AuSable Outdoor Recreation Expo this Weekend

from AuSable Outdoor Recreation Expo

The AuSable Outdoor Recreation Expo already got underway Friday evening with a "Trout Opener," but there are plenty of activities left for the weekend. The events are being held in Grayling, centered at the conference rooms at Ramada Inn.

Saturday April 25th: Expo hours 9 am – 6 pm

Mike Ridley, a folk/country singer from Indian River, Michigan

10:15 am – 10:45 am: An Introduction to GeoCaching - how you can use your GPS unit to enjoy this outdoor treasure hunting activity.

11:00 am – 11:30 am: An Introduction to Adventure Racing - learn about this non-stop, multi-hour, multi-sport, team or solo event.

11:30 am -12:15 pm Wild Game/Fish Preparation Demonstration Courtesy of Grayling Country Club

12:30 am – 1:15 pm The Historic Lumber Legacy of the AuSable River - a historical perspective on the area

1:15 pm – 2:00 pm Wild Game/Fish Preparation Demonstration Courtesy of Grayling Country Club

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm Nature Photography: Images of Northern Michigan by Photographer Thomas Haxby - The session will also include a “how to improve your photography” presentation.

3:15 pm – 3:30 pm Evening Music Concert Preview of modern folk singers Breathe Owl Breathe and opening band SYZYGY

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm Black Bear - Can they live in our world? Can we live in theirs? -

4:30 – 5:30 pm: Presentation by John Dietsch, author of “Shadowcasting” and fly fishing consultant on the movie “A River Runs Through It”.

6:30 – 8:30 pm: Music concert by Breathe Owl Breathe with pre-show performance by Syzygy

Sunday April 26th: Expo Hours 10 am – 4 pm

10:30 am – 11:00 am: Invasive Species Impacts on Northeastern Michigan Resources

11:00 am – 11:30 am: Aquatic Entomology for Fishermen - learn how insects are related to water quality and the success of fly fishing

11:30 – 12:30 p.m. GeoCache Event Finale Lunch

11:30 am – 12:30 pm Presentation by John Dietsch, author of “Shadowcasting” and fly fishing consultant on the movie “A River Runs Through It”.

12:30 – 2:00 pm Lunch with the Legends - Join us for lunch and a fireside chat with some of the legendary residents and fishermen from along the AuSable River.

2:15 pm – 3:00 pm Bird Watching in Crawford County -

3:00 pm – 3:45 pm Landscaping and Managing Your Property for Wildlife - an introduction on how to make your private property more wildlife friendly.

Throughout the Expo: Children’s Activity Table

See AuSable Outdoor Recreation Expo
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State Parks and Forest Campgrounds Seeking Hosts for Summer 2009

a news release of Michigan DNR

Michigan state parks, recreation areas and forest management campgrounds are seeking volunteer campground hosts for this spring, summer and fall seasons. A host can sign up for a minimum of four weeks or more of free camping in one of Michigan's beautiful natural and/or historic areas.

"The schedules of our volunteer hosts allow ample time to enjoy recreational activities with friends and family members while providing volunteer services within a Michigan state park or state forest campground," said Ron Olson, chief of the Department of Natural Resources Parks and Recreation Division. "Hosts have the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life and perhaps develop new friendships. Campground hosts can be individuals or teams such as a wife and husband; must be 18 years of age or older and have their own camping gear."

Campground hosts provide services five days each week, including weekends and holidays, totaling approximately 30 hours per occupant.

Our volunteer campground hosts assist in some of the following:

• Weekly Host Camper Coffee Hour (supplies provided)
• Provide or assist with a weekly activity
• Loan equipment such as rakes, shovels (provided by the park)
• Construct and/or maintain an information bulletin board
• Create and/or update local attractions directory
• Attend Host Training (State Park Hosts only)

Volunteer campground hosts are selected by state park and state forest managers. Managers may require an interview or request additional information on prospective volunteers. Selection is based on familiarity with the Michigan campground system, camping experience, special skills, availability, knowledge of the surrounding area and needs of the park. The current schedule of campground host openings can be found on www.michigan.gov/dnrvolunteers.

Please contact the individual state park, recreation area, or forest management unit to learn more about the specifics of an individual location or call Jill Yehl at (517) 241-6655 if you have a question about becoming a state park or recreation area host; or Ada Takacs at (989) 275-5151, ext. 2049, if you are interested in the opportunity to host at a Michigan state forest campground.

See Michigan State Parks
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Cache In Trash Out

information from Geocaching.com

Cache In Trash Out is an ongoing environmental initiative supported by the worldwide geocaching community. Since 2002, geocachers have been dedicated to cleaning up parks and other cache-friendly places around the world. Through these volunteer efforts, we help preserve the natural beauty of our outdoor resources!

Annually, we celebrate International Cache In Trash Out events where geocachers have an opportunity to participate in coordinated worldwide clean-up efforts. Geocachers host clean-up events in their local area on the same day or weekend as other geocachers around the world. Together, we make an enormous positive impact. Did we mention that we also have a bit of fun while we are at it?

The 7th Annual Cache In Trash Out Events are on various dates in April and May, 2009. In Michigan, on April 25 a Flash CITO event will be held west of Jenison. May 2, at Duck Lake State Park near White Lake, clean-up activities will occur from 9:00am on Saturday through noon. A hotdog and hamburg lunch will be provided from noon-1:00 at the parks pavillion. And May 9, three Ann Arbor parks will be cleaned by geocachers.

See Geocaching.com
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Okemos Scout Troop Takes Early Spring Hike at Nordhouse

blown down trees at Nordhouse Dunes (photo from Troop 125)

submitted by Mike Fila, Assistant Scoutmaster

Troop 125, from Okemos Michigan, took their first trip to the Nordhouse Dunes. They have already decided that it won't be their last.

It was also the first hike of the season for the Scouts. They headed north to the Dunes Friday afternoon, and although they made good time they still had to set up in the dark. Since they had a bunch of new Scouts they decided to stay in the Lake Michigan Recreation Area campground and have a nice day hike the next morning. It was clear and chilly but a wonderful night for star gazing.

After a quick breakfast the group headed out. They planned to hike the coast, cut across to Nordhouse Lake, have some lunch and loop back. All went well until they came across a large blow down area. It was a huge tangle of downed trees that was impassable. They could see it from the ridge trail but they were hoping that the trail back would be farther inland. They tried a few different routes to no avail.

The group turned around and re-traced their original route. It was a perfect day for hiking and all had a great time. When it started raining at around 5:00 A.M. they decided to head home.

The boys really enjoyed it. The troop has about 30 boys who love to backpack and canoe. Recent trips include the Boundary Waters, Isle Royale and Algonquin. This summer they plant to head to Pictured Rocks to walk from Munising to Grand Marias. Polar Bears in Manistee for another Scout outing

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Stuck at the Computer? - Take a Virtual Peaceful Walk

peaceful Lake Michigan Beach Walk (photo by Randall Thorne)

a news release of Peaceful Walks

If you could use a relaxing break from your daily routine, but don’t have the time or money for a vacation, a new website may have the answer.

Peaceful Walks provides just what its name implies, an escape into a stress-reducing world of pristine nature scenery and sounds. Randall Thorne, website creator and nature videographer, says he developed the new website with the goal of making the beauty and peace of our natural world accessible to anyone, at anytime, and in a way that fits into today’s busy schedules.

"Studies have shown, and most of us know from personal experience, that a peaceful walk in a natural setting is a very effective stress-reducer," Thorne said. "The problem is, not many of us can just drop what we’re doing and go for a hike in the great outdoors whenever we feel the need to unwind."

This is precisely the problem the Peaceful Walks website aims to resolve. With its library of dozens of streaming video mini-programs, you are just a mouse-click away from some of the most beautiful and relaxing nature scenery and sounds in North America. Sparkling mountain streams, flower-filled prairies and imposing desert canyons are but a few of the locations you can choose to visit. Thorne noted that all the video was personally filmed by him for exclusive use on the website.

Thorne has recently added a walk on a Lake Michigan beach to the repertoire, making Peaceful Walks even more appropriate for this web site. One can also visit mountains and other famous landscapes in the Walks.

A special feature of the website gives you the ability to personalize your experience. Several programs may be sequenced together to form walks of varying lengths.

If climbing mountains doesn’t fit into your schedule, a visit to the Peaceful Walks website may just be the next best thing.



See Peaceful Walks
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County ORV Ordinances

compiled from several sources

Michigan Counties are being given the option to adopt ORV ordinances before July 17, 2009. If a county-wide ordinance is not established by that date, each township may create their own ordinance. Enforcing separate township rules would be a headache for law-enforcement agencies.

At the forefront of the controversy is that the ordinances can make it legal for ORV's to be operated on the shoulder or extreme right-hand edge of roads, at speeds up to 25 mph. This would not include Interstate Highways or Forest Service roads within the National Forest.

Some believe that allowing such use would bring more business to counties, while opponents have a list of concerns. One is that ORVs are not licensed, and there is no way reliable to identify lawbreakers. Increased ORVs would make road shoulders less safe for pedestrians and bicyclist. The increased noise and intrusion into forests is undesirable.

Some West Michigan Counties have already made decisions. On April 17, by a five to four vote, the Wexford County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance that allows the use of ORV's on all their roads.

Mason County will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, April 22 to receive public information on the issue. The meeting will be at 7 pm at the Mason County Central High School, Scottville

See ORV ordinance issue tabled, from the Ludington Daily News, April 15, 2009
See Michigan Public Act 240 of 2008
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Holland Outdoor Discovery Center Lures Kids Outside

kids touch the water at the Holland Discover Center (photo from WZZM TV 13)

based on a a news article at WZZM TV 13, "Weekend Adventure: Outdoor Discovery Center," April 17, 2009

"The Outdoor Discovery Center's basic goal is to get people outdoors and teach them about the natural beauty of Michigan," said Jamie Krupka, program director for Holland's Outdoor Discovery Center. Kids are spending less and less time outdoors and more time with video games and computers.

A class of five-year-olds from Zeeland Quincy Elementary School was about to embark on a day of discovery. Jamie wants the kids to leave understanding a little bit more about the natural world. "You can't appreciate something you don't know," she explained. And if you don't appreciate it, you won't respect or preserve it.

At the Discovery Center there are lots of things for kids to see and touch. It's very hands on. Whether feeling a snake skin or meeting a live Rocky Mountain Elk, the class will not be substituting virtual experiences for real ones.

The 120-acre nature preserve is home to many species of birds, and also cares for 14 large birds which were injured and healed, but cannot return to the wild. These include hawks, owls, eagles, and turkey vultures.

Kids are obviously fascinated, and adults aren't far behind. The Center is open every day of the year, during daylight hours. There is a video at the news link.

See Holland Outdoor Discovery Center
See Weekend Adventure: Outdoor Discovery Center
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Galien River Park, Water Trail Will Be Big Change

the last remaining Pony Truss Bridge spans the Galien River in Berrien County (photo from the MI DOT)

based on a news article in the South Bend Tribune, "New park a win for Galien River," April 17, 2009

"The proposed Galien River County Park in New Buffalo is the waterway's best news in perhaps a century." Over time, millions of dollars in EPA money has gone for clean up of the damage to the river, known for having the highest E. coli counts in the state of Michigan.

Now an $8 million development along the Galien River in New Buffalo Township will include a lodge, interpretative center, walking trails and observation decks. The park encompasses 86 acres.

The National Parks Service and Chikaming Open Lands are partnering to create the nearby Galien Marsh Water Trail. This phase will likely take two years to develop, but will include a canoe livery and interpretive signage. The marsh is the largest remaining in southwest Michigan, and is a sanctuary for migrating birds. It also contains a diverse collection of native plants and wildlife.

The park land was purchased with money from the Michigan Natural Resources Trust, Pokagon Fund, the Great Lakes Fisheries Trust and federal stimulus funds.

map of the Galien River watershed (from the MI DEQ)

The river is the historic home of the Potawatomi Indians who fished and hunted these woods and waters. Peg Kohring, a Sawyer botanist and Midwest director of The Conservation Fund, says that good water quality is critical to the current projects. Suspected septic failures in Three Oaks and Weesaw Township are the next pollution problems to be solved along the river.

Volunteers occasionally help with a river cleanup day. Broad-based support from people in the New Buffalo area will be important for this park and increased recreational use of the Galien River to succeed.

See Pony Truss Bridge
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Spring Blooms in the Dunes - May 2, Muskegon

woodland phlox (photo from the Gillette Nature Association)

a news release of the Michigan DNR

The Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park will host its annual "Spring Blooms in the Dunes" event on Saturday, May 2, to celebrate the arrival of spring. The event will feature a wildflower sale, and a day full of nature-related activities at the visitor center.

From 9 a.m .to 2 p.m., there will be a Native Plant Sale at the visitor center. Responsibly propagated white trillium and other spring woodland wildflowers will be available for sale. The sale will also feature a limited supply of ferns and other large perennials. It is best to come early, as plants have sold out quickly in the past. The sale is sponsored by the Gillette Nature Association, and all proceeds benefit the visitor center and its programs.

Also from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., children can fish for trout at the visitor center trout pond, sponsored by the Michigan Anglers Association and the Muskegon Sportfishing Association. Children will receive a free Michigan Youth Angler license courtesy of the Muskegon Sportfishing Association.

Other programs that day include:

• Explore Pond Life. From 10 to 11 a.m., there will be a hands-on session to view all forms of pond life. Children who participate will receive a free Department of Natural Resources habitat poster.
• A Fish Story. From 11 a.m. to noon, this program will explore the many hazards that fish have to overcome to survive in Michigan lakes and rivers.
• Lunch With the Bluebirds. At noon, take a hike with Don Petersen, a seasonal naturalist at the visitor center, to view the park's resident bluebirds. Participants should bring a sack lunch and binoculars.
• Native Plant Gardening. At 1 p.m., Master Gardener Jenelle Tokarczyk will lead a session on how to successfully garden with native wildflowers and other plants.
• Spring Blooms Hike. At 2 p.m., Don Petersen will lead a hike in search of spring blooms and other features of the park's dune landscape.

All programs at the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center are free. The visitor center is located at P.J. Hoffmaster State Park at 6585 Lake Harbor Rd. in Muskegon.

See Gillette Nature Association
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Transportation Enhancements for West Michigan

from a news release of the State of Michigan

Lieutenant Governor John D. Cherry, Jr. has announced that 27 Michigan counties will receive a total of $47.3 million in transportation enhancement (TE) funding. 22 of the projects are funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Recovery Act). Included in the projects are 176 miles of bicycle paths, lighting, landscaping, crosswalks and more. The projects should create or retain 1300 jobs over the 2009-2010 seasons.

West Michigan projects are:

• Allegan County: The city of Wayland will streetscape West Superior Street from US-131 to Church Street.
• Antrim County: The village of Mancelona will streetscape US-131 from 220 feet north of Dale Avenue to 225 feet south of Division Street.
• Calhoun County: MDOT will install native plantings at the I-94/I-69 interchange along the roadside, in the interchange and next to Bear Creek.
• Cheboygan County: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will make improvements to 5 miles of trail surface and construct a trailhead in Mackinaw City.
• Eaton County: MDOT will streetscape M-50/M-99 (Main Street) from State Street to Canal Street in Eaton Rapids.
• Kalamazoo County (two projects): The city of Portage will construct 10-foot shared-use non-motorized extensions to the Northwest Portage Bikeway to connect to both the Millenium and the Portage Creek Bicentennial trails. AND The Kalamazoo County Road Commission, in partnership with the city of Kalamazoo, will construct five miles of bike path from the Riverview Drive/Mosel Avenue intersection to the north along the Kalamazoo River and Westnedge Avenue, ending on D Avenue 200 feet east of the Kalamazoo River. This project is the next phase of a planned continuation of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail.
• Kent County (four projects): The city of Grand Rapids will make streetscape improvements in the Southtown neighborhood of southeast Grand Rapids. AND In conjunction with the M-21 bridge replacement over the Grand River in Ada Township, MDOT will expand the bridge deck 14 feet to accommodate a bicycle and pedestrian path. AND The village of Sparta will streetscape the Central Business District to promote slower traffic, generate a friendlier downtown atmosphere, and allow for safe, non-motorized travel. AND The Kent County Road Commission will partner with the cities of Grand Rapids, Walker, Grandville, Wyoming and Byron Township to reconstruct 6.2 miles of the Kent Trail network.
• Van Buren and Kalamazoo Counties: The Van Buren County Road Commission, in partnership with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, will resurface 18 miles of the Kal-Haven State Trail using recycled materials
• Wexford County: MDOT, in cooperation with the city of Cadillac, will provide streetscape improvements including streetlights, trees and planters along the US-131 Business Route (Mitchell Street) in the downtown area.

See Breakdown of stimulus projects
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Mark Fenton to Keynote Planning for Tomorrow’s Transportation Needs

from the Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study

Mark Fenton is one of the nation's foremost experts on walking. He is a former editor of Walking Magazine, and currently hosts a PBS series, "America's Walking." He will be the keynote speaker at the 2009 Michigan Transportation Planning Association Conference, July 14 – 17, 2009 downtown Kalamazoo.

This year’s conference “Planning for Tomorrow’s Transportation Needs” is being held in conjunction with the Michigan Association of Regions and covers a wide variety of topics, ranging from freight planning to healthy communities to transit planning for metropolitan areas.

The “Planning for Tomorrow’s Transportation Needs” conference is also for those people interested in non-motorized transportation planning. We are excited to have Mark Fenton, a dynamic speaker and former PBS Television Host, on Thursday, July 16th to discuss the health impacts of walking and how to create a walkable community. He will also lead us in a discussion on working with the media, as well as a walking excursion in downtown Kalamazoo, highlighting the importance of Walkable communities.

See Kalamazoo Area Transportation Study for more information and registration materials.
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Regional Youth to Work at Sleeping Bear and Film Experiences

Sleeping Bear beach (photo by Todd VerBeek)

based on a news article in the Traverse City Record-Eagle, "Youth corps to get to work at Sleeping Bear," by Lindsay VanHulle, April 9, 2009

Students from Forest Area, Suttons Bay, Benzie Central, Frankfort, Brethren and Bear Lake high schools, Northside Alternative High School in Kalkaska and Casman Academy in Manistee may have a chance to be the first workers with the regional Northwest Michigan Youth Conservation Corps.

Their assignments will be environmental projects at the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. And the young people will be filming their experiences for a series of video diaries.

Bill Watson is the project manager, and he developed the program after leading a similar effort for several years at Traverse City High School. Local funding has been provided through SEEDS, in excess of $20,000, and a federal grant is pending. SEEDS is a non-profit research, design and educational institution whose mission is to seek the development of socially and ecologically sustainable environments. They favor projects that are participatory in nature and holistic in perspective.

The video project will document students' experiences as they work at the Lakeshore throughout the spring and summer. A group of students from Detroit will visit for a week and be part of the films. The diaries are planned to be shown this fall at the State Theatre in Traverse City and the Bay Theatre in Suttons Bay, Watson said.

See SEEDS
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