Natural Areas Stewardship at the University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum

Abstract

The University of Michigan Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum (MBGNA) natural areas serve as exceptional laboratories for University faculty and students to conduct research and teaching. These lands have a deep and complex natural history closely linked with human activities such as Native American burning for thousands of years. More recently, they have provided beauty to the campus and space for recreation, inspiration and restorative time spent in nature. These natural areas harbor significant biological value and provide many ecological services, but face a number of eminent threats including invasion of exotic species, lack of fire, storm water caused erosion, and several others. Restoration of these areas is ongoing and gaining in sophistication, but requires a planning process which will involve stakeholders to develop stewardship plans for the properties. ** In this thesis various conservation and educational organizations with similar missions to the MBGNA are examined and their goals discussed. A historical context is provided to help understand the evolution of these natural areas and the development of important threats. An inclusive decision making model is developed to help provide the framework for creating comprehensive, objective stewardship plans that recognize the complexities of the MBGNA mission, goals and stakeholder values. Within this model a ranking instrument is designed specifically to address the complex issues surrounding the MBGNA natural areas and to help with the prioritization of stewardship areas and activities. The formation of two natural areas advisory groups is also recommended to bring together important stakeholders and experts at key points during the process to offer guidance. This framework is then applied as an example to the Nichols Arboretum property. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Radrick Natural Area, Horner Woods/McLaughlin Tract and Mud Lake Bog properties of MBGNA are also described and discussed. It is recommended that this model be applied to create plans for each of the MBGNA properties. It is also strongly recommended that this model be applied to other important University of Michigan natural areas, leading to a more centralized, sophisticated, effective and reliable approach to natural areas stewardship.