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Ottawa County Parks & Recreation offers programming and volunteer opportunities year-round! Visit the Program and Events Calendar for details and registration. Call our Nature Center at Hemlock Crossing Park for more information: 616-786-4847.
 September
Scroll down to find information about ways to get outside this summer, as well as upcoming programs and events and much more. Thank you for reading!
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 Come learn about the fate of the dying pine plantations at Pigeon Creek Park. This hike will discuss past management, current threats, and the impending red pine harvest.
Follow us on Facebook @OttawaCountyParksandRecreation and stream on FB Live!
OR
Take this survey and give your feedback!
The Bass River Recreational Area is updating their general management plan and is seeking public input. Follow this link to take the survey: Bass River Recreation Area Public Input Survey (research.net)
The Lodge at Grand Ravines (North): September 18 from 1-3 pm
Weaver House at Pine Bend: September 18 from 1-4 pm
The Friends of Ottawa County Parks are kindly hosting an open house for the Lodge and Weaver House. Both events begin at 1 pm. Stop by and take a look around - you’re also welcome to stay for a free program. A History Walk will be offered at Pine Bend and a Fall Color Walk will be offered at Grand Ravines (North). For more information, scroll down to the program section or visit miottawa.org/ocpevents
On September 24th, we will hold an educational workshop and native plant sale at Hemlock Crossing Nature Center.
Workshop Details: At 9:30 AM, Wes Landon will present how to assess your individual lawn needs, and then how to use that information to increase biodiversity and reduce maintenance in your yard. Register by clicking here!
Sale Details: The only items available for pre-order are beach grass and garden kits. Purchase them through our online Shopify store or by mail-in order form, and pick them up on the 24th! We will not have extras of these items at the sale. Available "first come, first served" at 10:30 on the 24th, we will have a number of perennial native grasses, shrubs, and flowering plants. You can find a full species list, as well as sizes and prices on our website. We will also have decorative yard signs, rain barrels, and other items suitable for native gardens! The sale will go until 3 pm!
For information about native plants, please visit our Native Plants service page. For updates on the sale please follow us on Facebook.
As always, thank you for your support of the Ottawa Conservation District!
Trail construction for the Bill Idema Moraine Nature Segment at Grand Ravines (North) has begun.
As a result, the lower trails, including the covered bridge by the river at Grand Ravines Park, will be closed to the public. The lower parking lot at Grand Ravines North will be blocked off as well for construction vehicles and equipment from 8/1/22 - 11/1/22.
To accommodate paid reservation holders, the main parking lot next to the Grand Ravines Lodge will be an exclusive lot for the event holder and their guests only. We will have suggestions for any overflow parking needs. If there is no reservation, the lot will be open to the public.
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Grand Opening of the Hemlock Crossing Observatory - October 8 from 7-9 pm
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Meet the Artists & Sale - October 15 from 2-4 pm.
Each fall, as the days shorten and the temperatures decrease, monarchs begin their migration southbound for Mexico. These beloved butterflies are widely recognized for their vibrant orange wings and white spots; however, they provide an invaluable service far beyond their beauty: pollination. Unfortunately, monarch populations, along with many other native pollinators, are stressed and have been facing decline due to habitat loss, pesticide use, and a changing climate.
This summer, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) designated the monarch butterfly as endangered. Although this designation sounds the alarm, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has yet to change the status of the butterfly to endangered within the Endangered Species Act.
Don’t fret yet! There are several things you can do in your own backyard to help monarchs and other pollinators.
1. Plant milkweed in your yard or community.
Milkweed is the ONLY plant monarch caterpillars can eat and it supports this species from larvae to egg-laying adult. There are 11 milkweed species native to Michigan and it is crucial to this species survival!
2. Plant other native nectar plants.
This will help to create additional pollinator habitat. Need help getting started? Watch this video on how to create a monarch habitat: monarchdefenders.org/gardens
Not sure where to find native plants? Stop by the Ottawa Conservation District's Fall Native Plant sale!
3. Share information and get people talking
For example, you can create and register your pollinator habitat for the Monarch Watch Monarch Waystation Program.
4. Donate.
Visit this link: monarchjointventure.org/donate
 Red pine (Pinus resinosa) is one of the most common pine trees in Michigan. There are over 1.6 million acres of red pine forests in our state, and despite being at the very southern range of this northern pine, Ottawa County hosts its fair share.
Why were red pines planted here?
Much of the red pine found in Michigan was planted plantation-style by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930s. The CCC was part of the New Deal, a series of public works programs and legislation that was designed to pull the country out of the Depression.
Planting red pines also helped to stabilize soil that had been disturbed by a century of irresponsible logging. As the US became industrialized, red pines were used to re-forest abandoned farmland. They were planted because of their relatively fast growth and value as timber products.
The resulting pine stands produced large amounts of timber, but because of the lack of forest diversity, formed what we refer to as monocultures. These pine monocultures grew in areas that once supported a variety of ecosystem types.
What about the pines now?
As time has gone on, red pine populations in Ottawa County have become less healthy. Red pine plantations were planted similarly to other crops meant to be harvested – as densely as possible. Periodic harvesting of this crop at Pigeon Creek Park did allow for continued healthy growth and transition to a native deciduous forest. Unfortunately with summers trending hotter and drier, the remaining trees have become stressed and more prone to disease. As a result, many red pines are dead and dying.
Dead and dying pines present safety hazards to park visitors and removal can be extremely costly. These factors led to our decision to embark on the final removal of red pines at Pigeon Creek. A benefit to removing this crop plant is a more diverse forest waiting in the seedbank. As this diverse forest grows, it has the potential to bring many new species to Pigeon Creek Park.
For more information on this project, visit: news.miottawa.org/red-pines
OR, attend the Redefining Red Pines program at Pigeon Creek Park on September 10 from 10-11 am. More information is in the announcement section.
  Click on a program date to be redirected to our registration page for that program!
Themed Walks
Registration appreciated
Further explore our parks and learn about a variety of topics.
Morning Sessions: 9:30-10:30 am
Afternoon Open House Sessions: 1:30-2:30 pm
Evening Sessions: 7-8 pm
Thru Hike!
Registration required, $5/person
Enjoy the changing seasons as you venture ALL THE WAY THRU these amazing parks! A guide will lead you, so you’ll have all the more reason to soak in the beauty and uniqueness of each park.
Bird Walks
Registration appreciated
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.
Redefining Red Pines
Registration appreciated
Learn about the fate of the dying pine plantations at Pigeon Creek Park. This hike will discuss past management, current threats and the impending red pine harvest.
Astronomy
Registration not required, but appreciated
Join the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association (SAAA) at Hemlock Crossing for programs. More info here: holland-saaa.org
Wonder Walk
Registration appreciated
Practice your nature journaling skills as we slowly meander the trails and follow what catches our eyes.
Tuned into Nature
Registration required, $5/child; ages 2-4, with a caregiver
Sing songs, dance, and learn about nature together. We’ll make and move to music and go for a walk to explore it outdoors.
Mount Pisgah Raptor Watch
Registration appreciated
Join us at the peak of Mt. Pisgah to watch for migrating birds of prey. Come and go as you like. Program length will depend upon the weather and the number of birds seen. Bring drinking water, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses and binoculars.
StoryWalk
Pages from this picture book will be posted on signs along the path for your family to read together - along with ideas for things to look for and do as you walk! The story is available to read as you stroll along a natural surface trail of 1 mile or less. No registration required.
Colors by Kayak
Registration required, $10/person; ages 12+
Bask in the glorious fall colors along the Pigeon River by kayak as you paddle toward Pine Bend.
Equinox Expedition
The days are getting shorter and summer officially is ending! Help celebrate the “Autumnal Equinox” by joining this expedition to find the begining signs of fall along the Pigeon River.
Themed Walks
Registration appreciated
Further explore our parks and learn about a variety of topics.
The Wonderful World of Spiders!
Registration required, $5/child; age 8+
Georgia has recently been invaded by giant Joro Spiders as big as your hand! Is this really true, and how much of it is news-hype? Will it spread from Georgia? Will it come to Michigan? Join YouTube personality Bob The Spider Hunter, as he helps sort out the truth from the hype on this Joro Spider Invasion!
Fall Sky & Public Sky Viewing
Program hosted by the Shoreline Amateur Astronomical Association.
Birding Outing
Whether you are an avid birder or desire to experience birds beyond your backyard, join us for a birding program!
Eat Green. Stay Active. Live Well.
Registration required, $35 class fee; ages 18+
Taste the colors of fall! Explore nutritious ways to indulge in fresh fall favorites and discover the top seasonal superstars to power up your plate to make your meals greener, more interesting, and delicious. Be inspired, get expert tips, recipes, latest nutrition news, natural foodie finds and favorites from snacks to drinks with sample bites. Tour the colors afterwards as participants can enjoy a free, fun leisurely-paced guided walk.
Nature’s Songs: Walk & Roll Edition
Registration required, $5
Join an Outdoor Educator and resident Music Therapist to explore nature through music and the outdoors! This session is designed for those with mobility issues, so bring your caregiver, wheel chair, walker, and any alternative system you may use.
THRU Hike!
Registration required, $5
Enjoy the changing seasons as you venture ALL THE WAY THRU these amazing parks with a naturalist guide.
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