IN WEGAIIION SbiAAPLEY ifDfIc

extends an invitation to you

vers away from wildlife nests to over-
looks that would not disturb nesting
patterns.
Now, Schechter is doing virtually
the same thing in West Bloomfield.
Starting this month, the naturalist is
guiding residents on free nature walks
through the township's 406-acre park
system.
"West Bloomfield has some excel-
lent parklands mandated to be pre-
served," he says. "Most people don't
look at the park beyond the park."
Schechter plans to show nature
lovers the toads and mushrooms
around the shores of Cass Lake and
explain why toads hop away from the
water, toward their winter habitat in
the uplands. He'll also tell about the
rattlesnakes that live in West
Bloomfield, along with edible plants
and maple sugar. In fact, in February,
West Bloomfield Parks & Rec will
host its first maple sugar program,
where participants will learn how to
tap into the sap and do so in their
own yards.
When talking about his new job,
the "single and looking" Schechter
practically glows. He doesn't work the
typical 9-to-5, at-a-desk job, but
rather a "staggered schedule." And

to join our family

j.6 it providing what is

called "leisure service — I'm paid to
show things to the public," says
Schechter, who lives in Brandon
Township, near Ortonville, with his
135-pound dog.
Part of the park ranger title
includes managing lands. And that
may mean explaining to West
Bloomfield residents why they
shouldn't throw refuse over the
fence into the fields. "We have lost
10-15 feet off [land] units because
people put stuff over the fence," he
says.
"This is a great opportunity for
West Bloomfield and for myself," says
Schechter. "I especially look forward
to implementing interpretive program-
ming for preschoolers and other
young children, ages where we can
make a difference. We cannot expect
people to protect the environment and
be sensible stewards if they do not first
love the land."

For) memLership information, call Emily PoleriLerl

(248) 357-5544

27375 Fell Poad

s

oli

II{ielcl

extension

4200 Walnut Lake Poo,'

66

2075 Walnut Lake Road

West Bloomfield

West Bloomfield

NOW TAKING ORDERS

ON 1998 MODELS!

FOR YOUR BEST PRICE
AND
PROFESSIONAL SERVICE

Call

MIKE SCHLUSSEL

Schechter leads tours of West
Bloomfield's Woods Nature
Preserve on Sept. 16 and the
township's trail network on Sept.
23, both at 6 p.m. For informa-
tion, call Jonathan Schechter at
(248) 738-2500.

ACCENTS
IN NEEDLEPOINT

Contemporary
Designs

TAMAROFF DODGE

24625 West 12 Mile (Just west of Telegraph) • Southfield, MI

(248) 354-6600

626-3042

DIRECT:

223-8516

Call The Sales Department

(248) 354-7123 Ext. 209

IN THE ORCHARD MALL
WEST BLOOMFIELD

DETROIT
MA= NEWS

Advesticn in niir FntArtninninnt Sprtinnl

.TN

9/12

1997

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