Enjoy Our Archive

Chippewa Nature Center launched this blog on March 4, 2009 to share tips for a greener lifestyle in a world where such information was scattered and hard to come by. Over the past two and a half years, access to such information has exploded across the web and many excellent resources are now available for easy access to information. A few choices include The Daily Green, The Queen of Green and National Geographic's Green Guide.  

Instead of continually trying to "reinvent the wheel", we've decided to let this blog sit in "archive mode" for a while as we assess how we can best use this format to connect with our readers. We've found that a huge majority of our online friends prefer our Facebook page, where daily program updates, trail conditions, photographs, and more are shared not only by CNC staff, but by YOU as well. That, we feel, is the best of all circumstances, when you are asking questions, sharing discoveries and interacting with us and each other. 

In that spirit, we hope you enjoy perusing the archive of articles and links on live green...naturally and check out our trail map and other information here. For up-to-date information, trail conditions, photo sharing, and to ask a question of CNC staff, please visit our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/cncmidland. 

For the most complete source of information about Chippewa Nature Center, visit our Home Page at http://www.chippewanaturecenter.org. Here, you'll find a  yearly program calendar, information about  facilities, hours, directions, newsletters, checklists, affiliate groups, and MUCH more! 

As always, if you have a question, comment or concern, please feel free to give us a call at 989.631.0830 or stop by the Visitor Center and chat with us in person. Our facilities are open year round, seven days a week and are free to the public. 

Visitor Center Hours: 8am-5pm (M-F), 9am-5pm (Sat), 1-5pm (Sun) 

Building closed Thanksgiving & Christmas Day.

Trails open dawn-to-dark every day

No pets, please

Many thanks to all of you who make Chippewa Nature Center a part of your lives. We hope to see you on the trail, on the river, and in the Visitor Center as you Venture Out into the wonderful world of nature!

Fun Fall Fungi

Autumn is here and the woods are alive with migrating birds, squirrels fattening up and the changing leaves of trees. It's also the season on amazing fungi, which fruit this time of year, spurred on by rain showers. As you take your next fall color walk at Chippewa Nature Center, don't forget to look down and enjoy these amazing residents of the forest floor. To learn more about amazing fungi, sign up for our weekend workshop, scheduled for October 7-9. For more details, visit http://www.chippewanaturecenter.org/cal_oct11.htm. Don't delay, the registration deadline is September 30th! 

Summer Photo Feature

Summer is here! Walk the woods, fields or wetlands at Chippewa Nature Center and you'll discover abundant life whichever way you turn. Be sure to watch your step, as slow-moving critters such as snails might be using the path. Bees are buzzing, flowers are blooming and green leaves are coming into their prime. Be sure to check our program calendar for our next guided hike or paddling trip, and also enjoy our trails on your own from dawn to dark every day of the year. Check us out on Facebook to let us know what you find and post your own favorite pictures from your adventures at CNC!

Snail Eyes

Young American Basswood leaves

Spiderwort

Widow Skimmer Dragonfly (immature male)

Green Frog (female)

Michigan Lily

Bird Banding at CNC

A Common Yellowthroat warbler gets banded
at the CNC Wetlands Area. 

This year marks the 8th season of bird banding research at the Chippewa Nature Center Wetlands Area. The project is headed by Mike Bishop, professor of biology and ornithology at Alma College in Alma, Michigan. From year-to-year, the data he gathers gives us clues to the overall health of different species that live at CNC. Mike’s research follows the protocol of the national “MAPS” program (Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship). A Nature Center staff member will also be on hand to help answer your questions and identify birds and other animals that are swimming in the ponds or flying by.

Mike Bishop demonstrates banding a
Downy Woodpecker to CNC Day Campers.

Visitors are welcome to observe banding from 8am-Noon on days which Mike is here banding birds. During this time, you'll hear facts such as the species, sex and age of the birds and have the opportunity to ask questions. Bring your camera, as you'll have excellent opportunities for photography!

For a full list of banding dates this year, check out our webpage calender here. If rain or windy weather is threating, please check the website, our Facebook page or give us a call for updated schedule information.

The Merry Month of May

May is a special time of year at Chippewa Nature Center. It is a month of rain showers and blooming flowers, young rabbits and new fawns, paddling trips and birding trips galore. We hope you enjoy these pictures of the season, all taken in the month of May at CNC. Remember, you don't have to travel to the depths of wilderness or to exotic mountain locations to be immersed in the beauty of our natural world. All you have to do is open your door and step outside! For a full list of upcoming programs at Chippewa Nature Center, visit our website calendar.

American Robin

Painted Turtles can be found on many Nature Center ponds.

This stylized photo is a Rusty Blackbird along the Chippewa River. 

Eastern Chipmunk with a full cheek!

Serviceberry Blossoms

White-tailed Deer resting in the woods

May Apple leaves in the Beech-Maple Woods

A young Great-horned Owl perched near the Homestead

April Photo Sampler

Enjoy these pictures all taken in the month of April at Chippewa Nature Center. You can post your favorite photos taken at CNC on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cncmidland.

Canada Goose swimming in the Chippewa River

Wild Turkey Feather in the Arbury Woods

Flowers on a Basswood Tree

Red Maple Tree flowers

Opossum Hiding in the Brush

White-Tailed Deer Jumping in the Snow

White-Tailed Deer Peeking Through the Trees

Naturally...

We've nearly run out of our first order of Blurb Books in the Chippewa Nature Center Store, but more are on the way! Get your autographed copy today for only $24.95 (members receive a 10% discount). Live far away? You can also pick it up in our Blurb Bookstore. For every copy sold online, Blurb donates and extra dollar to CNC! For an article about our book, including an interview with the author, check out Janet's Journals.

N A T U R A L L Y by Kyle W. Bagnall | Make Your Own Book

Visions of Winter

As we close out the first month of the New Year, enjoy these scenes of winter, all taken at Chippewa Nature Center. Better yet, check out our program calendar and join us for a snowshoe hike, bird walk or other adventure on and off the trails at CNC!

Our "famous" Red Oak near the Maple Sugarhouse.

If you can't come see a view in person, check out our webcam,
which hangs directly below the River Overlook.

White Pine cone



Snowy Fungi

A Black-capped Chickadee searches for seeds in the snow



A Gray Squirrel (black phase) trying to keep warm under its tail

Sunshine through snowy branches

Happy New Year!

Happy Green New Year! As the page of the calendar turns to January, let's pause to consider our relationship to the Earth. As each year passes, we're learning more and more about the human impact on our climate, plants, animals and insects and how they're all interrelated in amazing, intricate ways we never paused to consider.

What resolutions will you make this year to live more lightly on the planet? Will you recycle more, drive less and buy local produce. Which of the "Five Rs" will you focus on this year (Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Renew, Recycle)...or perhaps you'll work a little bit on all of them?

Trees cast shadows on snow in CNC's Beech-Maple Woods.

Remember, reducing our negative impacts on the natural world doesn't necessarily mean we make drastic lifestyle changes. It's better to make manageable resolutions we can keep rather than grandiose ones that will just get dropped altogether after a couple of weeks.

No matter how you approach it, the staff at Chippewa Nature Center hopes your New Year is healthy, happy - and GREEN! We truly appreciate your constant support and look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming programs or simply enjoying our trails.

For a full 2011 calendar of Chippewa Nature Center programs and events, be sure to check out our web page. 

Welcome Winter

Enjoy these scenes of early winter taken at Chippewa Nature Center. Better yet, grab your boots and a camera and make some special memories of your own on our trails, open every day, all year long. For more information about CNC trails, click the CNC Trail Map on our blog and check out our website for program updates and more.


An American Crow looks for something to eat (or some mischief to get in to).

 

Mouse tracks lead to the base of a Sugar Maple tree in the Beech-Maple Woods



A Mourning Dove searches for seeds in the snow



Icicles form along the roof of the Nature Study Building





Chippewa Nature Center's Grand Re-Opening!

It's finally here! After nearly two years, Chippewa Nature Center's Visitor Center renovation is complete. To commemorate the occasion, you're cordially invited to a Grand Re-Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony this Thursday, October 28, at 3:30pm. After the ceremony, you'll have a chance to explore the renovated building, relax in style in the remodeled River Overlook and play with the kids in the new atrium discovery area.

You'll enjoy shopping in our Nature Center Store, learning about nature with Ecosystem Gallery exhibits and watching birds at the Wildlife Viewing Area. The welcome reception will include light refreshments and special tours and is free and open to the public. For more information, be sure to visit our webpage at www.chippewanaturecenter.org or give us a call at (989) 631-0830. Hope to see you there!

Fall Color Show

Tulip Tree leaves in the Arboretum.

Fall comes to the banks of the Chippewa River

Maples turn to gold in the Beech-Maple Woods

Aspen leaves on a bed of moss

Green, Orange, Red and Gold against a cloudy sky

Red Oak leaf  (literally!)

Spotlight of sun on a maple leaf