Troy School District Habitat Assessment

The Troy School District proposed to preserve a 75-acre school district-owned property known as the Turtle Woods Property. ASTI completed a wetland delineation, threatened and endangered species assessment, and a natural features community assessment on the Property. These assessments included mapping of all community types according to Michigan Natural Features Inventory natural community types.

In addition, ASTI conducted habitat assessments for potential state and federal threatened and endangered species and demonstrated that areas of suitable habitat for the spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) existed. Other rare species were observed on the Property including Blanding’s turtles (Emydoidea blandingii), and the plant species wahoo (Euonymus atropurpurea) and seedbox (Euonymus atropurpurea). Rare habitat types identified on the Property included Southern Hardwood Swamp and Wet-mesic Prairie. ASTI’s project report demonstrated that the Property included wetland that met the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) criteria for preservation wetlands. The Property was proposed to become part of Oakland County Parks and Recreation.