Past Events, Research and Field Courses
Past field courses at Asylum Lake Preserve
2011, Sept-Dec. GEOS and ENVS Field Environmental Geochemistry
Dr. Carla Koretsky, Western Michigan University
Project-based field course in which students will design a water quality study and perform water column and sediment sampling at Asylum Lake.
2011, June. GEOS 6130 Wetland Hydrology.
Allan Hascall, WMU
Project-based course focusing on wetland delineation and wetland hydrology. A large, wetland delineation project will be completed by the end of the course and includes a written summary of findings as outlined by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Wetland Identification Manual.
2010, May. Introduction to Ecology
Jennifer Lau, Michigan State University Kellogg Biological Station
Students in this course spend approximately five days at Asylum Lake Preserve studying the effects of garlic mustard on plant and arthropod community composition.
2009. BIOS 1510 Organismal Biology (Forest Dynamics Lab)
Dr. David Karowe, WMU
The objective of this lab is to determine whether the composition of the forest is changing. Students will compare the species composition of mature trees in the forest canopy at Asylum Lake Preserve with that of the understory. Students will survey plots within the forest, identify tree species and measure the diameter-at-breast-height for each tree within the plot.
2008, April. BIOS 1510 Organismal Biology (Forest Dynamics Lab)
Dr. Todd Barkman, WMU
The objective of this lab is to determine whether the composition of the forest is changing. Students will compare the species composition of mature trees in the forest canopy at Asylum Lake Preserve with that of the understory. Students will survey plots within the forest, identify tree species and measure the diameter-at-breast-height for each tree within the plot.
2007-2010. BIOS 3010 Ecology
Dr. Stephen Malcolm, WMU
Students will explore 4 laboratory exercises at Asylum Lake Preserve, including:
- Non-destructive mark, release and recapture of grasshoppers to estimate population size.
- Goldenrod gall densities.
- Tree dispersion.
- Metapopulation structure of milkweed beetle larvae.
2007, November ANTH 5000 Historical Archaeology
Michael Nassaney, WMU
This course focuses on the methods and theory of historical archaeology.
2007, September GEOG 6200 Biogeography
Dr. Kathleen Baker, WMU
This course is a graduate seminar in physical geography in which students focus on theoretical and applied biogeography.
Past research at Asylum Lake Preserve
2012, March. "Effects of Road Salt Deicers on Sediment Biogeochemistry," Seon-young Kim & Carla Koretsky. WMU Geosciences.
2011, December. "Asylum Lake Water Quality Analysis," WMU Field Environmental Geochemistry Class. WMU Geosciences.
2011, September. "Redox Stratification and Salinization of Three Kettle Lakes in Southwest Michigan, USA," Carla M. Koretsky, Andrew MacLeod, Ryan J. Sibert and Christine Snyder. WMU Geosciences.
2010, July. "The Role of Plant-Soil Feedbacks in the Biological Invasion of Acer platanoides and Implications for Native Forests," Jennifer Lau. MSU Kellogg Biological Station.
2010, June. "Effects of Long-Term Mowing Treatments on Productivity," Jennifer Lau and Stacey Gray. MSU Kellogg Biological Station.
2010, June. "Influence of Road Walt on Lake Water Quality," Dr. Carla Koretsky, Andrew MacLeod and Christine Snyder. WMU Geosciences.
2010, May. "Testing the Bouwer and Rice Slug Test Analysis Method," Dr. Duane Hampton and Hussain Alfaifi. WMU Geosciences.
2009, October. "Influence of Salinity on Wetland Biogeochemistry," Dr. Carla Koretsky and Dr. Seonyoung Kim, WMU Geosciences.
2009, September. "Microbial Community Analysis of the Asylum Lake Preserve," Dr. Silvia Rossbach and Adam Nemon, WMU Biological Sciences.
2009, June. "Assessment of Soil Composition and Vegetation Survey of Old Field, Forest 1 and Savanna 2 Areas of the Asylum Lake Property, Kalamazoo, Michigan," Dr. Charles Ide, Jay Biernat and research assistants. WMU Biological Sciences. Powerpoint presentation on this research.
2009. "An Ecological Assessment of the Asylum Lake Preserve," Tyler Bassett, Botanist and Suzie Knoll, Biologist. Native Connections.
2009. "An Investigation into the Validity of the Effective Radius, re, Value Used in the Bouwer and Rice (1976) Method of Analyzing Slug Test Data," James Niel Couch. WMU Geosciences.
2008. "Switchgrass Gene Flow," Jennifer Lau, Kane Keller and Lauren Bailey, Michigan State University.
2008. "The Dynamics of Milkweed Chemical Defense in Response to Chewing and Sucking Insect Herbivores," Derrick Hilton. WMU Biological Sciences.
2008. "Water Quality Evaluation of Asylum Lake and Little Asylum Lake with Management Recommendations," Kieser & Associates, LLC.
2005. "An Archeological Assessment of the Asylum Lake/Colony Farm Orchard Property in Kalamazoo, Michigan," Rory J. Becker and Michael S. Nassaney.
1992. "Final Project Report: Long-Term Hydrogeological Research and Educational Test Site," William A. Sauck and Michael J. Barcelona. Western Michigan University.
1992. "Phase I and Partial Phase II Environmental Site Assessment, Asylum Lake, Western Michigan University," Soil & Material Engineers, Inc.
Thesis projects completed at Asylum Lake Preserve
Ric Steeves. 2001. "The Geochemistry of a Leaf Composting Leachate Plume, Asylum Lake, Kalamazoo, Michigan," Department of Geosciences, WMU. Degree of Master of Science. Found at Waldo Library, WMU. call number: TD 9999.s83x
Paul Joseph Pare. 1995. "A Study on the Causes of Variations in Transmissivity and Storativity During Pump Tests at Asylum Lake," Department of Geology, WMU. Degree of Master of Arts. Found at Waldo Library, WMU. call number: GB 9999.P37x
Vincent E. Buening. 1994. "Investigations of Glacial-Drift Aquifier-Lake Interactions Using Hydrogeology, Geochemistry and Stable Isotopes at Asylum Lake, Michigan," Department of Geology, WMU. Degree of Master of Science. Found at Waldo Library, WMU. call number: GB 9999.B83x
Bryan K. Allen. 1993. "The Effects of Composting Yard Wastes on the Ground Water Quality: WMU Farms Site, Kalamazoo, Michigan," Department of Geology, WMU. Degree of Master of Science. Found at Waldo Library, WMU. call number: GB 9999.A63x
Fardin Olyaee. 1986. "The Effects of Acid Precipitation on Two Lakes in Southwestern Michigan," Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. Division of Science Education, WMU. Found at Waldo Library, WMU. call number: QH 9999.2.049x
Papers related to Asylum Lake Preserve
1991. "Report on the Historic Use of the Property Commonly Known as the Kalamazoo State Hospital Colony Farm, the Michigan State University Agricultural Experiment Orchard and the Lee Baker Farm," Larry B. Massie.
1983. "Stormwater Management in a Small Michigan Watershed," Philip P. Micklin (Western Michigan University) and Thomas Hodler (University of Georgia).
1977. "Observations on Asylum Lake, Kalamazoo, Michigan," Joseph G. Engemann. Western Michigan University.
(Date unknown) "Non-Point Source Pollution Affecting Asylum Lake." Thomas A. Hildebrandt and Jack S. Wood. Western Michigan University.
Books related to Asylum Lake Preserve
"Haven: a Treatise on Asylum Lake" Edited by Dok Tael Stevens, illustrations by Ladislav R. Hanka. Spunky Duck Press. Kalamazoo, Michigan. Found at Archives & Regional History, 111 East Hall, WMU. call number: F574.K1 H38x
Past events and projects at Asylum Lake Preserve
2011, May-Aug
A large hole was dug at Asylum Lake to use as a garlic mustard decomposition site. Rather than sending garlic mustard to landfills, plants were buried on-site, as a more environmentally-friendly alternative.
2011, May
AmeriCorps NCCC worked on ecological restoration projects at Asylum Lake Preserve and other WMU Natural Areas.
2011, May
Two hundred student volunteers from the Michigan Church of God pulled garlic mustard at the preserve.
2011, May
"No Child Left Inside" One hundred twenty-five third graders from four area schools came to Asylum Lake to learn about water ecology, garlic mustard, leadership and self reflection through outdoor journaling. The event was held in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Nature Center.
2010, December
A WMU art student installed her work at Asylum Lake for a short time period.
2010, November
"No Child Left Inside" One hundred twenty-five third graders from four area schools came to Asylum Lake Preserve. They rotated between four stations at the preserve which included book reading, journaling, bird watching and tree art. The event was held in collaboration with the Kalamazoo Nature Center.
2010, November
ROTC Western Ranger Organization Field Training Exercise.
2010, October
Karen Bondarchuk and art students at WMU created bluebird boxes as part of their required foundation art basic woodworking skills. The boxes are to be installed in the near future.
2010, May
Two hundred student volunteers from the Michigan Church of God pulled garlic mustard at the preserve.
2010, March
Gibbs House Fellows organized a trash pick-up day at Asylum Lake Preserve. Approximately 15 students assisted in cleaning up the property.
2009, November
ROTC Situational Training Exercise.
2009, May
Dr. Charles Ide and Gibbs House Fellows monitored the regeneration of garlic mustard, an invasive species.
2009, May
Two hundred student volunteers from the Michigan Church of God pulled garlic mustard at the preserve.
2008, September
WMU's Women's Cross Country Team held practice at Asylum Lake Preserve through the fall and winter.
2008, May
Volunteers from the National Honor's Society pulled garlic mustard at the preserve.
2008, May
Two hundred student volunteers from the Michigan Church of God pulled garlic mustard at the preserve.
2007, April
Tyler Bassett, Botanist from Native Connections performed a comprehensive inventory of the vascular plants and wildlife at the Asylum Lake Preserve.
2007, April
The Asylum Lake Preservation Association organized a trash removal and garlic mustard pull for Earth Day.
2007, March
WMU hosted a PeaceJam event. The event included service projects and a conference with Nobel Peace Laureate, Rigoberta Menchu Tum as the guest speaker. The conference had an environmental theme and included a conservation project at Asylum Lake. PeaceJam is a service learning program for high school students in Kalamazoo and is a partner with WMU. "The mission of the PeaceJam Foundation is to create a new generation of young leaders committed to positive change in themselves, their communities and the world through the inspiration of Nobel Peace Laureates."
2006, April
Volunteers from the Asylum Lake Preservation Association pulled garlic mustard growing in the oak savanna on Earth Day.
2006, April
Three WMU students investigated paranormal activity at Asylum Lake Preserve, focusing on the sites of former State Hospital buildings.
2006, March
The Land Trust Alliance held its Midwest Conference at the Fetzer Center at WMU. Asylum Lake Preserve was included in the seminar as an outdoor venue due to its relevant stewardship issues and its proximity to the Fetzer Center.