|
Click to edit this intro text.
Announcements
Celebrate MI Trails Week
Michigan Trails Week (proclaimed this year by Gov. Rick Snyder as Sept. 22-29) is a perfect time for first-time trail users and seasoned outdoor explorers to get out and enjoy our local trails whether it’s by foot, bike, kayak or canoe.
Use our map to find a park or trail near you.
Not sure you’re ready to venture out on your own? Join us for a guided hike or kayak trip… scroll for our upcoming activities.
📢 Coffee with the Birds Mug Club photo contest! 📸
Have you taken a bird photo in Ottawa County that you think would look great on our 2019 Coffee with the Birds mug? We want to see it! To enter, email submissions of original size image files (up to 3/person) to naturecenter@miottawa.org.
- All entries must be from 2018.
- All entries must be taken in Ottawa County
- Please also include your first and last name, location, date of photo, and bird species.
- Submission deadline: November 1 at 9 am
The winning photo & mug will be revealed on December 8 at the first Coffee with the Birds event of the year.
The winning photographer gets prizes and chooses spring & fall mug club bird walk locations. Our 2018 winner was Charlie DeWitt with his photo of a Golden-crowned kinglet.
|
Historic pump house renovation wins State History Award
Restored between 2014 and 2017, the Pump House Museum and Learning Center in Holland, Michigan opened in 2018 with three permanent exhibits and a temporary exhibit about Holland’s iconic lighthouse, Big Red. More than 600 people toured the museum in its first month of operation.
Read more by clicking here.
 Museum exterior from Ottawa Beach Road, courtesy of Lou Schakel Photography
 The Ottawa
Conservation District is happy to host our first Fall Native Plant
Sale at Ottawa County's Hemlock Crossing
Nature Education Center on Saturday, September 29th, 2018 from
11 am -2 pm.
Browse their 2018 Native Plant
Catalog to get an idea of the available species. Fill out and
submit an Order Form by
Friday, September 21 if you would like your order assembled and ready
for pick up. Otherwise, extra plants will be available on the day of the sale
while supplies last.
Please note that we are only accepting pre-orders for garden flats. Single species will be available for purchase on the day of the
sale.
Equinox Expedition
September
22, 3:00 PM- 4:00 PM at Hemlock Crossing
The days are getting shorter and
summer officially ends on this date! Help celebrate the "Autumnal
Equinox" by joining this expedition to find signs of fall along the Pigeon
River.
No registration required.
|
|
 |
Paddle a Voyaguer Canoe!
September
23, 1:00 PM- 4:00 PM at Connor Bayou
Take a short ride in a 26 foot
replica of a voyageur "North Canoe." Discover why these canoes were
so important during the fur trading era and learn about the life of a French
Voyageur. This trip is for adults and children 12+ years.
Registration required.
|
|
 |
Ecotherapy & Being Present
September
25, 7:00 PM- 8:30 PM at Hemlock Crossing
Have you ever carried work/home
stresses with you into the woods? Experience some "Ecotherapy" as you
participate in some activities designed to get you in touch with nature and
yourself.
This program is family friendly and
open to all ages.
Registration
required.
|
|
 |
Birding Walk
Whether you are an avid birder or are just desiring to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us as we walk for warblers and search for sparrows on these birding walks highlighting parks all around the county.
Easy to moderate terrain includes some paved walkway and some dirt and mowed grass pathways. Waterproof footwear may be helpful on dewy mornings.
No registration required.
*NOTE* If you have *HIP WADERS*, feel free to bring them along for this location as participants may choose to wander into the flooded fields in hopes of flushing some sparrows toward the dry trail for others to view.
 Mt. Pisgah Raptor Watch
September 30, 1-4 pm
Join us at the peak of Mt. Pisgah to watch for migrating birds of prey. Feel free to come and go as you like. Program length will depend upon the weather and the number of birds seen. Bring drinking water, hat, sunglasses and binoculars (some loaners will be available). Hike to summit is strenuous..
No registration required.
Meet at Black Lake Boardwalk - West
Juvenile Red-tailed hawk photo taken by Mark Sauer at Mt. Pisgah
|
Birding Walk
Whether you are an avid birder or are just desiring to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us as we walk for warblers and search for sparrows on these birding walks highlighting parks all around the county.
Easy to moderate terrain includes some paved walkway and some dirt and mowed grass pathways. Waterproof footwear may be helpful on dewy mornings.
No registration required.
North Ottawa Dunes
Thru Hike
Hike the length of this 500+ acre park as you climb through the steep and hilly terrain of the backdune forest on dirt trails. We will eat lunch at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park before making the return hike. Round trip is ~8 miles.
$10/participant; register online
|
|
 |
Wildlife Encounter- Kids! Squirrels: Woodland Acrobats
Squirrels provide much acrobatic entertainment in our woodlands and back yards. Is there more to the lives of these comical critters than meets the eye? Delve into the word of squirrels and what makes each local species unique.
Register online
|
|
 |
|
