Weekend Events!

Sat 10/8 9:30am: Fall stream monitoring from the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council.

Where: Munn Park on Jolly road.

Event Description:

"Come join the Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council for a fun day out in the streams. Meet at Munn Park (near the Jolly / Aurelius intersection in Lansing) at 9:30am for a short training session, then we will head out into the streams and collect some bugs! The bugs we collect tell a story of the health of the stream at each of our 6 sites. Complementary snacks, refreshments, and a light lunch will be provided. NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY! Dress to have fun, and help us take care of the Red Cedar watershed. Monitoring will end in the early afternoon. Waders provided, but feel free to bring your own."

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=248800841826549

*Meet at 9:00am behind the NR Building for rides.

Sat 10/8 4:30pm: Crane Fest in Bellevue!

*Meet behind the NR Building at 4:30pm for rides!

Event Description:

"Imagine a cool crisp afternoon amidst the splendor of autumn colors. The stillness is interrupted by the eerie prehistoric cry of the cranes. As the Sandhill Cranes glide into view, you are thrilled by the majestic beauty of Michigan’s largest bird.

The Festival was started to raise awareness and appreciation of our natural heritage, and to support ongoing educational and conservation projects of the Michigan Audubon Society and Baker Sanctuary. CraneFest is a jointly-sponsored event between the Kiwanis Club of Battle Creek and Michigan Audubon; the festival site is the Kiwanis Youth Area, overlooking Big Marsh Lake.

A major attraction will be watching thousands of Sandhill Cranes return to the adjoining Baker Sanctuary. The “Fly-In” typically begins slowing around 4 PM with best viewing of large numbers of cranes between 5 PM and dusk. Admission is free and parking is $3.

More than 6,000 cranes are expected to greet more than 5,000 CraneFest visitors again this year. With autumn color predicted to be near its peak the same weekend, everyone should consider making CraneFest 2010 part of their fall color tour.

Sandhill Cranes are believed to be the oldest living bird species, having existed for more than 9 million years in their present form. The cranes are Michigan’s largest bird measuring up to five feet tall with wings spanning an impressive six to seven feet. Thousands of these majestic birds return annually to roost at Big Marsh Lake in Baker Sanctuary before completing their autumn migration to Florida. With more than 9,400 Sandhill Cranes counted last October, Baker Sanctuary set a new single day state record for crane numbers. Saved from the brink of extinction, cranes have become a Michigan environmental success story."

Festival includes nature walks, food, merchandise stands, falconers, talks, and most importantly the sandhill cranes flying in. It's a relaxed social kind of event.

Plan on getting there between 4:30-5:30 and staying til about 7:00is.

http://cranefest.org