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

environmental film series

If you are interested in films with an environmental message, and happen to be "up north" this summer, check out the University of Michigan's film and lecture series! (Free admission) The films range from "A Bug's Life" to more serious subjects such as "Gasland" (the environmental impact of natural gas fracking) and "The City Dark" (environmental and cultural impact of night sky pollution).  They will be shown at the U of M's Biological Station at Pellston. Be sure to call in advance, because sometimes there is a "hiccup" in the scheduling and titles/dates might be changed. For a listing of films and directions to the biological station, check out this website: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/umbs/events/environmentalfilmseries

The lecture series offers an equally diverse list of topics, including "Why do Smart People do Dumb Things", "Secret Singing Lives of Chickadees", and "Insect-Plant Interactions."  Here is the website for the lecture series: http://www.lsa.umich.edu/umbs/events/summerlectureseries

Enjoy the shows! 

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

Celebrate National Walk in the Woods Day!

From http://celebrateforests.com

This Saturday, May 21 is National Walk in the Woods Day. The American Forest Foundation is helping develop and facilitate a variety of U.S. celebrations for 2011 International Year of Forests throughout the year. This year, Saturday, May 21 is National Walk in the Woods Day, and we invite you to share this day with others. Consider helping youth and adults alike to discover a forest and learn about its importance by participating in, or leading, a “walk in the woods.”
 
Here are some ideas:

• Discover your forest!  Visit a nearby woodland, city or state park, or a national forest.
• If you own woodland, invite your family, neighbors, elected officials, or other members of your community to join you for a walk on your property.
• Take your children, grandchildren, or family/friends/neighbors’ children for a walk in the woods. Conduct an informal educational activity, for example using Project Learning Tree’s “Connecting Kids to Nature” activity series.
• Help a school improve its grounds by planting trees with students and teachers; involve a local youth club.
• Go camping, or just step outside and enjoy trees and all that they give us!

For more information, click here to plan your National Walk in the Woods Day activity.