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Visit the Ottawa County Parks Program and Events Calendar for details and registration. Call the Nature Education Center for more information: 616-786-4847.
Stewardship Volunteer Workday
Come help us protect the resources of one of Michigan’s top destinations this holiday weekend! Volunteers are needed to help pull garlic mustard from the beautiful dunes and trail system. This invasive weed can take over the forest under story, making it hard for native wildflowers, ferns and saplings to thrive. Please dress to work in the woods and wear comfortable walking or hiking shoes. Volunteers should meet at the campground office; limited parking is available behind the office building. All volunteers are asked to register in advance.
For more information, and to register click here.
Spring Native Plant Sale
Browse the 2019 Native Plant Catalog to get an idea of the available species.
Fill out and submit an Order Form by Monday, April 29th, 2019 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.
For more information click here.
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Gardening with Native Plants
Learn the value of gardening with native plants, site and plant selection, planting techniques, and maintenance of native landscapes. After the program, per-order plants to pick up at the sale!
You can also pre-order by going to this website: http://www.ottawacd.org/NativePlantSale.html
Both the presentation and the sale will be hosted at the Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing County Park. Proceeds from the plant sale benefit the Ottawa Conservation District.
Presenter: Vern Stephens from Designs By Nature
* Presentation - April 27, 10 am-12 pm
* Native Plant Sale - May 8, 2-6 pm
No registration required.
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Open House at Grand Ravines Lodge
The lodge at Grand Ravines North will be open to the public several Sunday afternoons in April & May. The Friends of Ottawa County Parks volunteers will be available to answer any questions you have.
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Wildflower Walk
May 4, 9:30 AM- 11:30 AM at Rosy Mound
Woodland flowers, called spring ephemerals, bloom before the trees leaf out. Join a park naturalist to look for these spring beauties blooming in our parks.
No registration required.
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Bird Walks
May 1, 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM at Pine Bend
May 8, 8:00 AM- 10:00 AM at Ottawa Sands
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.
CONDITIONS AT THIS PARK ARE OFTEN MUDDY & WET, PLEASE BE PREPARED WITH APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR.
No registration required.
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Lake Watch Birding
Two events highlight this morning of birding the Lake Michigan shoreline!
1. LAKE WATCH BIRDING. 8-9:30am. Holland State Park. We will be doing a stationary lake watch from the Pier looking for migratory waterfowl, gulls and shorebirds.
2. SHORELINE DUNES BIRDING. 10am-12pm. Black Lake Boardwalk East/Mount Pisgah. We will be hiking the dunes in search of migratory sparrows, warblers and more.
No registration required.
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Shoreline Dunes Birding
Two events highlight this morning of birding the Lake Michigan shoreline!
1. LAKE WATCH BIRDING. 8-9:30am. Holland State Park. We will be doing a stationary lake watch from the Pier looking for migratory waterfowl, gulls and shorebirds.
2. SHORELINE DUNES BIRDING. 10am-12pm. Black Lake Boardwalk East/Mount Pisgah. We will be hiking the dunes in search of migratory sparrows, warblers and more.
No registration required.
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Pastel Art Workshop: Wildflower Splendor
All materials provided to create a beautiful Pastel Painting of our lush array of native wildflowers here at Hemlock Crossing.
Step by Step art instruction will be given by Artist and Naturalist, Nancy Berg, and will focus exploring the wonderfully colorful world of Pastels! Enjoy Art and Nature .
Class limited to 20 participants. Ages 12- adult. Cost $25. Registration required.
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Ottawa County Parks Volunteer Workday
May 4, 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM at Mt. Pisgah
Join us for a Volunteer Workday this Spring
Help us care for the parks you love! If you have never volunteered for a stewardship workday before, here?s what you should know:
Bring work gloves (preferably leather), insect repellent, and appropriate attire for the outdoors.
All tools, drinking water, and snacks will be provided.
No preregistration is required.
All ages welcome; those under 16 must be supervised by an adult.
Work days are cancelled if raining (or snowing). Questions? Contact us: 994-4748
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Driftwood Photo by @rebeccarotzell
We want to see your park photos. Connect with us on Instagram by tagging your park photos @OttawaCountyParks or #OttawaCountyParks
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