celery pond

Be sure to include your name, address, email address along with your contribution.  Many thanks for your continuing or new commitment to helping South Haven hold onto its green space.

If you happened to drive down to Dunkley late Sunday afternoon, you would have seen a flooded road with barricades of two police cars.  The rains had evidently filled the Celery Pond and the narrow congested passage from the Pond to the river was over capacity, with waters flooding the road and 100-year old floodplain trying to absorb them.

The Pond hasn’t seen this level of rain since the 1980s when the river and lake levels were high. The recent 10 inches or more filled our Black River up to a new height for the year, with the lake’s surge Sunday night penetrating the beach shoreline more than usual.

Both facts are reminders on how important it is to keep the floodplain open and porous for such events.  The clogged passageway from the Pond to the river could use some clearing out, it seems, judging from the water’s blocked passage and overflow.    

Excursions to an area nature center seemed like a good thing to do this year.

A field trip to Sarett Nature Center in Benton Harbor, MI, inspired both Sandra Tyrrell, VP and Secretary of Celery Pond Advocates and myself.  We set to find it a couple weeks ago.  What fun!

On 2300 Benton Center Road, it’s best to check the Nature website for exact directions.  We came by way of Red Arrow highway and had to ask for directions, but it was well worth the trip.

Sarett Nature Center has acres of woodland and wetland areas to walk in and around.

They have plenty of classes and activities throughout the year for kids and adults.  There’s lots of wildlife about, giving all visitors a chance to see animals and plants on closer examination.  We particularly liked a big turtle out in front of the center. 

It was good food for thought.  Sandra and I talked about what the CPA might do in the Celery Pond area when and if we get approvals to protect the wetland. 

The organization is still dedicated to being able to eventually set up activities for more educational understanding of the wetland ecosystem.  To everything there is a season, and ours is ahead.

We’re in the process of renewing memberships.  Why not join us this year….more info to follow, in case you’re interested.