Aldo Leopold Festival

Saturday, June 1 5;30 - 7:00 PM Join us for a delightful evening of connecting with fellow festival attendees while you savor a picnic dinner on the Hessel School House lawn (or indoors if inclement weather). Indulge in your choice of mouthwatering BBQ Chicken or Vegetable Lasagna, complete with all the delectable sides catered by Audie's Restaurant of Mackinaw City. While you feast on these culinary delights, immerse yourself in the enchanting melodies of Americana music experts Mark & Carol Palms, along with the talented Bruce Gartner and Bear Berends. It's an event not to be missed—reserve your spot today for an unforgettable experience of great food and fantastic music. Reservations for the picnic close on May 15th. Be sure to get your tickets early!

A festival pass for each attendee is required to attend all workshops, classes, tours and events hosted by the Aldo Leopold Festival.

Youth passes are for children ages 6 - 17 years of age. NOTE: For the safety and enjoyment of all participants, there are some restrictions for youth joining our nature hikes. Children must be capable of being quiet and respectful in the wilderness, as well as being able to walk or stand for 2-3 hours during the tour. This is especially important for birding tours, where silence is key to effectively spotting and observing the birds. It's essential to know your child's capabilities and plan accordingly to ensure a positive experience for everyone. In the event that a child is disruptive during the tour, they will be asked to leave, and unfortunately, a refund will not be provided. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation in creating a peaceful and educational environment for all participants. It is not recommended to register children ages 5 and under.

ADVENTURE TOUR Wednesday, May 29, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Proactive awareness is the best method to thwart widespread attacks to Michigan trees by invasive forest pests including the Asian longhorn beetle, the hemlock and balsam woolly adelgid and the spotted lantern fly. The presentation will also feature an overview of five invasive forest plants. This session is designed to create an awareness of these invasive pests, how to spot them and to whom we should report them to if we see them. It will include an indoor power point presentation followed by an outdoor exercise in tree identification and overall health assessment. Presented by Julie Crick and Anna Ellis.

ADVENTURE TOUR Wednesday, May 29, 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM This session is for real adventurers! Join us for a moderately easy 8-mile hike (approx. 4 hours) on the North Country Trail where you will enjoy the varied terrain and forest types as well as an abundance of flora to be discovered with your guide, Tom Walker. The North Country National Scenic Trail is a 4,800 mile long trail that crosses 8 states from Vermont to North Dakota with 1,150 miles of it is in Michigan. Walk along the outcropping of the Niagara Escarpment, cross streams, and seeing a beaver dam are just a few highlights of this adventure day. A trail lunch and snacks are included. This tour takes place on National Forest Lands.

ADVENTURE TOUR Wednesday, May 29, 8:40 AM - 1:00 PM We'll first visit the Drummond Island Tourist Association (DITA) office for a brief introduction to the island. You'll have an opportunity to carpool if you wish. Then we'll drive to The Nature Conservancy's Maxton Plains Preserve, which is a globally rare area of exposed limestone bedrock and shallow soils, known as an Alvar. These harsh environments are dominated by grasses, sedges, and wildflowers like early buttercup, early saxifrage, and prairie smoke. We'll also see some fossils exposed in the calcareous bedrock. A luncheon will be provided by Pins Restaurant at the Drummond Island Resort. Afterwards, you are welcome to explore Drummond Island on your own or go with the Haack's to visit another location on the island to look for interesting plants.

ADVENTURE TOUR Wednesday, May 29, 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM The landscape of the Les Cheneaux area is shaped by a long, geologic history — 400 million years in the making, when this area was a warm, shallow sea, then later scraped by mile-high glaciers. Gain a deeper understanding of what is literally underfoot by visiting both a working quarry and the Carl A. Gerstacker Nature Preserve. A boxed lunch and bus transportation is included for this exclusive tour.

ADVENTURE TOUR Wednesday, May 29, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM You might be surprised to learn that Aldo Leopold worked for the Albuquerque, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce, encouraging city leaders to plan development that assured future quality of life for its residents while preserving community character. This tour will show how the Les Cheneaux community is doing that: fostering a unique sense of place found in its 36 islands and two snug villages. Highlighting our past, present, and future, you will visit 7 sites that give character to this community, learn how coffee is roasted, beer is brewed, and how embracing our past is shoring-up our future. Stops include E.J. Mertaugh Boat Works, Les Cheneaux Maritime Museum, Les Cheneaux Coffee Roasters, Great Lakes Boat Building School, Les Cheneaux Historical Museum, and Les Cheneaux Distillers & Brewery. Finish with an amazing lunch at the Les Cheneaux Culinary School— a farm-to-table fine dining experience that is training a new generation of chefs.

ADVENTURE TOUR Wednesday, May 29, 4:00 - 9:00 PM The best camera is the camera you have on you – and today that is most often our smartphones which are capable of capturing stunning images. This workshop, a mix of both lecture and short photo walks to practice covered topics, will teach many of your phone’s camera features as well as composition and editing skills. We will also discuss helpful gear for macro, landscape, night (northern lights), and even video. All levels of photographers are welcome as there are always new features added to smartphones. Session includes in-depth learning resources and an awesome catered dinner. Class concludes before sunset for a final optional photo walk to Hessel Beach.

ADVENTURE TOUR Wednesday, May 29, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM Join Steve Baker, Rob Routledge, Kevin St. Onge, and Ken Drenth as they take you on a spring “hunting trip” through a section of state and private forest properties. Hunt for vernal pools, salamanders, bird nests of various species, wildflowers–especially orchids, and be treated to a great luncheon at a not-so-traditional hunting camp. If you took this adventure last year, please consider doing a different trip to allow others to participate.

Thursday, May 30 - 1:30-3:00 PM If you know bird songs this Jeopardy-style game show is for you. Eight participants will be randomly selected from the audience and divided into two teams. Each participant will be given a switch that is tied to a board that recognizes the first person to “buzz in.”Dave will play a selection of “bird songs” and the participant who presses their buzzer first will have first opportunity to name the bird. The team members receiving the most correct first answers will receive a fantastic prize and be cast in history as the most knowledgeable “Bird Song” enthusiasts in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Thursday, May 30 - 4:00 - 5:30 PM Have you ever seen a plant and wondered what it was? Do you get frustrated when your friends spit off plant names you have never seen or heard of? Join Mike McCarthy, Executive Director of the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District, for an introductory session on identifying native plants in the Eastern U.P. Learn plant vocabulary, plant parts, and learn an introduction to Edward Voss dichotomous key's. Learn about field guides and phone applications to help you identify plants, and pass the final test as we utilize a local trail to identify some native plants using your new skills. This session is structured for the very beginner.

Thursday, May 30 - 7:00 - 8:30 PM From the time he was three years old until he was twenty-six, Aldo Leopold spent summers with his family on Marquette Island here in Les Cheneaux. While others played golf and tennis, Aldo explored the woods, mapped the trails, observed the birds, sailed the waters and fished for bass in this magical part of Lake Huron. Emmy Award-winning Journalist Dan Noyes and former Les Cheneaux Club President Charles Fels describe the life of Aldo Leopold at Les Cheneaux, using historic and unpublished images found in archives in Iowa, Wisconsin and Michigan.

Thursday, May 30, 8:30 - 10:00 AM Join us for a crash course in the greatest hobby in the world! Birding! We'll start with an overview of how to get the most from your binoculars and what field guides or other equipment you might need. Then we'll dive right into how to observe and identify birds, with a chance to get out and about and put our new skills to the test!

Thursday, May 30, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Join Amy Lipson, Little Traverse Conservancy's Conservation Specialist, on a walking tour through the Derby Preserve named after the Derby family that farmed the area and provided much of the summer and fall food for residents of the Les Cheneaux Club. Discuss what plants can be found here and view the large glacial erratic boulders that this preserve is known for.

Thursday, May 30, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Explore the bountiful world of wild herbs with Sierra LaRose, herbalist and owner of Bear Earth Herbals. During this nature hike we will learn how to identify various wild herbs, their medicinal properties, and their culinary uses. Sierra LaRose will share fascinating anecdotes and tips on sustainable foraging practices and teach you tips for responsibly harvesting herbs to ensure the preservations of the natural resources. This class fills quickly! Register early so you don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and expand your knowledge of these natural treasures!

Thursday, May 30, 2:00 - 5:00 PM There are nearly 800 species of lichens in Michigan and at least 200 species of moss. The limestone substrate of the Les Cheneaux region is especially rich in these tiny wonders. Join Brad Von Blon on a tour to identify many common species of this notoriously difficult group of organisms. He will delight you with stories and facts about these under appreciated species that we often take for granted.

Thursday, May 30, 7:00 PM - Dusk Join an experienced guide to view grassland and marsh birds in the Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area, known locally as the Munuscong Potholes. Participants may see and hear birds, including Bobolink; Swamp, Le Conte's and Clay-colored Sparrows; Wilson's Snipe; Upland Sandpiper; American Bittern; and Sora and Virginia Rail. Participants staying till dusk may be treated to the mating dance of Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Thursday, May 30, 7:30 - 10:30 AM The Woollam Preserve is a favorite to explore with its easy trails through a mixed deciduous and coniferous forest with 4,300 feet of stunning, glacial erratic shoreline. It affords a wealth of migratory bird life and flowering native plants to please the eye of the truly discerning.

Thursday, May 30, 8:00 - 11:00 AM There are nearly 800 species of lichens in Michigan and at least 200 species of moss. The limestone substrate of the Les Cheneaux region is especially rich in these tiny wonders. Join Brad Von Blon on a tour to identify many common species of this notoriously difficult group of organisms. He will delight you with stories and facts about these under appreciated species that we often take for granted.

Thursday, May 30, 8:30 - 11:30 AM The northern coastline of Lake Huron in the eastern Upper Peninsula is home to a rich assemblage of plant diversity. Early June is an opportune time to visit and catch showy spring wildflowers like dwarf lake iris in bloom and a wave of orchids such as the captivating pink lady’s slippers or diminutive northern coral root. We will explore some orchid hot spots and possibly see six different orchid species. Be prepared for some moderate hiking with some hills and wet areas.

Thursday, May 30, 8;30 -11:30 AM The Niagara Escarpment provides some of the rarest plants imaginable. Pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, and butterworts all have their own strategies to lure and digest their arthropod prey. You explore the fens and bogs east of Cedarville for unique plants with your guide, Steve Baker.

Thursday, May 30, 2:00 - 5:00 PM The lakeside fens and wetlands along the Lake Huron shores are home to an amazing variety of plants that actually “eat” insects. This adaptation provides the nitrogen which allows these plants to live and thrive in these sandy and marly nutrient poor soils with little competition from most other plants. We will see four types of carnivorous plants (butterwort, bladderworts, sundews, and pitcher plant) and learn each plants’ strategy for attracting, capturing, and digesting their prey. Guide: Derek Shiels, Little Traverse Conservancy

Thursday, May 30, 9:00 AM - 12;00 PM The Mertaugh Preserve recently added 77 acres to the Birge and Mertaugh Preserves, now boasting nearly 900 contiguous acres. The property has been in private ownership for decades, therefore, it was not accessible to the public. With the lower water levels, you will hike the shoreline looking for the unique plants that have adapted to this ecosystem. Tour Guide: Amy Lipson, Little Traverse Conservancy

Thursday, May 30, 5:30 - 10:00 AM Be an early bird with Michael Carlson for one of his popular bird sound identification field trips. Enjoy the sunrise and dawn chorus of birds. Come see if he really is as good as the Merlin.

Thursday, May 30, 1:30 - 5:30 PM This field trip will explore a diversity of ferns along with the closely related lycopods and horsetails as we see them. Our focus will be upland tolerant hardwood forest but also some seasonally wet sites might be explored as well. Exploration of exposures of the Niagara Escarpment should yield some interesting ferns, notably those restricted to calcareous rocks. Field characters useful for identification at species and genus level will be highlighted. Instructor: Rob Routledge

Thursday, May 30, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Nature journaling is your path into the exploration of the natural world around you. It is the regular recording of observations, perceptions and feelings, about the external environment around you. A Nature Journal records your responses to and reflections about, what you see and hear and capturing those in sketches and words. Drawing even little things, helps focus the mind and calm the spirit. There’s always something to be drawn. This nature journaling workshop features fun and engaging activities that build the skills of a scientist, naturalist, artist, and observer. This program will connect science, language arts, visual arts, and mindfulness through a series of fun and engaging activities. Bring your camera or smartphone to capture nature during a short walk through the storybook trail then return to the classroom for sketching, coloring, and interpreting the world you explore. All materials will be supplied. Instructor: Carol Hubbard

Friday, May 31, 7:00 - 8:30 PM Aldo Leopold is best known for his 1949 book, A Sand County Almanac, but the story of how that famous contribution to conservation literature came to be is unknown to most. Few know that the book had been rejected by several publishers who concluded there would be no readership for such a book. Leopold learned that his book would be published only a week before he died in 1948, and he never saw it in print. It took almost 20 years for the book to finally gain an appreciative readership after the modern environmental movement emerged in the 1960s. Since then, A Sand County Almanac has remained essential reading for conservationists and anyone concerned about our relationship with nature. Program Director Steve Swenson reveals dozens of engaging stories behind Leopold’s essays and explains why the book’s timeless, yet timely, message still resonates 75 years after it was first published.

Friday, May 31, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Create something beautiful and release some built up tension. In this class flowers and plants are hammered onto a tea towel to release their natural dyes. This printed design will be enhanced by adding watercolor, simple embroidery techniques and sewn on beads. Artist: Kathy Thomas

Friday, May 31, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Natural sounds of the environment around us can make for a meaningful meditation experience. This session will introduce participants to sound vibration and its healing properties. Using bird songs and other nature sounds this session will provide a guided sound meditation session led by Marquita Mullen from the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District. This will lead its way to an understanding of how nature, music, and bird songs can bring our bodies into relaxation and harmony. After the meditation session, participants will create screen tray bird feeders to take home with the intention to invite birds into your backyard so you can practice sound meditation at home.

Friday, May 31, 2:00 - 4:00 PM Great Lakes islands provide critical habitat for native biodiversity and support rare and endemic natural communities. Many of these islands are remote, difficult to access, and challenging to survey. Despite limited access, these islands face a variety of threats to native biodiversity and rare taxa including establishment and spread of invasive species and the impacts of climate change. Unfortunately, within these unique geographies biodiversity data is limited or outdated, which hinders effective management and decision-making. Over the past several years, Michigan Natural Features Inventory has collaborated with the United State Fish and Wildlife Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Tribal natural resource departments, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, and Michigan Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and the Environment to collect baseline information on the current status of ecosystems on these islands to help guide biodiversity stewardship and conservation planning efforts. In this presentation, we will present highlights from this ongoing research and provide a framework for prioritizing biodiversity stewardship.

Friday, May 31, 8:30 AM - 12:00 PM After initial listing on the Endangered Species Act in 1986, Great Lakes Piping Plovers have gone from 13 breeding pairs to 80 pairs in 2023. Intense monitoring, nest protection, captive rearing, and citizen science are responsible for this success. We will discuss the history of Piping Plover conservation in the EUP and include how citizens can become involved and make reports of Piping Plovers they see. After our indoor presentation we will travel to the north shore of Lake Michigan just west of St Ignace, where in 2023, we discovered a pair of Piping Plovers nesting to determine if they are there again in 2024. Guide: Jason Garvon

Friday, May 31, 8:15 - 11:15 AM The eastern Upper Peninsula is home to many nature preserves with various habitats. This field trip will visit a few special places searching for blooming wildflowers, such as Dwarf Lake Iris, gaywings, Bird’s-eye Primrose, and Lakeside Daisy. Early season orchids may be seen, including Yellow lady’s slipper, Pink lady’s slipper, Striped Coralroot, Early Coralroot, Ram’s-head lady’s slipper, and the tiny Heart-leaved Twayblade. Guide: Steve Baker

Friday, May 31, 5:30 - 10:00 AM Join us for an early morning trip to the marsh! On this field tour, we will share an introduction to the secretive marsh birds that call the Les Cheneaux Islands home in the summer. We will visit examples of Great Lakes marsh communities and discuss the importance of wetlands for secretive marsh birds such as rails, bitterns, and pied-billed grebes. We will broadcast marsh bird calls and listen for these secretive marsh dwellers. Along the way, we will be on the lookout for other wetland inhabitants and discuss ongoing work in the eastern Upper Peninsula to support this unique suite of birds. We will caravan from the Hessel School House to wetland sites and hike to different locations along the edge of the marsh. Muck boots or rubber boots are highly recommended for this field outing.

Friday, May 31, 7:00 - 11:00 AM John R. Woollam Preserve is one of the most picturesque and well-known areas of Les Cheneaux area preserves, with a highlight being the beautiful Narnia Trail, a local favorite. This trail is a great place to see warblers and other songbirds. Even non-birders are awed by the experience and often return to share it with others.

Friday, May 31, 8:00 - 11:00 AM EUP MiSTEM Regional Director Kevin St. Onge will facilitate a freshwater ecology field experience to engage participants in a hands-on scientific investigation involving the use of water quality and macroinvertebrate sampling to assess the health of a local stream. Through this investigation, participants will experience Place-Based Learning, which is aimed at solving community problems while seeking learning opportunities derived from the cultural, economic, environmental, and geographical aspects of a community. This project will connect with existing projects that teachers and students in Eastern Upper Peninsula Schools have developed to show how Place-Based Learning can provide the opportunity for engagement in citizen science while addressing community problems.

Friday, May 31, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM Munuscong Bay area provides a shining example of the massive and sprawling marshes and wetlands that were once found across every region of the Great Lakes. This trip will take you to the dike on Munuscong Bay, a great place to see birds that love the wetland and make it their favorite place to nest and call home. Tom Harrison will provide the local history, as he was part of developing the area in his teens. Approximately a two mile hike round trip. Guides for this trip are Michael Carlson and Tom Harrison.

Friday, May 31, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Let's take a walk in the woods with avid mushroom guide James Watterworth to learn about Michigan's native wild mushrooms! This class is geared toward beginners and is a great first step for anyone looking to start their journey into exploring the beauty of these fabulous fungi. James will show you key characteristics in identifying the different types of mushrooms that can be found in our area. Examples will be available for a hands on experience, but participants may also bring samples for identification and additional information.

Friday, May 31, 1:00 - 4:00 PM Explore the bountiful world of wild herbs with Sierra LaRose, herbalist and owner of Bear Earth Herbals. During this nature hike we will learn how to identify various wild herbs, their medicinal properties, and their culinary uses. Sierra LaRose will share fascinating anecdotes and tips on sustainable foraging practices and teach you tips for responsibly harvesting herbs to ensure the preservations of the natural resources. This class fills quickly! Register early so you don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and expand your knowledge of these natural treasures!

Friday, May 31, 1:30 - 5:00 PM Rachel Hackett, PhD., is a leading expert of dwarf lake iris (Iris lacustris) in Michigan and has been conducting surveys in Michigan populations for five years. Learn about biology and natural history of the iris including reviews of recent studies and reports related to the iris including seed dispersal and establishment, population genetics, population viability, and ongoing canopy manipulation experiments. After the presentation, we'll visit one of the local dwarf lake iris sites protected and managed by the Michigan Nature Association.

Friday, May 31, 2:00 - 5:00 PM The Niagara Escarpment provides some of the rarest plants imaginable. Pitcher plants, sundews, bladderworts, and butterworts all have their own strategies to lure and digest their arthropod prey. We will explore the fens and bogs east of Cedarville for unique plants.

Friday, May 31, 7:00 - Dusk Join an experienced guide to view grassland and marsh birds in the Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area, known locally as the Munuscong Potholes. Participants may see and hear birds, including Bobolink; Swamp, Le Conte's and Clay-colored Sparrows; Wilson's Snipe; Upland Sandpiper; American Bittern; and Sora and Virginia Rail. Participants staying till dusk may be treated to the mating dance of Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Friday, May 31, 7:00 - 11:00 AM This field trip will explore the plants found within fens and adjacent conifer swamp. Site-specific vascular plant rarities will be highlighted along with an introduction to specific Sphagnum moss species (non-vascular plants) with contrasting, and often extreme, site nutrient and pH affinities. Due to the vast diversity of flora present, a working plant check list will be provided along with a list of terms used specific to the vegetation communities we’ll be exploring. Guide: Rob Routledge

Friday, May 31, 1:30 - 5:30 PM This field trip will explore a diversity of ferns along with the closely related lycopods and horsetails as we see them. Our focus will be upland tolerant hardwood forest but also some seasonally wet sites might be explored as well. Exploration of exposures of the Niagara Escarpment should yield some interesting ferns, notably those restricted to calcareous rocks. Field characters useful for identification at species and genus level will be highlighted.

Friday, May 31, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM The 480-acre preserve, purchased by the Michigan Karst Conservancy in 1987, was the site of a limestone quarry from 1905 to 1936 which supplied high-calcium limestone to Algoma Steel in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. Remnants of the quarry still visible today include the railroad house and ore-car loader in the heart of the old quarry, foundations of employees’ houses along Fiborn Quarry Road and the foundation of the boarding house. Transportation and a delicious boxed lunch will be provided on this tour. Copies of the book "Fiborn Quarry: Then and Now"" will be available for purchase at the Karst for $15 (Cash only please.)

Saturday, June 1 - 3:30 - 5:00 PM If you know bird songs this Jeopardy-style game show is for you. Eight participants will be self selected from the audience and divided into two teams. Each participant will be given a switch that is tied to a board that recognizes the first person to “buzz in.”Dave will play a selection of “bird songs” and the participant who presses their buzzer first will have first opportunity to name the bird. The team members receiving the most correct first answers will receive a fantastic prize and be cast in history as the most knowledgeable “Bird Song” enthusiasts in the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Saturday, June 1, 8:30 - 10:00 AM Join us for an engaging evening with Nick Alioto, a PhD student at Michigan State University, as he shares his fascinating research on the movement ecology of Red-tailed Hawks in the Straits of Mackinac. Discover how Nick's project began and why he was drawn to studying these majestic birds. Learn about the valuable insights gained from several years of tracking Red-tailed Hawks in the region, including details on their breeding and wintering distributions, as well as the migratory routes they navigate. Don't miss this unique opportunity to delve into the world of these remarkable birds and the important conservation implications of Nick's groundbreaking research.

Saturday, June 1, 9:00 - 11:00 AM Aldo was an avid personal map maker throughout his life and you'll discover that maps don't have to be fancy or even precise to be useful at capturing important information like your favorite hike, a road trip, how a place evolves, or even your garden in a meaningful way. We will look at examples of personal maps and then, fresh with ideas, you will be guided through starting your own personal map making project. Basic supplies provided.

Saturday, June 1, 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM Have you ever seen a plant and wondered what it was? Do you get frustrated when your friends spit off plant names you have never seen or heard of? Join Mike McCarthy, Executive Director of the Chippewa Luce Mackinac Conservation District for an introductory session on identifying native plants in the Eastern U.P. Learn plant vocabulary and plant parts, learn an introduction to Edward Voss dichotomous key's. Learn about field guides and phone applications to help you identify plants, and pass the final test as we utilize a local trail to identify some native plants using your new skills. This session is structured for the very beginner.

Saturday, June 1, 1:00 - 2:30 PM Join us for an enlightening event on bats and White Nose Syndrome. Scott Myers has prepared a presentation covering the basic information on these fascinating creatures, as well as the impact of White Nose Syndrome on their populations. He will also share data gathered from acoustic monitoring of bat activity in the Les Cheneaux area, providing valuable insights into their behavior and presence in our community. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about bats and the conservation efforts being made to protect them.

Saturday, June 1, 5:30 - 10:00 AM Be an early bird with Michael Carlson for one of his popular bird sound identification field trips. Enjoy the sunrise and dawn chorus of birds. Come see if he really is as good as the Merlin app!

Saturday, June 1, 7:00 - 10:00 AM The Nature Conservancy's Carl A. Gerstacker Preserve along the Lake Huron shoreline east of Cedarville features a variety of habitats along with many trails and is a naturalist's delight. Not only is it a bonanza for botanists, but it is also a great place to see the various birds that have just crossed Lake Huron and are hungry for the variety of insects to feed on after a long, tiring journey.

Saturday, June 1, 7:00 - 10:00 AM Munuscong Bay provides a shining example of the massive and sprawling Great Lakes marshes and wetlands that were once found across every region of the Great Lakes. The two-mile round-trip hike to the dikes on Munuscong Bay is a great place to see birds that love the wetlands and make it their favorite place to nest and call home. Black terns, sedge wrens, rails, and a variety of ducks and warblers are seen most years.

Saturday, June 1, 7:30 - 10:30 AM The Woollam Preserve is a favorite to explore with its easy trails through a mixed deciduous and coniferous forest with 4,300 feet of stunning, glacial erratic shoreline. It affords a wealth of migratory bird life and flowering native plants to please the eye of the truly discerning.

Saturday, June 1, 8:00 - 11:00 AM The eastern Upper Peninsula is home to many nature preserves with various habitats. This field trip will visit a few special places searching for blooming wildflowers, such as Dwarf Lake Iris, gaywings, Bird’s-eye Primrose, and Lakeside Daisy. Early season orchids may be seen, including Yellow lady’s slipper, Pink lady’s slipper, Striped Coralroot, Early Coralroot, Ram’s-head lady’s slipper, and the tiny Heart-leaved Twayblade.

Saturday, June 1, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Explore the bountiful world of wild herbs with Sierra LaRose, herbalist and owner of Bear Earth Herbals. During this nature hike we will learn how to identify various wild herbs, their medicinal properties, and their culinary uses. Sierra LaRose will share fascinating anecdotes and tips on sustainable foraging practices and teach you tips for responsibly harvesting herbs to ensure the preservations of the natural resources. This class fills quickly! Register early so you don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with nature and expand your knowledge of these natural treasures!

Saturday, June 1, 1:00 - 4:00 PM Let's take a walk in the woods with avid mushroom guide James Watterworth to learn about Michigan's native wild mushrooms! This class is geared toward beginners and is a great first step for anyone looking to start their journey into exploring the beauty of these fabulous fungi. James will show you key characteristics in identifying the different types of mushrooms that can be found in our area. Examples will be available for a hands on experience, but participants may also bring samples for identification and additional information.

Saturday, June 1, 2:00 - 5:00 PM The Carl A. Gerstacker Preserve spans over 1,600 acres, 5 miles of Lake Huron shoreline, two inland lakes, and nearly 3 miles of trail. While it is home to a wide variety of plants and animals, this particular trip is intended more as a general overview, rather than a detailed search for particular species. Participants will have the opportunity to see both Big and Little Trout Lakes, enjoy some moderate difficulty hiking across multiple trail routes and elevations, and gain a greater understanding of the unique geology that underpins this large expanse of contiguous shoreline forest.

Saturday, June 1, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Join us for an enchanting nature hike as we explore the world of precious pollinators: butterflies! Often overlooked as pollinators, butterflies play a crucial role in our ecosystem. During this event, we will embark on a journey to spot various species of butterflies and discover the host plants they rely on for survival. Get ready to be amazed by the beauty and importance of these delicate creatures.

Saturday, June 1, 7:00 PM - Dusk Join experienced guide, Elliot Nelson, to view grassland and marsh birds in the Munuscong State Wildlife Management Area, know locally as the Munuscong Potholes. Participants may see and hear birds including Bobolink, Swamp, LeConte's and Clay-colored Sparrows, Wilson's Snipe, Upland Sandpiper, American Bittern, and Sora and Virginia Rail. Participatns staying till dusk may be treated to the mating dance for Sharp-tailed Grouse.

Saturday, June 1, 1:30 - 5:30 PM This field trip will explore a diversity of ferns along with the closely related lycopods and horsetails as we see them. Our focus will be upland tolerant hardwood forest but also some seasonally wet sites might be explored as well. Exploration of exposures of the Niagara Escarpment should yield some interesting ferns, notably those restricted to calcareous rocks. Field characters useful for identification at species and genus level will be highlighted.

Saturday, June 1, 7:00 - 11:00 AM This field trip will explore the plants found within fens and adjacent conifer swamp. Site-specific vascular plant rarities will be highlighted along with an introduction to specific Sphagnum moss species (non-vascular plants) with contrasting, and often extreme, site nutrient and pH affinities. Due to the vast diversity of flora present, a working plant check list will be provided along with a list of terms used specific to the vegetation communities we’ll be exploring.

Saturday, June 1, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Nature journaling is your path into the exploration of the natural world around you. It is the regular recording of observations, perceptions and feelings, about the external environment around you. A Nature Journal records your responds to and reflections about, what you see and hear and capturing those in sketches and words. Drawing even little things, helps focus the mind and calm the spirit. There’s always something to be drawn. This nature journaling workshop features fun and engaging activities that build the skills of a scientist, naturalist, artist, and observer. This program will connect science, language arts, visual arts, and mindfulness through a series of fun and engaging activities. Bring your camera or smartphone to capture nature during a short walk through the storybook trail then return to the classroom for sketching, coloring, and interpreting the world you explore. All materials will be supplied.

Saturday, June 1, 2:00 - 5:00 PM Participants will learn how pigments can be collected from soil and rocks to create a watercolor pan. In the end six pans will be made and added to a mini travel size watercolor palette. Artist: Kathy Thomas

Sunday, June 2, 5:30 - 10:00 AM Join us for an early morning trip to the marsh! On this field tour, we will share an introduction to the secretive marshbirds that call the Les Cheneaux Islands home in the summer. We will visit examples of Great Lakes marsh communities and discuss the importance of wetlands for secretive marshbirds such as rails, bitterns, and pied-billed grebes. We will broadcast marshbird calls and listen for these secretive marsh dwellers. Along the way, we will be on the lookout for other wetland inhabitants and discuss ongoing work in the eastern Upper Peninsula to support this unique suite of birds. We will caravan from the Hessel School House to wetland sites and hike to different locations along the edge of the marsh. Muck boots or rubber boots are highly recommended for this field outing.

Sunday, June 2, 8:00 - 11:00 AM Munuscong Bay provides a shining example of the massive and sprawling Great Lakes marshes and wetlands that were once found across every region of the Great Lakes. The two-mile round-trip hike to the dikes on Munuscong Bay is a great place to see birds that love the wetlands and make it their favorite place to nest and call home. Black terns, sedge wrens, rails, and a variety of ducks and warblers are seen most years.

Sunday, June 2, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM This trip will explore a variety of local hot spots by carpool, starting with the local wastewater lagoons as well as a few nearby protected bays and marshes, which are great spots for amazing breeding bird species. We will also look for breeding waterfowl, shore birds, marsh birds, and warblers. This trip will include easy, short hikes to view birds at each location. Please bring your own binoculars, observing birds without them will be very difficult.

Sunday, June 2, 8:00 - 11:00 AM The eastern Upper Peninsula is home to many nature preserves with various habitats. This field trip will visit a few special places searching for blooming wildflowers, such as Dwarf Lake Iris, gaywings, Bird’s-eye Primrose, and Lakeside Daisy. Early season orchids may be seen, including Yellow lady’s slipper, Pink lady’s slipper, Striped Coralroot, Early Coralroot, Ram’s-head lady’s slipper, and the tiny Heart-leaved Twayblade.