Summer Newsletter June-August 2018 I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. – John Burroughs Field Trips • Workshops • Free Events & more! Inspiring people to be stewards of the natural world 1 Seeking Nominations FREE for CNC 2019 Board Admission! of Directors 400 S Badour Rd, Midland, MI 48640 Dennis Pilaske Paddling at CNC Executive Director Visitor Center Since 1966, 105 individuals have served on the Board of Located near the confluence of the Directors for Chippewa Nature Center, and we are currently Michelle Fournier Pine and Chippewa rivers, Visitor seeking nominations for future members Interpretive Naturalist Center features include: of the Board. In 2018, we bid farewell to Ecosystem Gallery with hands-on exhibits of CNC Colette St. Louis from SPACE, Inc, after ecosystems and a live reptile and amphibian exhibit six years of service. Colette was a tireless River Overlook with spectacular views of the Pine River supporter of CNC, serving on the Executive Committee, Leadership Transition Team, to observe animals through Wildlife Viewing Area CNC Board Development Committee, volunteering at one-way glass members, Jenni major festivals, conducting roadside trash Nature Discovery Area with nature-themed activities, books Bush (left) and pickups, trail maintenance, recruiting new and crafts Colette St. Louis members and so much more. Thank you Bur Oak Theater with short nature and history interpretive (right). Colette, for your years of service to CNC! videos We also welcomed Jordan Summers Nature Center Store offering nature-themed books, toys, as Treasurer of the Board. Jordan is a gifts, eco-friendly items and more Trust Officer for Chemical Bank Wealth Management and is responsible for Table of Contents administering personal trusts, investment agency and institutional accounts and Paddling at CNC ..................................................3 Jordan Summers advising clients on wealth management Playing in the Woods ...........................................4 solutions. He earned a JD from Wayne State University Law School, as well as BBA and MBA degrees from Northwood Calendar of Events he local rivers and creeks offer winding adventures Adults enjoy leisure time on the water, floating and watching University. Jordan and his family have volunteered at CNC June ..............................................................5-8 Taround deadfalls and sandbars, often with spectacular for wildlife such as mink, beaver and river otter. for several years. views of native plants and wildlife. While some of CNC’s July ...........................................................10-12 If you’re up for a more unusual adventure, join us on a trip The Board of trails follow the waters of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers, the August .....................................................14-16 in one of our 29-foot voyageur canoes. Modeled after the Directors is an best way to experience these waterways is to grab a kayak “freight trains” of the fur trade, large canoes such as these Discover the Homestead Farm ........................9 integral part of or canoe and paddle their waters. once hauled loads of valuable furs down local rivers and on CNC 2018 Land Restoration Efforts................ 13 creating and carrying Many animals seem less wary of a person paddling and the Great Lakes to trading centers at Mackinac and Detroit. out CNC’s policies oftentimes allow you to float by without darting for the No matter which boat you choose, we highly recommend Citizen Science .................................................. 17 that ensure sound underbrush. If you’ve never paddled under a tree with a picking up a paddle and taking a trip in a kayak or canoe. Donors & New Members ........................18-19 management stately Bald Eagle perched above, watching you drift quietly You’ll quickly find your pace of life slowing down and your and business Volunteer Opportunities .................................. 19 past, you should definitely try it! Other wildlife highlights may senses opening up to a new perspective. Familiar places take practices, as well as CNC 2017-18 Board of Directors include turtles, fish, herons and other birds. on a new look and feel as you float down a meandering implementation of the mission of the organization. Along Spring, summer stream, the air filled with birdsong and the sounds of the with CNC’s staff, they play a critical role in setting policy and Become a CNC Member! and fall, Chippewa flowing waters. managing the strategic direction of the institution. Their input Nature Center CNC members help promote stewardship of natural helps shape the future of this organization. For a full list of Nature Center paddling programs check out staff lead trips resources and help us teach visitors about the natural world. the calendar inside or view them on our website. In accordance with the bylaws, members are invited to for paddlers of Check out the benefits below, and review the various levels submit names, including their own, of persons they wish to all ability levels Have your own canoe or kayak? There is a launch along of CNC membership online. be considered for a position on CNC’s Board of Directors. in both kayaks Homestead Road at CNC, and be sure to check out the Nominations are due by July 15, 2018. If selected, the three year and canoes. Kids universally accessible launches in Midland County, located • Quarterly newsletter by mail term would begin at the Annual Meeting in February 2019. enjoy Nature Day at CNC property on Chippewa River Rd (.3 miles west of M30), at the Tridge in Downtown Midland and at Sanford • 20% off registered programs Please send the name, address, phone number, and Camp adventures • Members-only events Lake Park. qualifications of anyone you wish to have considered to: all summer and • 10% store discount relaxed family See you on the water! Chippewa Nature Center trips down the Mark Robertson, Secretary On the front cover: Visitors participate in Family Yoga; Immature Bald Eagle Chippewa River. see pages 8, 11 and 15 for more information. 400 S Badour Rd • Midland, MI 48640 Chippewa Nature Centerwww.chippewanaturecenter.org Newsletter | Published Quarterly | • Summer 2018 www.chippewanaturecenter.org | 3 Calendar of Events June sun mon tues wed thurs fri sat 1 8-10 am 2 FREE Programs Affiliate Programs Bird Walk • Registered Trips• & Workshops 9:30-10:30 am *If weather• conditions are unfavorable, a program Story Hour may be canceled (determined at CNC’s discretion). 10 am-2 pm Geocaching 1-5 pm 3 4 6-9 pm 5 6:30-8 pm 6 8 am-12 pm 7 9:30-10:30 am 8 2-3 pm 9 Discover the Teacher’s Night Mid-Mitten Bird Banding Wee Stroll Families in Nature: Homestead Farm in Nature Chapter of Wild 9:30 & 11 am Frogs & Pollywogs Story Hour Playing in 6-9 pm Ones Mid-Michigan 6-10 pm ‘The Woods’ Rock Club Nayanquing at Night 6:30-9 pm 10 Valley Herb Society Jenn Kirts 1-5 pm 11 7-9 pm 12 13 8 am-12 pm 14 15 9 am-4 pm 16 Discover the Paddles & Pints Bird Banding Chippewa River Director of Programs Homestead Farm Kayak Adventure 1-5 pm 17 18 19 8 am-5 pm 20 8 am-12 pm 21 22 1-2:30 pm 23 Discover the Summer Bird Banding Pollinator Power Homestead Farm Exploration Days 9:30 & 11 am 2-3 pm Story Hour Read in the Woods June 17-Aug 18 2-3:30 pm 6-9 pm 7-8:30 pm 5-7 pm Midland Camera Slithering Snakes Evening Kayak on Celebrating the the Chippewa Painting the Club - Photo Show Summer Solstice Cabin 1-5 pm 24 25 6-9 pm 26 2-3:30 pm 27 10-11 am 28 11 am-12 pm 29 8:30 am-5 pm 30 Discover the Evening Kayak on Turtle Trek River Critter Fun in the Mud Rifle River at Discovery Preserve ackyard play may include fording rivers, creating a hero’s Visitor Center and Resource Building. This 1/3 acre space Homestead Farm the Chippewa Family Yoga Recreation Area 6-7 pm Hike & Paddle secret hideout, making homes for ants and toads, serving will feature a water pump, a couple of platforms, lots of logs 8:30-10 pm Fun in the Mud at B Full Moon Stroll CNC high tea for the fairies in attendance, and laughing through to walk on, sticks for building and for some portion of the 8 am-5 pm Mon-Sat | Sun & select holidays 12-5 pm Summer Exploration Days it all. Research tells us that unstructured outdoor playtime year, a vernal pool. Benches and a table will be available for is critical to healthy child development. Time spent without parents or grandparents who need a break from play. It is Bird Walk Beginners and experts alike are invited the rules and constructs of adults helps children build social our hope that Sat, June 2 • 8-10 am to stop by the Visitor Center on this and emotional skills. Walking slippery logs, building forts from The Woods will Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult National Trail’s Day anytime during the sticks and learning to carry buckets of water, with or without become your Spring migration is underway with new event to begin your adventure in search drenching yourself, build physical skills. Nature is the perfect family’s backyard birds arriving every day! CNC’s variety of geocaches! Geocaches are small playground for our children with wide-open possibilities, few play place, a of habitats support over 200 bird species, containers hidden in nature that can be rules and an abundance of materials that can be anything spot where making this an excellent wildlife hotspot. found using GPS units and the coordinates that we provide they imagine. your children or Learn to identify birds with an experienced naturalist using you.