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Campbell, Emma
Land Stewardship Coordinator
- 517.853.4614
- ecampbell@meridian.mi.us

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Living With Wildlife

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Many residential areas in Meridian Township are in semi-rural areas or near to parks and natural areas. Usually residents enjoy the opportunity to watch the native wildlife that comes into their yards. Many people even encourage them by putting out feeders and growing flowers that birds and butterflies like. However, sometimes these same beautiful animals can become a nuisance by damaging the area around a house or even the house itself.

White-tail Deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

White-tail deer live in wooded areas and feed at the forest edge near open areas usually at sunrise and sunset. These open areas are frequently now agricultural fields or residential yards. In the summer, deer will roam in small family groups. In the winter, a few does and their young will stay together for safety, but in our area the groups are not large like the deer yards up north. Fawns are born in May or June and are not weaned for four months. Predators to young deer are coyote, gray wolf, bobcat, cougar and feral dogs. Healthy adults are usually only in danger from man. There are several designated White-tail Deer hunting seasons in Michigan beginning in September. Please remember, there is no hunting in Meridian Townships parks.

Living with Pollinators

The National Recreation and Parks Association recently conducted a poll showing that nearly all Americans agree that promoting pollinator health should be a conservation priority across the United States. Parks play a critical role in providing habitat for vital pollinator species such as bees and butterflies by preserving and enhancing greenspace.

The Meridian Township Parks Department has taken numerous steps to enhance pollinator habitat and promote pollinator education in its parks and land preserves:

• Hartrick Park has a Monarch Watch certified Monarch Way Station Garden that was planted and is maintained by students from Okemos’ Bennett Woods Elementary School.

• Seed ball projects have been completed in numerous parks and land preserves in which local students create soil balls with native, pollinator friendly seeds to throw into grasslands for enhancement.

• The Mary M. G. Helmbrecht Pollinator Buffer in the Meridian Historical Village was planted in 2015 by students from Haslett’s Murphy Elementary School and has been expanded every year to provide habitat for pollinators.

• The Meridian Land Preservation Program installed and maintains over 100 acres of native grasslands that feature native forb species which support a variety of pollinator species.
Meridian Township Residents can support pollinators in their backyards by planting native forbs in home gardens.

FAQs

Seasonal Park Trails Advisory

Seasonal Trail Advisory: As the weather changes, so do the condition of our park trails. Please be a responsible park visitor, and use the trails accordingly.

Spring and Fall:

Flooding may restrict park visitors to upland trails only. Muddy trails are restricted to walkers only. Bikes and horses will cause damage and erosion to the trails and therefore prohibited at such times.

Summer:

Please stay on the trails to protect wildflowers, wildlife and yourself from poison ivy and bee nests.

Winter:

Please be respectful of skiers by walking to the side of ski tracks rather than through then. For your safety, staff off ice on ponds, drains and the Red Cedar River.

All Seasons:

Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6' and under control of their owner in all areas of Township parks. Please remove all feces deposited by your pets. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on trails.
What are the Parks and Trails Rules?
- Parks are open daily from dawn to dusk.
- Dogs must remain on a leash at all times.
- Visitors are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.
- Horses, llamas and other draft animals may be brought into the park when under the immediate control of a competent person.
- Stay on the designated trails.
- To minimize erosion, muddy trails are restricted to walkers only.
- During winter, please be respectful of skiers by walking to the side of the ski tracks.
- Motorized vehicles are restricted to designated parking areas only.
- Fires may be built in designated grills and must be attended at all times.
- Fishing is permitted with a valid state fishing license.
- Please do not disturb the wildlife in the park. Hunting, trapping, catching, killing or removal of any animal on park land is prohibited, as is disturbing or robbing nests, dens or burrows of any animals.
- Picking and collecting of wildflowers, fruits, mushrooms, downed wood or any plant material is prohibited.
- Campfires, camping, the flying of model airplanes or drones, fireworks and loud noise/music or amplifiers are prohibited.
- Swimming and ice skating are prohibited on ponds, drains and the Red Cedar River.
- Reservations for pavilion or athletic field use may be arranged by calling the Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Office at 517.853.4600.
Is hunting allowed in Meridian Township Parks?

Hunting is not allowed in Meridian Township Parks.
What plants don't deer like to eat?

Here is a partial list of native plants that are deer resistant: Columbine, Butterfly Weed, Lead Plant, White Aster, Harebell, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Shooting Star, Blackeyed Susan, Pale Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Rough Blazing Star, Lupine, Smooth Penstemon and Sensitive Fern. The Prairie Nursery.com has a complete list.
What plants do deer like to eat?

Deer are browsers. They take a bite here and a bite there as they wander. They do not stand in one place and eat like a cow (grazer). In the wild they eat twigs, acorns, grasses and other small plants and seeds. Their favorite trees to munch on are: Red Maple, White Cedar, Hemlock, Mountain-ash, Red-twig Dogwood, as well as, Sugar Maple, Basswood, White Pine, Cherry, Red Oak, Willow. Of course where we have removed the trees and provided other herbaceous plants they are bound to take a bite or two as they are moving through.

What Plants don’t Deer Like to Eat?
Here is a partial list of native plants that are deer resistant: Columbine, Butterfly Weed, Lead Plant, White Aster, Harebell, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Shooting Star, Blackeyed Susan, Pale Purple Coneflower, Purple Coneflower, Rough Blazing Star, Lupine, Smooth Penstemon and Sensitive Fern. The Prairie Nursery.com has a complete list.
How can I keep deer out of my yard?
- Deer fences are highly recommended. They can be constructed around a garden area or your entire property, depending on the size.
- Repellents are useful on small gardens and landscape areas. There are contact repellents that taste bad and area repellents that smell bad. Natural and artificial varieties of both types can be found.
- Creating a natural buffer at the edge of your yard and the natural area where the deer live will supply them with food that they like and may encourage them to remain there (see a list of preferred foods below).
- Use native plants that deer don’t like in your landscaping. Many of these plants are quite beautiful and they have the added benefit of attracting birds and butterflies. As native plants, they require very little care once established.
Which species are pollinator friendly?

A full list of pollinator friendly species can be found at at the Monarch Watch website.
Who do I call about road kill?

If a dead animal is blocking the road you can call:
Ingham County Road Department
517.676.9722
*Please note, they will only move the dead animal to the side of the road, do not remove it.

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Staff

Living With Wildlife

FAQs

Seasonal Trail Advisory: As the weather changes, so do the condition of our park trails. Please be a responsible park visitor, and use the trails accordingly.

Spring and Fall:

Flooding may restrict park visitors to upland trails only. Muddy trails are restricted to walkers only. Bikes and horses will cause damage and erosion to the trails and therefore prohibited at such times.

Summer:

Please stay on the trails to protect wildflowers, wildlife and yourself from poison ivy and bee nests.

Winter:

Please be respectful of skiers by walking to the side of ski tracks rather than through then. For your safety, staff off ice on ponds, drains and the Red Cedar River.

All Seasons:

Pets must be on a leash no longer than 6' and under control of their owner in all areas of Township parks. Please remove all feces deposited by your pets. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on trails.

Parks are open daily from dawn to dusk.

Dogs must remain on a leash at all times.

Visitors are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

Horses, llamas and other draft animals may be brought into the park when under the immediate control of a competent person.

Stay on the designated trails.

To minimize erosion, muddy trails are restricted to walkers only.

During winter, please be respectful of skiers by walking to the side of the ski tracks.

Motorized vehicles are restricted to designated parking areas only.

Fires may be built in designated grills and must be attended at all times.

Fishing is permitted with a valid state fishing license.

Please do not disturb the wildlife in the park. Hunting, trapping, catching, killing or removal of any animal on park land is prohibited, as is disturbing or robbing nests, dens or burrows of any animals.

Picking and collecting of wildflowers, fruits, mushrooms, downed wood or any plant material is prohibited.

Campfires, camping, the flying of model airplanes or drones, fireworks and loud noise/music or amplifiers are prohibited.

Swimming and ice skating are prohibited on ponds, drains and the Red Cedar River.

Reservations for pavilion or athletic field use may be arranged by calling the Meridian Township Parks and Recreation Office at 517.853.4600.

Hunting is not allowed in Meridian Township Parks.

Deer fences are highly recommended. They can be constructed around a garden area or your entire property, depending on the size.

Repellents are useful on small gardens and landscape areas. There are contact repellents that taste bad and area repellents that smell bad. Natural and artificial varieties of both types can be found.

Creating a natural buffer at the edge of your yard and the natural area where the deer live will supply them with food that they like and may encourage them to remain there (see a list of preferred foods below).

Use native plants that deer don’t like in your landscaping. Many of these plants are quite beautiful and they have the added benefit of attracting birds and butterflies. As native plants, they require very little care once established.