Native Plant Sale on Saturday May 3, 2008 10 am to 12 pm
Come purchase some beautiful native plants for your yard on Saturday May 3. Dr. Dave Warners will lead several garden tours sharing tips with you about planting successful rain and dry prairie gardens. All proceeds benefit the Wetlands and Woodlands Summer Camp Program. For a complete list of plants for sale and more information about the sale please see our brochure. Native plants are important sources of food for many of our birds and butterflies species. If interested in planting native plants for butterflies, please check out our list of Kent County butterflies with their preferred nectar and host plants.
New Banners and Paintings to be displayed in the Display Hallway
Artist Chris Overvoorde and 12 quilters have been working to put together a new display of 26 quilted banners and two landscape triptychs at the Interpretive Center. It will be hung in the expansive ceiling space of the Display Hall. The public is welcome to attend a reception at the Interpretive Center on the evening of May 14, 2008 from 7:00 to 9:00, when the paintings and first group of banners will be dedicated.
Free Workshop for Environmental Educators
On April 26 from 9am to 4pm there will be a free workshop at the Bunker Interpretive Center featuring the Leopold Education Project. At the workshop, basic but highly useful information on Michigan natural history and conservation ethics will prepare educators to successfully and efficiently use curriculum materials with students. For details, please check out the brochure.
Butterfly House
Have you noticed the new structure just west of the Interpretive Center, on the other side of the paved circle? It is going to be a butterfly house! More details to come later.
Spring Educational Programs for Schools
We are currently scheduling our spring school programs for April 14 through May 15. Our program leaders are looking forward to sharing the joys of spring on the Preserve with the elementary school kids. For more information, please check out our brochure.
Summer Camp
We are now accepting registration for our Wetlands and Woodlands Camp for children from ages 4 to 8 this summer. Check out the details at our Summer Camp site.
Spring is here! For a complete list of animals found on the Preserve click here.
What to look for while walking on the trails on the Preserve - Be sure to share your findings at the Interpretive Center!
- Spring Wildflowers are blooming. Look for Yellow Trout Lilies, Spring Beauty, and Cut-leaf Toothwort along the trails.
- Garter Snakes – listen for them as they rustle the grass and leaves on the ground
- Birds – American Robin, Red Winged Blackbirds, Yellow Rumped Warblers, Song Sparrows
- In the freshly filled ponds look for:
Turtles
Frogs. Their calls are filling the air.
Mallards and Black Ducks
Blue Herons
Muskrats – One is frequently seen swimming every which way around South Pond
