Hi Everyone, Visit Us. Holland

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1 Discover Nature

Hi Everyone, We have had a lot going on at the Nature Preserve lately we are excited about a new merlin at our De Witt Birds of Prey

We rely on partnerships and support from the community to accomplish our goals, and we sincerely thank you for your interest in our

In this work, we are redefining education, restoring and conserving land and water, and making our community the best place to live,

Travis Williams Executive Director Visit Us 4214 56th Street Holland, MI 49423 The ODC Nature Preserve is 155 acres with about 3 miles of

2 Hi Everyone, We have had a lot going on at the Nature Preserve lately we are excited about a new merlin at our De Witt Birds of Prey Center and about welcoming families to register for the academic year at Little Hawks Discovery Preschool. We rely on partnerships and support from the community to accomplish our goals, and we sincerely thank you for your interest in our organization. Our mission is to connect people, land, and nature through outdoor education, greenway development, and habitat conservation. In this work, we are redefining education, restoring and conserving land and water, and making our community the best place to live, learn, work, and play. We hope you consider joining us for one of our upcoming programs and enjoy this edition of Discover Nature! Travis Williams Executive Director Visit Us th Street Holland, MI The ODC Nature Preserve is 155 acres with about 3 miles of trails, located on the south side of Holland, just south of West Michigan Regional Airport. Admission is free! N 31 16th St Holland 32nd St Exit rd Ave 142nd Ave 196

Program Locations Most programs meet at the Visitors

All are located at the main entrance of the ODC Nature

Visitors Center Founders Hall Discovery Pavilion We

off-site, the address and details can be found in italics

Visitors Center 1 Observe live animals and view our

3 2 Imagination Forest Ottawa Summer Village Dig in a

3 Program Locations Most programs meet at the Visitors Center, Founders Hall, or the Discovery Pavilion. All are located at the main entrance of the ODC Nature Preserve, th Street, Holland, MI, Visitors Center Founders Hall Discovery Pavilion We sometimes lead programs at other locations around the community. All locations are listed next to the program title if off-site, the address and details can be found in italics beneath the program description. Welcome to the ODC Nature Preserve! Shown here are some popular features. Visitors Center 1 Observe live animals and view our taxidermy collection. Open 9 AM 4 PM Monday-Saturday. 3 2 Imagination Forest Ottawa Summer Village Dig in a sandbox or balance on logs; enjoy the Discovery Pavilion nearby for picnic tables and bathrooms. Explore a replica village including a bent frame house, cook house, and three-pole house Fillmore Discovery Park Stack blocks, build forts, climb over obstacles, or overlook the fun from the pavilion Catch-and-Release Fishing Pond De Witt Birds of Prey Center Bring your own gear and try your luck fishing off one of the docks. See live hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls up close!

4 Join us for a Program! In the following pages, you will find descriptions of all our community programs in the upcoming months. If you have young children, check out the Parent & Child program section. Programs for Everyone include those designed for older children, teens, families, and adults; and Programs for Adults are best for those with longer attention spans and/or later bedtimes. Of course, there s some flexibility in these categories feel free to call us at anytime you have a question about a program. You can register for programs online at outdoordiscovery.org, or by calling our office. How to Read a Program Description Program Title Know this when registering. Program Location Most programs meet at a site on the ODC Nature Preserve. Sometimes programs are held at a partner location. Scat & Tracks for Tykes (Visitors Center) Have your little tyke learn more about scat and tracks and which animals leave them behind. Be prepared to go on a walk on our trails and search for animal signs. Friday, May :00 AM Fee: $4 per person, FREE to members SAMPLE Date & Time If it s a program we offer frequently, multiple dates will be listed. Details Information about cost and registration can be found here, along with street address if the program is not at the ODC Nature Preserve. Program Description Find out more about this program.

Nature School (Founders Hall) The purpose of Nature School is to introduce the wonders of the natural world to young children ages 3-6.

Thursday, December 14 Thursday, January 4 Thursday, January 18 Thursday, February 1 Thursday, February 15 10 AM 12:00 PM Registration is required Fee: $10 per child or $5 per child for

In each program, you and your little tyke will have the opportunity to explore together making nature crafts, bird feeders, and investigating snow!

Story (Visitors Center) It s time to round up the little ones and come out to the ODC for Explore a Story!

5 Nature School (Founders Hall) The purpose of Nature School is to introduce the wonders of the natural world to young children ages 3-6. Crafts, activities, games, books, songs, live animals, and outside exploration will be incorporated into their nature-based learning experience. Thursday, December 14 Thursday, January 4 Thursday, January 18 Thursday, February 1 Thursday, February AM 12:00 PM Registration is required Fee: $10 per child or $5 per child for members (per class) Parent & Child Programs Nature for Tykes (Founders Hall) Have your little tyke learn more about nature. In each program, you and your little tyke will have the opportunity to explore together making nature crafts, bird feeders, and investigating snow! Monday, December 4 Theme: Crafts Monday, January 8 Theme: Bird Feeding Monday, February 5 Theme: Snow 10 11:00 AM Registration is required Fee: $4 per child, FREE to members Explore a Story (Visitors Center) It s time to round up the little ones and come out to the ODC for Explore a Story! We ll be introducing kids aged 0-6 to the outdoors through books and outdoor adventures. We ll read books, take hikes, meet animals, and have lots of fun. Dress for the weather because we ll be heading outside to see what the world has in store for us! Every session will be different, so you won t want to miss a single one. Tuesday, December 12 Tuesday, January 2 Tuesday, February :00 AM Registration is not required, but appreciated Fee: $4 per child, FREE to members

Little Hawks Discovery Preschool Registration for 2018-19 School Year Opens January 16 The ODCMG offers preschool classes for 3- and 4-year-olds at its Little Hawks Discovery Preschool.

school readiness. Children spend at least half of each preschool session outdoors throughout the year!

Registration for the 2018/19 school year will begin on January 16, 2018. To register, parents will need to complete a registration form online and pay a registration deposit of $50.

Scholarships and tuition assistance are available for qualifying families. We also participate in Michigan s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) for qualifying 4-year-olds.

6 Little Hawks Discovery Preschool Registration for School Year Opens January 16 The ODCMG offers preschool classes for 3- and 4-year-olds at its Little Hawks Discovery Preschool. Running from mid-september to mid-may, Little Hawks offers a nature-based preschool program that is unique in its emphasis on outdoor play as a key component for preschoolers development and school readiness. Children spend at least half of each preschool session outdoors throughout the year! Half-day sessions are offered for different age groups: 3-year-olds 4-year-olds 3 s and 4 s together Children must be 3 years old on or before September 1st to enroll. Registration for the 2018/19 school year will begin on January 16, To register, parents will need to complete a registration form online and pay a registration deposit of $50. Tuition can be paid monthly, by semester, or yearly and is not due until the beginning of the program year in September. Scholarships and tuition assistance are available for qualifying families. We also participate in Michigan s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP) for qualifying 4-year-olds. Parents can indicate if they are interested in applying when they register. More information about Little Hawks Discovery Preschool can be found on our website: www. littlehawks.org. To add your name to our contact list (and receive reminders about the registration) or to ask questions about our program, your name, your child s name and date of birth to: littlehawks@ outdoordiscovery.org.

Hungry, Hungry Serpents (Visitors Center) What do snakes eat? Since they are carnivores, their diet consists of animals like toads, worms, and mice!

Saturday, December 2 11 AM 12:00 PM Registration is not required, but appreciated Fee: FREE For Everyone Live Birds of Prey at Winterfest (Felt

Saturday, December 9 1 2:00 PM (ODC Program); 12 2:00 PM (Winterfest) Program Location: Felt Mansion, 6597 138th Avenue, Holland, MI No registration

But most birds are very well insulated by their feathers, and are coldtolerant.

take advantage of abundant food. Finding food drives most of migration. For example, insects make up a majority of bird diets.

Here in Michigan, most of our insects are dormant for the winter or die off in the fall, and therefore warblers, flycatchers, and swallows must

Insects that are dormant often hide under tree bark and may become a winter meal for a woodpecker, nuthatch, or chickadee that are adept at finding

7 Hungry, Hungry Serpents (Visitors Center) What do snakes eat? Since they are carnivores, their diet consists of animals like toads, worms, and mice! Stop by the Visitors Center to see these awesome predators in action. Saturday, December 2 11 AM 12:00 PM Registration is not required, but appreciated Fee: FREE For Everyone Live Birds of Prey at Winterfest (Felt Mansion) The Felt Estate has invited us to their Winterfest event join us at the Carriage House for a wildlife presentation using our live birds of prey and other native Michigan animals. Come at noon if you also want to enjoy face-painting, horse-drawn wagon rides, selfguided tours of the mansion, and a free lunch. Saturday, December 9 1 2:00 PM (ODC Program); 12 2:00 PM (Winterfest) Program Location: Felt Mansion, th Avenue, Holland, MI No registration necessary Fee: FREE sponsored by Felt Mansion Watch for Winter Birds We often think of birds migrating south to avoid the cold. But most birds are very well insulated by their feathers, and are coldtolerant. In fact, a more appropriate way of thinking about migration is to imagine birds scattering from the tropics towards the poles during summertime to take advantage of abundant food. Finding food drives most of migration. For example, insects make up a majority of bird diets. Many birds specialize in eating insects from the air. Here in Michigan, most of our insects are dormant for the winter or die off in the fall, and therefore warblers, flycatchers, and swallows must return south to find flying insects. Insects that are dormant often hide under tree bark and may become a winter meal for a woodpecker, nuthatch, or chickadee that are adept at finding them. Birds that forage on the ground, like robins, may have to travel south if the snow gets too thick for them to find food underneath. Contrary to popular belief, robins do not all migrate south many stay in Michigan all winter. They move in small flocks and eat leftover fruit on native shrubs. While some birds leave us, other birds arrive from the arctic for the winter. Dark-eyed juncos, snowy owls, pine grosbeaks, and snow buntings are all able to find more food here in our relatively mild conditions than they would in the tundra. Look for these winter arrivals and keep an eye on those that stayed in your own yard or at the ODC Nature Preserve. Dark-eyed Junco Pine Grosbeak American Robin

Michigan Falcons New Merlin at De Witt Birds of Prey Center In November, we acquired a new merlin.

He was brought to the Michigan State University veterinary clinic, where they determined his injuries severe enough to amputate a wing.

We are not a rehabilitation facility, all of our birds come from licensed rehabilitators, not directly from the wild.

They are relatively small compared to other raptors and are therefore often overlooked. Falcons can be identified by their long wings, which crisscross each other over their tail when perched.

the US Fish and Wildlife Service to keep permanently disabled birds of prey to use in educational programs.

8 Michigan Falcons New Merlin at De Witt Birds of Prey Center In November, we acquired a new merlin. Merlins are falcons that favor open grasslands and are sometimes found along the lakeshore in the dunes, where they hunt shorebirds. This merlin injured his right wing in the wild. He was brought to the Michigan State University veterinary clinic, where they determined his injuries severe enough to amputate a wing. After completing rehabilitation, the MSU clinic contacted us to provide a permanent home for this bird, as it cannot survive in the wild with its disability. We are not a rehabilitation facility, all of our birds come from licensed rehabilitators, not directly from the wild. We have permits from the Michigan DNR and Features of Falcons Falcons are a type of raptor, or bird that uses its feet to catch food. They are relatively small compared to other raptors and are therefore often overlooked. Falcons can be identified by their long wings, which crisscross each other over their tail when perched. They have many features unique to their taxonomic family, as seen on this illustration of a peregrine falcon. the US Fish and Wildlife Service to keep permanently disabled birds of prey to use in educational programs. We outfitted the merlin s cage with ramps and low perches, as his injury makes it hard for him to balance. We are excited to have him because merlins are listed as a threatened species in the state of Michigan and many people do not have the chance to see them otherwise. Stop by and visit the new merlin and the other raptors soon! American Kestrel Merlin Peregrine Falcon Gyrfalcon Pointed wings give falcons speed and maneuverability. The Peregrine Falcon is the fastest animal in the world, going 200+ mph in a dive. Dark stripes under the eyes, called malar stripes, reduce the amount of sunlight reflected into the bird s eye. The effect is similar to the eyeblack used by football players. Falcons use a special notch in their beak, the tomial tooth, to bite through the spinal cord of their prey. Falcons have long, skinny toes with sharp talons that they use to punch or rake at their prey in flight.

9 Production sponsored by: YOU Hi Everyone, The ODC provides priceless outdoor experiences for children and adults in our community. In fact, each year more than 50,000 people participate in our programs. We couldn t do that without you. You can help us reach more people in three simple ways. First, join in one of the programs in this guide! Second, tell someone else about us. Third, make a year-end gift to support our mission in the enclosed envelope or online. Thank you for helping to make our community the best place to live, work, play, and learn! Your friends at the ODC

For Everyone Holidays at the ODC Create family memories and traditions with us during these programs in December!

You can hang it up inside on our tree or take it home to hang up inside or outside at your house! All materials will be provided.

snakes eat? Since they are carnivores, their diet consists of animals like toads, worms, and mice!

Friday, December 22 2 3:00 PM Registration is not required, but appreciated Fee: FREE Explore a Story (Visitors Center) Learn

The program is ideal for little ones who can sit through a short story.

10 For Everyone Holidays at the ODC Create family memories and traditions with us during these programs in December! Nature Ornament (Visitors Center) Make an ornament with seeds, sticks, or leaves. You can hang it up inside on our tree or take it home to hang up inside or outside at your house! All materials will be provided. Saturday, December AM 12:00 PM Fee: $4 per ornament, $2 per for members Hungry, Hungry Serpents (Visitors Center) What do snakes eat? Since they are carnivores, their diet consists of animals like toads, worms, and mice! Stop by the Visitors Center to see these awesome predators in action. Friday, December :00 PM Registration is not required, but appreciated Fee: FREE Explore a Story (Visitors Center) Learn about animals using a children s book and then see a related animal up close and personal. The program is ideal for little ones who can sit through a short story. Saturday, December 23 10:30 11 AM Registration is not required, but appreciated Fee: FREE Welcome Winter Walk (Founders Hall) Explore the trails of the ODC Nature Preserve with a naturalist. Winter is a great season to find animal tracks, interesting animal homes, birds, and other natural wonders. Dress for the weather. Wednesday, December PM Fee: $4 per person, FREE to members

Come to the ODC for a Scavenger Hunt that changes weekly!

Holidays at the For Everyone Winter Wildlife (Visitors Center) Not all animals hibernate or migrate to get away

Learn what animals do to survive and thrive in Michigan winters including animals you may find in your backyard

Thursday, December 28 11 AM 12:00 PM Fee: $4 per child, FREE to members Live Birds of Prey (Visitors Center) What

See live hawks, owls, and falcons and explore artifacts including skulls, wings, talons and feathers.

11 Come to the ODC for a Scavenger Hunt that changes weekly! Pick up your copy at the front desk of the Visitors Center. Holidays at the For Everyone Winter Wildlife (Visitors Center) Not all animals hibernate or migrate to get away from Michigan winters. Some animals even come to Michigan for winter! Learn what animals do to survive and thrive in Michigan winters including animals you may find in your backyard throughout the winter. Thursday, December AM 12:00 PM Fee: $4 per child, FREE to members Live Birds of Prey (Visitors Center) What makes a bird of prey different from other birds? See live hawks, owls, and falcons and explore artifacts including skulls, wings, talons and feathers. Friday, December AM 12:00 PM Fee: $5 per person, FREE to members Hot Chocolate at the Feeders (Visitors Center) Pour yourself a hot beverage and pull up a chair by the feeders to watch birds and talk with a naturalist. You may find birds such as Dark-eyed Junco, White-throated sparrow, and woodpeckers coming in for a bite to eat. Binoculars and field guides will be available. Saturday, December AM 12:00 PM No registration necessary Fee: FREE

For Everyone Snowshoe Hike (Visitors Center) Hike the wintery trails of the ODC Nature Preserve in search of winter wildlife.

Saturday, January 13 10 11:30 AM Fee: $5 per person, FREE to members Owl Prowl (Rabbit River Preserve) Hike the woods of our Rabbit River Preserve in search of resident and migratory owls.

Friday, January 26 6 7:30 PM Program Location: Rabbit River Preserve, 4401 135th Ave, Hamilton, MI 49419 Fee: $4 per person, FREE to members Superb Owl Prowl (Sanctuary Woods) Hike the dune of

12 For Everyone Snowshoe Hike (Visitors Center) Hike the wintery trails of the ODC Nature Preserve in search of winter wildlife. The group will use the Center s Ojibwa-style snowshoes as long as there is at least 4 inches of snow. The snowshoes are intended for people ages 8 years old and up. Saturday, January :30 AM Fee: $5 per person, FREE to members Owl Prowl (Rabbit River Preserve) Hike the woods of our Rabbit River Preserve in search of resident and migratory owls. The group will try to call in Eastern Screech, Barred and Great Horned Owls as they hike. Flashlights are welcome. Dress for the weather! Friday, January :30 PM Program Location: Rabbit River Preserve, th Ave, Hamilton, MI Fee: $4 per person, FREE to members Superb Owl Prowl (Sanctuary Woods) Hike the dune of Laketown Township s Sanctuary Woods in search of resident and migratory owls. The group will try to call in Eastern Screech, Barred, and Great Horned Owls as they hike. Flashlights are welcome. Dress for the weather! Friday, February 2 5:30 6:30 PM Program Location: Sanctuary Woods, th Street, Holland, MI Fee: FREE sponsored by Laketown Township Snowshoe Rentals Borrow a pair of our Ojibwa-style snowshoes to walk on the ODC Nature Preserve. They can be used for a $5 per pair donation. All kids 8-13 years are FREE with a paying adult (snowshoes are not designed for those 7 yrs and under). Snowshoes can be borrowed from the Visitors Center during business hours if there s more than 4 inches of snow on the trails. We ask that anyone borrowing snowshoes return them at least 30 minutes before we close on that day. Monday-Saturday with 4 of snow 9 AM 3:00 PM No registration necessary Fee: $5 per adult; children 8-13 FREE with paying adult

Winter Walk with a Naturalist (Keppel Forest) Explore the trails of Keppel Forest with a naturalist. Winter is a great season to see birds, animal tracks, and interesting animal homes.

13 Winter Walk with a Naturalist (Keppel Forest) Explore the trails of Keppel Forest with a naturalist. Winter is a great season to see birds, animal tracks, and interesting animal homes. Saturday, February :00 AM Program Location: Keppel Forest, 2117 W Lakewood Blvd, Holland, MI Fee: FREE sponsored by Park Township For Everyone Family Ice Fishing (Visitors Center) Try your line on an ODC Nature Preserve pond during this catch-and-release ice fishing day. All materials are provided including fishing poles and tackle. This is an open-format program where visitors can fish as long as they would like. Dress to be outside for at least one hour. Participants will be able to use the Center s equipment up until 12 PM. Saturday, February :30 AM Fee: $5 per person, $3 per for members Great Backyard Bird Count (Visitors Center) The Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a free, fun, and easy event that engages bird watchers of all ages in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of bird populations. Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts, and you can participate from your backyard, or anywhere in the world. An ODCMG naturalist will be in the Visitors Center monitoring the feeders for the duration of this drop-in style program. Hot chocolate and coffee will be provided! Saturday, February AM 12:00 PM No registration necessary Fee: FREE Snowshoe Hike (Bysterveld Park) We are partnering with Allegan County Parks to offer a family snowshoe hike. Hikers will explore the trails of Bysterveld County Park in search of interesting animals and plants while walking in wooden, Ojibwa-style snowshoes. The snowshoes are ideal for people aged 8 years and up. Participants are welcome to wear their own snowshoes and bring a sled for little ones to be pulled while hiking. Be prepared to be outside the entire time hiking. At least 4 inches of snow base is required in order for the loaner snowshoes to be available to the group. Saturday, February AM 12:00 PM Program Location: Bysterveld Park, th St, Wayland, MI Fee: FREE sponsored by Allegan County Parks, Recreation, & Tourism

For Adults Wake Up West Coast (Haworth Inn & Conference Center) Our executive director, Travis Williams, will present the keynote address for this West Coast Chamber of Commerce event.

To grow, attract talent, and retain families in West Michigan, we must become more nature-rich. Tuesday, December 12 7:30 8:30 AM Program Location: 225 College Ave, Holland, 49423 at westcoastchamber.

The mouth of the Kalamazoo River in winter is a great place to look for waterfowl such as common loon, long-tailed duck, and scoter and scaup species.

14 For Adults Wake Up West Coast (Haworth Inn & Conference Center) Our executive director, Travis Williams, will present the keynote address for this West Coast Chamber of Commerce event. Listen as he shares why being sustainable is not enough to make our community the best place to work, live, play and learn. To grow, attract talent, and retain families in West Michigan, we must become more nature-rich. Tuesday, December 12 7:30 8:30 AM Program Location: 225 College Ave, Holland, at westcoastchamber.org Fee: $35 per person Kalamazoo River Mouth Birding (NorthShore of Saugatuck) The wind may be whipping and the air cold, but birds will be on the lake. The mouth of the Kalamazoo River in winter is a great place to look for waterfowl such as common loon, long-tailed duck, and scoter and scaup species. Dress warmly and plan to hike a short distance but spend time standing looking for birds through scopes and binoculars. Saturday, January 6 1 PM 2:30 PM Program Location: NorthShore of Saugatuck, th Ave, Saugatuck, MI Fee: $4 per person, FREE to members Project Clarity Agriculture Luncheon (Zeeland Farm Services) Project Clarity s annual Agriculture Luncheon will be held at Zeeland Farm Services. Our keynote speaker, David Brandt of Brandt Farms, will be presenting information on cover crops and no-till farming. Wednesday, February 14 11:30 AM 1:00 PM Program Location: Zeeland Farm Services, th Ave, Zeeland, MI Fee: FREE Ecuador Ecotour: April 20 May 4, 2018 Travel with our program director, Jamie Krupka, and friend of the ODC and professional guide, Roberto Cedeño, on a bucket list trip to Ecuador that includes adventure, wildlife, and culture! Our tour starts with a visit to the equator and the historic city of Quito. While on the mainland, we will also visit the Northern Andean Paramo ecosystem and the Amazon basin including four days at the Napo Wildlife Center before boarding a plane to the Galapagos. We ll have the chance to snorkel with sea turtles as we spend five days on a private boat visiting multiple islands. Not only will you learn about the culture of Ecuador, but birds, mammals, insects, amphibians, reptiles, landscapes, and sun will be abundant! Space is limited for the trip, so contact Jamie today to learn more or to make a deposit: jamie@ outdoordiscovery. org or Magnificent Frigatebird

15 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 Hungry, Hungry Serpents December Crafting Birds of Prey for Tykes at Winterfest Wake Up Nature Nature West Coast School Ornament Hungry, 23 Hungry, Serpents Welcome 28 Winter 29 Live 30Hot Chocolate Winter Walk Wildlife Birds of Prey at the Feeders 31 Explore a Story Explore a Story 1 2 Explore a Story 3 4Nature School 5 6 Kalamazoo River Mouth Birding January 2018 February 7 8 Bird Feeding Snowshoe for Tykes Hike Nature School Owl Prowl Nature School 2 Superb 3 Winter Walk Owl Prowl with a Naturalist 4 5 Snow Family for Tykes Ice Fishing Project Clarity 15 Nature School Great Backyard Bird Luncheon Count Explore Snowshoe a Story Hike

16 th Street Holland, MI mailer address city town state & stuff

April-May 2017 Community Programs

April-May 2017 Community Programs Nature School (Founders Hall) Friday, April 14 th Friday, April 28 th Friday, May 12 th Friday, May 26 th 9:00 to 11:00 AM The purpose of Nature School is to introduce