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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.
Woodlot Management Workshop - April 21, 2008
A FREE presentation on woodlot management and alternative uses for ash trees infected with Emerald Ash Borer. The Saginaw County Conservation District has some fun ideas including turning your ash trees into baseball bats and trim for your home. Program begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Green Point Environmental Learning Center, 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw.
Guided Bird Walk - May 10, 2008
Meet at the Ferguson Bayou Trail at Curtis Road, south of Saginaw, off of Highway M-13 at 7:30 a.m. Join Saginaw Valley Audubon Society members Carolyn Szaroletta and Larry Abraham for a guided, 5-mile walk, searching for refuge birds on International Migratory Bird Day. Bring binoculars, water, bug repellant, and wear shoes for walking in wet grass. In the event of bad weather, this walk will be canceled.
Guided Horseback Ride - May 10, 2008
Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day from atop a horse. Assistant Refuge Manager Ed DeVries is taking riders on a guided tour through an area of the refuge that is normally closed to the public. Participants must furnish their own horses. Reservations are required by calling (989) 777-5930, ext. 13. Each tour is limited to 10 riders. The first tour will begin at 9:00 a.m. at the Evon Road parking lot. In the event of severe weather or soft road conditions, this tour will be canceled.
Girl Scout Clean-up Days - May 17, 2008 & June 14, 2008
Girl Scouts will help restore the Backyard Habitat Area at the refuge headquarters, 6975 Mower Rd., from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. You don’t have to be a Girl Scout to help! All are welcome! Bring your gloves, shovels, rakes and other landscaping tools.
Wetlands Workshop - May 19, 2008
A FREE presentation about wetlands. Learn about the importance of water and wetlands in your backyard. Program begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Green Point Environmental Learning Center, 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw.
Wetland Planting Day - May 31, 2008
Many volunteers are needed to help restore a part of the refuge, beginning at 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Over 19,000 wetland plant plugs need to be planted on an area of the refuge that was converted from farm land several years ago. Volunteers are asked to bring a small garden shovel or a bulb planter to use to get the plants into the ground. If you can help, please sign-up by May 23, 2008, by calling Becky Goche at (989) 759-1669.
Kids' Free Fishing Day - June 7, 2008
Children ages 3 to 15 years can compete is this FREE fishing contest for a chance to win prizes, including bicycles and fishing gear at Ojibway Island in Saginaw. Registration is from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. The fishing contest runs from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Bring your own fishing poles and gear. A LIMITED amount of free bait will be available. The first 400 children will receive a goodie bag, including a coupon for snacks.
Using Native Plants in Your Landscape Workshop - June 9, 2008
"Designs by Nature" will present information on the importance of using native plants beginning at 6:00 p.m. Afterwards, they will have native plants for sale to anyone who may be interested. This workshop is FREE and is held at the Green Point Environmental Learning Center, 3010 Maple Street in Saginaw.
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.
- 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
- August, 2008- No Program
- 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
