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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. Wildflower Rescue Committee All wildflower rescue volunteers meet (rain or shine) at the Leland Village Green. Bring your shovel, gloves, drinking water and plastic bags. We provide boxes. We leave on time in carpools so please be prompt. Dig dates: April 25, 30, May 2, 7, 9, 12, 14, 16. For more info. and to get involved contact co-chairs Joanie Woods, 256-7154 or Patty Shea, 256-9249. Saturday, May 10 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. A Blossom Tour will be highlighted by bus excursions across Leelanau County’s most beautiful settings, all awash in spring cherry blooms. Three buses will leave in 20-minute increments from the Connie Binsfeld center in Lake Leelanau to make one-hour trips through Leelanau’s orchard country. Free. Sponsored by the Leelanau Conservancy, the Leelanau Enterprise and the Leelanau Soil Conservation District. More details here: Tuesday, May 13 10 a.m. Morning is the prime time to see and hear the wonderful birds of Leelanau – and to enjoy dew-covered wildflowers lining the trails. Join docent Mary Lyons and special guest Norv Hall on a hike to identify many species of birds from their song and flight. Saturday, May 17 10:00 a.m. Take a hike with docents Ann McInnis and Marsha Buehler to learn bird songs, view spring wildflowers, look for evidence of wildlife and much more while hiking up this glacial moraine. A spectacular view of Lake Michigan awaits at the top for ardy hikers. Sunday, May 18 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Bring kids for hands-on nature activities with the Conservancy’s own Ms. Wizzle, docent Ann McInnis. Many other nature organizations will also be on hand with nature-related info and activities. Tuesday, May 20 10:00 a.m. Docent Bobbie Poor will clue you into “Nature’s Top Ten” as you cruise the trails at this wonderful 330-acre natural area between Leland and Northport. Bring binoculars to search for avian songsters. Friday, May 23- Sunday, May 27 (Memorial Weekend) The 15th Annual Plant Sale on the Village Green in Leland is coming! Last fall and this spring our Wildflower Rescue Committee spent hours digging, potting and moving native wildflowers out of the path of impending development. Now is your chance to purchase unusual natives like ferns, jack-in-the-pulpit and trillium, along with a huge selection of nursery perennials. Hours: Friday and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p..m. Sunday noon to 3 p.m. All proceeds help maintain the Conservancy's Leland Village Green. For more info on helping to rescue wildflowers or if you know of a site where wildflowers might be saved, or are planning to excavate your own property, contact co-chairs Joanie Woods, 256-7154 or Patty Shea, 256-9249. Learn more about Wildflower Rescue. Saturday, May 24 1:00 p.m. This natural area in Empire offers an array of scenic beauty along newly constructed trails. Join docents David Harris and Ann Mason for a hike along a stream, through the old orchard and into the pine plantation to see some of this area’s natural beauty. Saturday, May 24 1:00 p.m. Join docent Dick Fidler for a hike around this historic farmstead near Traverse City. You’ll view the historic buildings on the property followed by a hike along the Cedar Lake Trail which leads to the lake and fishing pier. Sunday, May 25 2:00 p.m. This 210-acre natural area features meadows, old-growth woodland, water, shoreline habitats and lots of unique wildlife species. Join docents Ann McInnis and Marsha Buehler for a hike through this large, multi-faceted natural area near Northport. Thursday, May 29th 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Help build a new trail, care for hundreds of newly planted trees for wildlife and restore habitat for the amazing migratory birds at the new Tip of the Peninsula natural area. Meet at the corner of Cathead Bay Rd. and Lighthouse Pt. near Leelanau State Park campground and Lighthouse. Please register for the work bee so that you may learn about the projects on tap for the day and what tools to bring by calling Stewardship Director Jenee Rowe at 256-9665. Saturday, May 31 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. See May 29th for description. June Tuesday, June 3 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. See May 29th for description. Wednesday, June 4th 10:00 a.m. Explore woodlands, dunes and meadow habitats along with pink lady slippers as you hike this amazing 330-acre natural area with docents Ann McInnis and Ann Mason. 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. Tuesday, June 10 10:00 a.m. Join Leelanau Conservancy Docent Bobbie Poor and others on the trail at the Kehl Lake Natural Area for a leisurely stroll to enjoy spring’s show of wildflowers. Listen as the birds above will enlighten your day with their songs of spring. Tuesday June 10 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. See May 29th for description. Friday, June 13 10:00 a.m. Wildflowers , trees, mammals, birds, frogs, bugs, and many other inhabitants of this very special natural area are very busy this time of year. Join docents Ann McInnis and Marsha Buehler as they explore the wildlife action at this 210-acre natural area. Saturday, June 14 1:00 p.m. Join docent 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, June 14 1 - 3:30 p.m. See May 29th for description. Sunday, June 15 2:00 p.m. Join docents Ann Mason and Ann McInnis for a guided hike around the incredibly beautiful Teichner Preserve located on Lime Lake. Wetlands, wildflowers, Lime Lake and their wildlife all await your discovery. Saturday, June 21 8 a.m. Dr. Butcher is Director of Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society, and works out of the Audubon's Washington D.C. office. As Director of Bird Conservation, Dr. Butcher works with the State of the Birds reports, the WatchList of birds of conservation needs and more. He and Kay Charter, Director and founder of Saving Birds Thru Habitat, will lead this bird hike at our Lighthouse West property at the tip of the peninsula--a key spot along the migratory bird route. This hike is a joint fundraiser ($20 per person) between the Leelanau Conservancy and Saving Birds, with proceeds going toward improving bird habitat at Lighthouse West. Dr. Butcher will also hold a talk on Sunday, June 22 at Saving Birds Thru Habitat in Omena. Time TBA. To learn more and to register for either event, call Kay Charter at Saving Birds Thru Habitat: 231-271-3738. www.savingbirds.org Sunday, June 22 9:00 a.m. - Noon Come learn about photography while using live raptors as models. Wings of Wonder will host this class at the DeYoung Natural Area in partnership with Scott Tompkins. Learn great photographic techniques and interesting ways to capture wildlife, and specifically raptors, from Scott, a well-known professional photographer and teacher. This unique class, for most ages and abilities, will give everyone the opportunity to photograph live raptors up close and in a natural setting. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Must pre-register by June 16th. Participants must be at least 10 years old and all children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Class fee is $35.00 per photographer. Family discounts available. To register/more info: 231-326-4663 or wow@wingsofwonder.org. Thursday, June 26 7:00 p.m. Go on a twilight prowl with docent Ann McInnis to discover wildlife activity close to the summer solstice. Tracks, trails, traces, sounds, animal communications all help in telling nature’s story. Bring bug spray just in case. Saturday, June 28 1:00 p.m. This 145-acre historic farmstead in Elmwood Township has so much to offer everyone of all ages. Docent Dick Fidler will lead you on a tour of the property surrounding the historic buildings and the beautiful Cedar Lake Trail. July Thursday, July 3 10 a.m. Join Docent Bobbie Poor to watch for the colors of the Stars and Stripes as you walk along the trail to the overlook where you will share inspiration in the reading of the Declaration of Independence. The Conservancy will provide a copy for you.
Come by for coffee and see all the new and old Leelanau Preserver tiles installed at our Leland Village Green. If you have given a gift of a tile, or are a Leelanau Preserver tile recipient, please come and see your tile and meet our tile maker, Leif Sporck. Everyone is welcome at this wonderful celebration and expression of love for Leelanau. The Conservancy staff looks forward to meeting you! Friday, July 4 March with our super volunteers and parade marching coordinators, Bill and Jeannie Dennler, as they carry our banner and dress up as the flora/fauna from our natural areas. You can be a part of the fun too! It's a blast--and you get applause and cheers all along the route. Find out how to be a part of it by contacting Jeannie Dennler: Work: 419-893-3003; Home: 419-893-2728; Email: drjeannie1@aol.com Tuesday, July 8 1:30-3:30 p.m. Witness the comeback of the native species in the areas we began restoring last year! Now you can see the huge healthy oak trees towering over the fields. Help us to reveal more natural treasures as we remove invasive species in the upland portion of this property. Please call the office for details on the techniques we will use and how you may be able to help. These work bees require physically fit folks, who can lift 30 lbs, drag brush and use a brush cutter. Thursday, July 10 1:30 - 3:30 p.m. See July 8th description Saturday, July 12 – 10:00 a.m. Explore the wildlife communities found within this part of the Conservancy’s Cathead Bay Wildlife Corridor Greenway Project. Learn of efforts underway to save and restore interconnected quality wildlife habitats within this important bird migratory flyway. This hike will begin at the Finton Natural Area. Tuesday, July 22 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. See July 8th description Wednesday July 23 10:00 a.m. Greg Garman, a local artist, will lead a painting and sketching class using Wings of Wonder raptors as live models. Greg has a BFA in Fine Arts and has been painting birds for over 20 years. He shows in galleries regionally as well as nationally. Greg will introduce a variety of sketching and painting techniques, with an emphasis on how to capture the raptors on paper. Participants must be at least 10 years old and all children under age 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Bring your own art supplies. Class fee is $35.00 per person, family discounts available. Snacks and beverages will be provided. To register/more info: 231-326-4663 or wow@wingsofwonder.org. Thursday, July 24 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. See July 8th description August Thursday, August 7 5:00 p.m. This event promises to be even more wonderful than ever this year. Click here to learn more: Picnic and Auction Info 2008 Saturday, August 16 7:30 - 10:00 p.m. 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 docent Alice Van Zoeren 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. | |||||||||
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