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Western Michigan University Educational, Research, and Restoration Activities Protocol Process for the Asylum Lake Preserve

BACKGROUND

This Protocol Process was approved by the Research Policies Council (May 14, 2003), Faculty Senate (Oct. 31, 2003), Vice President for Research (June 21, 2004) and the Provost (June 30, 2004). It applies to all units of the University as well as to community groups and organizations wishing to use the Asylum Lake Preserve for any of the activities herein described. Open space and passive recreational activities are not covered by this Protocol Process, but are subject to the general rules and regulations for the Preserve.

Please read the following before filling out the application form:

Asylum Lake Preserve is an important community greenspace for passive recreation as well as a unique area for education, observation, field research, and habitat restoration. We welcome your efforts to learn more about the dynamic relationships between humans and their environment and how we can achieve health and balance in that relationship.

The Preserve has both goals for, and restrictions on its use. We list these below so that you will know generally what are the encouraged and prohibited uses of the Preserve. These apply to all educational, research, and restoration activities conducted by university faculty, students, and staff as well as those in the community seeking permission to pursue such activities on the property.

The Goals of the Preserve, are as follows:

Promote Ecosystem Integrity and Natural Aesthetics. Maintain the green space and wildlife habitat of the Asylum Lake Preserve. Policies should be adopted that promote ecosystem integrity and natural aesthetics. Selected landscape features such as woodlands, old fields, wetlands and lakes should be protected from further degradation and enhanced through carefully considered restorative action. Objectives include converting land formerly used for agriculture to prairie and converting portions of old fields to oak savanna. Special attention should be given to water quality in Asylum Lake and the protection of the Asylum Lake watershed.

Ensure the Passive Recreational Opportunities Afforded by the Property. Such activities should not have a detrimental impact on the landscape and should not entail significant infrastructure development. Passive recreational activities are defined as those which create opportunities for a high degree of interaction with the natural environment. Appropriate activities include hiking, wildlife watching, cross-country skiing and running. Inappropriate activities include competitive sports and any form of mechanical recreation.

Support Research and Education. The Asylum Lake Preserve should be used to support and enhance the academic programs of the University by providing a site for field studies, research, restoration, and community outreach. Such activities should be conducted in a manner that is consistent with and furthers the above-described conservation purposes. Such activities shall require approval under the Educational, Research, and Restoration Activities Protocol Process.

Restrictions on the Use of the Preserve, include the following (with certain specified exceptions):

*No new buildings (permanently affixed to the land with one or more floors and a roof) or similar structures shall be placed or erected upon the Preserve.

*The general topography of the Preserve shall be maintained in its natural condition, and there shall be no filling, dredging or other alterations, modifications or development of any portion of the Preserve.

*No use shall be made of the Property which materially alters the natural features in a manner inconsistent with the goals of the Preserve.

*No business, commercial, or industrial development or use shall be undertaken or permitted on the Preserve.

. *No motorized vehicles of any kind shall be permitted on the Preserve, except on roadways or parking areas designated for their use, or except as reasonably required with respect to maintenance and other permitted activities.

The Protocol Process is designed to help insure that educational, research, and restoration activities conducted on the Preserve are consistent with these goals and restrictions. It covers past, current, and future activities on the Preserve. The Review Panel established under the Governance Charter for the Asylum Lake Preserve will contact departments and other units that have previously conducted or are currently conducting educational, research and/or restoration activities to determine if there are structures or other impacts resulting from these activities that will require removal, restoration, and/or remediation to be consistent with the above goals.

Information on management plans/policies adopted by the Policy and Management Council, other ongoing research and restoration at the Preserve, and the basic documents establishing the Preserve and its governance structure are available on the Asylum Lake Web Page: http://www.wmich.edu/asylumlake through the Asylum Lake Policy and Management Council link located there.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Charles Ide at the Environmental Institute phone: (269)387-5951 or email: charles.ide@wmich.edu.

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