Falling Leaves Walk
Join Naturalist Karen Breternitz for this exploration hike along the rivers. We will look for galls on fallen leaves, mushrooms on rotting logs, flowers on late blooming plants and anything else of interest along the way. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center.

F10-31 Wilderness Waterfalls of Munising
Michigan's Upper Peninsula has nearly 200 waterfalls, but we'll visit only half a dozen or so on this field trip. The featured falls will be Rock River and Silver Falls, a dynamic duo located in the Rock River Wilderness Area west of Munising. On previous (early spring) trips, these falls have been inaccessible to us due to heavy winter snows that left the Forest Service roads impassable even in early May! So this time out, we're tackling them in the fall, when the roar of the water will be lessened, but the roads SHOULD be open! Plus, we'll have peak fall colors to enjoy along the way. The hike to these falls is classic Upper Peninsula hiking -- a couple of miles of rocks (which are slick when wet), steep slopes, narrow trails, lots of tree roots, and year-round mud! But the surrounding scenery is beautiful! Participants need to wear sturdy hiking boots, and be prepared to be out ALL DAY in a wilderness area (meaning "trowel toilets," with CNC providing the trowels) on Saturday. On the other days, we will explore more easily-accessed waterfalls, including Wagner, Munising, and the hidden jewels, Tannery and Memorial Falls, in the Michigan Nature Association's Twin Falls Preserve. Other possibilities, depending on time constraints, are Whitefish, Au Train, Miner's and Hay Meadow Falls.

CNC's Senior Naturalists, Janea Little and Phil Stephens, will lead this trip, which means we'll also spend time looking at birds, flowers, trees, geology, etc. We'll spend some time at all of the falls, just enjoying the show and perhaps a sack lunch, so be sure to bring your camera.

Transportation will be in CNC's vans. The registration fee does NOT include meals or lodging. A block of rooms has been reserved at the Munising Comfort Inn - please call (906) 387-5292 to reserve your room, and be sure to ask for the Chippewa Nature Center rooms to receive the group discount. If you would like to share a room with someone, let us know when you sign up. (If you DON'T want to share a room, let us know that, too.) Participants should plan on bringing sack lunches for all three days. Evening meals on Friday and Saturday will be at local restaurants; breakfast Saturday and Sunday will be the hotel's continental breakfast.

Nature for Youth (Nature's Colorful Ways)
This program is designed to help kids develop a connection to the natural world through fun, hands-on activities including experiment stations, games, crafts, and more. Each session is held on the first Saturday of the month at the temporary Visitor Center.

Natural History of the White-tailed Deer
Join naturalist Tom Lenon for a presentation/hike where he shares the natural history and behaviors of the white-tailed deer. This is a time of year where it is easy to find signs of deer and it is very likely that some deer will even be observed. Learning how to age deer, understanding some of their vocalizations, exploration of their preferred habitats and discovering many of their unique characteristics will be covered in this program.

Falling Leaves Walk
Join Naturalist Karen Breternitz for this exploration hike along the rivers. We will look for galls on fallen leaves, mushrooms on rotting logs, flowers on late blooming plants and anything else of interest along the way. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center.

Understanding Cemetery Headstone Symbolism
The final resting place has connected people to each other and the places they live for countless generations. While many of us are familiar with headstone inscriptions, the incredible wealth of symbolism they hold is often ignored or misunderstood. In this program, you'll learn how to interpret 19th century symbols from the natural world, classical Greece and Egypt, fraternal and religious organizations and much more. For more than 15 years, Kyle Bagnall has explored and photographed headstone symbols in Michigan. Join him for this fascinating glimpse into a quiet world.

F10-28 Adventures for Women: All Day Trippin' Down the Chippewa
Most of our paddle trips on the Chippewa River are just a couple of hours, from CNC's boat launch to the Tridge, or from our Chippewa Cabin site to our main property. But this time out, we're going to make a whole day of it! We'll put in at Magruder Road and paddle all the way to our main canoe launch (just past the Pine/Chippewa confluence), with a lunch break at Midland County's Manitou Park and another rest stop at CNC's Chippewa Cabin. (Facilities are not exciting at either place - both have pit toilets.) The Magruder Road site is not an easy put-in site - a steep bank with a healthy poison ivy population, but once you're in, it's a beautiful stretch of river! At Manitou Park, the trail up to the restrooms and picnic area is quite steep, so we'll just tie our boats up at the bank. Participants should dress for changing weather conditions through the day, and bring beverages/sack lunch/snacks.

Autumn Walkabout
Spend an afternoon enjoying a leisurely stroll as we discover the treasures of the Autumn landscape. Perhaps we'll encounter some colorful fungus, unique seeds, or busy chipmunks. Participants of all ages will enjoy learning as we wander through the woods.

Rambling at the Ridge
Falling leaves of many colors and tracks of many shapes and sizes are just a few of the things you can discover while rambling at the Ridge area today. Enjoy an autumn afternoon outdoors discovering nature's artistry. Meet at the Ridge Area parking lot on Grey Road.

Not-So-Early Bird Walk
Birding gets a little easier at this time of year, at least for people who like to sleep in a bit! Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for part or all of this hike along CNC trails to look and listen for birds, including year-round residents, late fall migrants, and early-arriving winter visitors. Loaner binoculars are available.

Stroll Through Averill's Logging Past
In the 1880s the small town of Averill, just west of Midland City, boasted the 'largest banking grounds in the world' on the banks of the Tittabawassee River. Join Kyle Bagnall, CNC's Manager of Historical Programs, for a stroll into Averill's past at the famous banking grounds. Here, you'll hear local lumbering tales, view historic photos of the site and appreciate recent efforts the Little Forks Conservancy has made to preserve its rich history and natural resources. Wear walking shoes and meet in Averill at the Tittabawassee River overlook of the Pere Marquette Rail Trail, near the interpretive sign, where we'll begin our hike.

F10-33 Adventures for Women: Chippewa River Kayaking
BRRR! Yes, this could be a cold one! You know how fall is in Michigan - this kayak trip could be warm and cozy, or a winter adventure! If the combined air and water temperature is below 100 degrees, participants on this trip will be required to wear a wetsuit (local rentals available at very reasonable fees - call Janea Little, 631-0830, for details). We'll put in at the Chippewa Cabin and enjoy fall colors (past their peak, but still great!) on the two-hour float trip down to the main canoe launch at the Pine/Chippewa confluence.

Kicking Leaves Hike
How long has it been since you kicked your way through a carpet of leaves? Join us as we enjoy the fall colors and smells as we kick through the leaves on the trail. Learn why leaves change color and how the plants are preparing for winter. This slow, short hike will be led by Naturalist Karen Breternitz, so fungi will be a choice topic too!

W10-12 Fire and Cordage Making Workshop
Join CNC's Dennis Pilaske and Kyle Bagnall to learn the traditional skills of making cordage from plant fibers and creating fire in this hands-on workshop. Use basswood bark, dogbane and swamp milkweed to create string of any size and length. Learn the skill of "rubbing two sticks together" to create fire in minutes with a bow and drill or make a fire with flint and steel in seconds. Participants will receive materials for cordage making, a bow and drill kit and a flint and steel kit to take home.