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2008 Federal Duck Stamp Contest 6975 Mower Road Phone: 989-777-5930 |
Calendar of Events
2007 Amateur Photography Contest Winners and 2008 Contest Information
Visitors picked their favorite photos on September 8, 2007. Start taking pictures for the 2008 Photo Contest. Photos must be taken in public areas on the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge or its satellite refuges or the Green Point Environmental Learning Center between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2007. Deadline for entering is September 1, 2008. Click here to see the winning photos and information for 2008 contest.
Green Point Environmental Learning Center is Now Open on Weekends through the Summer!
Green Point's summer hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday. The facility will be closed on all federal holidays. These special summer hours are from May 3 through September 28, 2008. Beginning September 29, 2008, the hours will be Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Please note that there may be times when the center is closed due to special events elsewhere on the refuge or staff absence. For more information call (989) 759-1669.
Summer Sunday Strolls for Families - Throughout the summer
Are you looking for a way to exercise with your family and enjoy nature at the same time? Join Tom Horb for eight guided hikes on the trails at Green Point Environmental Learning Center, 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw. As you stroll along Green Point's trails, you will learn about the wildlife that lives there, as well as some of the history. We suggest that you bring mosquito repellant. The hikes are free and you are welcome to attend as many as you like! Hikes will be held rain or shine, so dress for the weather. In the event of severe weather, the hikes will be canceled, but you're still welcome to look at our displays inside. Dates and times are as follow:
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September 7, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. (During the Refuge Open House Weekend)
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September 21, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Refuge Open House Weekend - September 6 and 7, 2008
During this weekend, the entire refuge is open to hiking, bicycling and deer scouting during daylight hours only. There is no self-guided auto tour this year due to on-going repairs. Activities planned for the weekend are below. Keep in mind that guided tours will be canceled in the event of severe weather.
Guided Bird Watching Auto Tour —Saturday, 8:00 a.m.
Join refuge volunteers Steve Gasser and Larry Abraham for a guided bird watching auto tour. All birders should meet at the Ferguson Bayou Trail parking lot to carpool and caravan their way through the refuge.Photo Judging—Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Pick the winners of this year’s refuge photo contest. Pictures will be displayed at the refuge headquarters.FREE Native Plants—Saturday, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
The Saginaw Correctional Facility is donating hundreds of native upland and wetland plants/grasses to give away, beginning at 9:00 a.m. Limit of 4 plants per family, please.Guided Bicycle Tour 1—Saturday, 6:00 p.m.
Grab your bicycle and join Park Ranger Tom Horb at the Ferguson Bayou Trail parking lot. You will ride about 10 miles through the refuge along the Flint and Shiawassee Rivers and the Spaulding Drain. Bring binoculars, camera, water, and mosquito repellant. We suggest bikes with wide tires only.Guided Bird Walk — Sunday, 8:00 a.m.
Join Refuge Manager Steve Kahl and refuge volunteer Steve Gasser at the parking lot at the west end of Evon Road, south of Saginaw off of highway M-13. Bring binoculars, water, and mosquito repellant.Sunday Family Stroll—Sunday, 9:00 a.m.
Get your family outside and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells at Green Point Environmental Learning Center. Park Ranger Tom Horb will guide you as you explore the habitats and wildlife found there.Guided Bicycle Tour 2—Sunday, 6:00 p.m.
This time, Park Ranger Tom Horb will lead a bicycle tour in an area rarely seen by refuge visitors. Meet him at the parking lot at the west end of Evon Road, south of Saginaw off of highway M-13. You will ride 8 to 10 miles through mostly wetland habitat. Bring binoculars, camera, water, and mosquito repellant. We suggest bikes with wide tires only.
Guided Bird Watching Auto Tour - September 12, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. * NEW DATE and TIME *
Join refuge volunteer and Saginaw Valley Audubon Society member Steve Gasser as you caravan through the refuge in search of the many birds that are found here. Meet at the refuge headquarters, 6975 Mower Road at 6:00 p.m. Bring binoculars and mosquito repellant. In the event of severe weather this tour will be canceled.
The Magnificent White-tailed Deer - September 13, 2008
Tom Horb began accompanying his father on hunting trips in the 1950's. He has since spent hundreds of hours in field hunting and studying white-tailed deer. In 1988, he began using a video camera to capture the magnificent deer as they live throughout the year in Michigan. He will share some of his knowledge and video as he discusses the habits of deer. Join him at Green Point Environmental Learning Center, 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw for this program beginning at 9:00 a.m. All ages should enjoy this program.
Guided Bird Watching Auto Tour - September 27, 2008
If you haven't been on a guided bird watching tour, yet, then be sure to check this one out! Refuge volunteer and Saginaw Valley Audubon Society member Steve Gasser will guide you as you caravan through the refuge in search of the many birds that are found here. Meet at the refuge headquarters, 6975 Mower Road at 8:00 a.m. Bring binoculars and mosquito repellant. In the event of severe weather this tour will be canceled.
Guided Horseback Tour - September 27, 2008
Assistant Refuge Manager Ed DeVries will take you on a guided tour of an area of the refuge rarely seen by visitors. You must provide your own horse and reservations are required. Tours will begin at 9:00 a.m. and depart from the parking lot at the west end of Evon Road, which is just south of Saginaw off of highway M-13. Contact Ed at (989) 777-5930, ext. 13. Space is limited and in the event of severe weather or soft road conditions, the tour will be canceled.
Wild Goose Chase 5 K Run/Walk - October 4, 2008
Runners and walkers of all ages and abilities can participate in the refuge's first ever 5 K Run/Walk. Participants will run through portions of the refuge that are normally closed to visitors. Race time is 9:00 a.m. departing from the Ferguson Bayou Trail parking lot area at the west end of Curtis Road. This event is co-sponsored by the Friends of Shiawassee NWR and other partners. For more information, please download the registration form (PDF file, 500 KB).
Family Owl Hike - October 24, 2008
Call owls and do other fun stuff on a guided hike along Green Point Environmental Learning Center's trails, located at 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw. This hike is geared for families with children. The hike will begin at 7:00 p.m.
Nurturing Nature Wednesday Series
The Friends of Shiawassee NWR, Shiawassee NWR and The Jury Foundation of Saginaw sponsor the Nurturing Nature Wednesday Series. All of these programs will be held at Green Point, starting at 7:00 p.m. and last 60 to 90 minutes. Admission is $2 per person and free for members of the Friends of Shiawassee NWR (Annual membership is $12). All ages are welcome.
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January 9, 2008 - Bela Hubbard's Wild Michigan
Join Bela Hubbard, a 19th century naturalist, geologist and explorer, as he observes wildlife in Michigan from the 1830s through the 1870s. Using journals and writings, as well as a costume and set, Chippewa Nature Center historian Kyle Bagnall portrays the pioneer who saw lynx, otters, passenger pigeons, wolves, elk, moose and more. -
February 13, 2008 - Family Life of Feeder Birds
You see them come and go all day from your feeders, but birds actually spend very little time there. What is their family life like? Do both parents build the nest, feed the young and help the mate, or is it left to just one parent? Do they mate for life, or just for a season? Chippewa Nature Center senior naturalist Janea Little tells all. -
March 5, 2008- Birds of Prey - Featuring Live Birds!
Joe Rogers of the Wildlife Recovery Association in Shepherd uses live owls, hawks, turkey vultures and bald eagles which have been injured or orphaned as he talks about birds of prey. Rogers also is involved in the reintroducing the peregrine falcon to Michigan. -
April 9, 2008- Natural Hazards
Spring looms, and with it a few hazards out there in nature. Chippewa Nature Center senior naturalist/land manager Phil Stephens helps nature lovers prepare for itchy plants, bats, bears, biting and stinging insets, ticks, spiders, snakes and threatening weather so they can maximize their enjoyment of nature ’s wonders. -
May 7, 2008- Spring Tree and Wildflower Identification Hike
This involves a hike along the Green Point trails, led by refuge manager Steve Kahl who will describe how to identify the trees and wildflowers that grow in our area and relate interesting facts about their life history. Dress for the weather and possible muddy terrain. -
June 18, 2008- Valuable Wetlands - Featuring Live Animals!
Michigan has lost more than 70 percent of its wetlands. In this presentation by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs, live Michigan wetland mammals, birds and reptiles are used to illustrate the tremendous value and importance of wetlands to both wildlife and people. Among the animals possible in the show are the Eastern fox snake, wood duck, mink, snapping turtle and red shouldered hawk. -
July, 2008 - No Program
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August, 2008- No Program
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September 10, 2008- GPS and You
Michelle Vander Haar, the Shiawassee Refuge ’s private land biologist, talks about the latest technology-based scavenger hunt game called geocaching. She will discuss the terminology, tools and why the refuge uses “virtual geocaching” rather than traditional geocaches. Bring your own GPS (global positioning system) unit to try finding a couple of caches set up for this program. -
October 8, 2008- Exploring Isle Royale National Park
A former biologist of the Isle Royale Wolf Ecology Study, Chippewa Nature Center senior biologist Phil Stephens shares his experiences and insights through a multi-media program depicting the Lake Superior island ’s varied ecosystems and trails, his encounters with wolves and moose on those trails, and an update on the status of the wolves. -
November 5, 2008- Michigan’s Junior Duck Stamp Program
Each year in Michigan, the Junior Duck Stamp competition attracts hundreds of artists in kindergarten through 12th grade. Shiawassee ’s Visitor Services Manager Becky Goche, the state Junior Duck Stamp coordinator, offers an overview of the program and this year’s winners.
For more information contact:
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge
6975 Mower Road
Saginaw, MI 48601
Phone: 989-777-5930
or e-mail us at Shiawassee@fws.gov
