I'm 100% in agreement that the woods should be preserved as open green space, but I don't agree that there should be trails in the woods for easy access and this is why - the wildlife. What about the wildlife? Where do the deer and coyotes go with the addition of people in the woods? I'm afraid the wildlife will be driven out of the woods onto Wagner and Scio Church road out of fear if the woods become over populated with people on trails in "their home." A young folk singer was attacked by a pack of coyotes earlier in the summer in Canada and died. We listen to packs of coyotes howl at night coming from the woods as we live not for from the woods. They can be dangerous if provoked. I would hate for something like that to happen in Scio Church woods because we didn't respect their territory. It's not a park...it's a forest with wild large wildlife. There is already an accessible "trail park" on Liberty Rd. I just don't think we need to "trail up" every forest in Washtenaw County because it's there. We need to respect the natural home of our larger wildlife otherwise we'll drive them to unnatural areas where they will get hurt and accidents will occur causing people to get hurt too.
Thank you for your comments. As a zoologist, my impression is that the amount of foot traffic expected in Scio Church Woods would not be sufficient to impact wildlife. Additionally, paths actually minimize wildlife impact as the wildlife avoid areas that smell like people. Its the people that are controlled by paths that allow the wildlife to be less bothered by their presence.
I have known and loved this woods for years. I can appreciate your concern for large wildlife and am also concerned when land use jeopardizes their habitat. What it looked like was going to happen to that forest was that it would be carved up for homesites. Had the economy not tanked and building slowed down it was headed that way. The fact that it has been saved from that fate and that no dogs or hunting is allowed, is like a dream come true. I hike there frequently and see very few other people. Before the trails were put in, people had to go cross country. The trails actually funnel people in specific areas leaving large tracts of land untraveled by humans, all good for the wildllife. I am thrilled with the preserve and grateful to all of those who helped create it. Thank you!
Hiking is Scio Woods preserve mid afternoon today, we saw 2 hunting tree stands that seem to be on preserve property. A newly mown trail runs very close to them and they must be in use as there were apples and corn below them. I know it is illegal to hunt there as well as dangerous, wondering where i find a map of the preserve and who I contact to investigate this? Thanks for your help.
This is County Parks property. I suggest you contact them directly. Tom Freeman is at (734) 971-6337 , ext 326. I will also forward your email to him. This is clearly a concern and you should contact him and tell him precisely what you saw. Thanks for noticing!
I'm 100% in agreement that the woods should be preserved as open green space, but I don't agree that there should be trails in the woods for easy access and this is why - the wildlife. What about the wildlife? Where do the deer and coyotes go with the addition of people in the woods? I'm afraid the wildlife will be driven out of the woods onto Wagner and Scio Church road out of fear if the woods become over populated with people on trails in "their home." A young folk singer was attacked by a pack of coyotes earlier in the summer in Canada and died. We listen to packs of coyotes howl at night coming from the woods as we live not for from the woods. They can be dangerous if provoked. I would hate for something like that to happen in Scio Church woods because we didn't respect their territory. It's not a park...it's a forest with wild large wildlife. There is already an accessible "trail park" on Liberty Rd. I just don't think we need to "trail up" every forest in Washtenaw County because it's there. We need to respect the natural home of our larger wildlife otherwise we'll drive them to unnatural areas where they will get hurt and accidents will occur causing people to get hurt too.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments. As a zoologist, my impression is that the amount of foot traffic expected in Scio Church Woods would not be sufficient to impact wildlife. Additionally, paths actually minimize wildlife impact as the wildlife avoid areas that smell like people. Its the people that are controlled by paths that allow the wildlife to be less bothered by their presence.
ReplyDeleteI have known and loved this woods for years. I can appreciate your concern for large wildlife and am also concerned when land use jeopardizes their habitat. What it looked like was going to happen to that forest was that it would be carved up for homesites. Had the economy not tanked and building slowed down it was headed that way. The fact that it has been saved from that fate and that no dogs or hunting is allowed, is like a dream come true. I hike there frequently and see very few other people. Before the trails were put in, people had to go cross country. The trails actually funnel people in specific areas leaving large tracts of land untraveled by humans, all good for the wildllife. I am thrilled with the preserve and grateful to all of those who helped create it. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteHiking is Scio Woods preserve mid afternoon today, we saw 2 hunting tree stands that seem to be on preserve property. A newly mown trail runs very close to them and they must be in use as there were apples and corn below them. I know it is illegal to hunt there as well as dangerous, wondering where i find a map of the preserve and who I contact to investigate this? Thanks for your help.
This is County Parks property. I suggest you contact them directly. Tom Freeman is at (734) 971-6337 , ext 326. I will also forward your email to him. This is clearly a concern and you should contact him and tell him precisely what you saw. Thanks for noticing!
ReplyDelete