Join us for a guided exploration of five of the 18 Michigan Nature Association (MNA) sanctuaries in the Keweenaw Peninsula: Estivant Pines, Redwyn Dunes, Gratiot Lake, Brockway Mountain, and the Robert T. Brown Teaching Sanctuary., as part of the 2005 MNA Fall Social Event.

The Michigan Nature Association's presence in the Keweenaw Peninsula began in the 1970s with the purchase of the Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary, the largest tract of old-growth white pine in the Unites States, east of the Mississippi River. Since then, MNA has acquired over 18 sanctuaries in the Keweenaw, resulting in the protection of more than 1,500 acres of land. This September, we are planning a weekend adventure to celebrate the establishment of the Keweenaw Community Foundation Fund that will further protect natural areas in the Keweenaw and visit some of our sanctuaries there.

SCHEDULE

Friday, Sept. 23
10:00 AM – Meet at Meijers in Lansing * (1350 W. Lake Lansing Rd. Tel: 517-333-3006). Participants will meet and leave vehicles in the E section of the parking lot by Applebees Restaurant and take a bus to the Super 8 Motel in Houghton (1220 E. Lakeshore Dr., Tel: 906-482-2240).

Note: the Friday bus can stop to pick up additional people in two locations between Lansing and Houghton. Possible locations are: Mt. Pleasant, Gaylord, St. Ignace, or Munising. We'll select two of these locations based
upon requests.

Saturday, Sept. 24
8:15 AM – Meet in the lobby of the Houghton Super 8 Motel. All participants will travel by bus to the sanctuaries. Participants will choose one of the field trips described below. Field trips will be led by Charlie Eshbach, Jeremy Emmi, Joan Chadde, and others.

Choose ONE:

(1) Hike Estivant Pines and Redwyn’s Dunes Nature Sanctuaries
Estivant Pines Nature Sanctuary near Copper Harbor-MNA’s first sanctuary in the Keweenaw -boasts one of the largest tracts of old-growth white pine in the United States, east of the Mississippi River! Walk beneath these 500 year-old pines that tower 100 feet above the ground. In addition to this grand spectacle of trees, eighty-five species of birds nest in and around these giant pines, and a variety of northern boreal plants provide groundcover. The Redwyn’s Dunes Nature Sanctuary is located just east of Keweenaw’s Great Sand Bay along M-26 north of Eagle River. A new one-mile trail takes you along two dune ponds and out to the shore of Lake Superior.

(2) Hike Gratiot Lake and Brockway Mountain Nature Sanctuaries
The trail in MNA’s Gratiot Lake Nature Sanctuary climbs nearly 400 ft. to the top of a bluff overlooking Gratiot Lake. One of Michigan’s most beautiful cascading waterfalls is hidden within this 100-acre sanctuary. The Brockway Mountain Nature Sanctuary offers an overlook of Copper Harbor, Lake Superior, and a spectacular view of the fall colors.

6:00-7:00 PM Dinner on Your Own

7:30 PM - Keweenaw Community Foundation Celebration at the Keweenaw Community Foundation’s new office (in former Chamber of Commerce location), 326 Sheldon Ave.(Upper Level), Houghton. Tel: 482-9673

Join us for hors’d’oerves and a presentation by MNA’s executive director, Jeremy Emmi, that will highlight the Michigan Nature Association’s activities and challenges in the Keweenaw, including the details of the newly established Keweenaw Community Foundation Endowment Fund. Meet other MNA members and learn how we can expand protection of valuable resources in the Keweenaw. All members and their guests are encouraged to attend (you need not attend the Saturday field trip). Please RSVP to michigannature@michigannature.org even if this is the only event you plan to attend, so we can plan accordingly! The Saturday evening event is FREE and open to ALL without registration.

Sunday, Sept. 25
8:15 AM - Meet at the Super 8 Motel in Houghton (1220 E. Lakeside Dr., or Tel: 906-482-2240.)
Participants from downstate who came to Houghton on the bus, will travel by bus to the sanctuary. All other participants will provide their own transportation.
9:00 AM - Visit the Robert T. Brown Teaching Nature Sanctuary near Painesdale on a guided tour with Charlie Eshbach, (MNA’s Upper Peninsula field representative) and Jeremy Emmi (MNA executive director). This site is part of MNA’s Statewide Land Protection Campaign and offers a rich variety of plant and animal species.

10:30 AM – Participants depart on the bus from Brown Teaching Sanctuary and head toward Lansing. Others are invited to visit MNA’s Black Creek sanctuary with Charlie Eshbach, Those interested in extending the Sunday field trip should bring their own lunch, snacks, and water. Estimated return time is 2 PM.

For More Information or to Register: Contact Natalie Kent at the MNA office at (517) 655-5655 or send an email: michigannature@michigannature.org by Friday, September 16.

OTHER DETAILS
Food for Friday Bus Trip from Lansing will be sack lunches from the Better Health Store that include a sandwich (vegetarian option available), cookie, and salad. Pop, juice, bottled water (or bring your own water bottle to save resources!), ice, snacks, and fruit will be available on the bus. Bus riders are responsible for their own Friday breakfast and dinner (we’ll stop at the Brownstone Inn near Munising or fast food in Marquette).

Saturday Field Trips - Participants will ride the bus for ease of accessing the sanctuaries. Sack lunches will be from the Keweenaw Food Co-op and will include a wrap (vegetarian option available), cookie, and salad. Pop, juice, bottled water (or bring your own water bottle to save resources!), ice, snacks, and fruit will be available on the bus. Participants are responsible for their own Saturday breakfast (a continental breakfast is provided at Super 8 Motel) and Saturday dinner.

Food for Sunday Bus Trip back to Lansing will be Subway sandwiches. Pop, juice, bottled water (or bring your own water bottle to save resources!), ice, snacks, and fruit will be available on the bus. Participants are responsible for their own Sunday breakfast (a continental breakfast is provided at Super 8 Motel) and dinner (bus will be stopping in the Gaylord area.)

Accommodations are available at the Super 8 Motel in Houghton,1220 E. Lakeside Dr., Tel: 906-482-2240.

About the Michigan Nature Association
The Michigan Nature Association (MNA), established in 1952, is a non-profit conservation organization dedicated to protecting examples of Michigan's unique natural habitats and rare or endangered species. Our mission is not only to preserve exceptional land and natural flora, but also to carry on programs of public conservation education and scientific study. Through the help of its members, the MNA now has over 160 nature sanctuaries across the state for people to enjoy today and into the future. For membership information, visit: www.michigannature.org

Joan Schumaker-Chadde, Course Coordinator
Western U.P. Center for Science, Math & Environ. Education
105 Dillman Hall
Michigan Technological University
1400 Townsend Dr., Houghton, MI 49931
Tel: 906-487-3341 Fax: 906-487-1620

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