IntroductionPCCI Fact Sheet

Researcher /Fellow InformationList of Projects

BFS InformationData Management Plan

Local InformationBarry County Directory

FormsProgress Report

Expense ReimbursementHousing Check-out Form

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute701 W. Cloverdale Road Hastings, MI 49058

Phone: 269-721-4190 www.cedarcreekinstitute.org

Fact SheetHistory

In 1950 Willard “Bill” Pierce, his wife Jessie and their two young sons, Gary and Joe, moved to Hastings, Michigan from Battle Creek. Later Bill partnered with Doug DeCamp and they founded Flexfab, which grew into Flexfab Horizon’s International, Inc. or FHI.

In 1988 Bill and Jessie formed The Willard G. Pierce and Jessie M. Pierce Foundation as a way to give back to the community that meant so much to them. Bill and Jessie passed away in 1998, but just prior to their deaths, the idea of building an environmental education center was conceived while sitting on the deck of a friend’s house and enjoying the natural beauty of Barry County.

The Institute hired its first employee and director, Dr. Gary Pierce, in November of 1998. In August of 1998, 555 acres in Baltimore Township were purchased. The land came with a conservation easement that is held by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. Construction of a research laboratory, visitor center, education building, and housing began that same year. By February of 2001 the current facility was substantially completed.

Work since then has progressed with the development of a professional education program, a research program, a diverse curriculum for K-12 teachers, along with a community outreach program. In 2005 the Institute brought together 12 colleges and universities, forming a consortium of educational institutions interested in enhancing undergraduate research opportunities and field-based learning experiences.

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is a wholly owned DBA of The Willard G. Pierce and Jessie M. Pierce Foundation, a 501(c) (3) corporation. The Foundation and Institute offices are located at 701 W. Cloverdale Road, Hastings, Michigan. The Foundation is a private operating foundation with the Institute as its primary mission. The Institute was founded “to protect and enhance our quality of life through ecological education, research, and stewardship of the natural world.” This mission is accomplished through the Institute’s efforts as a biological field station and through educational outreach to citizens of Barry County and Southwest Michigan.

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Mission

The mission of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is to promote environmental education, research, preservation and appreciation.

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, as a biological field station, is a living laboratory where: Environmental education results in the preservation, restoration and

management of natural habitats. Knowledge about species and natural habitats is increased and shared. People grow in appreciation and love for native plants and animals and their

habitats.

Pierce Cedar Creek Consortium Members

In 2004 the Institute created a partnership with 11 West Michigan colleges and universities called the Pierce Cedar Creek Consortium. Two representatives from each member institution were appointed to an Advisory Board to help guide Pierce Cedar Creek Institute in the development of a research program and curriculum to benefit the faculty and students of the member colleges and universities. In 2005 Valparaiso University in Indiana joined the consortium, in 2006 Kalamazoo College joined, and in 2010 Grand Rapids Community College joined, bringing the total number of members to 14. In the past few years, Alma College and Ferris State University have withdrawn from the Consortium. The following are current consortium members.

Albion College Aquinas CollegeCalvin College Central Michigan UniversityCornerstone University Grand Rapids Community CollegeGrand Valley State University Hope CollegeKalamazoo College Valparaiso University (Indiana)Western Michigan University

The Institute provides grants to undergraduate students and faculty mentors to conduct summer research on the property through the Undergraduate Research Grants for the Environment (URGE) and the Gordon Art and Nature in Words Fellowships. From 2005 to 2015, 179 research projects were funded.

Physical Plant Description

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute has a physical plant capable of simultaneously hosting a number of different events and/or classes. With an auditorium, classrooms, housing, and dining facilities, along with 80 parking spaces and an overflow lot that increases parking to 200, the Institute can accommodate four classes at one time and/or a conference with up to 175 attendees.

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The visitor center and education building are earth-berm buildings that utilize passive solar heating. The earth-berm construction, combined with south-facing windows and a ground-source heat pump heating and cooling system make the facility energy efficient. A series of two small wetlands, or retention ponds, retain and purify the storm-water runoff from the Institute’s parking lots. The buildings were designed by Slocum Associates, Inc., and built byMiller Davis, both of Kalamazoo, MI.

Building Facts:1) Education Building : 5,000 square feet, barrier free, total of 8 rooms

Completed in October 2000a) Classroom – Seats 24 to 30b) Laboratory Classroom – Seats 24c) Study Carrels – For 12 studentsd) Library –a variety of titles on organisms, habitat, wetlands, etc.

2) Research Laboratory : 2,400 square feet, barrier freeCompleted in August 2000a) Herbariumb) Wet lab capabilityc) Classroom - Seats 24

3) Visitor Center : 13,000 square feet, barrier freeCompleted in February 2001a) Dining Hall – Seats 85 to 100b) Full Kitchen – With walk-in refrigerator and freezerc) Auditorium – Seats 150 - 200d) Lounge – With fireplacee) Gift Shopf) Fish Tank – 1,000 gallon fresh-water tankg) Administrative Offices

4) Hyla House : Lower level is barrier free, purchased and remodeled in 2000a) Nine single roomsb) two double roomc) Four full bathsd) Full Kitchene) Living/Dining Room

5) Meadow Lodge : Barrier freea) Seven double roomsb) Two triple roomsc) Two single roomsd) Four full bathse) Loungef) Full Kitchen

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6) Prairie View : Barrier freeCompleted in June 2001

a) Four, two-bed units with private bathsb) Sidewalk access to visitor center and education building

7) Batts Cottage : Residential cottage near Brewster Lakea) Two bedrooms with bunk bedsb) Full kitchenc) Living/dining roomd) Full bathe) Wood-burning fireplace

Landscape Description

The Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is situated in South-central Barry County on a recessional moraine, which provides a physical setting for a great diversity of ecosystems. The total area available for education and research is 661 acres on four parcels, most of which is in the central parcel of 555 acres. Only one parcel, the “Little Grand Canyon,” is not contiguous with the main parcel.

Below is a brief list and description of the Institute’s property, with estimates of the total acreage of each of the major habitat types. Approximately 41% of the land is forested, 40% is wetland (of which over one-half is fen), about 17% is upland field, sand prairie, and constructed prairie, and about 2% is open water in the form of a kettle lake, stream, vernal ponds, and retention ponds.

Seven hiking trails, a total of just over 7 miles, are available to visitors daily from dawn to dusk.

Parcels and Ecosystem Facts:

1. Central Parcel (555 acres)a. Wetland – 255 total acres

i. Prairie Fen – 152 acresii. Mixed Deciduous Swamp – 55 acresiii. Southern Wet Meadow (Sedge Meadow) – 10 acresiv. Relict Conifer Swamp (Cedar and Tamarack) – 35 acresv. Vernal Ponds – 2 acresvi. Retention Ponds – 1 acre

b. Forest – 220 total acresi. Mesic Southern Forest (Beech-Maple Forest) – 70 acresii. Dry Southern Forest (Oak Forest) – 65 acresiii. Dry-Mesic Southern Forest (Mixed Deciduous Forest) – 85 acres

c. Field – 70 total acresi. Mesic Prairie (Constructed) – 50 acres

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ii. Old field – 20 acresd. Open Water – 13 acres

i. Brewster Lake – 13 acresii. Cedar Creek – 1.2 miles

This parcel was purchased from Dr. H. Lewis and Jean Batts, who bought the property in 1970 to protect it from development. Dr. Batts was a visionary conservationist, prominent, internationally known environmentalist, and co-founder of the Kalamazoo Nature Center and the Environmental Defense Fund. Dr. Batts was also a faculty member at Kalamazoo College.

Prior to their ownership, the majority of the land suitable for agriculture was farmed. After the Batts purchased the property all but approximately 70 acres was managed as natural land. This preserved and protected the nearly pristine condition of the property.

2. Hyla House Parcel (13 acres) *purchased in 2000 from the Rolfe Family. Primary use as property buffer and housing.

a. Hay Field – 10 acresb. Farmstead – 2 acresc. Southern Wet Meadow (Sedge Meadow) – 1 acre

3. Little Grand Canyon Parcel (50 acres) *Not contiguous with main parcel. Purchased at auction from the estate of Lyle Gorham, a farmer and longtime resident of Baltimore Township.

a. Glacial gorge over 150 feet deep with Mesic Southern Forest (Beech-Maple Forest) – 20 acres

b. Southern Shrub Carr – 10 acresc. Agricultural Field – 20 acres

4. Burpee Parcel (43 acres) *Cedar Creek runs through center of property. Purchased from Burpee family in July, 2003.

a. Mesic Sand Prairie – 5 acresb. Open Field – 5 acresc. Dry-Mesic Southern Forest (Mixed Deciduous Forest) – 33 acres

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Overall, Institute property can be broken down into the following plant community types:

Habitat Plant Community Type % of total acreage

ForestMesic Southern Forest (Beech-Maple Forest) 13.6

Total: 41.3%

Dry Southern Forest (Oak Forest) 9.8Dry-Mesic Southern Forest (Mixed Deciduous Forest)

17.9

WetlandPrairie Fen 22.7

Total: 39.5%

Relict Conifer Swamp (Cedar and Tamarack) 5.3Mixed Deciduous Swamp 8.3Southern Wet Meadow (Sedge Meadow) 1.7Southern Shrub-Carr 1.5

Open FieldMesic Prairie (Constructed) 7.6 Total:

16.9%Mesic Sand Prairie 0.8Old Field 8.6

Open WaterBrewster Lake 1.5

Total: 2.3%

Cedar Creek 0.3Kettle Hole Ponds 0.3Retention Ponds 0.2

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2015 Research Grants Calvin College

o Kara Smit and Phil Tubergen, mentored by Dr. Dave Dornbos, will be studying the influence of autumn olive on its rhizosphere soil chemistry and neighboring plant community composition. (Note: Kara is in New Zealand this spring semester).

Central Michigan University o Alec Zuhorski and Olaniyi Ajala, mentored by Dr. Brad Swanson, will be

investigating the factors affecting infestation of Canada thistle by Urophora cardui.

Cornerstone University o Whitney Lambert and Darien Lozon, mentored by Dr. Rob Keys, will be

studying the influence of habitat and landscape associations on breeding birds in managed grasslands of Southwest Michigan.

Grand Rapids Community College o Nico Simon and Jacob Swets, mentored by Dr. Pam Laureto, will be looking at

the effects of purple loosestrife on wetland biodiversity and the impacts of biocontrol insects.

Grand Valley State University o Danielle Bradke, Nate Kudla, and Jeff Bartman, mentored by Dr. Jennifer

Moore, will be investigating the implications of effecting population size and demography in three populations of eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes.

o Nick Preville and Olivia Cooley, mentored by Dr. Eric Snyder, will be studying aquatic insect drift as a tool for evaluating food web dynamics.

Valparaiso University o Paula Stoller and Adithya Subramanian Sahasranamam, mentored by Dr.

Kristi Bugajski, will investigate how predator presence influences blow fly oviposition through chemical and visual cues.

2015 Gordon Art Fellowship

Hana Christoffersen, mentored by Paul Krieger, both of Grand Rapids Community College, will be working on a project entitled, “Knock Knock, Who’s There?” This project will explore and showcase species of woodpecker that inhabit the deciduous forests and wetlands of the Institute. This project will produce a series of linoleum prints.

2015 Nature in Words Fellowship

Thomas D’Addario, mentored by Dr. Susanna Childress, both of Hope College, will be completing a project entitled, “Cedar Creek: Linked Short Stories Inspired by Nature.” This

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project will create a series of five linked, fictional stories that are inspired by the resources found at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute.

Alice Kinney, mentored by Dr. Alisha Siebers, both of Western Michigan University, will be working on a project entitled, “Children in Nature: An Exploration.” This project will include a research report on the effects of nature on children, a brochure about the impacts of nature on children, a children’s book, journaling, and a series of public readings.

Research Experience for Teachers

Sandy Breitenbach, a high school science teacher from Plainwell Community Schools, will be working at the Institute from mid-June through August.

Biological Field Station2015 Researcher Information

Communications

All mail should be sent to the following address:

c/o Your NamePierce Cedar Creek Institute701 W. Cloverdale RoadHastings, MI 49058

Periodically check in with staff in the Main Office at the Visitor Center. Please be sure to forward your mail at the end of the summer.

Messages can be left with Institute staff during office hours through the main phone line, 269-721-4190. Each housing unit has a phone. Long distance calls can only be made with a credit or calling card. The numbers are:

Hyla House Batts Cottage Meadow Lodge Prairie View269-948-8317 269-945-8940 269-945-3365 269-721-4479

Students are expected to carry phones with them at all times while they are at the Institute. Emergency information will be communicated to researchers via group text message.

Emergencies - Researchers and mentors must complete an Emergency Contact Information form and return it to Sara. It will be filed in the main office.

Each housing unit has a fire extinguisher. For fire and/or police emergencies, call 911. In the Visitor Center and the Education Building, dial 9 to get an outside line first.

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Call Tadd Wattles, facilities manager at (616) 862-3115 for all maintenance issues and non-life threatening emergencies during work hours and after hours.

You may also contact Sara Syswerda at 269 721 4434 (cell 616-322-3632) or Michelle Skedgell, Executive Director, at 269-721-4470 (cell 269-838-2947).

Other important numbers are:

Pennock Hospital in Hastings* Poison Control269-945-3451 1-800-764-7661

*In the case of rattlesnake bites, seek treatment at Borgess Hospital in Kalamazoo, 1521 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048, 269-226-7000.

In case of severe weather, seek shelter immediately by going to one of the following locations:

Meadow Lodge – lower level kitchen Visitor Center – auditoriumEducation Building – middle hall by restroomsResident Manager’s Home – basementResearch Lab – back storage room

Newsletter - The marketing department will publish several newsletters over the summer. We encourage you to read the newsletter, because we will put important reminders, updates, and information that you may need to know in it. If you would like to write an article or have information regarding your project to share with other Researchers and faculty, please inform Dave DeDecker, Communications Director.

Food ServiceFood service will begin on Monday, May 11, 2015 and will be continue Monday through Friday through August 14, 2015. Breakfast will be served in the Visitor Center dining room from 7:30 am to 9:00 am. A variety of food, including cereals, oatmeal, yogurt, bagels, hard-boiled eggs, toast, milk, coffee, and juice will be available. In addition, a hot breakfast will typically be available.

Lunch service will be provided from noon to 1:00 pm. Lunches will vary but will generally include an entrée, vegetable, salad, starch, and dessert. Beverages will include water, tea, and coffee. Menus will be posted the Friday prior and available in the Dining Room. If you have dietary restrictions, notify Sara before your arrival at the Institute.

The Institute will be closed and there will be no meal service on Monday May 25 for Memorial Day and July 3 for Independence Day. Students are welcome to stay in housing, but there will be no food service on the holidays.

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To help us plan meals and keep track of housing numbers you will need to fill out the Food Service and Housing Request form on a weekly basis. This form needs to be completed by the Thursday of the prior week (we will normally do that at the weekly meetings). If you are not onsite to fill out the form, you need to let Sara Syswerda know by Thursday what days you will be staying onsite and requiring food service.

Housing and Residential Life

Housing units - Pierce Cedar Creek Institute has four housing units, but students will be staying at Meadow Lodge, located on Cloverdale Road, 0.25 miles west of the entrance to the Institute. The air-conditioned Meadow Lodge has nine double/triple rooms, two single rooms, four bathrooms with showers, and a full kitchen equipped with dishes, cups, pots and pans, microwave, coffee pot, toaster, refrigerators, and stove. There will be shelving available in the kitchen for you to store your dry food items. All food items must be clearly marked with your name and date on the items being stored using the sharpies that are provided.

Students should bring their own sheets and bedding (twin long) and towels.

To keep the facilities clean, please remove or clean muddy shoes prior to entering buildings. Bring a pair of sandals (e.g., flip-flops) or slippers to change into.

Batts Cottage, Prairie View, and Hyla House will also have occasional guests over the summer. Students from the classes held at the Institute typically stay at Hyla House and faculty stay in Prairie View. The Institute also hosts facility rentals of which these guests could be housed in Meadow Lodge occasionally.

Keys - Housing keys can be picked up from Sara Syswerda in the education building during office hours, Monday – Friday, 8:00 am to 5 pm. If you cannot find Sara, go to the Visitor Center for assistance. A third possibility (and the least preferred) is to arrange to pick up your key from the mailbox with the keypad at the main entrance of the Institute.

If you are locked out, contact the Facilities Manager or other Institute staff member to unlock your room. There will be a $5 lockout fee after the first incident and if you lose a key, there will be a $10 replacement fee. These costs will be deducted from your stipend.

Overnight Guests - No overnight guests are allowed without prior approval. There will be a $10/per night fee for overnight guests. Large gatherings must not

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be held without prior written arrangement. Please submit any such request to Sara Syswerda, Education Director.

Housekeeping - Cleaning supplies are provided and residents must keep their space and the commons areas neat and orderly. Institute staff will clean common areas and empty trash in rooms every week but surfaces with personal items will not be cleaned. This means that personal products should not be stored in the bathrooms or other common areas. Students are responsible for washing their own dishes and cooking utensils daily. Students are also responsible for taking out the trash on a regular basis (to avoid insect problems). There is a dumpster in the parking area that can be used to dispose of materials going to the landfill. There will be containers provided for recyclable items and for compost.

Students will be assigned one week to serve as caretakers and be responsible for ensuring that the commons areas of the housing unit are clean and safe. Assignments will be made at the Kickoff.

Fire Pit/Grill - There is a fire pit behind Meadow Lodge with firewood available. A gas grill is also available for your use. The gas tank will be full at the beginning of the year, but students are responsible to refill it if necessary. Refills can be purchased at the Marathon Gas Station in Dowling or K-Mart in Hastings.

Laundry - There is no student accessible laundry facility on site. Laundromats are located in Delton and Hastings, approximately 10 miles from the Institute. Below are two options:

Wash King Delton Coin Laundry121 E. Woodlawn Ave 10175 S. Wall Lake Rd.Hastings, MI Delton, MI269-945-9049 269-623-5385(near bowling alley) (on main road into Delton)

Extra-Curricular Activities - A Barry County directory listing restaurants, stores, and services can be found at the back of your Student Handbook. We encourage Researchers to organize outings to places such as the movies, Yankee Springs, bowling, etc. for the group. There are several board games located in the common area. There is also a volleyball net and ball available for your use.

Smoking/Alcohol/Use of Drugs - Smoking on Pierce Cedar Creek Institute property is strictly prohibited except in designated areas. One smoking area is outside the side door at Meadow Lodge and the other is outside by the kitchen area at the Visitor Center. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on Institute property and absolutely no use of alcoholic beverages by minors will be allowed. Any Researcher with alcohol onsite may be terminated from the program. Any

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Researcher found with illegal drugs will be terminated from the program. All guests must conduct themselves in a respectful and cooperative manner at all times and follow Institute policies and procedures.

Firearms/Hunting - Firearms and other weapons are not allowed on the property except by special permission. Researchers should be aware that the Institute has a deer management program and allows hunting by special permission. The trails are closed from November 15 until December 23.

Personal Property - The Institute is not responsible for any loss or damage to personal property belonging to a Researcher or guests. Each guest is responsible for his or her personal security and for the security of his or her possessions. Researchers can be held responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged equipment and supplies belonging to the Institute. Please report any loss or damage promptly to Sara Syswerda

Swimming – Swimming is not allowed at Brewster Lake for safety reasons, with the exception of data collection. Swimming is available at several nearby locations (Cloverdale and Long Lake boat accesses), Yankee Springs State Recreation Area, and the pool at the Community Center in Hastings.

Vehicles

Personal vehicles are not allowed on the trails at any time. If research equipment must be transported to sites on the property not accessible by roads, researchers should request staff assistance with the use of Institute vehicles. We ask that researchers drive in a safe and responsible manner both on the Institute driveway and on Cloverdale Rd. Please limit your speed to 35 mph on Cloverdale Rd. for safety and for the benefit of our neighbors. Our neighbors will let us know if you are driving too fast.

Researchers may park in any of the parking lots by Meadow Lodge, Visitor Center, Education Building, Research Lab, and in the parking area near Batts cottage.

Bicycles are not allowed on the trails at any time.

Research Projects

All Researchers must regularly communicate with Sara Syswerda about their research status. Specifically all Researchers must update the map in the Education Building with their research locations. Additionally, Researchers will need to describe what materials they will be using to identify their research project.

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There is a message board in the Education Building to communicate with other Researchers. Cell phones must be taken with you in the field, so we may contact you, or you may contact us, in case of an emergency. You will be given further information about the text notification system when you arrive at PCCI.

Dangers- Researchers shall understand that there is a potential for dangerous and harmful situations due to the organisms and environment found at the Institute. The Researcher will use caution while performing fieldwork.

Sampling - No sampling will be performed on site at the Institute that is not clearly defined in the research application. Any alterations to the proposed work in the research grant should be submitted to Sara Syswerda for review. In addition, any disturbances to Institute property required for research that are not clearly explained in the application must be approved in writing prior to execution.

Tape and flags - Only biodegradable flags and marking tape may be used on Institute property. Flags and tape should be labeled with the researcher’s initials and date. Upon completion of research, each Researcher is required to pull all flags and clean all marking tape, and remove any materials used on the property for research purposes, and failure to do so will result in a hold on final stipend payments.

Permits - Researchers are responsible for obtaining all appropriate state or federal permits for their research and obtaining Institutional Animal Care and Use approval (if required). Copies of all these permits should be provided to Sara prior to starting research.

No equipment or disturbances may be left in the field. If the equipment or disturbance is part of a continuing or new research project, the Researcher must fill out a new research application.

Research equipment and tools - The Institute has a small supply of hand tools, such as shovels, saws, pails and a hose that can be checked out for use. There is a checkout form in the Sara’s office, which should be filled out and given to a staff person who will then provide you with a key to the storage shed. There are additional checkout sheets in the research lab for borrowing equipment. All materials must be returned before final stipend payments can be paid.

Chemical Safety - If your project calls for the use of a chemical or hazardous material, please provide a copy of the Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) to the Institute at the start of your research project (we are required to have a Material Safety Data Sheets on file) and check in the chemicals with Sara. Proper safety equipment and procedures must be used when handling all dangerous chemicals.

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Reports - The research progress report presentations are scheduled for June 17. Students will provide a 5-10 minute Power Point update on the progress of their research. A written progress report is due at the same time. This is in a form that is at the end of this document.

Undergraduate grantees will present the results of their research on September 26, 2015, at the Project Report Meeting. All research grantees must file their research reports, written in appropriate scientific format, for review no later than 5 pm, October 5, 2015. The Gordon Art Fellow and the Nature in Word Fellow will have similar reporting requirements, though different formatting. Faculty mentors and Advisory Board members will be responsible for reviewing the reports and returning their comments to the Institute by 5 pm, October 19, 2015. Grantees will receive comments back from review and research reports with revisions must be submitted to the Institute by October 31, 2015.

Field data and GIS files created by Researchers must be submitted to the Institute for our records. Students should review the data management plan and GIS data management plan when formatting their data.

Work Space - Each Researcher will have access to the Research Lab and Education Building. In the Research Lab there are tables, chairs, and microscopes available for use. The Research Lab also has restrooms, a sink, and a cooler. There is an office in the Research Lab with a phone, computer, and office supplies for your use. No long distance calls can be made from the phone without a credit or calling card. The phone number to the Research Lab is 269-721-4451. Wireless access is available in the Education Building, Research Lab, and Visitor Center.

The Visitor’s Center will be accessible from 7:30 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. The Education Building will be accessible from 7:30 am to 10 pm daily. If you enter an armed building by mistake and the alarm goes off, call Tadd Wattles at (616)-862-3115 immediately.

There is space for your supplies and equipment in the Research Lab and additional locker space accessible from the outside of the building. If locker space is needed, inform Sara and you will be issued a locker key. Please make sure that when you leave the Research Lab the lights are off and doors are locked. Please do not prop open the doors, as the lab is air-conditioned. Students are responsible for daily cleanup of the Lab. When you are finished with equipment and supplies, please be sure to put them away.

There is also space available in the Education Building. There are several desktop computers and workspaces for your personal laptop computer (wireless access is available). Use of computers will be on a first-come, first-served basis, but please cooperate with others needing space. Two of the computers have Arc-GIS software and maps of the property. Installation of software on the

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Institute’s computers must be approved by Sara Syswerda. All such software shall be uninstalled at the end of the research season.

Grant Payments

The Student Stipend will be paid in five payments. The first payment will be issued May 29. The second payment will be issued July 1, after the Institute receives a written Progress Report on the project. The third payment will be issued July 31, and the fourth payment after the Institute receives the project report for review. The fifth payment will be provided after the revised report is received. In order to receive full payments, students must complete all required activities, including attending all required meetings, completing required service hours, and turning in all required reports.

Faculty Stipend Support will be paid in two equal payments, one in July (after the Institute receives the student’s Progress Report with approval from the faculty mentor) and one at the end of the research project when the final revised report is approved. Expenses can be submitted throughout the project, but all expenses must be in shortly after the end of the project, and no later than the first week of October. Grant expenses must be submitted with an Expense & Mileage Reimbursement form. Checks will be issued within 10 business days of receipt submission.

During the research season, stipend checks will normally be hand delivered. If you are not going to be at the Institute for delivery, please provide the address to which the check can be mailed.

Expenses that were included in your proposal budgets can be reimbursed by submitting the Institute’s form along with original receipts. Commuting expenses are generally not eligible for reimbursement. Check with Sara Syswerda or the Operations Manager Rick Hemerling if you have questions.

A W-9 Information form must be filled out and given to Sara Syswerda. In January 2016, students will receive an IRS Form 1099 for their stipend income. Consult with a parent or tax advisor regarding their tax liability on these payments. Depending on income earned over the year, each student’s tax will vary, but we recommend students set aside a portion of their stipend income for payment of taxes.

Faculty mentors will also receive an IRS Form 1099 on taxable income, including stipend payments, equipment, supplies, and travel expenses. It is the responsibility of the faculty mentor to work with his/her tax advisor to determine if any of the income is non-taxable. Payments can also be issued to your home institution instead of you personally. If you would prefer this option, please inform Sara Syswerda.

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Data Management PlanApproved March 2012

This Data Management Plan (DMP) addresses collection, dissemination and sharing of research data and results generated by projects funded by Pierce Cedar Creek Institute.

Expected data: Procedures for data collection and experimentation are outlined in the original project proposal (e.g., Undergraduate Research Grants for the Environment). Data will be captured raw via observation and experimentation, and will be recorded in field notebooks, data sheets or electronically, with the appropriate metadata (see below) accompanying the raw observations

Metadata corresponding to the data set should be supplied to the field station director. Unless the project does not contain spatial data, GPS readings in Universal Transect Mercator (UTM) coordinates (Easting and Northing readings in meters) shall be collected.

The faculty mentor will be responsible for ensuring that both data collected and metadata to support projects is obtained from student researchers and provided to the Institute. Maintenance of data and metadata standards will be achieved by training all participants and referring them to appropriate sources for data management. Data will be retained by the Institute to the extent practical, but not less than ten years.

Data storage and preservation:

As soon as practical after completing fieldwork, each participant will scan data in field notebooks and data sheets into pdf files or transcribe them into Word (.docx), or Excel (.xlxs) files. At regular intervals, faculty mentors will verify that all data has been scanned or entered into the appropriate files. Original datasheets and field notebooks, and copies of digital files will be kept in the faculty mentors’ office. All data will be backed up on external hard drives or DVDs for long-term data storage. Data requiring collaborative effort, including data generated by off-site collaborators, can be uploaded to Dropbox folders (or other cloud storage utilities) to be shared among researchers.

Data and Metadata standards:

Data and metadata standards will follow those outlined for the National Science Foundation, which will be used to archive data (see http://www.nsf.gov/eng/general/dmp.jsp). At the Institute, all data will be accompanied by appropriate metadata (e.g. date, observer identifier, site of study, UTM coordinates, subject, methodology, file content) saved as a ReadMe file in plain text file (“readme.txt”) to be stored with data in appropriate folders. Files will be simply named with data description, date and version. Different versions may be tracked by date, version number and automated back-up systems.

Management and retention of data:

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The faculty mentor shall act as the main person responsible for data management and retention, but each participant will be expected to maintain high standards for these functions. In addition to retention by mentors, data and reports will be stored by students. Standard procedures will be used to collect, process, check, and verify data, and students will be trained in these procedures. Data will be organized in files for statistical analyses and data and metadata files will be provided to the field station director at the end of the project. Data and project reports will be retained by Pierce Cedar Creek Institute over an extended time period (at least ten years).

Data sharing and public access:

Research reports, data files, and research photos will be available on the Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s website (http://www.cedarcreekinstitute.org/). An Access database file of student’s project data will be created and managed by the field station director at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute that will include spatial and temporal fields. As more data becomes available in this database, it will lend support to ecological and environmental modeling efforts.

Findings generated from research projects at the Institute will be disseminated through electronic and other media to the public and other scientists. Data will be available for access and sharing as soon as is reasonably possible, normally no longer than two years after its acquisition, but certainly after its publication in peer-reviewed journals. A policy for citation of data shall be developed and implemented prior to release of information to other researchers or individuals (see below for examples).

We encourage researchers to publish their results in peer-reviewed scientific journals in a timely manner, after which the data can be posted to Dryad (http://www.datadryad.org/). Files uploaded to Dryad will be in non-proprietary file formats (e.g. .txt, .asci) for longer-term data accessibility.

When citing data found in Dryad, please cite both the original article, as well as the Dryad data package. You can see both of these citations on the Dryad page for each data package. Example of citation in Dryad: Article: Westbrook JW, Kitajima K, Burleigh JG, Kress WJ, Erickson DL, Wright SJ (2011) What makes a leaf tough? Patterns of correlated evolution between leaf toughness traits and demographic rates among 197 shade-tolerant woody species in a neotropical forest. American Naturalist 177(6): 800-811. doi:10.1086/659963 Data: Westbrook JW, Kitajima K, Burleigh JG, Kress WJ, Erickson DL, Wright SJ (2011) Data from: What makes a leaf tough? Patterns of correlated evolution between leaf toughness traits and demographic rates among 197 shade-tolerant woody species in a neotropical forest. Dryad Digital Repository. doi:10.5061/dryad.8525 If you are using a large number of data sources, it may be appropriate to provide a list of referenced data packages, rather than citing each individually in the references section. This list of data packages can then be deposited in Dryad, so others who read your publication can locate all of the original data.

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Barry County Directory

Medical Treatment

Urgent Care Center Pennock Hospital1009 West Green Street, Hastings, MI 49058(269) 945-3451

Pennock Walk-In Center Hours: 10 am – 8 pm1108 W. State Street – Just west of Kmart Shopping Plaza(269) 948-3360

Rattle Snake Bites Borgess Medical Center1521 Gull Rd., Kalamazoo, MI 49048 (269)226-7000

Vision RX Optical 803 W. State St, HastingsTake M-37 north towards Hastings, turn left on Green, right on Broadway, left on State. Across the street from Kmart Plaza(269) 945-9724

Dentist Hastings Family Dental Care212 W. State Rd. Hastings, MI 49058(269) 948-6684 hastingsfamilydental@gmail.com

ShoppingGroceries Family Fare Hastings in the Kmart Plaza (Open 24 hours)

902 W. State St.Take M-37 north, turn left on Green St, turn right on Broadway, left on State Street

(269) 945-2474

Family Fare Delton (Mon- Sat: 6 am -10 pm, Sunday: 8 am – 10 pm)103 N. Grove St M-43 West in Delton. Located on right side of 43

General Merchandise Kmart (Mon-Sat: 8 am – 10 pm, Sun. 8am – 9pm)802 W. State Street, HastingsTake M-37 north, turn left on Green St, turn right on Broadway, left on State Street(269) 948-9440

Wal-Mart - (All days 6 am – midnight)

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1618 W. M-43 Hwy, HastingsTake M-37 north, turn left on Green St, turn right on Broadway, left on State, past Kmart, McDonalds, etc. (269) 948-0470

Other: State Street in Hastings – Dollar Store & Family DollarDowntown Hastings – Ace Hardware, Jamies Crafts, gift shops, etc. Delton – Dollar General, Delton Floral, and pharmacy

ServicesPost Office/Shipping Dowling Post Office

(Mon. – Fri.: 7:30am – 11:00 am, 1:30 pm – 4 pm, Sat.: 9 am-- 11 am)Take M-37 south for a mile, located on left before Goldsworthy gas station.

Hastings Post Office (Mon. – Fri.: 8:30am – 5 pm, closed Sat.)M-37 north, turn left on Green, right on Church past State Street, on the corner of Church and Mill

Sunshine Pack & Ship – UPS, DHL & Fed Ex1351 North M-43 - (J-Ad Graphics)

Laundromat Wash King (Daily 7 am – last wash in by 9 pm)121 E. Woodlawn Ave, HastingsNorth on M-37, left on Green Street, right on Broadway past State Street, right on Woodlawn. There is a Citgo Gas Station on the right. (269)-945- 9049

Delton Coin Laundry (7 am – 8 pm, last wash in by 7 pm)10175 S. Wall Lake Rd, DeltonTake Cloverdale Rd. to M-43. Left on M-43 to Delton.(269)-623-5385

Barber/Hair Salon Razor’s Edge 112 E Court St Hastings (269) 948-8767Lifestyles 329 N Broadway Hastings (269) 945- 5444Super Cuts 825 W State Hastings (269) 945- 3899

Pharmacy Walgreens Pharmacy (Mon – Fri 9 am – 8 pm, Sat 9:00 am -5:00 pm, Sun 10 -2 pm)126 N. Broadway, HastingsAt the intersection of M43 and M37 in downtown.(269) 945-3429Also Family Fare, Kmart, Wal-Mart & Pennock

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Gas Stations Goldsworthy – DowlingCloverdale road to M-37, turn right

Car Repair Brian’s Tire 235 S. Jefferson St, HastingsM-37 North, turn left at Green, turn right on Jefferson.(269) 945-9549

Entertainment

Movie Theater Hastings 4213 W State St. Hastings (Downtown)M-37 north, turn left on Green, turn right on Broadway, right on State Street, across from Court House.(269) 205-4900

Bowling Hastings Bowl203 E. Woodlawn Ave, HastingsM-37 north, turn left on Green, right on Broadway, right on Woodlawn Ave (269) 945-3184

Video Rentals Family Video835 W. State St. Hastings – Close to Subway, Across from Kmart Plaza(269) 945-9610

RestaurantsFast Food: McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, and SubwayState Street– M-37 north, left on Green, right on Broadway, left onState St. in Hastings

Mexican Connection (269) 945 4403131 S Jefferson St HastingsM-37 north, left on Green, right on Jefferson, on the corner ofJefferson and Court

Last Stop (Goldsworthy gas station/convenience store in Dowling) – Pizza, subs, fried chicken, fries, mozzarella sticks, ice cream, etc.

Dowling Corner Store – Just south of Goldworthy’s on the left

State Grounds Coffee House Downtown Hastings. Across from Waldorffs

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Dairy Queen 1025 W M-43 HWY, Hastings, (269) 945 4174

Restaurants Downtown, Hastings – County Seat, Mills Landing, Seasonal Grill, and Waldroff Brew Pub (these are fine dining establishments with moderate prices)

State Street, Hastings - Big Boy, Ponderosa, Mancino’s, and Applebee’s

Horn Creek Pub, Cedar Creek – (269) 923-4949Pizza, sandwiches, subs, burgers, dinner entrees 9949 Cedar Creek Road (Delton address but closer to PCCI)Turn left on Cloverdale Rd, turn left on Cedar Creek, just past cemetery

Grove St. Café (Burgers, fries, breakfast, etc.)370 N Grove St. Delton (269) 623 3777Corner of M-43 and Delton Rd.

Pizza Places Three Brothers Pizza 1600 S Hanover (M-37) in Hastings(269) 948-4300

Mancino’s 814 State St. Hastings, (269) 945-9900

Northside Pizza – Michigan Street in HastingsM-37 north, left on Green, right on Michigan, past State Street. On the Corner of Michigan and Grant (269) 945-3418

Tujax – Delton – on east side of M-43 just past Family Fare (269) 623-6201

Sajos – Delton – go through Delton, turn left on Maple by the Pharmacy(269) 623-5270 – They will deliver pizza, etc.

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Recreational Opportunities

Barry State Game Area (west side of Barry County)Contact: Barry Field Office, 1805 South Yankee Springs Road, Middleville, MI 49333; phone (269) 795-3280.A large complex (>16,000 acres) of forests and wetlands with a variety of hiking trails. Actively hunted in season, so check regulations before going.

For Maps See:http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10363_10913-31657--,00.html

Yankee Spring Recreation Area Office: 2104 S Briggs Road Middleville, MI 49333 (269) 795-9081

This DNR property (5,200 acres) features Gun Lake (swimming beach), Long Lake and several others along with the Devil’s Soupbowl (a glacial depression) and lots of hiking trails.http://www.dnr.state.mi.us/parksandtrails/Details.aspx?id=511&type=SPRK

Fort Custer Recreation Area (3033 Acres)5163 Fort Custer Drive Augusta, MI 49012Phone Number: (269) 731-4200

Note: A MI Recreation Passport is required for the areas above.

Canoe and Kayak rental on the Thornapple River: You Rent Em Canoes (and Kayaks, Tubes, and Bikes) http://urentemcanoe.com/ 805

W. Apple St. Hastings, Michigan 49058 (269) 945-3191 Whispering Waters Campground and Canoe Rentals (Canoes, kayaks, tubes)

http://whisperingwatersonline.com/ Phone 269-945-5166 • Email:whisper1805@gmail.com 1805 North Irving Road, Hastings, MI 49058-9582

Biking:Pure Michiganhttp://www.michigan.org/Things-to-Do/Outdoors/Biking/Default.aspx

Michigan Mountain Bike Associationhttp://mmba.org/trail-guide/?dist=25&zip=49058&submit=Find Barry County Recreation Finder (fishing, boating, etc.)http://www.barrycounty.org/parks-and-services/parks-and-recreation/barry-county-parks-recreation-locator/

Barry County Tourism Council Listings for Canoeing, Horseback Riding, etc.http://www.mibarry.com/tourism/attractions/outdoor.htm

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B F S S u m m e r P r o g r e s s R e p o r t

Deadline: Thursday, June 17, 2015

Student Name:

Date:

College or University:Faculty Mentor:

Title of Project:

Project Start Date:

Estimated Project End Date:

Is your project on schedule and progressing as you expected? Yes No

Briefly Explain:

Are any significant problems anticipated? Yes No Do you expect to complete your project as described and on-time? Yes No

Comments:

Is there anything you need from Pierce Cedar Creek Institute to assist you with completing your project? Yes No

Briefly Explain:

Briefly describe your project plans for the remainder of the summer:

Please submit the completed form to: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute701 W. Cloverdale Road Hastings, MI 49058email: syswerdas@cedarcreekinstitute.org

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Weekly Student Housing SupervisorDuring your week as the student housing supervisor:

Take out the trash from the kitchen to the dumpster outside Meadow Lodge.

Take the recycling from the kitchen to the dumpster outside the Visitor’s Center (in clear plastic garbage bags).

Pick up and vacuum the lounge. Check through the fridge for any obviously moldy food to throw out. Wipe down the kitchen surfaces. Wipe out the microwave. Check on the sink, and either do the dishes in the sink or contact the

generator of the dirty dishes to have them take care of the dishes.

Student Housing Cleaning List for CheckoutBefore you check out:

Pull all personal items from rooms, bathrooms, kitchen, and lounge Vacuum your room and clean any table/desk surfaces in your room Empty refrigerator and kitchen of all personal food items Place trash in outside dumpster Place recycling in a clear plastic bag in the recycling dumpster at the

Visitor Center Check to make sure all personal property, inside and out, is removed Contact Sara to complete and sign an inspection form.

701 West Cloverdale Road, Hastings, MI 49058 (269) 721-4434 Fax (269) 721-4474www.cedarcreekinstitute.org

Sara SyswerdaEducation Director Pierce Cedar Creek InstituteOffice: (269)721-4434Cell: (616)322-3632

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