexico unregulated logging has destroyed a large amount of the fir forest that the butterflies need to survive the winter. This destruction has been slowed by laws prohibiting the logging that exist and are now being enforced. However, the introduction of genetically engineered crops in the United States Midwest coupled with the widespread use of powerful herbicides has destroyed 80 million acres of Milkweed habitats. These changes in American agriculture have made the butterfly migration much more hazardous and caused a rapid decline in the number of Monarchs that survive the migration. This is meas- ured in Mexico every winter by the area that is covered with Monarch Butterflies; the average from 1994-2003 was 22 acres, from 2003-2012 it decreased to 12 acres. In 2013 it was only 2.9 acres, the lowest ever recorded. If this trend continues, the survival of the Monarch Butterfly species may truly be endangered.

The best way to help stop this decline is by preserving and creating the Milkweed habitat the Monarch Butter- flies need. One way to do this would be to eliminate the herbicide use that has caused the habitat destruction in the first place. However, most of us are not farmers and cannot do this alone. One thing we can do is create small areas of Milkweed habitat wherever we are able. Milkweed can be part of a wildflower garden with other flowers that feed adult Monarchs as well as other butterflies. Monarchwatch.org is a nonprofit organization based at the University of Kansas that was started in 1992 for the purpose of investigating the migratory path, speed, and survival rates of Monarch Butterflies, as well as providing an educational resource for people wanting to help conserve the Monarchs. Their website provides information on a multi- tude of topics relating to Monarchs, including how to create a Certified Waystation, a Waystation starter kit, the Monarch Tagging Program, and a variety of up-to-date educational information on the butterflies. At the Ohio State University’s Stone Laboratory in Lake Erie, we began our involvement with helping the Mon- arch Butterflies in 2011. During that summer Nicole King created a butterfly garden which she had certified as a Way- station. This was continued in the summer of 2012 with Jackie Taylor and Katie H. maintaining the Waystation by planting more plants for the adult butterflies, as well as Milkweed for the caterpillars. We also began the first Tagging Project with Monarch Watch. This is a project that tags migratory Monarchs on their way to Mexico at the South Bass Island Light House. We tagged around 250 butterflies from beginning of September to mid October and sent them on their way. Tagging Monarchs is less scary than it sounds. A small circular adhesive sticker with a tag number is attached to the Discal Cell of the hind wing by gently pinching both hind wings together. This process does not hurt the butterfly or affect their flight. I was excited to learn that so far, three of our tagged butterflies had been found in Mexico. In 2013 we have continued to educate the public about our butterflies. Because the Lake Erie Islands are a key path across Lake Erie for Monarchs from the central and eastern part of Ontario, we are perfectly located to see a large fraction of the total Monarch migration on South Bass Island. This will allow us to make a real difference in understanding the Migration routes and survival rates of the Monarchs. If you are interested in participating in the Monarch Watch programs that help the butterflies, it is easy to do. Starting a Monarch Waystation can be done by planting milkweeds and other flowering plants, in as much space as you have available. To certify your Waystation and make sure that you’re doing it right, go to the Monarch Watch website at monarchwatch.org/waystations/certify.html and follow the directions there. Participating in the tagging program requires a bit more work but is very rewarding. Tags can be obtained from Monarch Watch, and the process of catching, tagging, and releasing the butterflies is simple; anyone who is interested, including small children, can be a part of this. We at The Lake Erie Islands Nature & Wildlife Center are also very interested in answering any questions, and inquiries that you have about the Monarch Butterflies. We can be reached at 419.285.3037 or you can reach me directly at 419.279.3199, or you can come and see the Waystations at the LEINWC and the South Bass Island Light House for yourself. Put-in-Bay Employees Care By Carmen Levand On Thursday June 20th a group of employees from around the island volunteered their time to help their environment. I am Carmen Levand, the summer intern with the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy. This year this wonderful group of volunteers helped me tend to one of the nature preserves we have here on the island, the Jane Coates Wildflower Trail on Put-in-Bay Road. Some volunteers mulched the trail to make for nature walks through the area easier more pleasant. The rest of the group lent a hand clean- ing up the trail for all the natural species of plants living on the preserve. On the island we have many inva- sive species, which is a species of plant, animal, or even microorganism that does not belong here. The inva- sive we focused on was a plant called “garlic mustard.” This offender was actually brought over by people from Europe for culinary purposes, but now is running our native pants out. The plant is competitive and re- leases a toxin into the soil making it difficult for other plants to grow. The best option for our environment is to pull the garlic mustard at the roots and not leave it laying around where the roots can take or the seeds still spread. At the end of the day our group pulled 55 large garbage bags full of garlic mustard! A job well done! Thank you to all those who volunteered.

At the end of the month this June a group of volunteers helped beautify our local bathing beach. A group of students with the Ohio Bird Sanctuary ac- companied by Jan Ferrell and the PIB garden club orchestrated by Jody Frimel joined me, the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conser- vancy summer intern in some volunteer work. On the 30th of June we spent our time removing plants from the sand on the beach as well as adding a FRONT ROW (kneeling) from left to right: Bird Sanctuary volunteer; Halle Lynne and mother, few new ones. Weeds Jennifer Puffenberger; next 4 people are Bird Sanctuary volunteers; and BSC-LEIC Ameri- were taken out of the sand Corps intern Carman Levand on the beach to clean up NEXT ROW: Kathie Holbrook, National Park Service; Jan Ferrell, Head of the Ohio Bird the area. After a planter Sanctuary; Bird Sanctuary volunteer; Barb Cox; Jody Frimel; Reni Miller; and Kathi Spade box was installed native LAST ROW: 4 people from Bird Sanctuary; Craig Cox; Bird Sanctuary volunteer; Susan plants were planted. All Hildebrandt; Joan Booker; Kelly Faris; and Andy Valachek these plants added to the box are plants that natu- rally are found here. There are records of some of our new friends from when some of the first people got to our island. The plants planted include evening primrose, wild rye, clammyweed, inland sea rocket, and prickly pear cactus. Some of these plants have distinct adaptations to grow in the sand. Clammyweed had hairy leaves to act as a sunscreen in the intense heat. Inland sea rocket has more succulent leaves than a normal plant to retain more water. The prickly pear cactus has modified leaves called spines and photosyn- thetic stems, which is the green part. In other words cactuses use their stems to make food instead of their leaves. If all goes well and our efforts prove fruitful we shall have a little corner of native plants at the bathing beach that all can enjoy.

Winter Bird Sale to Benefit LEIC-BSC Did you know that you can have your winter bird seed supply delivered to your island residence? We will be selling bird seed to benefit LEIC-BSC again this fall. Spencer Feed and Supply will be supplying us with the following types of seed:

Nyjer/Thistle Cracked Corn Black Oil Sunflower Seeds Mixed Birdseed Economy Mix (cracked corn, milo, wheat, oil sunflower, white millet) Supreme Mix (white millet, oil sunflower, milo, wheat, striped sunflower, peanut pieces) Call for sizes and prices. Add $2 per order for shipping. An additional $1 will be added for each additional 100 lbs of seed. Order by November 1 and it will be delivered to your island residence. To order, call Lisa at 285-5811 or e-mail at [email protected]. Thanks to Spencer Feed and Supply and Julia Carle for their cooperation with the sale!

2013 Nature Camp Sessions a Great Hit

Two family events, open to the public, entertained Nature Campers and their families. Chad Bender, author of Ribbit - Flip and See Who Froggy Can Be, made a visit to Middle Bass Island for a book reading and signing event on June 22nd. On July 7th, the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center hosted a fes- tival in the museum back yard. Pre-ordered Nature Camp shirts were available for pick-up after being per- sonalized by Rod Karr. Face painting, tattoos, butterflies, and time to hike the trail and dip in the frog pond were enjoyed by everyone. John and Peggy Leopold did a great job on the grill cooking up burgers and dogs to go with the chips, dip, and yummy desserts. Monarchs and other butterflies and moths of Ohio were examined by most of the Campers. Dana Bolin, a naturalist with Ohio State Parks, was on hand at camps on both Middle Bass and South Bass with a slide show, milkweed samples, Monarch Eggs and even a few caterpillars. The best time of the day was running through local fields, butterfly nets in hand, trying to catch butterflies. Jackie Taylor, Americorp intern for the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wildlife Center, led Put-in-Bay’s Environmental Adventure Camp 2 in a hunt for Monarchs and other Butterflies at the South Bass Island Lighthouse. The day culminated with a tour of the historic lighthouse and a chance to go to the top of the tower for a panoramic view. Fish and fishing are always near and dear to island kids, and this summer everyone had a chance to experience something new. My First Nature Campers were treated to fish books, crafts, and games. They also had a chance to catch minnows with a net, hold them in their hands, and then re- lease them. MBI Nature Campers headed to the MBI State Park Marina to do a little shore fishing and the kids from Put-in-Bay fished from the Aquatic Visi- tor Center Dock. Adventure Campers had a REAL adventure and boarded the Ohio State University boats for a bio cruise and a fish trawl. After learning a bit about fish identification and anatomy at the Aquatic Visitor Center, they had a chance to do a fish dissection and look at the swim bladder, the eye lens, and the heart. Did you know that a fish heart will continue beating for 20 minutes or so after being removed from the fish? Adventure Campers had a chance to see this! Many thanks to OSU and the Aquatic Visitors Center for a fine educational program. Snails and Slugs are the ooey gooey stuff of wonderful childhoods and Nature Campers had a chance to experience them up close and personal! Dave Duncan of Crestline, Ohio, and Lisa Brohl fascinated everyone with examples of live striped slugs, giant spotted garden slugs, and snails. Everyone saw the cool eye stalks and watched them roll them up when touched. Other things on display were snail shells and fossils. With all that information, jars were dispensed and everyone headed to the pond and woods to find examples of local critters. “Pass The Plants Please” presented to the Nature Campers by Lisa Brohl, involved samples of Garlic Mustard Dip, Sassafras Tea, Wood Sorrel, Black Raspberries, and White Pine Tea. A nature walk gave the campers a chance to see and identify the edible plants as they grow. Kim Miles helped the campers design bandanas with natural fabric dyes and Chero- kee Leaf Prints

(that involves leaves and hammers and lots of noise). Kayak the Bay is always a great hit with the Adventure Camp 1 students. Vicky Wigel and her staff show everyone how to hold a paddle, how to ma- neuver a kayak, and then launch everyone in double boats. With a few minutes to perfect those new found skills, the campers head out into the bay for a couple hours of good clean fun. Jackie Taylor, Americorps intern, led the group in races across the water. The Put-in-Bay group also got a tour of Gi- braltar and got to see new born snakes. The Geo-cache craze is alive and well on the Bass Islands thanks to Jen Miller and Karen Wilhelm. These two ladies not only geo-cache throughout the USA and even foreign parts, they also plant caches for other people to find. So what’s a geocache? It’s a well- documented treasure hunt using GPS co- ordinates. To teach the technique, a course is set and boxes with clues are placed at each of the co-ordinates. When a group has found every clue, they decipher it for a prize. Courses were set at the MBI State Park and at the South Bass Island State Park. The prize? A popsicle. Very welcome on a hot day after all that running! A cruise aboard the “West Reef” with Captain Pat Chrysler is always great, but it turns fabulous when it’s to Kelleys Island for a tour! MBI Environmental Adventure Camp 2 was treated to an afternoon exploring the world famous glacial grooves with Naturalist Sandy Tkach. After iden- tifying dozens of fossils on the grooves, everyone headed to the quarry for the great fossil hunt. Gathering pockets full of rocks, the exhausted students finally headed back to the West Reef for the relaxing trip home. Overnight camp outs are available to students age 9 and up. Ad- venture Camp 1 has an optional camping trip on the campers’ home island. Middle Bass Island campers head to the Roesch property to pitch their tents and set up their kitchen. An evening walk along the beach with a little bit of wading is the perfect way to end the night. Put-in-Bay campers head to the group camp site at the State Park and may choose an overnight camp-out or a luncheon cookout. This year, they were treated to an astronomy program with Gene Zajac in the evening, and a Geo-cache adventure in the morning. Dinner for all groups was camp pies with any combination of turkey, cheese, peanut butter, and jelly. Dessert was a camp cone. They are similar to a s’more but made in a cone wrapped in foil and cooked in a wood fire. Adventure Camp 2 hits the road with tents and camp-out gear for far-away shores. Middle Bass Island Adventure Camp 2 boarded the Sonny S for a South Bass Island adventure with a camp out and geo-caching in the morning. Put-in-Bay Adventure Camp 2 gathered all their gear and boarded the West Reef with Captain Pat Chrysler for North Bass Island. After a nice swim and some fun water games with Americorp Intern Jackie Taylor, the group hiked to the North Bass School to set up camp and start grills for roasting hot dogs. A big shout-out to Bud Stonerook of NBI for the use of his van for gear hauling. He really lightened the load! Morning comes early at the camp outs and there is always an optional morning bird walk fol- lowed by breakfast and camp clean up. This year’s breakfast menu was pancakes on the Coleman stove, bananas, orange juice and oatmeal. It was a big year, lots of programs, lots of presenters, and lots of help from all the community members. Thanks to all who participated, all who helped out, and all who sent good thoughts for clear weather. It really does take a Village! Oh, by the way, 2014 is coming…

THANKS FROM NATURE CAMP Thanks to our supporters the Middle Bass School Board, the Put-in-Bay Recreation Committee, Miller Boat Line for passage for speakers, the Ohio Division of Wildlife for books, magazines and tattoos, Brad and Zoe Titchener for stuffing prize bags, our AmeriCorps interns, Carmen Levand and Jackie Taylor and Hannah Lentz for help with copying and mailing and programs, and Sarah Toole and Kelly Halterman for registration. A big thank you to Captain Pat Chrysler for the trip to North Bass and a trip to Kelleys for the Middle Bass kids on the West Reef. Thanks to the North Bass School Board, Jim Yelensky and Bud Stonerook and to Mr. Stonerook for the use of his van-and the North Bass cucumbers! At Middle Bass, Thanks to the State Park and the Middle Bass Town Hall for the use of their facili- ties, Jim Roesch for the use of his campground. And to Bill Duhigg and Sharon Duggan for the use of their butterfly fields! Thanks to our staff Lisa Brohl, Valerie Mettler, Kate Ptak, Kim Miles, Renee Fultz, E. J. Wiza, Hailey Halter- man, and our volunteers Paige and Kelsey Hill, Tatyana Kowalski, Katie Kutschbach, Danny Friebel, Kathy Weber, Tina Larson, John Schrenk, and Val Chornyak. Thanks to our guest instructors for making the trip-Dana Bollin, Dave Duncan, Karen Wilhelm, and Jen Miller. We thank Vicky at Kayak the Bay, the staff of the Aquatic Visitor Center, Shane, Jason, Kelsey, and Nate and Sandi Tkach at Kelleys Island for the programs they helped provide for camp! Thanks to Valerie Chornyak, Karen Edwards, Rich and Carol Roberts, Laura Coviello, Sandy and Gary Noble, DeeDee Duggan, Melissa Maringer, Karen Morrow, Erica Ketcham, Pat Mans, Kelsey Rubio Amy Kutschbach, Shanny O’Rourke Scherf, Marie Rader, Peggy Leopold, Michelle Lagor, Paula Blaney Noble, Liz Knauer, Lynn Zura, Kristin Effinger, Rachel Stafford, Kelly Halterman, Christopher Hayne, Abby Barnes, Beth Homon, Katie Schneider, Pat DiGiacomo, Donna Harper, Marie Rader, Deidre Schraff, Tedi Pertner, Dawn Wagner, Shirley Mitchell, Rachel Stafford, Shanny O’Rourke-Scherf, Wendy Zeiter, Michele Ralofsky, Marcy O’Loughlin, Sylvia Siemer, Koltz, Jill Hubbard, Krissy Hart, South Bass Island State Park, and Kathy and Wayne Weber who all donated food, firewood, charcoal for campouts and to Carol, Rich and Steve Roberts, Karen Edwards, Carol Pureber, Katie Schneider, and Jill and Don Hubbard who helped with meal times. Thanks to Sandy and Gary Noble for the special treat for the staff on the last day of Camp. Thanks also to anyone we have forgotten as we really appreciate all the help we get in teaching the kids about the beautiful islands we all live on!

Eagle Soars! In August, Mona Rutger from Back to the Wild , released an immature Bald Eagle in memory of the late Dick and Lynn David, of MBI with daughter Lynda David. The bird had been captured because of failure to thrive by Bill Rut- ger, back in July. Tedi Pertner, Lisa Brohl, and Shanny and Olive O’Rourke Scherf assisted. The young bird was seen catching a fish off Middle Bass later that day! Eagle photos: Susan Byrnes

New Donation Box Here is Americorps intern Carmen Levand with the donation box she helped purchase for the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy. Kelly Faris mounted the box at the Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve and funds have already been collected from visitors that will help the LEIC-BSC in their land protection mission. The LEIC- BSC is a partner with the owners of the Scheeff Preserve, the Put-in- Bay Township Park District. A second box will be mounted in the yard of board member John Ladd.

Thank You Valerie Mettler! Long time LEIC-BSC board member Valerie Mettler is moving from the island this fall. We held a surprise party for Val after our September board meeting featuring John Ladd’s homemade champagne, Elizabeth Heineman’s hummingbird cake, smoked fish imported from Lake Michigan, and special spider decorations brought by Kelly Faris. A great card made by Susan Byrnes, photo collage and gift were presented to Val for her years of service with the Nature Camp, Road Scholar, Discover Island Nature and other LEIC-BSC programs. Val be- came a LEIC-BSC board member in 2004 and has been working with the Na- ture Camp program ever since. She played a large role in making our educational efforts so successful! Because of Val, most of the kids and adults on the island have learned a great deal about spiders! We will greatly miss having Val as a board member but wish her much happiness in her new life near her grandchildren in Marion, Ohio!

New and Renewing Members Friend Fran and Ken Beck LEINWC and LEIC-BSC Ruth Booth Gary Coates Printer cartridges, Anonymous Donor David Butz Sally and James Duffy Wheelbarrow-Valerie Mettler Ernest Lee Hisey Jr. Joe and Judy Janicki Picnic Table, Fire Ring-Chris Ladd, Jeff and Kendra Koehler Valerie Mettler Valerie Mettler

Melinda McCann Myers Put-in-Bay Boat Line Company dba Donation in Memory of Jerry Maisie Ruchala The Jet Express Hubschman Ann Shelton Put-in-Bay Electric, Inc. Terry and Lynda Heaton Joanne Sutton John and Louise Titchener Raymond A. Traverso Nature Camp Fund Donations Supporter Dr. Carmen E. Trisler Karen Edwards Harry and Dr. Lisa Bircher Joan Wulkowicz Debora Ferrell Dave and Linda Frederick Kyrie Lee Terry and Lynda Heaton Steward Jeanette Luecke Carole D. Koscielny Amy and Peter Huston Rob Rush

Ann Petcoff Patron Alexa Kirsch-bath towels and tote bag for Camping programs Contributor Yardworks

Be 419-285-GOAT( 4628) Happy! Catawba Avenue

LEIC-BSC Membership Form Membership Notices are sent out annually-this is for new memberships-share with your friends

__$25 Friend __$100 Contributor __$500 Patron __$50 Supporter __$250 Steward __$1000 Life __$100 Fd/AD

Name ______Spouse/Companion______

Island Address PO Box ______Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456 E-mail ______

Permanent Address______City ______State _____Zip______

Phone______Cell Phone ______Island Phone______……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… In addition to my membership, I would like to donate to:

Land Protection Fund I would like to contribute $ ______to the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy, to be used only for expenses related to the purchase of land. I understand that I will receive a Certificate of Donation for income tax purposes.

Nature Camp Fund I would like to donate $______to the Nature Camp Fund, organized and directed by the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy. Stewardship Fund I would like to donate $______to the Stewardship Fund to help maintain those properties owned by the Lake Erie Islands Chapter of the Black Swamp Conservancy. Please make checks payable to (LEIC-BSC) Lake Erie Islands Chapter Black Swamp Conservancy Please Send to: PO Box 461, Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456 All donations are tax deductible Thank You!

Summer Internship Overview-AmeriCorps Intern Carmen Levand

My summer didn’t quite turn out exactly how I expected it would- it was better! This internship was a great opportunity for me. I learned many new things from facts about our snakes to flora and fauna unique to the islands. I got to meet some of the friendliest people this summer on the island of South Bass and got to work with some of these great individuals. I want to thank all the volunteers that helped me manage the trail at both the Jane Coates Wildflower Trail and Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve, as well as those who helped clean and beautify the bathing beach. I loved joining the children for Nature Camp and being able to share ele- ments of my job with them; for example checking nest boxes. I have really had a great summer and truly hope I can get an opportunity to come back again.

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Jill Noel and Randall S. Manion install the new sign on the fence at the Middle Bass Island East Point Pre- serve. Jill and Randall were visiting Middle Bass from Northfield, Ohio. Jill is a occupational therapist at Edwin Shaw Hospital in Akron, OH and Randall is petty officer Russ Brohl continues to help out when- Alexandra Knauer folded, labeled 2nd class with US Coast Guard, Cleveland Harbor. and stamped the spring LEIC-BSC ever needed! Here he is removing a Frequent volunteer Bruce Miles brought them out. newsletter for us! Thanks Alexandra! downed tree at the LEINWC. Thanks also to Bruce and to Ron and Jan Helman for their help with maintaining the Preserve and trails!

Dr. Dave Moore, former Stone Lab instructor of Higher Aquatic Plants, donated a clinome- ter, compass, and thermometer for use for the Village Tree Inventory and Nature Camp.

Kate Ptak spent some time with Lisa Brohl volunteering for Nature Camp this fall. She helped inventory and clean up the storage barn after another very busy and successful summer. Kate is Richard Gump came to the rescue of the typing up the inventory and shopping for Camp for LEINWC again by sending his employee next summer! and equipment out to remove the old Linda Rence cleans up the lawn at timbers around the parking lot. You know LEINWC for open house how hard it is to get a picture of Richard OR his crew?

Saving for the Future: Blue Ash By Lisa Brohl Jeffrey D. Carstens of the USDA-ARS – Horticulture, Plant Introduction Station and Jon Ma- honey, an Iowa State University horticulture undergrad working as a biological science technician aide for the North Central Regional Plant Introduction Station in Ames, Iowa, visited South Bass Island on Saturday August 17, 2013 to collect mature blue ash seeds for their Germplasm project. They had a very interesting technique for collecting the seed - with a sling shot, 600 pound test line, and a port- able chainsaw blade! They could reach blue ash seeds that were in the very tops of the trees. They drove all the way from Iowa to collect on South Bass at the Jane Coates Wildflower Trail, South Bass Island State Park, and Gibraltar Island. They were successful at collecting seed from the Trail and State Park but the seed on Gibraltar was not viable for collection this year. A number of seeds were collected from trees along Put-in-Bay Road and the West Shore Drive. Previous collections of green ash and white ash by Lisa Brohl from our preserves on South Bass and Middle Bass will ensure that the islands genetic heritage are represented in future tree planting projects. From Mr. Carstens about this project: “This is a co- operative effort including many other agencies. Basically we know that ash seeds will remain viable under proper storage conditions for very long periods of time (30+ years, likely much longer, but there is no data to confirm longer than 30 years). The plan right now is to try to obtain seed samples from each N. American ash species from numerous populations because adaptation from one population to another is likely different. Therefore, the focus is on preserving genetic diversity. Seeds are simply being placed into a seed vault for long-term preservation. Having that collection of blue ash from South Bass Island represents an “outlier” in the collection. As I always say, genetics that may not be valuable today, may be valuable many years from now.” If you look at the devastation to elms or chestnuts, look at what is left in nature or breeding programs……..very little. If the quantity or quality of that seed samples from South Bass Island fall below a critical level, then a sample of seedlings will be grown out, control pollinated, and thus refilling the jar back up with seeds with material very, very close to the same original genetic profile that we recently collected. So, if the blue ash are completely killed off from the site we harvested, e.g. perhaps many, many years from now someone could repopulate with the exact same local material held in our genebank. Genebanking with plants is really starting to take off. New York and Missouri recently started their own state initia- tives. Introduction of the emerald ash borer (EAB) into North America from Asia has resulted in devastation to native Fraxinus populations in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and Ontario, and it continues to spread. North American Fraxinus species evi- (Continued on page 14)

dently have no resistance to this pest. The loss of these species has cultural, ecological, and economic implications that warrant preserving these genetic resources before too much is lost to the insect. Trees, as do all plants, must be adapted to their environment to thrive. Natural ash populations have adapted to their environments in the centuries following the most recent glacial retreat. Preserving a significant number of these populations will be required for successful reintroduction of these species, once adequate environmental control measures for EAB are developed or trees resistant to the insect are bred and fully tested. Breeding resistant ash trees for reintroduction will ultimately require an array of adapted parental populations. Given the projected degree of EAB destruction to native stands, only well-conserved ex situ germplasm collections will be able to provide this needed material. The easiest way to assemble such collections is to collect seeds from representative native stands, before they are lost to EAB. Here are two websites with information about our efforts.” http://www.ars-grin.gov/npgs/ http://www.ars.usda.gov/Research/docs.htm?docid=22927 Ash trees are fast disappearing on the Bass Islands due to the emerald ash borer. The Green Ash, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, was an important component of the wet woods found in lower areas on the islands. Middle Bass Island and the east point of South Bass have many dead ash trees. Blue Ash, Frax- inus quadrangulata, with its characteristic square branches, thrives on the rocky dolomitic soil here on the Bass Islands in the drier forest locations. It is showing effects of the emerald ash borer. The ash borer was first documented on Kelleys Island in 2007. It was first discovered on the Bass Islands by researchers led by Dr. Douglas Kane at the Ohio State University Stone Laboratory, first at the Pe- tersen Woods in 2009 and later at the Jane Coates Wildflower Woods. Efforts to stop the spread by controlling firewood movement and clearing ash trees in a circle around the Toledo area were unsuc- cessful. Although vehicles were searched for firewood coming over on the ferry, the beetle made it to the islands anyway and is changing the composition of our island forests. What tree species will take the place of the holes left in the canopy?

Join Us For Birdbanding on Middle Bass Tom and Paula Bartlett will be at the Middle Bass Island East Point Preserve banding birds each day from Monday, September 23 until Friday, September 27, 2013. They would love to have company and help while banding. In you are on Middle Bass that week, come out and join them at the Preserve. Their data from the previous years of banding have helped us in writing grants to preserve more land. And it is a lot of fun to get good looks at birds up close in the hand! You never know what might show up during the migration season.

Scheeff East Point Preserve Trail Work This has been a great year for some plants-especially poison ivy! Although poison ivy is a great food for birds in the winter, it was encroaching on our trail at the Scheeff East Point so much that visitors to the Preserve were sending complaints. Thanks to a number of individuals the situation is now under control for walkers. Richard Gump applied a small amount of herbicide in the trail path nearest the western end. AmeriCorps intern Carmen Levand worked with the Sea Cadets and then later on her own to spread mulch donated by Burns Pierce and Richard Gump to cover the affected area. Ty Winchester with two members of Put-in-Bay Employees Care from Ja- maica and Turkey finished the job off! Thanks to everyone for their help in keeping our Preserve a great place to take a walk! Erie Island Carts.com At the Airport ~ Overnight rentals

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Scheeff Purple Martin and Tree Swallow Report By Paula Ziebarth Purple Martins used all 24 gourds at Scheeff East Point Nature Preserve this year. Due to challenges with nonnative European Starlings, new entrances were installed this spring to prevent European Starlings from gaining access to the gourds. Due to the success of this colony, Darlene Sillick and I are working on getting a grant for another rig to house 24 more Purple Martin families. The colony laid 126 eggs; 111 hatched and 110 fledged. This great success rate was mitigated by substan- tial death of newly fledged young end of season. The unseasonable cold, wet and windy weather made flying insect populations scarce at a critical time and I found many dead or dying inside or beneath Purple Martin rigs on the island. Purple Martins come back to their nest sites to roost (sleep) for a couple of weeks before they migrate. For the 7 Purple Martin rigs I monitor on South Bass, a total of 43 dead older chicks or fledg- lings were found. A Purple Martin’s diet consists entirely of flying insects so if insects are unavailable, these birds are in real trouble. Bad weather, combined with the hunting inexperience of newly fledged birds, resulted in high mortality. While the adult birds will continue to feed their young for a short time after they fledge, during periods of scarce food supply, adults must hunt for their own survival. Speaking with Purple Martin experts, I understand that many colonies on the lake suffered this year due to the weather. High Purple Martin mortality was reported in the Chicago area and other areas in Midwest on the lakes. I did not have any problems with my colonies in central Ohio. The Purple Martins at Scheeff had been banded earlier in the season and I was able to track the gourds they were found in. Many were roosting in different gourds than they were raised in. On July 28 through 31, groups from different gourds were huddled together to conserve body heat and energy, waiting for the weather to break to provide enough food to sustain them for the big migratory flight south. Purple Martins migrate to South America. Many left and went on their way, but some were not so lucky. We may look at supplemental feeding of Purple Martins next year as a way to help them out during times of low food supplies. Training them to eat mealworms or crickets tossed to them, and then setting out feeding platforms is a way that some Purple Martin landlords help their colonies survive in times of need. The Tree Swallows using the smaller nest boxes at Scheeff did well again this year. There are 13 nest boxes on site. Tree Swallows laid 74 eggs; 63 hatched; and 57 fledged. Northern Exposure Investments Joe Kostura Yardworks (419) 341-2366 or (419) 285- 3106 New Construction ~ Residential ~ Commercial PO Box 538 Remodeling ~ Roofing ~ Concrete ~ Footers Foundations ~ Sidewalks ~ Patios ~ Driveways Dan and Valerie Kowalski Put-in-Bay, Oh 43456 Stonework ~ Bobcat & Excavator Services Indoor & Outdoor Painting ~ Plumbing Owners (419-) 285-2147

OSPREY PLATFORM UP A crew (Terry Jenkins, PIB Ohio Edison serviceman, and a three man crew from Sandusky, along with Russ Vickers) set the pole for the osprey platform at the Mid- dle Bass Island East Point Preserve late this summer. Thanks go to the Ohio Young Birders with Darlene Sillick for donat- ing and bringing us the materials, Andy Sloane and Marvin Booker for constructing and transporting to Middle Bass, Lisa Brohl and Hailey Halterman for the last transport down to the preserve, Paula Ziebarth for providing access to technical advice, and to Tom Bartlett for coming up with the idea in the first place. It looks great! And we had a few osprey cruising the shores of Middle Bass during August-lets hope they try out the platform next year.

PO Box 461 Put-in-Bay, Ohio 43456 Phone: 419-285-5811 E-Mail: [email protected] We’re on the Web! http://lakeerieislandsbsc.com Save paper-time-and money! Have your newsletter emailed to you! Email: [email protected] Board of Directors Chairperson Lisa Brohl Secretary/Treasurer Kelly Faris Board Members Susan Byrnes-Marsha Collett Lianne Genzman-John Ladd Peggy Leopold-Bruce Miles, Bob Russell Kristin Stanford Advisory Council Carol Richardson-Richard Gump John Dodge Newsletter Editors Lisa Brohl-Linda L Parker Debbie Woischke-Kristin Stanford

Square Meter Jon Ramsbottom has given his cousin. Marc Anthony, a square meter of land at the Lake Erie Islands Nature and Wild- life Center for his birthday for the past three years so Marc would have a piece of the rock. This year Jon decided since Marc (arguably) is the biggest land owner at the Center, he should be dubbed the Prince. As such, he needs a princely name, thus Jon has added one. And he declared Marc to be Marc Anthony GEORGE Centofanti. He is shown seated here with his royal robe and crown, with his "wench" Martha seated beside him. Standing behind them are Jon (named the Royal Jester) and his wife Lori. Sandi Glauser (right), Center Director is completely awed the whole ceremony is shown officially presenting Marc with his deed. For those of you who are looking for a suitable Put-n- Bay memento for a friend or loved one, you can't do batter than to give them a certificate for a square meter of property at the Nature Center. It will not only be cherished, but will also help the Wildlife Center.

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