Fungi Hike
There is more to mushrooms than what meets the eye, or the fry pan. Join Naturalist Karen Breternitz to learn how fungi rule the world! We will also debunk or confirm some common wives' tales about eating mushrooms, and try to find some choice edible fall mushrooms and learn how to identify them. Collecting is not allowed on nature center property but we can try to get other participants to tell us where they hunt! Meet at the temporary Visitor Center.

Nature for Youth (Butterflies!)
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.

Wildlife Walk
Early September evenings are still summer-like - full of the songs of katydids and tree crickets, with bats flying overhead and other wildlife collecting food for the winter. Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for this casual stroll to look and listen for wildlife along CNC's trails. Loaner binoculars are available.

Fungi at the River Point
The River Point property is an ideal location for an excellent variety of fungi. Learn to identify some choice edible mushrooms as well as some deadly poisonous ones. Lobsters, Honeys and Amanitas should be fruiting. This longer, but slow hike will be led by Naturalist Karen Breternitz, so a bit of forest ecology will be be covered...she can't help it. Note: We will not be gathering mushrooms for eating on this program.

Early Bird Walk
Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for part or all of this morning bird hike. The fall migration of songbirds is at its peak, so we should see a great variety of birds. Experienced and beginner birders are all welcome. Loaner binoculars are available.

F10-32 Big Island Lake Wilderness Canoe Adventure
The Big Island Lake Wilderness Area lies in the heart of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The area features 23 small lakes, ranging in size from five to 149 acres. The lakes are situated among low, rolling hills and are connected by canoe portages.

Our group will leave CNC in a 15-passenger van at 7:00am. As we arrive at the Wilderness Area we'll carry our gear and canoes to Big Island Lake and paddle to a backcountry campsite. We'll spend the next three days exploring northern lakes, observing wildlife and enjoying the peaceful pace of the northern autumn forest. On foot, we'll also look for evidence of old logging camps, an old homestead and abandoned railroad grades.

CNC will provide canoes, paddles, PFDs, a group water filter and other group gear. Other gear, such as portage packs, backpacks, dry bags, tents and sleeping pads are available for loan at no extra charge (first-come, first-served). Participants are required to provide all other gear and their own meals throughout the trip (including cooking gear and stove).

A required pre-trip meeting to review gear recommendations, a preview of photos from the area and backcountry camping basics will be held on 8/24/2010 in the CNC's temporary Visitor Center. A suggested gear list will be mailed to participants at time of registration.

Fungi at the River Point
The River Point property is an ideal location for an excellent variety of fungi. Learn to identify some choice edible mushrooms as well as some deadly poisonous ones. Lobsters, Honeys and Amanitas should be fruiting. This longer, but slow hike will be led by Naturalist Karen Breternitz, so a bit of forest ecology will be be covered...she can't help it. Note: We will not be gathering mushrooms for eating on this program.

Fungi Hike at Chippewa Cabin
The Chippewa Cabin area is one of our best locations for producing a wide variety of fungi and here's your chance to hike at an area reserved for guided groups. Meet Naturalist Karen Breternitz at the Chippewa Cabin on Chippewa River Rd. about ¼ mile west of Meridian Road. (For directions, call 631-0830). Note: We will not be gathering mushrooms for eating on this program.

Gazing and Grazing
Walking under the full moon is wonderful, but tonight we'll enjoy concentrating on the moon from the comfort of our lawn chairs! Please bring lawn chairs, blankets, warm jackets, cameras/tripods, binoculars, and of course, SNACKS - whatever you need to spend a comfortable hour just sitting and staring at the moon! Senior Naturalist Janea Little will be on hand to provide information about the moon, and any wildlife we see/hear. Parking for this program will be at the Nature Study Building "turn-around" parking area (just past the Homestead Farm).

2010 Memory Walk
http://www.kintera.org/FAF/home/default.asp?ievent=339397

F10-29 Family Canoe Trip
Here's an opportunity to get your kids or grandkids out to enjoy a trip canoeing down the Chippewa River. Jenn Kirts will spend time teaching the basic skills of paddling canoes and then be there to help everyone navigate down the river. Paddling a canoe gives you a totally different perspective on the landscape and the rivers around you. Throughout the trip, you'll have a chance to discover some of the rarely seen critters of this aquatic environment and learn how to safely avoid common hazards on a river. Group size is kept small so that each paddler will receive good attention and instruction. If weather or water conditions are not favorable this trip will be canceled (determined by CNC) and participants will be refunded.

Cider Sunday at the Homestead
Join us for an afternoon of cider-making the traditional way among heirloom apple trees at the Homestead Farm. Help crush and press apples by hand as we make pure apple cider. Also learn how to make small batches of cider at home and pick up some tasty recipes. Also watch (and smell!) as volunteers make apple treats on the cabin's woodstove. While we can't offer samples of the cider we make, cider and doughnuts from a local orchard will be available to taste.

How Do Plants and Animals Get Ready for Winter?
Bring the family to learn more about what plants and animals do to prepare for the cold, dark months of winter. CNC Educator Jackie Kelly will lead a short walk through the woods looking for signs of change.

Fungi Hike at Chippewa Cabin
The Chippewa Cabin area is one of our best locations for producing a wide variety of fungi and here's your chance to hike at an area reserved for guided groups. Meet Naturalist Karen Breternitz at the Chippewa Cabin on Chippewa River Rd. about ¼ mile west of Meridian Road. (For directions, call 631-0830). Note: We will not be gathering mushrooms for eating on this program.

F10-30 Sunset Kayaking
Beautiful colors of autumn, migrating birds, and a chill in the air will be highlights of this trip as we explore the waters of the Chippewa River under the light waning autumn sun. Using CNC's kayaks, this trip will begin at Chippewa Nature Center and end on the Tittabawassee River, near Midland's Tridge. If weather or water conditions are not favorable, this trip will be canceled (determined the day of the trip at CNC's discretion) and participants will be refunded.