"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men."

"To sin by silence when they should protest makes cowards of men." Abraham Lincoln

I Protest!!!!!  I Protest, Mr. Lincoln, so what does that get me???  

To be clear what it means to protest, (remember I am the product of the 60's, I experienced protest with a Capital "P") I Googled, (far cry from using my 60"s dictionary, which I still have),  the word \pro-test\ :
       
  noun

1. : a solemn declaration of opinion and usually of dissent: as
2. : a sworn declaration that payment of a note or bill has been refused and that all responsible signers or debtors are liable for resulting loss or damage
3. : a declaration made especially before or while paying that a tax is not illegal and that payment is not voluntary
4. : the act of objecting or a gesture of disapproval < resigned in protest>; especially : a usually organized public demonstration of disapproval
5. : a complaint, objection, or display of unwillingness usually to an idea or course of action <went under protest>
6. : an objection made to an official or a governing body of a sport

Ok, so I do protest: Here it What I protest, loud and clear to anyone who will listen:  

Oakland County, Independence Township, the City of the Village of Clarkston contain the beginnings of the Clinton River Watershed, waters that flow south and eastward and empty into Lake St. Clair. Inland lakes, rivers, streams, wetlands, bogs and remnant Prairies are located along the routes, each providing homes for a diverse array of wildlife, plants, and offering recreational and educational opportunities. I live in one of the richest areas in the State of Michigan in the whole United States for that matter. Phragmites and Invasives plants are ruining the delicate balance of the ecological makeup of my hometown city, township, county and state. So I Protest!!  God knows I have paid my taxes. So what are they, the governing bodies, going to do about it?  We as a people can no longer allow Silence, these invasive plants are  attacking  the homes and food sources of our beloved animals, birds, insects, fish and native plants. Not to mention devaluing our properties and communities and causing huge liabilities through fire and flooding. We are loosing the assets for our future generations. I don't recognize where I live..... I am not in Europe, I don't want to see this changed landscape.

I have attended a lot of Seminars, I know that a lot of studies have been done. A lot of money has been spent on studies, a lot of jobs are counting on these studies. I am missing the actions of these studies, where are the results and 'Rapid Response' that should be applied? I know that there are certain individuals who are taking action, not waiting for the proverbial governmental fix. I choose to join these 'Rapid Responders'. SO..... 

Initially not knowing where to start, I had heard of the aggressive measures two areas in western and northern Michigan were doing to eradicate Invasive Species.  I visited these two areas,  Manistee Michigan, Portage Lake and Tipp of the Mitt Watershed Council, Petoskey, Michigan. They are making a difference. They are seeing results. These folks were so helpful and gave me the resources to help me form a group, Oakland Phragmites & Invasive Species Phighters.

My group has grown to include person from all walks of life, retired, working, photographers, writers, teachers, from Stewardship Networks, Watershed Councils and Land Conservancies, Environmental groups. Each individual and group bringing ideas and experiences to the meetings, they too want to see changes.  Each person as important as the other for what they bring and for the reasons that they are there.

The group is making an impact. Stay in touch.