Outdoors education at Waterloo State Recreation Area

Contacts: Katie McGlashen, 734-475-3170 or Ed Golder, 517-335-3014

Department: Natural Resources

 

Date: Feb. 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(First event date: March 10)

 

Saturday Go Get Outdoors Educational Series Offered at Waterloo State Recreation Area

 

The Eddy Discovery Center at Waterloo State Recreation Area in Jackson County has planned interesting outdoor educational programs for each Saturday in March. Sign up to Go Get Outdoors and discover Mother Nature in early spring. The events are free. Registration is preferred by calling the Eddy Discovery Center, 734-475-3170.

 

March 10

Recreation 101: Geocaching

Learn to use a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) unit to navigate on a treasure hunt along the park trails during the Rec. 101: Geocaching event starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 10. GPS units will be provided, but bring a few small trinkets to trade if possible.

 

March 17

Luck O’Waterloo Walk

Nature is full of lucky symbols. Learn more about them during the Luck O’Waterloo Walk starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 17. Learn more about why a rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover, acorns and feathers are considered lucky charms. They all have a story. Bring your lucky pair of hiking shoes and enjoy finding some luck in the woods.

 

March 24

Mother Nature’s Toolbox

Animals use “tools” to do their work. Learn about these amazing adaptations during a walk and talk along the Discovery Center’s trails starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 24.

 

March 31

March Into Spring

Learn about the harbingers of spring during a free event starting at 2 p.m. Saturday March 31 at the Discovery Center.

 

The Eddy Discovery Center in the Waterloo Recreation Area is located at 17030 Bush Road in Chelsea, Mich. For details on programs offered at the Eddy Discovery Center, call 734-475-3170. For more information on the park, call 734-475-8307 or visit www.michigan.gov/waterloo. A Recreation Passport is required for all vehicles entering Waterloo Recreation Area.

The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.