Chippewa Nature Center Calendar

Visitor Center Hours: Monday-Friday 8-5, Saturdays 9-5, Sundays and Holidays 1-5 Trails open every day from dawn to dark 2010: January \| February \| March \| April \| May \| June July \| August \| September \| October \| November \| December Download a Registration Form to sign up for fee-related programs

February 2010

1/1/10-12/31/10 Member: $5 Non-member: $7 All Ages	Walk 100 Miles Register at the temporary 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 2010 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

2/10/10 Wednesday 4:00 - 6:00 pm Free Admission Ages: 14+	Adventures for Women Snowshoe Hike Whether you are a beginner or have strapped snowshoes on many times before, you are welcome to join CNC Senior Naturalist Janea Little for a walk about our trails. We'll look for animal tracks, birds and other points of interest, and enjoy the snowy scenery. If you need to borrow snowshoes, please call 631-0830 to reserve a pair. Please arrive promptly at the start of the program so we can maximize our time outdoors.

2/11/10 Thursday 4:00 - 5:30 pm Free Admission Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult	Snowshoe Hike Native Americans used snowshoes for thousands of years to make winter travel through deep snow possible. CNC's Kyle Bagnall will teach you the basics of snowshoeing and then take you on a short walk on and off the trails to enjoy the winter wonderland. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center. If you need to borrow snowshoes, please call 631-0830 to reserve a pair. If snow conditions are unfavorable, the hike will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC). Please arrive promptly at the start of the program so we can maximize our time outdoors.

2/11/10 Thursday 6:30 pm Free Admission All Ages	Honey Bees and Native Bees Honey bee colonies have been hit hard by Colony Collapse Disorder. Many scientists have been studying the problem to find some answers. Bill Ferris, a local beekeeper and Wild Ones member will discuss the current research on this topic. He will also talk about what we can do to provide native habitats for the native bees, which are also valuable pollinators of agricultural and home gardens. He will show nest boxes for native bees, beekeeping equipment, and answer your questions. This program is open to the public and will be held in Chippewa Nature Center's temporary Visitor Center. This program is presented by the Mid-Mitten Chapter of Wild Ones, Native Plants Natural Landscapes. A short business meeting will follow the program and refreshments will be served.

2/12/10 Friday 8:00 - 10:00 am Free Admission Ages: 12+, under 18 w/adult	Winter Bird Walk Winter birding can be challenging if your binoculars fog and your fingers freeze, but it is so worth it to get a view of a Northern Shrike, Rough-legged Hawk or other winter visitor! Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for part or all of this bird walk. If there is a lot of snow, we'll use CNC's snowshoes (or bring your own); otherwise we'll stick to boots. Loaner binoculars are available.

2/12/10 Friday 7:00 - 9:30 pm Registration Deadline: 2/8/10 Member: $25/couple Non-member: $30/couple Ages: 18+	F10-04 Valentine Snowshoe Hike and Dessert - FULL This popular event is designed for couples who would like to spend an evening together enjoying the outdoors. Cathy Devendorf and Jeanne Henderson will guide you through the woods to explore the sights and sounds of the Nature Center after dark. For those new to snowshoeing, we will begin the evening with a brief lesson on using snowshoes and then head out on the trails for approximately 1 ½ hours. We will end the evening warming up inside and enjoy a special dessert by candlelight. If snow conditions are poor, we will enjoy a casual walk instead. Participants will receive a confirmation letter the week prior to the event with specific details. Please let us know at registration if you need to borrow snowshoes. This program fills quickly, so register early!

2/13/10 Saturday 7:00 - 9:30 pm Registration Deadline: 2/8/10 Member: $25/couple Non-member: $30/couple Ages: 18+	F10-05 Valentine Snowshoe Hike and Dessert - FULL This popular event is designed for couples who would like to spend an evening together enjoying the outdoors. Cathy Devendorf and Jeanne Henderson will guide you through the woods to explore the sights and sounds of the Nature Center after dark. For those new to snowshoeing, we will begin the evening with a brief lesson on using snowshoes and then head out on the trails for approximately 1 ½ hours. We will end the evening warming up inside and enjoy a special dessert by candlelight. If snow conditions are poor, we will enjoy a casual walk instead. Participants will receive a confirmation letter the week prior to the event with specific details. Please let us know at registration if you need to borrow snowshoes. This program fills quickly, so register early!

2/15/10 Monday 7:00 pm Midland Cinemas 6540 Cinema Dr. Free Admission All Ages, under 18 w/adult	CNC Annual Meeting (& More!) Join CNC for a review of 2009, board member elections and farewells and an expansion update. Following the business meeting, enjoy a brief presentation by Paul Barbeau, President & General Manager of the Great Lakes Loons with special guest Lou E. Loon! Then, sit back and enjoy The Uncommon Loon, a 56-minute documentary by Jeff Lange about a loon family on Round Lake near Petosky. Refreshments available for purchase. Sponsored by the Great Lakes Loons

2/16/10 Tuesday 4:00 - 5:30 pm Free Admission Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult	Snowshoe Hike Whether you are a beginner or have strapped snowshoes on many times before, you are welcome to join CNC's Jeanne Henderson for a walk on our trails. We'll look for animal tracks, birds, and other points of interest, and enjoy the snowy scenery. If you need to borrow snowshoes, please call 631-0830 to reserve a pair. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center. If snow conditions are unfavorable the hike will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC). Please arrive promptly at the start of the program so we can maximize our time outdoors.

2/18/10 Thursday 6:30 - 8:00 pm Free Admission Ages: 12+	Midland County Lumbering: Its History in Pictures Join Kyle Bagnall, Manager of Historical Programs, in this photographic exploration of Midland County's 19th century lumbering history. Learn what it was like to live in a local logging camp, how river drives were conducted, what our sawmills looked like, and see views of our forests that were changed forever by the axe and saw. CNC's collection of period lumbering tools will also be on display. This program will be held in the temporary Visitor Center classroom.

2/20/10 Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Registration Deadline: 2/12/10 Member: $40 Non-member: $45 Ages: 18+	F10-06 AuSable River Snowshoeing Join Tom Lenon and Dennis Pilaske for an exciting one day adventure that is fairly close to home, but spectacular in both natural and cultural history. We'll snowshoe along the AuSable River's high banks in the Huron National Forest. Participants will meet at Chippewa Nature Center's temporary Visitor Center at 8:00 am. During the day expect to hike 3-5 miles on snowshoes. We'll casually hike and take plenty of breaks, while learning about the area we're traveling through. The time spent hiking will also be split with a warm lunch prepared at the trailhead. Although the Lumberman's Monument Visitor Center is closed for the winter, we'll talk about the historic importance of this area from a lumbering standpoint, as well as visit Iargo Springs and spend time on the River Road Scenic Byway. We'll return to CNC around 5:00 pm. To borrow snowshoes and poles at no extra charge, please indicate at time of registration.

2/23/10 Tuesday 4:00 - 5:30 pm Free Admission Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult	Snowshoe Hike Native Americans used snowshoes for thousands of years to make winter travel through deep snow possible. CNC's Kyle Bagnall will teach you the basics of snowshoeing and then take you on a short walk on and off the trails to enjoy the winter wonderland. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center. If you need to borrow snowshoes, please call 631-0830 to reserve a pair. If snow conditions are unfavorable, the hike will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC).

2/27/10 Saturday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm Registration Deadline: 2/22/10 Member:$10 Non-member: $15 Ages: 15+	W10-04 Basic Rocks and Minerals of Michigan Rocks provide both beauty and information about our area's past. Join Senior Naturalist Phil Stephens for this hands-on workshop focusing on how to identify some of the basic rocks and minerals in Michigan and their possible origins. Phil will also share show some of Michigan's scenic geology, focusing on the Upper Peninsula and Isle Royale.

2/28/10 Sunday 6:30 - 8:30 pm Free Admission Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult	Full Moon Snowshoe/Hike Join Janea Little for a nighttime hike on snowshoes under the light of the full moon. With good snow cover, the bright reflection of the full moon will give us plenty of light to see by as we explore the Nature Center at night. With some luck, we'll see a fox or raccoon or hear coyotes howling at the moon! Please call 631-0830 if you need to reserve snowshoes. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center. Please arrive promptly at the start of the program so we can maximize our time outdoors.

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