1/1/08-12/31/08

Member: $5
Non-member: $7
All Ages

Walk 100 Miles
Register at the office 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, and a mi-Vibe pedometer.

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 2008 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

5/7/08   Wednesday
7:00 - 10:00 am

Free Admission
Ages: 9+

Early Bird Hike
Spring migration is nearly at its peak, so we are sure to see warblers, vireos, sparrows, orioles and plenty of resident species on this walk along CNC's trails. Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for part or all of this guided bird walk. Loaner binoculars are available.

5/8/08   Thursday
8:00 - 11:00 am

Registration
Deadline: 5/1/08

Member: $12
Non-member: $15
Ages: 18+

F08-14 Birding by Voyageur Canoe
Grab a paddle and join Senior Naturalist Janea Little and Dennis Pilaske for a birding trip down the Chippewa River in a 29' voyageur canoe! This large canoe is a great birding boat because it keeps us all together and you don't have to worry about steering your own boat and missing the chance of seeing a bird. Birding should be excellent, with migration still in full swing and resident birds already nesting. Belted Kingfishers, Great Blue and Green Herons, Baltimore Orioles, Cliff and Barn Swallows, Spotted Sandpipers and many others should be easy to spot. We'll also listen for the many birds singing in the woods lining the river, such as Hermit and Wood Thrushes, Scarlet Tanagers and Eastern Wood-Pewee. It will be important to dress according to weather conditions. Be sure to bring binoculars (bring the good ones -- this is a VERY stable canoe!), a snack and something to drink. If poor weather or river conditions exist, this trip will be canceled and those registered will get a full refund. Loaner binoculars are available.

5/9/08   Friday
9:30 - 10:30 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.

5/10/08   Saturday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 5+, under 18
w/adult

Bird Banding Research
If you missed the opportunity last year to see how birds are caught in mist nets and banded for the purpose of research, there are several chances again this summer for you to make such observations. This third year of bird banding research at the Chippewa Nature Center provides a great chance for you to see resident and migratory birds up close.

You can drop in at the east wetlands parking lot off of Grey road (the gate will be open during banding hours) and see these birds and learn from Chippewa Nature Staff and researcher and president of the Michigan Bird Banding Association, Mike Bishop.

If it is raining or windy banding will not take place. If you are questioning whether the banding will be taking place, you can call the front office after 8am to finalize whether it's worth making the trip.

5/10/08   Saturday
8:00 am - 
5/11/08   Sunday
6:00 pm

Registration
Deadline: 5/1/08

Member: $40
Non-member: $45
Ages: 18+

F08-15 Birding Tawas Point and More
Tawas Point State Park is one of Michigan's best areas for birdwatching during the spring migration of songbirds. This two-day trip will include visits to the state park, nearby Tuttle Marsh, and Nayanquing Point on the way to Tawas, all of which should net us 100 or more species of warblers, vireos, sparrows, hawks, rails, swallows, ducks and more! Participants of all experience levels are welcome.

We will leave CNC at 8:00 am on Saturday, and bird until the evening hours. On Sunday, be prepared for getting up EARLY, as we'll leave the hotel at 6:00 am! Saturday evening, we'll eat at a restaurant, and the hotel provides a continental breakfast for EARLY risers Sunday, but participants need to bring sack lunch/beverage/snacks for the remainder of the two-day trip. We will return to CNC by 6:00pm Sunday. Lodging will be at the Tawas Days Inn. The fee for this trip includes transportation and leadership only -- not meals or lodging. Participants need to make their own hotel reservation BY MAY 1 TO ENSURE ROOM AVAILABILITY. Call toll-free, 1-866-362-0088 and ask for one of the rooms reserved for Chippewa Nature Center to get the group rate.

5/10/08   Saturday
10:00 am - 12:30 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 12+

River Point Walk
Join naturalist Phil Stephens at the Visitor Center for a short drive to our River Point trails, where we will search for spring wildflowers, watch for returning birds, and enjoy some of the Nature Center's large pine and hemlock trees, as well as a nice stretch of the Chippewa River. The 2-mile walk will take you through some of the more remote-feeling parts of the Center. Wear sturdy, comfortable shoes for this rustic trail.

5/13/08   Tuesday
6:00 - 9:00 pm

Registration
Deadline: 5/6/08

Member: $12
Non-member: $15
Ages: 12+, under 18
w/adult

F08-16 Fur Trade History by Voyageur Canoe - FULL
Explore the fur trade heritage of our local rivers as you join costumed interpreters Dennis Pilaske and Kyle Bagnall for an exciting adventure into the past! Near the riverside, learn about the furs and European goods that were exchanged by Native Americans, French, British and Americans over two centuries. Then, paddle the the Chippewa River in a 29-foot Voyageur Canoe! The canoe is a fiberglass reproduction of the birchbark canoes used by voyageurs to haul loads of goods 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.

5/14/08   Wednesday
6:30 - 9:00 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 9+

Woodcarvers
Instructor(s): Barb and Willy Stewart

5/15/08   Thursday
7:00 - 9:00 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 12+

Global Warming
Midland resident, Peter Sinclair, will present a slide program on global warming based on the award-winning film by Al Gore, An Inconvenient Truth. The slide program will last approximately 1 hour, followed by a question and answer period.

Mr. Sinclair was one of 1,000 people who completed a rigorous training program led by former Vice President Al Gore to spread the message about the threat of and solutions to global warming. Each trainee took part in an intensive tutorial about issues surrounding global warming, led by Gore and a team of renowned scientists and environmental educators. In addition, each received technical training to become experienced presenters of a version of Gore's computer-based slide show, which became the basis of his best-selling book and documentary film, An Inconvenient Truth.

Co-sponsored with AAUW

5/15/08   Thursday
9:30 - 10:30 am

Free Admission
Ages: 3-5

Preschool Story Hour: A Seed is Sleepy
Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story and may include songs, art, rhymes and other age-appropriate activities.

5/17/08   Saturday
5:00 am - 
5/18/08   Sunday
6:00 pm

Registration
Deadline: 5/1/08

Member: $160
Non-member: $175
Ages: 15+, under 18
w/adult

F08-17 Birding Sleeping Bear Dunes
With more than 70,000 acres of varied habitats, Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is an excellent place to find migrating and nesting birds. Experienced birders Kyle Bagnall and Janea Little will lead a weekend trip to explore the rich diversity found in this unique Michigan location. One species we'll look for is the endangered Piping Plover at a nesting site along the Lake Michigan shoreline. We'll also walk along Good Harbor Bay to look for nesting Prairie Warblers, a Michigan-listed endangered species. In addition, we'll look for migrants along the Platte Plains Hiking Trail, at Pyramid Point and several other amazing locations.

Lodging (included in the registration fee) will be in Glen Arbor at the Lakeshore Inn. Rates assume DOUBLE occupancy. Please sign up with a friend! If assistance is needed in securing a roommate, please inquire at registration. Ages 15 and up (under 18 with an adult).

5/17/08   Saturday
1:00 - 4:30 pm

Free Admission
All Ages

Jolly Hammers and Strings Dulcimer Club
Instructor(s): Alice Parry

5/17/08   Saturday
2:00 pm

Free Admission
All Ages

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
The Verlen Kruger Story, 100,000 Miles by Paddle
Authorized biographer, Phil Peterson, Sr., will present the story of the world's most famous canoeist, Verlen Kruger. Verlen Kruger, the humble son of an Indiana sharecrop farmer, never set foot in a canoe until the age of 42, and then paddled more than four times the distance around the earth - over 100,000 miles!  It’s an adventure story of life experiences most find astounding and accomplished by a man from Lansing , Michigan .
www.verlenkruger.com

5/19/08   Monday
9:00 - 11:00 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 9+

Full Moon Walk
Enjoy a beautiful night walking by the light of the full moon with Senior Naturalist Janea Little. The moon will hit it peak fullness at 10:12, so this is as good a view as we can get! At this time of year, we'll also hear the songs of spring peepers, the sounds of courtship calls and flights by the American Woodcock, and possibly Barred or Great-horned Owls. Please wear dark clothing so we will be less visible to the wildlife. We'll walk without flashlights for the most part, but bring one along just in case.

5/20/08   Tuesday
6:00 - 9:00 pm

Registration
Deadline: 5/16/08

Member: $12
Non-member: $15
Ages: 18+

F08-18 Local Kayak Trip
Join CNC's Staff on a leisure kayak trip to travel 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.

5/21/08   Wednesday
7:00 am - 4:00 pm

Registration
Deadline: 5/16/08

Member: $25
Non-member: $30
Ages: 15+

F08-19 Birding at Rose Lake
Rose Lake Wildlife Area, near Lansing, has a great variety of habitats, including mature deciduous woods, natural and man-made lakes, open areas and marsh. In turn, it attracts a variety of birds, including such declining species as the Cerulean Warbler & Acadian Flycatcher. The site also has a shooting range that is closed on Wednesdays, hence the weekday trip! Join Janea Little and Jeanne Henderson for an exploration of this wildlife area. We will hike several miles during the course of the day, and have a picnic lunch at a nearby city park. Participants should bring a sack lunch. Transportation will be via CNC's vans.

5/22/08   Thursday
1:00 - 8:00 pm

Free Admission
Members Only

Members Only - Native Plant Sale
CNC Members get to shop early and get first choice of the plants at the sale. Here's your chance to purchase ferns, trees, shrubs, vines and wildflowers that are native to Michigan. Plants that are propagated from native genotypes are easier to establish in your home landscape than non-native plants. We will have some of the most sought after species that are not readily available from local retailers. Come early for the best selection!

5/23/08   Friday
9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Free Admission
All Ages

Native Plant Sale
Here's your chance to purchase ferns, trees, shrubs, vines and wildflowers that are native to Michigan. Plants that are propagated from native genotypes are easier to establish in your home landscape than non-native plants. We will have some of the most sought after species that are not readily available from local retailers. Come early for the best selection!

5/24/08   Saturday
9:00 am - 8:00 pm

Free Admission
All Ages

Native Plant Sale
Here's your chance to purchase ferns, trees, shrubs, vines and wildflowers that are native to Michigan. Plants that are propagated from native genotypes are easier to establish in your home landscape than non-native plants. We will have some of the most sought after species that are not readily available from local retailers. Come early for the best selection!

5/24/08   Saturday
7:00 - 9:00 am

Free Admission
Ages: 9+

Short-N-Sweet Bird Hike
Two hours for a bird hike at the peak of migration probably won't get us far down the trail, but you are welcome to extend it if you'd like! Experienced and beginning birdwatchers alike are welcome to join Senior Naturalist Janea Little to look and listen for birds along CNC's trails. Loaner binoculars are available.

5/25/08   Sunday
1:30 - 5:00 pm

Free Admission
All Ages

Homestead Sunday
Take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy a peaceful afternoon at the Homestead Farm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand at our log cabin and one-room schoolhouse to answer your questions, give tours of the farm and teach lessons from long ago. Kids of all ages can help with chores, play traditional games and visit the farm animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 25 - August 31.

5/28/08   Wednesday
6:00 - 8:00 pm

Free Admission
All Ages

Green Dragons of CNC
Green Dragons are on the rise at CNC. Join Naturalist Karen Breternitz to find this unusual plant. We will also visit some of CNC's "Big Trees" and look for wildflowers in bloom.

5/28/08   Wednesday
9:00 am - 2:00 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 18+

Quilters
Instructor(s): Betty Thayer

5/28/08   Wednesday
6:30 - 9:00 pm

Free Admission

Woodcarvers
Instructor(s): Barb and Willy Stewart

5/29/08   Thursday
8:00 am - 12:00 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 5+, under 18
w/adult

Bird Banding Research
If you missed the opportunity last year to see how birds are caught in mist nets and banded for the purpose of research, there are several chances again this summer for you to make such observations. This third year of bird banding research at the Chippewa Nature Center provides a great chance for you to see resident and migratory birds up close.

You can drop in at the east wetlands parking lot off of Grey road (the gate will be open during banding hours) and see these birds and learn from Chippewa Nature Staff and researcher and president of the Michigan Bird Banding Association, Mike Bishop.

If it is raining or windy banding will not take place. If you are questioning whether the banding will be taking place, you can call the front office after 8am to finalize whether it's worth making the trip.

5/29/08   Thursday
7:00 - 9:00 pm

Free Admission
Ages: 9+

Wildlife Walk
Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for this evening walk to look and listen for deer, beaver, bats, American woodcock, spring frogs and other wildlife species that become active at night. Please wear dark clothing so we are less visible to the wildlife.