Help protect the Chippewa River Watershed and learn stuff, too

From foraging for wild mushrooms to removing invasive species, from guided hikes to speaker series, the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy has a busy fall planned for 2018. The non-profit recently announced its fall programming, and the options are many.

Each event is free and open to the public.

The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy owns 22 public nature preserves, more than 600 acres, throughout the Chippewa River Watershed. This fall’s programming reflects the organization’s commitment to protecting the natural habitat throughout the watershed.

There are three events planned in the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy Speaker Series this season. Each is held at the Veterans Memorial Library Annex Room.

• Thursday, Sept. 13 is Michigan Mammals with Mike. Conservancy board member and Isabella Conservation District education coordinator Mike LeValley shows audience members different techniques in identifying animal tracks, and especially of those found in mid-Michigan.
• On Wednesday, Oct. 24, Conservancy Interpretive Naturalist Michelle Fournier leads a presentation on how technology, including smart phone apps, can be powerful tools when exploring the outdoors.
• Wrapping up this season’s Speaker Series is a lesson on How Birds Survive Winter. Chippewa Nature Center Interpretive Naturalist Jeanne Henderson leads the discussion on Wednesday, Nov. 28.

That’s not it for this season’s programming, however, as additional educational and volunteer opportunities abound. They include the following and more.

Every Thursday in September will be Trail Building Thursday. Volunteers will help Conservancy staff construct hiking trails throughout the Bundy Hill Preserve in Broomfield Township. The 100-acre preserve is home to the tallest point in Isabella County.

There are several opportunities to help Conservancy staff rid Isabella County of the highly invasive Autumn Olive shrub, including Sunday and Monday, Sept. 16 and 17, at the Sylvan Solace Preserve. Work to remove the invasive species from the Williams-Blackburn Preserve occurs Monday, Sept. 24, and Sunday, Nov 18.

Visit the Chippewa Watershed Conservancy online to learn about these programs and more.

Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith.