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Visitor Center Hours:
Monday-Friday 8-5,
Saturdays 9-5, Sundays and Holidays 1-5
Trails
open every day from dawn to dark
2012:
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August
September |
October |
November |
December
Download a Registration
Form to sign up for fee-related programs |
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March 2012 |
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1/1/12-12/31/12
Member: $7
Non-member: $10
Ages: 9+ |
IP12-01
Walk
100 Miles
Register
at the Visitor Center
to walk 100 miles on
Chippewa Nature Center trails
and you will receive a logbook in which to
keep track of the dates and mileage you have
traveled. To
achieve your goal, travel along any of the
nature center trails by walking, skiing or
snowshoeing. Take in the beautiful views along
the Pine and Chippewa Rivers, investigate the
fields, forests and wetlands, see how things
change throughout the seasons, look for and
enjoy the bountiful wildlife and join the many
guided hikes throughout the year.
Travel
100, 200 or 500 miles in 2012 and receive a
t-shirt to mark your achievement!
Three additional prizes will be awarded to the
three people who have logged the most miles.
Registration:
989-631-0830 or scheduler@chippewanaturecenter.org |
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3/1/12 Thurs
9-10 am &
10:30-11:30 am
Also offered:
3/3/12 Sun
9-10 am &
10:30-11:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 3-5 w/adult |
Preschool Story Hour: Where Do Birds
Live?
 Come
spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will
include a story and may include songs, art, rhymes and
other age-appropriate activities. |
|
3/1/12 Thurs
7 pm
Free Admission
All
Ages |
Valley Herb
Society - Hands: How to Care & Comfort Them
Join the VHS for their monthly meeting.
For program information, please contact Cathy Devendorf
at
cdevendorf@chippewanaturecenter.org or 989.631.0830. |
|
3/3/12 Sat
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/3/12 Sat
1-2:30 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 5-9 w/adult |
Nature for Youth: Animal Architects
This program is designed to help kids develop a
connection to the natural world through fun, hands-on
activities including experiment stations, games, crafts
and more. Nature for Youth is held on the first Saturday of
the month at the Visitor Center from 1-2:30 pm. |
|
3/3/12 Sat
1:30-4:30 pm
Also offered:
3/1/12 Thurs
9-10 am &
10:30-11:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 3-5 w/adult |
Preschool Story Hour: Where Do Birds Live?
Come
spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will
include a story and may include songs, art, rhymes and
other age-appropriate activities. |
|
3/3/12 Sat
9 am-6 pm
At Michigan
State University
Admission
All Ages |
Quiet Water Symposium
Join Chippewa Nature Center at the 17th Annual Quiet
Water Symposium. Held at the Pavilion for
Livestock and Agriculture Education on the campus of MSU, this
event showcases outdoor, non-motorized recreation
opportunities around the Great Lakes. Watch
presentations by renowned authors and adventurers Cliff
Jacobson and Gary and Joanie McGuffin and meet them
after their programs. See exhibits highlighting
recreation opportunities, outdoor programs and clean
water efforts around the State. You can also get
information from boat dealers and outfitters to help you
plan your next adventure - and MUCH
more!
For more information, including admission prices, visit
www.quietwatersymposium.org. (CNC will not be providing
transportation to this event.) |
|
3/4/12 Sun
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/6/12 Tues
7 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Mid-Michigan Rock Club
Visitors are welcome to bring along any rock,
mineral, gem, fossil, earth science or lapidary arts
items which they might like to show to the group. To
learn more about his group and their upcoming programs,
visit
www.midlandrockclub.com. |
|
3/7/12 Wed
3/14/12 Wed
3/21/12 Wed
3/28/12 Wed
7-9 pm
Register by: 2/27/12
Members: $40
Non-members: $45
Ages: 15+ |
W12-04
Advanced Fly Tying
Are you tired of spending high prices for flies? Would
you like to know more about what flies to use for
steelhead, salmon, trout, and bass? Would you like to
learn more about the fascinating aquatic animals that
inhabit our lakes and rivers?
If you answer yes to the above
and have already taken our fly-tying
course in the past, you won’t want to miss this
four-week advanced fly tying class taught by John
Johnson, a veteran trout fisherman and a member of the
Leon P. Martuch Chapter of Trout Unlimited. John will
introduce you to the next level of fly tying and share
his wealth of experience as a fly fisherman.
All equipment and materials will be supplied as we cover
over a dozen different types of flies. You will also
receive a copy of instructions for each type of fly made
during the course. The instructor, John Johnson, is a
veteran trout fisherman and a member of the Leon P. Martuch Chapter of Trout Unlimited. Space is at a
premium, so register early. |
|
3/7/12 Wed
7-8 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 15+, under 18 w/adult |
Oxbow Archaeologists Excavation Update
The Oxbow Archaeologists are continuing their
excavations and are uncovering new and exciting
information that helps us understand the human
inhabitants of this area. Dr. Scott Beld will be
speaking on the Oxbow Archaeologists excavations at the
Sias East site in 2011. This program
will be held in the Visitor Center. |
|
3/8/12 Thurs
7-9 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult |
Full Moon Stroll
March in Michigan – that means we could enjoy tonight’s
full moon from atop snowshoes, or sunk
in six inches of mud! We’ll hope for the former, so come
out for a guided walk, with or without
snowshoes, with Senior Naturalist Janea Little. If there
are at least four inches of snow on the
ground, we'll use snowshoes (call ahead to reserve a
pair of CNC's -- 631-0830 -- or bring your
own) and enjoy the snowscape! If there isn't much snow,
we'll just walk. Either way, be sure to
dress for the weather, in layers so you can stay warm
and yet not get overheated if we snowshoe.
We'll look for animal tracks, listen for owls, and check
for other sights and sounds of CNC's wildlife. |
|
3/9/12 Fri
9-10 am
10:30-11:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 6 mos-2 yrs
w/adult |
Wee Stroll
This program is designed for parents to take a guided
walk with their child, learn about the
outdoors and learn ways to introduce children to the
natural world around them.
Wee Stroll is held the 2nd Friday of the month, 9-10 am
and 10:30-11:30 am. |
|
3/10/12 Sat
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/11/12 Sun
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/15/12 Thurs
8-11 am
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult |
Birds & Bagels
 The Ides of March was a bad day for Julius Caesar, but
it is a fine day for a bird walk! Join Senior Naturalist
Janea Little for this two-or-so-hour stroll, followed by
snacks and coffee in the Visitor Center to warm up.
Mid-March is actually a great time for birding, as we
have a chance to see year-round residents, winter
specialists and early spring migrants, all on the same
day. Loaner binoculars are available. Generously sponsored by Big
Apple Bagels. |
|
3/15/12 Thurs
9-10 am
10:30-11:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 3-5 w/adult |
Preschool Story Hour: The Snail's
Spell
Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will
include a story and may include songs,
art, rhymes and other age-appropriate activities. |
|
3/17/12 Sat
10 am-4 pm
Event Admission
Members: Free
Non-Members:
$4, ages 18+ (fee subject to change)
Non-Members
under 18: Free
Pancake Meal
Members Only:
9-10 am
Public Welcome:
10 am-2 pm
Members:
$6 (ages 13+)
$4 (ages 3-12)
Free to children
3 and under
Non-members:
$7 (ages 13+)
$5
(ages 3-12)
Free to children
3 and under
All
Ages |
Maple Syrup Day
Beginning at 10 am, crafts, activities and
demonstrations will take place at the Visitor Center,
Homestead Farm, Log Schoolhouse, Sugarhouse and Sugarbush. In the Visitor Center, kids will love playing
maple tree games, making a paper mokuk and a "sappy"
craft to take home. The
woodcarvers and quilters will also be demonstrating
their amazing talents. Nearby at the wigwam learn about
Native American life along the Pine River through
traditional skills using all-natural materials.
After that, take a haywagon ride to the Sugarhouse to
see how we boil sap into pure maple syrup at CNC. You'll
also find an 1870s sap boiling demonstration, Sugarbush
tours and a tree-tapping activity. To get the feel for
settler life, visit the Log Cabin and chat with the
cabin hostess, where
you can see a woodstove cooking demonstration. In the
Log Schoolhouse everyone can sing along to original
songs in the "Maple Music Matinee" with Dennis Pilaske
and watch a special puppet play about this sweet time of
year!
To volunteer for Maple Syrup Day, contact Cathy Devendorf
at (989) 631-0830 or
cdevendorf@chippewanaturecenter.org. |
|
3/18/12 Sun
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/20/12 Tues
6-9 pm
Registration
Deadline: 3/14/12
Members: $15
Non-members: $20
Ages: 18+ |
F12-05
Sweet Supper: Music and More -
FULL
Celebrate the first day of spring with music and stories
of Midland's past, plus a delicious meal with Kyle
Bagnall and Dennis Pilaske. Everyone will receive a
booklet of delicious maple recipes to tempt your taste
buds at home. After dessert you can sit back and enjoy
as we share tales and
original songs by Dennis about this sweet time of the
year. |
|
3/21/12 Wed
6:30-7:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Wild Ones Meeting (Mid-Mitten
Chapter):
Mid-Michigan's Summer
Wildflowers
Even though the calendar says it's the first
day of Spring, beautiful photos of flowers blooming in
the summer will be shown in this program presented by
Mike LeValley of the Isabella Conservation District.
Last May, Mike described many of the spring
wildflowers blooming from April-June that he has
identified in this area of Michigan. Today, he continues
with July-September wildflowers, showing close-ups and
describing where they grow. Native plants are beautiful,
easy to grow in this climate and attract insects and
other wildlife. You can preserve biodiversity by growing
native plants on your property. You may get some ideas
of what plants to buy during the Native Plant Sale in
May!
This one hour program is sponsored by the Mid-Mitten
Chapter of Wild Ones, Native Plants Natural Landscapes. |
|
3/24/12 Sat
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/24/12 Sat
1-4 pm
Free Admission
All
Ages |
Jolly Hammers and Strings Dulcimer Club
Stop in to enjoy the toe-tapping music of the Jolly
Hammers & Strings Dulcimer Club. Or, if you
play a folk instrument (guitar, banjo, fiddle, dulcimer,
etc.), bring it along and join in! |
|
3/25/12 Sun
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/27/12 Tues
6-8 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Twilight at the Sugarhouse
We're in heart of maple syrup season and you won't want
to miss the chance of visiting the
sugarhouse at night. Watch steam rise off the evaporator
pan as pure sap is boiled down to make
sweet maple syrup. In the Beech-Maple woods buckets
"decorate" trees and, on warm days, you
can hear sap dripping into buckets. An interpreter will
be on hand to explain the whole process and
guide you through the sugarbush. |
|
3/28/12 Wed
9 am-2 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Homestead Quilters
Pick up a needle and learn this beautiful craft with the
Quilters at their regular monthly meeting. |
|
3/29/12 Thurs
6-8 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Twilight at the Sugarhouse
We're in heart of maple syrup season and you won't want
to miss the chance of visiting the
sugarhouse at night. Watch steam rise off the evaporator
pan as pure sap is boiled down to make
sweet maple syrup. In the Beech-Maple woods buckets
"decorate" trees and, on warm days, you
can hear sap dripping into buckets. An interpreter will
be on hand to explain the whole process and
guide you through the sugarbush. |
|
3/31/12 Sat
1:30-4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
An Afternoon at the Sugarhouse
Visit the Beech-Maple woods, where buckets
"decorate" trees and where, on warm days, you can hear
the sap dripping into buckets. Watch the steam rise off
the evaporator pan in the sugarhouse as the sap is
boiled down to make sweet maple syrup. An interpreter
will be on hand to explain the whole process. |
|
3/31/12 Sat
through
4/8/12 Sun
Mon-Fri, 8 am-5 pm
Sat, 9 am-5 pm
Sun & Holiday, 1-5 pm
Free Admission
All Ages, under 18
w/adult |
Spring Exploration Days
Enjoy your break from school while exploring the wonders
of nature in Michigan! This indoor program includes a
variety of self-guided, hands-on exploration stations.
Experiments, fun facts, crafts, and scavenger hunts are
just a few of the activities you'll find. Each day is
the same, but feel
free to come back again and again! |
|
3/31/12 Sat
7 am-5 pm
Registration
Deadline: 3/23/12
Members: $28
Non-members: $35
Ages: 18+ |
F12-06
Swans on the Saginaw Bay
Late March is usually the peak of the Tundra Swan
migration through the Saginaw Bay, and the
beginning of migration for tens of thousands of other
waterfowl. Many of them will spend two or
more weeks feeding in the shallow waters of the Saginaw
Bay, especially in the well-named
Wildfowl Bay, and Fish Point State Game Area, our
destinations for the day. Join Janea Little and
Jeanne Henderson for this birding field trip to the east
side of the bay. Participants should dress
for the cold March winds coming off of the Saginaw Bay,
and bring a sack lunch. Transportation
will be provided via CNC's van. |
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2012:
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August
September |
October |
November |
December
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