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Please Note: We are pleased to offer this schedule of hikes and programs, led by our knowledgeable volunteer Docents and staff. Do dress according to weather. So that we may provide the best experience possible and be fully prepared, we require (and appreciate!) advanced registration. Most hikes last about two hours unless otherwise noted. Please call 231-256-9665 to register or if you have further questions about directions. You can learn more about the Docent who will be leading your hike by using the link to the right. August Tuesday, August 12 10 am – noon Explore woodlands, dunes and meadow habitats as you hike this amazing 330-acre natural area with docents Ed Arnfield and Roland Drayson. Learn how glaciers shaped Leelanau and Houdek Dunes. Look for tracks and trails of secretive animals that are known to inhabit this part of the county. Thursday, August 14 1 – 3 pm Join docents Lou Ricord and David Harris for a hike around this special piece of land in Empire. Come explore the new trail system that will take you to the stream, through the old orchard and into the pine plantation to see some of this area’s natural beauty. Saturday, August 16 7:30 - 10 pm Experience sunset and moon rise at the Cedar River Natural Area. Take an evening kayak trip (canoes are fine too) down Victoria Creek with Conservancy docents Alice Van Zoeren and Pam Schmidt, and paddle back under the light of a full moon. Meet in Cedar at the parking area near the ball diamonds. You will need to provide your own kayak or canoe. Wednesday, August 20 10 am - noon This hike, led by docents Jack Schultz and Judy Hoeffler, will feature an examination of the climax northern hardwood forest, a transitional forest of very large aspens, and the bottomland complex of hardwoods and conifers growing in the flood plain of Belanger Creek. Interesting lesser vegetation is found in the soft ground along the creek. August 22 - 24 Empire photographer Jeff Ripple will showcase photos he has taken in Leelanau, including many from our properties. Jeff's large frame, high detail images of Conservancy lands will be made into a wall calendar for 2009. Opening reception on Friday, August 22 from 6-9 p.m. Learn more about Jeff and see photos he has taken of our natural areas at www.jeffripple.com. A portion of the proceeds of sales at this exhibit will benefit the Conservancy. You may also see samples of Jeff's upcoming calendar and order a copy from him. $2 from every calendar sold will be donated to the Conservancy. Jeff also generously donated a print of his Hall Beach photo to our auction, but most important, Jeff has beautifully captured our natural areas on film and will allow us to use his work in our publications, materials and on our website to further our mission. Wednesday, August 27 10 am - noon Learn songs of birds, enjoy the lush green forest and look for evidence of animal activity…all while hiking up this glacial moraine to a spectacular view of Lake Michigan. Join docents Judy Smart and Judy Hoeffler for this ascent up Whaleback. September Saturday, September 6 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Sustainable Gardening: Dr. Douglas Tallamy, Chair of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at University of Delaware will headline this event with his PowerPoint program on native plants gardening. This presentation will demonstrate how native plants are not only sustainable, but how crucial it is to incorporate them into our personal landscapes on behalf of birds, butterflies, amphibians and other wildlife. Tallamy is the author of Bringing Nature Home. Copies will be available for purchase and signing. Sustainable Development: Craig Rautiola, Director of Environment, Health and Safety for Fairmount Minerals, Ltd., will present his powerful program about sustainable development following a short break. Rautiola not only works within his own company on sustainable development, he also strives to influence other industry leaders to adopt sustainable practices. At Fairmount’s suggestion (and with assistance from the corporation), Menomonie, Wisconsin, is working toward becoming a sustainable city. Partners in this presentation include: Saving Birds Thru Habitat, Leelanau Conservancy, Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, Leelanau Conservation District, Grand Traverse Conservation District, MSU Extension - Leelanau and the Master Gardener Association of Northwest Michigan and Plant it Wild. This event is free, but folks should call 231-271-3738 to pre-register as the room will only hold between 120 and 150 Saturday, September 6 1 – 4 pm This presentation will demonstrate how native plants are not only sustainable, but how crucial it is to incorporate them into our personal landscapes on behalf of birds, butterflies, amphibians and other wildlife. More details about the presenters are on our website calendar. This event is free, but space is limited. More info: 231-271-3738. Thursday, September 11 10 am - noon Explore woodlands, dunes and meadow habitats while hiking through this natural area with docents Judy Smart and Judy Hoeffler. Learn a bit about the history and the geology of this special place. Saturday, September 13 3 – 5 pm Join docents Jack Schultz and Judy Hoeffler for a stroll through the lowland mixed conifer and hardwood forest adjacent to Kehl Lake. Large white pines and aspens, along with other species, make this a unique forest community. Thursday, September 18 10 am - noon Join docents, Ann McInnis and Marsha Buehler for a vigorous hike up Whaleback. You’ll wander up a forest path to the platform to see one of the North’s most spectacular views of Good Harbor Bay, the Manitous and Pyramid Point. Saturday, Sept 20 1 – 3 pm Join docents Lou Ricord and David Harris for a hike around this special piece of land in Empire. Come explore the new trail system that will take you to the stream, through the old orchard and into the pine plantation to see some of this area’s natural beauty.
October Saturday, October 4 2 – 4 pm Explore woodlands, dunes and meadow habitats as you hike this amazing 330-acre natural area with docents Sharon Oriel and Jack Schultz. Learn how glaciers shaped Leelanau and Houdek Dunes. Look for tracks and trails of secretive animals that are known to inhabit this part of the county.
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