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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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April 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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4/3/12
Tues-
4/5/12
Thurs
9:30 am-3:30 pm
Registration Deadline: 3/27/12
Members: $60
Non-members: $90
Ages: 5-12 |
Y12-01 Spring Break Mini-Day Camp
Join us on this three day adventure filled with fun,
exploration and discovery! Each day we will
hike, play games, be creative, sing songs and have a
great time at camp. Campers will be divided
into smaller camp groups according to age. You won’t
want to miss this year’s Spring Break Mini
Camp!
New this year: Campers 8 years old and up
are invited to camp out at the Visitor Center on
Thursday night. After spending the night exploring the
outdoors, playing games and sleeping in the Visitor
Center, campers will be ready for pick up at 9 am on
Friday. The cost for the overnight experience is an
additional $10 to the regular mini-camp fee. |
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4/3/12
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. |
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4/4/12
Wed
7-8 pm
Admission: $2
Free for
Friends of Shiawassee NWR or Chippewa Nature Center (show
your membership card)
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
Animal Skull Investigator
You don’t have to be a crime scene investigator to
identify a skull you find while out on a walk or
digging a hole in your backyard. Each animal species has
a unique skull, and using clues from the
size, number and type of teeth, eye holes, brain cavity,
and other characteristics, you can
determine which you have found.
This program will be held at Green Point Environmental
Learning Center located at 3010 Maple
Street in Saginaw. It is co-sponsored by the Friends of
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge and
Chippewa Nature Center. Hope to
see you there! |
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4/5/12
Thurs
9-10 am &
10:30-11:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 3-5 w/adult |
Preschool Story Hour: Sneaky Salamanders
Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will
include a story and may include songs,
art, rhymes and other age-appropriate activities. |
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4/5/12
Thurs
7 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Midland Hike and Paddle Club
Join MHPC for their monthly meeting. |
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4/6/12
Fri
8:30-10:30 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
Full Moon Stroll
Spring is just getting started, but the night air is
likely to be filled with the calls, peeps, whistles and
songs of a variety of spring wildlife, including
American Woodcocks, Spring Peepers, Chorus Frogs
and Wood Frogs. In addition to the nightime symphony,
we'll enjoy the view of April's full moon,
known as the "Grass" moon, as it rises over the trees.
CNC Senior Naturalist Janea Little will also
help you learn to use your eyes, ears and feet at night
so you can enjoy a moonlit night without
using a flashlight. |
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4/7/12
Sat
10 am-12 pm
Registration Deadline:
3/30/12
Members: $5
Non-members: $7
Ages: 3-12 |
Y12-02 Nature's Eggs Extravaganza
Venture out for a special egg hunt event! Each child
will make his/her own egg hunt bag, then
venture into the woods to search high and low for hidden
eggs. Prizes will be awarded to all
participants. Before or after the hunt, be sure to spend
time in the Visitor Center discovering the
wonders of Michigan's egg-laying animals through various
games and activities. This event will
appeal to the whole family. For everyone's enjoyment,
group sizes for the hunts will be kept small
and children will be divided according to age. When you
call to register, be sure to specify your
child's age and hunt time. Hunt times are 10:00 am,
10:30 am, 11:00 am, or 11:30 am. |
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4/10/12
Tues
8 am |
Nature
Day Camp registration begins
Registration for 2012 Nature Day Camps begins
at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 10. You may register by
phone at 989-631-0830 or in person at the Visitor Center
at 400 S. Badour Rd. in Midland. |
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4/11/12
Wed
7-8 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 15+ |
Archaeology
at Mackinac
Join Dr. Lynn Evans, Curator of Archaeology for
Mackinac State Historic Parks, as she presents an
overview of recent archaeology at the Straits of
Mackinac. Hear about a new house being excavated at Fort
Michilimackinac and the reconstruction of another based
on archaeological research. You’ll also learn about a
recent archaeology project on Mackinac Island. Enjoy
this special look at historic Mackinac like you’ve never
seen before! |
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4/12/12
Thurs
7-8 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 15+ |
Paddling Midland County
Join Kyle Bagnall, Manager of Historical Programs, on a
visual exploration of places to paddle
throughout Midland County. Using maps, satellite images
and photography, Kyle will share his
extensive experience of the best access sites and river
conditions you'll find on local lakes and
rivers. You'll discover hidden gems such as the
Kawkawlin Flooding and learn some human
history and wildlife watching tips along the way. |
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4/13/12 Thurs
7 pm
Free Admission
All
Ages |
Valley Herb
Society
Join the VHS for their monthly meeting.
For program information, please contact Cathy Devendorf
at
cdevendorf@chippewanaturecenter.org or 989.631.0830. |
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4/13/12
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 from 9:00-10:00 am and 10:30-11:30 am. |
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4/14/12
Sat
2-3:30 pm
Free Admission
All Ages, under 18
w/adult |
Discovering Vernal Pools
Vernal pools appear each Spring as the snow melts and
rains fall. These special wetlands are
home to many aquatic invertebrates such as fairy shrimp,
cyclops, sideswimmers and many more.
They become parts of food chains that include frogs,
toads, and some birds. Come explore vernal
pools using dippers, nets, pans, and identification
guides and learn why we should protect these vanishing
wooded wetlands. Meet Educator Jeanne Henderson at the
Visitor Center. |
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4/14/12
Sat
7-10 pm
Members: $10
Non-members: $12
Ages: 12+
 |
IP12-02
Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Each year in November, The Banff Centre hosts the Banff
Mountain Film Festival, celebrating the
spirit of adventure and mountains! The top films from
that festival go on tour, and Chippewa Nature
Center is proud to host one of the stops on the World
Tour. See some of the best mountain films of
2011 featuring the people who live, play and enjoy those
area through high adventure, humor and
a love for the out-of-doors!
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is shown at
Bullock Creek High School Auditorium,
1420 South Badour Road, Midland, MI 48640. |
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4/15/12 Sun
2-4 pm
Registration Deadline:
4/9/12
Free Admission
Ages: 5+ w/adult |
Fishing Fun for Kids
Learn the basic skills of fishing. We will learn to tie
a simple knot, practice casting, rigging the pole,
placing a worm on a hook, and have time to fish.
Limited space available; please call ahead to reserve your
spot. Parent or guardian must accompany the child. |
|
4/17/12
Tues
7-9 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adults |
Woodcock
and Snipe Hike
Go on a hour hike with naturalist Tom Lenon to look for
Woodcock and Snipe. Tom will not only
show you the different habitats these birds use and
discuss their mating behaviors, but will also
attempt to find some of the birds as they go through
their spectacular mating displays. Wear dark
clothing to aid in getting us up close to the birds at
night. |
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4/18/12
Wed
6-7:30 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 12+, under 18
w/adult |
Mustard Pull
Help control invasive exotic plants at the Nature
Center. We will focus on pulling garlic mustard, a
very aggressive plant invading our woodland understory
that can crowd out spring beauty,
Dutchman's breeches and trillium. Our objective is to
remove garlic mustard from especially
sensitive areas before it completely takes over. Meet at
the Visitor Center. Gloves will be
provided. If weather conditions are unfavorable the
cleanup will be canceled. Please call Phil
Stephens at 631-0830 if you plan to come. |
|
4/19/12
Thurs
9-10 am &
10:30-11:30 am
Free Admission
Ages: 3-5 w/adult |
Preschool Story Hour: When Spring
Comes
Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will
include a story and may include songs,
art, rhymes and other age-appropriate activities. |
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4/19/12 Thurs
5:30-7 pm
Free Admission
All
Ages |
Nature Preschool Open House
Meet the teachers and see the classrooms and outdoor
play areas. Registration for the 2012-13 school year is
now open! |
|
4/20/12
Fri
7-10 am
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
Birds & Bagels
 Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for a wonderful
spring bird hike, followed by snacks in the Visitor
Center as we look over a bird checklist to see how we
did. Early spring migrants such as phoebes
and White-throated Sparrows should be easy enough to
find, and perhaps some early migrating
warblers, such as Pine and Yellow-rumped. All levels of
experience are welcome; loaner
binoculars are available. |
|
4/21/12
Sat
pm
Free Admission
Ages: 15+ |
Green Fire!: Aldo Leopold And A Land Ethic For Our Time
Join Chippewa Nature Center and the
Mid-Mitten Chapter of Wild Ones for a free screening
of Green Fire!
See the first full-length, high-definition documentary
film ever made about legendary
conservationist Aldo Leopold and his environmental
legacy. Green Fire shares highlights from his
extraordinary career, explaining how he shaped
conservation and the modern environmental
movement. It also illustrates how Leopold's vision of a
community that cares about both people and
land continues to inform and inspire people across the
country and around the world, highlighting
modern projects that put Leopold’s land ethic in action
in a multitude of ways. |
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4/21/12
Sat
3-9 pm
Registration Deadline:
4/13/12
Members: $28
Non-members: $35
Ages: 15+, under 18
w/adult |
F12-07 Towhees & Tombstones
With its mixture of trees, shrubs and open spaces, a
cemetery offers excellent habitat for many
migrating bird species. And for centuries, people have
been inspired by nature in the quiet,
reflective setting of the final resting place. Join
Senior Naturalist Janea Little and Manager of
Historical Programs Kyle Bagnall on the most unusual
birding trip of the year! We’ll visit several
local cemeteries in search of migrating birds and other
wildlife. We’ll also investigate nature
symbolism carved on many historic headstones to better
understand our ancestors’ relationship
with the Earth. Participants should dress for the
weather and bring binoculars and a sack dinner. Transportation will be provided via CNC's van. |
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4/22/12 Sun
2-4 pm
Registration Deadline:
4/21/12
Free Admission
Ages: 5+, under 18
w/adult |
Fishing Fun for Kids
Learn the basic skills of fishing. We will learn to tie
a simple knot, practice casting, rigging the pole,
placing a worm on a hook, and have time to fish.
Limited space available so call ahead to reserve your
spot. Parent or guardian must accompany the child. |
|
4/24/12
Tues
7-8 pm
Free Admission
Ages: 9+, under 18
w/adult |
Bird Banding Summary
Since 2004, Alma College’s Mike Bishop
has done bird banding research at CNC’s Wetlands Area.
Join Mike as he provides a summary of the research that
has been accomplished as it relates to the resident
birds banded at CNC. This program will help you
understand the diversity of birds living at the wetlands
and the information that can be gathered by banding
them. |
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4/25/12
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. |
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4/26/12
Thurs
6:30-10 am
Registration Deadline:
4/20/12
Members: $18
Non-members: $25
Ages: 15+, under 18
w/adult |
F12-08 Bird and Wildlife Road Survey in Midland County
Join CNC’s Director of Land and Facilities, Tom Lenon,
as we do a road survey looking for a
variety of birds and other wildlife in Midland County.
Road surveys are one way to monitor species
in an area from year to year. As you slowly drive back
roads early in the morning you will often
spot a variety of species that can be recorded and then
compared to other years. Habitat changes
over the years can also be documented. We will meet at
the Visitor Center, do a survey for
approximately 2 hours and then stop for breakfast before
heading back to the Center. Please note: the program fee does not include the cost of breakfast. |
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4/28/12
Sat
9 am-12 pm
Registration Deadline:
4/20/12
Members: $15
Non-members: $22
Ages: 18+ |
W12-05 Adventures for Women: Geocaching Workshop
What do you get when you mix space age technology and a
scavenger hunt? Geocaching! Louise
Wilkins, an avid outdoors woman and frequent participant
in the Adventures for Women programs,
along with CNC Senior Naturalist Janea Little, will lead
this program and take you through the
basics of geocaching - an outdoor activity that's been
sweeping the world for the last few years.
Geocachers use a hand- held GPS (Global Positioning
System) and the Internet to get coordinates
that will lead them to caches hidden all over the world.
The caches usually contain a log book,
recyclable camera and other treasures. The program will
focus on GPS basics, how to get cache
coordinates and responsible geocaching behavior. Explore
the outdoors in a new way by trying out
this popular activity. CNC will provide the GPS units.
(If participants bring their own, they must
already know the basics of using their specific model,
including how to enter latitude and longitude
coordinates.) |
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4/28/12
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! |
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4/29/12 Sun
2-3 pm
Free Admission
All Ages |
Singing the Stories of the Saginaw Valley
Dennis Pilaske will bring the history of the Saginaw
Valley alive through the use of traditional and
original songs that embody the spirit of the past. This
program will give you a chance to sing
along, get up and move, or just sit back and listen to
songs dedicated to the fur trade, lumbering,
pioneer life and farming. |
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2012:
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
July |
August
September |
October |
November |
December
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