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Take the Journey

 

Participants search for dwarf lake iris at a Grass Bay field trip

Support Field Trips

  Help support The Nature Conservancy protect many rare and unique areas in Michigan.

Event Calendar

July
National Parks & Recreation Month
20 Lake Superior Day

Field trip participants look for migrating birds at Erie Marsh Preserve

Field Trips

Join scientists and stewards from The Nature Conservancy for a day in the field Friday, September 26, 2008 – for free! Staff will explain and explore seven preserves around the state:

  • Helmut & Candis Stern Preserve at Mt. Baldy (Keweenaw County) – Study the botany of this unique natural community while overlooking spectacular views of Lake Superior. A VERY STRENUOUS uphill hiking experience led by Jeff Knoop, Brian Carlson, and Lara Rainbolt. Approximately five hours.
  • Grass Bay Preserve (Cheboygan County) – Learn about the Conservancy’s work to protect shoreline habitat at this preserve accessible only with staff. Dr. Doug Pearsall, Jack McGowan-Stinski and Rebecca Hagerman will take participants through a moderately strenuous hike across sandy soils. Approximately three hours.
  • Swamp Lakes Preserve (Luce County) – This extremely challenging hike led by Dr. Tina Hall will take people “totally cross-country – no trails, roads, total wilderness adventure” across very wet, uneven and thick brush terrain. The 5-6 mile loop will include open wetlands and a very unique “hidden” old growth stand.  Approximately seven hours.
  • Paw Paw Prairie Fen Preserve (Van Buren and Kalamazoo Counties) – Land Manager Matt Kleitch will take people on a hike through this unique natural wetland community and teach participants about our work to restore this fen to improve its natural hydrological function. This preserve is a botanists’ paradise with as many as 20 different species that can be found in a single square yard. Approximately three hours.
  • Ross Coastal Marsh Plain Preserve (Van Buren County) – Join West Michigan Conservation Director John Legge on a moderately strenuous walk through diverse flora along wooded inland dunes, wetlands, small lakes and northern hardwood forests. Approximately two hours.
  • Nan Weston Nature Preserve at Sharon Hollow (Washtenaw County) – Enjoy a leisurely walk through one of our most popular preserves with Land Steward Tom Tucker as he talks about the Conservancy’s work in the River Raisin watershed. Approximately three hours.
  • Grand River Fen Preserve (Hillsdale and Jackson Counties) – Working with partners in this priority area, The Nature Conservancy is implementing a diverse array of conservation methods to restore this critical riparian watershed. Steve Woods and Rodolfo Villegas will take hikers through a tour of this preserve, which is not typically open to the public due to intense restoration work ongoing at the site. Approximately three hours.

All field trips are free and open to anyone who registers in advance by contacting Rebecca Hagerman of The Nature Conservancy at (517) 316-2282 or online at mifotrips@tnc.org. Registration is essential to provide advance and follow-up information, and in the event that staff needs to contact trip participants in case of extreme weather cancellation. Most trips will begin at 9:30 a.m., but the length of each trip will vary.

“We think this will be a very fun, interesting and rewarding experience for members and people who are just curious about our work,” said Dr. Christine Hall, director of conservation programs. “With more research than ever before that supports the belief that we need to reinvigorate our connection to nature, we wanted to take this opportunity to open our doors and take people on a tour of our work. Our preserves are at the core of what we do. We protect nature not just for wildlife, but also for people.”

Events

Protecting our Oak/White Pine Savannas
With The Stewardship Network
Saturday, August 23: 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Coolbough Natural Areas

The Drill-and-Fill technique is a very efficient way to remove invasive trees without cutting them down. We will learn the technique and use it to help restore a portion of a oak/white pine savanna.

Leader(s) and Speaker(s): Jack McGowan-Stinski, The Nature Conservancy or Conservancy Staff.
Register online with The Stewardship Network or call (616)-785-7055

Nature picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © TNC Staff (Erie Marsh Preserve); Photo © Tom Tucker/TNC Staff (Grass Bay Preserve).