You might not expect one of Michigan’s most important forests to be hiding in the middle of a busy Grand Rapids neighborhood.

But researchers have discovered that Ken-O-Sha Park is home to an unusually high-quality forest, filled with hundreds of plant species, ancient trees, and rare plants. 

Here’s what researchers discovered about this remarkable 100-acre park and the efforts now underway to preserve it for generations to come.

Plus: This tool lets you see if your license plate appears in Flock searches.

Feds extend aging Michigan coal plant life (MLive): The Trump administration has ordered Consumers Energy’s 64-year-old J.H. Campbell coal plant in Ottawa County to remain open through Nov. 14, extending its operation for a sixth time despite plans to retire it in 2025. Michigan officials and environmental groups have challenged the federal orders, as keeping the plant running has already cost nearly $260 million, with the expenses potentially passed on to ratepayers.

4 in 10 Michiganders struggling to afford basic needs (WOOD-TV): Nearly 40% of Michiganders struggle to afford basic needs, according to a new University of Michigan study, with 13% living below the federal poverty line and another 26% unable to afford the local cost of living. The study also found about one-third of Michigan households are housing-cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

Michigan State hires new AD (Freep): Michigan State University has hired Western Michigan athletic director Dan Bartholomae as its new athletic director, replacing J Batt, who left for Kentucky in June. Bartholomae, who oversaw WMU’s 2025 NCAA hockey championship and a $515 million arena project, will begin at MSU on Aug. 31.

Students and faculty conduct plant surveys at Ken-O-Sha Park in Grand Rapids. (Courtesy/David Warners)

By Capital News Service

Surrounded by busy roads, neighborhoods, and businesses, Ken-O-Sha Park doesn’t look like one of Michigan’s most valuable forests.

But a new study by researchers with Calvin University’s Emma Cole Grand Rapids Flora Project found the 100-acre park in Grand Rapids is home to one of the state’s highest-quality remaining forests.

The park takes its name from the Ottawa word “Ken-O-Sha,” meaning “Water of the Walleye,” the historic name for Plaster Creek.

Researchers documented 322 plant species, nearly 80% of them native, and found the park’s Floristic Quality Index was 70.1, well above the level considered significant statewide.

“It’s a forest that looks pretty much like it did before white people moved into the state,” said David Warners, a professor of biology and director of Plaster Creek Stewards at Calvin University.

Random tidbits worth clicking on…

Thousands of Flock cameras, like this one pictured in Lansing, are being used by law enforcement agencies across Michigan to aid their investigations. (Lucas Henkel/The ‘Gander)

📷 If you consider yourself among the many Michiganders who are uncomfortable with the rising use of Flock cameras in the state, keep this site handy. Have I Been Flocked let’s you see if your license plate has been part of a Flock search.

🦈 Scientists have known for a while that lake sturgeon are long-lived creatures, but researchers at Michigan State University have uncovered that the Great Lakes fish are actually capable of living for hundreds of years.

Do you have a cool picture, observation, or comment you’d like to share? Send it here.

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Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Karel Vega with a feature story from Capital News Service. It was edited by Crystal Niforos.

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