|
Visit the Ottawa County Parks - Program and Events Calendar for
event details and registration.
Call the Nature Education
Center for more information: 616-786-4847.
 Latest News on Invasives
From garlic mustard to New Zealand mudsnail, emerald ash borer to hemlock woolly adelgid, our awareness of invasive species has grown as well as the complexity of the conversation.
For many, the growing information on invasive species causes us to feel overwhelmed. This presentation will review the status of several common invasive species, give information on what is around the corner, and provide resources for everyone to find their niche in the invasive species conversation.
Registration required.
 Western Michigan Vernal Pool Training Workshop
Come join us for a FREE workshop to learn more about vernal pools and how you can help monitor and protect these important wetlands! To learn more about thie event click here.
Please RSVP - email AshleyAdkins: hurdashl@msu.edu
Or call; 517-284-6211
Parks & Public Health
team up to offer Step it Up! program for a third year
Step
it Up! is free, 8-week program is designed by Ottawa County Parks & the
Department of Public Health to help participants get active and visit new
parks. All levels of fitness welcome!
Step it Up!
participants will have access to a free online step and activity tracker
where they can record their progress throughout the challenge. Each week,
participants who track their activity are eligible for incentive prizes, including 2018 Ottawa County Parks passes and gift
cards to local farmers markets and outdoors stores, Meijer, and the Outdoor
Discovery Center. For more information, dates, times, locations and to register click here.
Download your digital guide to wildflowers in West Michigan!
If you have a smart phone, you can download the Wildflowers
of West Michigan guide and save it to your device (Android) or copy it to
iBooks (iPhone), so you can use it out in the field at a nature preserve. You
can also bring it along on a guided Wildflower Walk this spring:
bit.ly/ocparks-wildflower0-walks-2018. Thanks to the Land
Conservancy of West Michigan for creating and sharing this guide!
Each Spring, Ottawa Conservation District holds a tree seedling sale fundraiser and a native plant sale fundraiser. Both events generate operating funds for the important work of the District.
The native plant sale offers a wide assortment of Michigan-grown native flowering plants, ferns, and grasses. Often, this sale is accompanied by an educational seminar.
For more information, and order forms click here.
 Free Wildlife and Pollinator Habitat Workshop for Landowners
Landowners looking to attract deer, songbirds, pheasants and pollinators like butterflies onto their property, while improving air, water and soil quality, are invited to attend one of several free workshops about the programs and tools available to help create quality wildlife habitat.
For more information, dates and times click here.
 |
|
Woodcock Walk
Introduce yourselves to Woodcocks with a short presentation, then enjoy watching the sun set to the twitter of displaying Woodcocks!
Bring a small outdoor chair to carry along. Adults and children 12+.
Registration required.
|
 |
|
Wildlife Encounter - Bald Eagles
Bald Eagles have become a more common, yet no less majestic sight in Ottawa County. Be inspired by their comeback story and learn about this amazing bird.
The Wildlife Encounters series aim to introduce people to the amazing natural history of the wildlife found in our own yards, parks and region. These 30-45 minute presentations are geared for older children and adults. An optional guided nature hike or local field trip will follow after the program.
No registration required.
|
 New! Homeschool Explorers
"This is our Park!"
Does your family homeschool? Do you desire an educational opportunity that will engage and encourage your kids to explore more in the outdoors? Then this program is for you!
The two sessions of "This is our Park" are a trial run of a newly developed monthly Home School Explorers program that will begin in the fall of 2018.
In this program, kids ages 10-13* will be introduced to Hemlock Crossing County Park while learning how to properly navigate a natural landscape, make observations and record what they experience with words and art.
Registration required.
*Child should be 10 years by 12/31/17.
**Interested in staying up to date on homeschool programs? Subscribe to our new email list for homeschool families by signing up here: http://bit.ly/homeschool-news-ocp
|
Upcoming Programs/Workshops
 |
|
Twilight Hike
Experience your parks in a whole new way as you explore by moonlight!
Recommended for ages 10+
Registration required.
|
 |
|
Birding Walk
Whether you are an avid birder or are just desiring to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of spring bird migration.
No registration required.
|
|
