|
Visitor Center Hours:
Monday-Friday 8-5,
Saturdays 9-5, Sundays and Holidays 1-5
Trails
open every day from dawn to dark
2009:
August | September |
October | November |
December
Download a Registration
Form to sign up for fee-related programs |
|
| July
2009 |
|
1/1/09-12/31/09
Member: $5
Non-member: $7
All Ages |
Walk
100 Miles
Register
at the temporary 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 2009 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
|
|
6/30/09
Tuesday -
7/3/09 Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/4/09 Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/5/09 Sunday
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages, under 18
w/adult |
Sensational
Summer Days - Water, Water Everywhere
Add a special
element to your visit this summer by exploring
Sensational Summer Days! 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 types of activities you'll find. The
activities change weekly, so feel free to come back
again and again! |
|
7/2/09
Thursday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Free Admission
All
Ages
|
Bird Banding
Don’t miss this opportunity to see resident and
migratory birds up close! After being caught in mist
nets, birds are banded for the purpose of research and
released. Drop in at the east wetlands parking lot off
Grey Road (the gate will be open during banding hours)
and learn from Michigan Bird Banding Association
president Mike Bishop and Chippewa Nature Center staff.
If it is raining or windy, banding will not take
place. If conditions are questionable, please call the
front office after 8 am at 989-631-0830 to confirm.
Other 2009 bird banding dates include June 4, 11 & 24,
July 16 & 23 and August 6. |
|
7/2/09
Thursday
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Registration
Deadline: 6/26/09
Members: $12
Non-members: $15
Ages: 14+ |
F09-17
Adventures
for Women: Kayaking the Chippewa River
Enjoy a quiet
paddling trip down the Chippewa River, a wide,
slow-moving river perfect for either beginners or
experts who want to relax. We'll drive to CNC's Chippewa
Cabin (about seven river miles upstream), put the kayaks
in the river and float down to our main canoe launch
just downstream of the Pine/Chippewa River confluence.
Along the way, we'll watch for herons, eagles, map
turtles, orioles, flycatchers, muskrat, mink, fish and
other wildlife who call the river "home." |
|
7/4/09
Saturday
8:00 - 11:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Members
Only - The Cabin, A Campfire and Some Fireworks
Enjoy the evening
around this special members-only campfire listening to
stories and singing a few songs and best of all, eating
smores! CNC members are invited to join Cathy Devendorf
at the Homestead for our annual 4th of July event.
Members can make a craft in the cabin and then spend a
little time around the campfire. Around 9:30 we will
gather up our blankets and lawn chairs and move towards
the fence (by the cows) to watch the Midland city
fireworks. Please note: fireworks and sparklers are not
permitted at CNC. |
|
7/5/09
Sunday
1:30 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Homestead
Sunday
Stop by the log cabin and chat with
volunteers as they cook on the woodstove and help kids
dig into a trunk of old-time games. Visit the sheep,
pigs, chickens, cow and twin calves. Visit often and
watch the chicks grow up and see heirloom varieties of
vegetables, flowers and herbs mature in our gardens
throughout the summer.
And don't miss fun, interactive lessons from
days-gone-by in CNC’s one-room log schoolhouse. Open up a McGuffy’s Reader, scratch your
name on a slate board and enjoy recess with some 19th
century schoolyard games.
The
Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 24 -
Sept. 6 from 1:30-5:00 pm, free of charge. |
|
7/7/09
Tuesday
9:00 - 11:00 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
Full
Moon Stroll
Enjoy a beautiful
summer night by the light of the full moon. Fireflies
generally hit their peak in June, but there should be
enough left for a good show! Senior Naturalist Janea
Little will lead a casual stroll to look and listen for
these and other nocturnal wildlife along CNC's trails.
While we enjoy the view of the "Thunder Moon"
we'll practice walking without flashlights to see how
well our own "night eyes" work. |
|
7/7/09
Tuesday -
7/10/09 Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/11/09 Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/12/09 Sunday
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages, under 18
w/adult |
Sensational
Summer Days - Butterflies
Add a special
element to your visit this summer by exploring
Sensational Summer Days! 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 types of activities you'll find. The
activities change weekly, so feel free to come back
again and again! |
|
7/8/09
Wednesday
7:00 - 8:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Arboretum
Hike
Are you thinking about adding
trees or shrubs to your landscape or just want to brush
up on your identification skills? Join Naturalist Karen
Breternitz on this hike through the Garrett Arboretum to
explore the native trees and shrubs of Michigan. This
will be a slow easy hike. |
|
7/9/09
Thursday
5:00 - 9:00 pm
Registration
Deadline: 7/2/09
Members: $15
Non-members: $20
Ages: 15+, under 18
w/adult |
F09-18
Saginaw
Bay by Voyageur Canoe
Join Tom Lenon
and Jackie Kelly for an exciting adventure as we paddle
in the Saginaw Bay in a 29-foot Voyageur Canoe. The
canoe is a fiberglass reproduction of the birchbark
canoes used by voyageurs to haul loads of trade goods
and valuable animal pelts in the 18th and 19th
centuries. During the trip we'll explore the natural and
cultural resources of the area and share stories of the
past all while having a truly unique outdoor experience.
We expect this program to fill up quickly, so sign up
right away! If weather or water conditions are not
favorable, this trip will be canceled (determined the
afternoon of the trip at CNC's discretion) and
participants will be refunded. |
|
7/10/09
Friday
9:30 - 10:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 6 months - 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. |
|
7/11/09
Saturday
12:00 - 4:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Butterfly
Bonanza
Come out for a fun afternoon
to learn about the natural history, identification and
conservation of Michigan butterflies! This year's
Butterfly Bonanza will include outdoor guided hikes plus
crafts, exhibits of live butterflies and other
activities in the temporary Visitor Center. |
|
7/12/09
Sunday
1:30 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Homestead
Sunday
Stop by the log cabin and chat with
volunteers as they cook on the woodstove and help kids
dig into a trunk of old-time games. Visit the sheep,
pigs, chickens, cow and twin calves. Visit often and
watch the chicks grow up and see heirloom varieties of
vegetables, flowers and herbs mature in our gardens
throughout the summer.
And don't miss fun, interactive lessons from
days-gone-by in CNC’s one-room log schoolhouse. Open up a McGuffy’s Reader, scratch your
name on a slate board and enjoy recess with some 19th
century schoolyard games.
The
Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 24 -
Sept. 6 from 1:30-5:00 pm, free of charge. |
|
7/14/09
Thursday
9:30 - 11:00 am
Free Admission
All Ages |
Arboretum
Hike
Are you thinking about adding
trees or shrubs to your landscape or just want to brush
up on your identification skills? Join Naturalist Karen
Breternitz on this hike through the Garrett Arboretum to
explore the native trees and shrubs of Michigan. This
will be a slow easy hike. |
|
7/14/09
Tuesday -
7/17/09 Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/18/09 Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/19/09 Sunday
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages, under 18
w/adult |
Sensational
Summer Days - Wonderful Wetlands!
Add a special
element to your visit this summer by exploring
Sensational Summer Days! 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 types of activities you'll find. The
activities change weekly, so feel free to come back
again and again! |
|
7/16/09
Thursday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Free Admission
All
Ages
|
Bird Banding
Don’t miss this opportunity to see resident and
migratory birds up close! After being caught in mist
nets, birds are banded for the purpose of research and
released. Drop in at the east wetlands parking lot off
Grey Road (the gate will be open during banding hours)
and learn from Michigan Bird Banding Association
president Mike Bishop and Chippewa Nature Center staff.
If it is raining or windy, banding will not take
place. If conditions are questionable, please call the
front office after 8 am at 989-631-0830 to confirm.
Other 2009 bird banding dates include June 11 & 24, July
2 & 23 and August 6. |
|
7/16/09
Thursday
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Registration
Deadline: 7/9/09
Members: $12
Non-members: $15
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
F09-19
Local
Family Kayak Trip
Here's an
opportunity to get your kids or grandkids out to enjoy a
trip kayaking down the Chippewa River. CNC's Kyle
Bagnall and Jackie Kelly will spend time teaching the
basic skills of paddling kayaks and will help everyone
navigate down the river. The kayaks used are excellent
for beginners and are quite stable and fairly easy to
learn how to paddle. Paddling a kayak gives you a
totally different perspective on the landscape and the
rivers around you. Throughout the trip you'll have a
chance to learn how rivers work, discover some of the
rarely seen critters of this aquatic environment and
learn how to safely avoid common hazards on a river. |
|
7/16/09
Thursday
9:30 - 10:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 3-5 |
Preschool
Story Hour: Quick as a Cricket
Come spend an
hour learning about nature! The hour will include a
story and may include songs, art, rhymes and other
age-appropriate activities. |
|
7/18/09
Saturday
9:00 am - 1:30 pm
Registration
Deadline: 7/11/09
Free Admission
Ages: 15+, under 18
w/adult |
River
Cleanup Workday
Here's your chance to help
keep our local rivers clean. In past years, we've pulled
out old tires, bottles, a car engine and a motorcycle!
Bit by bit, the river appears to be getting cleaner.
We'll use a combination of wading and canoeing. If you
are interested in helping clean a section of the Pine or
Chippewa River, contact Curt Holsinger by July 11 at
989-631-0830 or
cholsinger@chippewanaturercenter.org. |
|
7/18/09
Saturday
Start time is weather
dependent
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
Butterfly
Count
Chippewa Nature Center has hosted a Butterfly
Count each July since 1988. Over 60 species have been
found on the counts, thanks to the help of dozens of
participants over the years. No experience is needed to
participate, just enough enthusiasm to spend a few hours
outside and off-trail, looking for, counting and
identifying (and learning to identify!) butterflies.
Start time is weather
dependent; please call Senior Naturalist Janea Little
ahead of time (631-0830) to be put on the list of
participants. |
|
7/19/09
Sunday
1:30 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Homestead
Sunday
Stop by the log cabin and chat with
volunteers as they cook on the woodstove and help kids
dig into a trunk of old-time games. Visit the sheep,
pigs, chickens, cow and twin calves. Visit often and
watch the chicks grow up and see heirloom varieties of
vegetables, flowers and herbs mature in our gardens
throughout the summer.
And don't miss fun, interactive lessons from
days-gone-by in CNC’s one-room log schoolhouse. Open up a McGuffy’s Reader, scratch your
name on a slate board and enjoy recess with some 19th
century schoolyard games.
The
Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 24 -
Sept. 6 from 1:30-5:00 pm, free of charge. |
|
7/19/09
Sunday
3:05 pm
Parking Admission: $3
(Game ticket sold separately)
All Ages |
Cause Park
at McKay Press
Come watch the Great Lakes Loons take on the
Cedar Rapids Kernels at Dow Diamond. Park your car at
McKay Press for a $3 donation to Chippewa Nature Center!
Tickets to the game are sold separately and are
available at
www.loons.com. |
|
7/21/09
Tuesday
6:00 - 8:00 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
Homestead
History Hike
On this evening
stroll through history, participants will enjoy a walk
from the Wigwam to the Homestead Farm. Along the way,
you'll get to know past settlers of current CNC lands,
especially the Charles Sinclair family, who owned a farm
here from 1874-1916. From Maine to Michigan, you'll be
amazed at the tale of this Civil War veteran and the
life his family made here! Meet at the
temporary Visitor Center
where
we'll begin our hike. |
|
7/21/09
Tuesday -
7/24/09 Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/25/09 Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
7/26/09 Sunday
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages, under 18
w/adult |
Sensational Summer Days - Beavers & Muskrats
Add a special
element to your visit this summer by exploring
Sensational Summer Days! 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 types of activities you'll find. The
activities change weekly, so feel free to come back
again and again! |
|
7/22/09
Wednesday
6:30 - 8:30 pm
Registration
Deadline: 7/19/09
Members: $15
Non-members: $20
Ages: 14+, under 18
w/adult |
W09-03
Adventures
for Women: Compass and Orienteering Workshop
Using a compass
to find your way in the woods or fields off trail is a
fun and valuable skill. Learn the basics of using a
compass, then follow a compass course to arrive at a new
destination. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center first.
Wear comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing and bring
a water bottle. Compasses will be provided. |
|
7/23/09
Thursday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Free Admission
All
Ages
|
Bird Banding
Don’t miss this opportunity to see resident and
migratory birds up close! After being caught in mist
nets, birds are banded for the purpose of research and
released. Drop in at the east wetlands parking lot off
Grey Road (the gate will be open during banding hours)
and learn from Michigan Bird Banding Association
president Mike Bishop and Chippewa Nature Center staff.
If it is raining or windy, banding will not take
place. If conditions are questionable, please call the
front office after 8 am at 989-631-0830 to confirm.
Other 2009 bird banding dates include June 11 & 24, July
2 & 16 and August 6. |
|
7/25/09
Saturday
7:00 - 9:00 am
Free Admission
Ages: 12+, under 18
w/adult |
Short-N-Sweet
Bird Walk
Late July will
probably bring us a few migrating shorebirds and lots of
songbirds with either the beat-up appearance of adults
finishing up the nesting season, or awkward immature
birds who are just learning how to live outside the
nest. Join CNC Senior Naturalist Janea Little for this
guided walk. Loaner binoculars are available. |
|
7/26/09
Sunday
1:30 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Homestead
Sunday
Stop by the log cabin and chat with
volunteers as they cook on the woodstove and help kids
dig into a trunk of old-time games. Visit the sheep,
pigs, chickens, cow and twin calves. Visit often and
watch the chicks grow up and see heirloom varieties of
vegetables, flowers and herbs mature in our gardens
throughout the summer.
And don't miss fun, interactive lessons from
days-gone-by in CNC’s one-room log schoolhouse. Open up a McGuffy’s Reader, scratch your
name on a slate board and enjoy recess with some 19th
century schoolyard games.
The
Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 24 -
Sept. 6 from 1:30-5:00 pm, free of charge. |
|
7/27/09
Monday
|
Registration Deadline for
F09-25
Backpacking
at Isle Royale National Park
(9/4 - 9/12/09)
Isle Royale National Park in Lake Superior is north
woods, clear lakes, rocky ridges and wildlife in a
wilderness setting. This backpacking trip is led by
veteran backpacker and naturalist, Phil Stephens, who
worked on the island's wolf ecology project in the 1970s
and 80s. CNC's Kyle Bagnall, an Isle Royale alumnus, is
a wonderful co-leader. Though wilderness backpacking is
tough work, the rewards can be enormous. Participants
must be able to carry 30 to 40 pounds as far as 10 miles
in a day. To help prepare, you must take Phil's June 13*
Introduction to Backpacking workshop (included in trip
fee), as well as the free session on August 15 (9:30 am
- 2:30 pm). Road and boat transportation, lodging
(including double-occupancy for 2 motel nights) and
camping fees are included in the trip fee; meals are
not. You may borrow some of the Nature Center's
backpacking equipment, such as tents (double occupancy),
at no charge. If you have scheduling difficulties with
pre-trip classes, please discuss them with Phil before
you register. A $250 deposit is due with your
registration by July 27, with the remainder by August
23.
*
If you have scheduling difficulties with pre-trip
classes, please contact Phil directly before
registering. |
|
7/28/09
Tuesday -
7/31/09 Friday
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
8/1/09 Saturday
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
8/2/09 Sunday
1:00 - 5:00 pm
Free Admission
All Ages, under 18
w/adult |
Sensational
Summer Days - Seeds!
Add a special
element to your visit this summer by exploring
Sensational Summer Days! 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 types of activities you'll find. The
activities change weekly, so feel free to come back
again and again! |
|
7/30/09
Thursday
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Registration
Deadline: 7/23/09
Members: $12
Non-members: $15
Ages: 15+, under 18
w/adult |
F09-20
Local
Kayak Trip
Join Kyle Bagnall
in a leisure kayak trip traveling down the river.
Interesting facts about the natural and cultural history
found along the way will be pointed out. This trip is an
easy way to relieve the pressures of the week and get a
little exercise and is a great way to get out and enjoy
the outdoors! If weather or water conditions are not
favorable, this trip will be canceled (determined the
afternoon of the trip at CNC's discretion) and
participants will be refunded. |
|
2009:
August | September |
October | November |
December
|
|
back
to top |