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Welcome to Notes from Nature!
This is our new monthly e-newsletter where we will highlight all things natural resources in Rochester Hills. If there is anything in particular you would like to learn about, share it with us via email at parks@rochesterhills.org.
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The month of April is a special one for our Parks and Natural Resources Team as the community celebrates Earth Day and Arbor Day.
The City will be celebrating both days later this month, first Earth Day with a screening of the movie "Sh*t Saves the World" on April 20 at the Museum at Van Hoosen Farm, followed by a Tree Planting on Arbor Day (April 28) at 4pm at the Museum. Pre-registration is required for the movie - register here.
This will be Rochester Hills' 33rd consecutive year as a Tree City USA community, and to celebrate we will be planting a tree on the Museum grounds. The tree is also being planted in honor of the 200th Anniversary of Stoney Creek Village.
Sap to Syrup Pancake Breakfast
Visit Bloomer Park to see an old-fashioned sap-to-syrup boiling operation. Sample some syrup and enjoy a pancake breakfast with sausage, juice, and coffee at 9, 10, or 11am on Saturday, April 15. Tickets are $12/adult and $6 children 3-12.
Click here to pre-register!
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Pedal in the Park
Grab your bikes and join us at 5:30pm on Wednesday, April 19, for a guided bike tour of some of our natural areas along the Clinton River Trail. The ride will start at Innovation Hills where we will pedal our way along the boardwalks to other parks and green spaces. We will make periodic stops to learn more about the wildlife and natural features along the way.
Click here to pre-register!
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All About Birds: An Adaptive Program
Learn all about birds with Ms. Wendy and our Naturalists in this adaptive program with RARA at 5:30pm on Wednesday, April 26, at Bloomer Park. Participants will build a feeder, learn about different types of feathers, and take a hike to look for some of our feathered friends. This program is designed for people with disabilities.
Click here to pre-register!
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Senior Health Focused Talk & Hike
Join us and Ascension Providence Rochester for a healthy talk and hike at 10am on Wednesday, April 26, at Innovation Hills. The topic is "Gardening, preventing back pain" and will be followed by a short hike at the park. This is a free program.
Click here to pre-register.
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Silent Sharing Hike
Join us as we hike in silence, taking in nature. The hike, which takes place at 7:30pm on Thursday, May 4, at Bloomer Park, will be followed by a discussion with our naturalist on what everyone observed and heard.
Click here to pre-register!
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Tap into your adventurous side at O.A.K. in the Hills!
Explore the outdoors at the free O.A.K (Outdoor Adventure Kickoff) in the Hills on Saturday, May 20, at Spencer Park.
This is the perfect event for outdoor enthusiasts (or even outdoor first-timers) to learn more about a variety of outdoor activities and programs.
Some of the highlights include: rock wall, zip line, fishing, hiking, camping, biking, archery, pickleball, bee keeping, puppy yoga, live animals, art, and so much more!
The event runs from 11-3pm and is being hosted in partnership with Oakland County Parks and sponsored by MooseJaw.
To learn more and complete your waiver, visit rochesterhills.org/oakinthehills.
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Ruby Green Space is a true gem
The first green space to be preserved in the southern portion of the City is the 14-acre Ruby Green Space. It was purchased in 2016, and is home to an acre of wetlands as well as a thriving habitat to many varieties of wildlife. Despite being surrounded by homes and a school, Ruby offers a secluded, retreat-like setting due to its size and mature growth. Come explore the Ruby Green Space with the Green Space Advisory Board for a Second Saturday Hike on April 8. The group will meet in the City Hall parking lot at 10 a.m. For more information on green spaces, visit rochesterhills.org/greenspace.
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Fish for steelhead in the Clinton River
Steelhead is a name given to migratory rainbow trout that are born in rivers but spend most of their lives in the ocean or Great Lakes. Most rainbow trout return home to spawn in the stream in which they were born or stocked. This is good news for those who like to fish as young Steelhead are stocked annually in the Clinton River by the Michigan DNR. A popular fishing spot is the Main Branch of the Clinton River below Yates Dam that runs from Rochester Hills to Lake St. Clair and receives an impressive spring run of Steelhead. Oh, and we should mention that the month of April is one of the best for fishing.
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The colorful pop of an American Sweetgum
The star-shaped leaves with five lobes is the sign of an American Sweetgum tree. It provides brilliant fall color, with leaves turning vibrant shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. Full sun is the ideal condition for this tree, and it can be found in a variety of different types of soils. Its seeds and fruits are often eaten by birds, chipmunks and squirrels. The American Sweetgum is also one of the trees offered through our Community Canopy Program. We have a few trees left so make sure you get your free tree by clicking here.
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