Winter Newsletter December-February 2020-21

Guided Hikes, Programs and More!

Inspiring people to be stewards of the natural world

2 3Chippewa Nature Center Newsletter | Published Quarterly • Fall 2020

The events of 2020 have caused uncertainty and incalculable impacts on our region, state, and nation.

Through it all, Chippewa Nature Center has continued to contribute to the quality of life in the region by providing an essential connection with nature for all people. There is a real need for access to the outdoors and alternative learning resources and we are committed to meeting those needs and serving the community. Our community has responded, and we have seen unprecedented use of the trails and online educational resources, including many first-time visits and new members during the pandemic and in the post-flood recovery phase. As we move into the final quarter of 2020, I’d like to ask for your help as we seek financial support through our annual year end appeal.

It’s been said that the only constant is change and I think we would all agree that 2020 has been a year like no other. A year which required us all to adapt, remain flexible and focus on what really matters. At Chippewa Nature Center we believe there is another constant – nature. While ever-changing, nature is always there for us. Whether you are looking for healthy outdoor recreation, solace, nature study or restorative time in nature, we hope you find it at Chippewa Nature Center.

Please help us continue to be a resource for the healing and community-building benefits of nature for all by making a donation today.

Supporting CNC During a Time of Change ..2Rent-a-Sap Bucket Offers NEW Benefit .......3Celebrating the Winter Solstice ........................3Calendar of Events December .......................................................4 January ............................................................6 February ..........................................................8The Ojibway in Winter ........................................5Wresting in the Snow .........................................7Venture Out! To Improve your Health ............9Donors & New Members .............................. 10

Table of Contents

Dennis Pilaske Executive Director

Supporting CNC During a Time of Change

2 3www.chippewanaturecenter.org | Chippewa Nature Center Newsletter | Published Quarterly • Fall 2020

Rent-a-Sap Bucket Offers NEW Benefit!

Help us celebrate maple syrup season and support CNC programming! For $100 ($80 is tax deductible), you can Rent-

a-Sap Bucket. You will be assigned a number that corresponds with a numbered sap bucket hung in the Sugarbush. You will receive a bottle of syrup produced on-site, as well as the opportunity to participate in a NEW benefit – a tree tapping experience! Participants will schedule a private 30-minute Sugarbush tour for up to 10 people. A Naturalist will teach you how to identify trees, and the group will tap a maple using a bit and brace. Tours must be scheduled at least a week in advance and are available during the month of March. Participants will be asked to request a first, second and third choice date and time.

Purchase your bucket at www.chippewanaturecenter.org, by phone at 989.631.0830 or in person at the Visitor Center.

Celebrating the Winter SolsticeSun, Dec 20 from 12-4 pm

FREE | All Ages, under 18 w/adult

The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year. Families can drop in anytime between 12-4 pm to celebrate the first day of winter along the Arbury Trail with a variety of winter-related, self-guided activities. Please remember to enjoy activities while keeping a 6-foot distance from people outside your household.

Visit your sap bucket! We will let you know when your bucket is hung in the Sugarbush collecting sap!

Your name and bucket number will be posted on the Sugarhouse door.

Visit the Sugarhouse! Afternoons at the Sugarhouse is offered Saturdays & Sundays in March from 1-4 pm.

Watch as sap is boiled into sweet maple syrup, and celebrate the season that you’re helping to support!

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EvEntsDECEMBER

Celebrating the Winter Solstice Sun, Dec 20 • 12-4 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year. Families can drop in anytime between 12-4 pm to celebrate the first day of winter along the Arbury Trail with a variety of winter-related, self-guided activities. Please remember to enjoy activities while keeping a 6-foot distance from people outside your household.

Full Moon Stroll Tue, Dec 29 • 5-6 pm • Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 12/28 This month’s Long Nights moon recognizes the shorter days and longer nights that occur near the winter solstice. Bundle up to look and listen for nocturnal wildlife moving under the moon light. Wear dark clothing and bring a flashlight.

Winter Wildlife Hike Wed, Dec 9 • 9-10 am • Ages: 18+ Pre-register by 12/8 The best time to look for wildlife activity is when snow is on the ground and the leaves are down. Join an Interpretive Naturalist on a guided hike to discover what wildlife does during the winter months and how to read the clues they leave behind.

Families in Nature: Decorate a Tree for Wildlife Sat, Dec 12 • 2-3 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 12/11 Discover what animals need during the chilly weather, then help create some wildlife friendly decorations to celebrate winter both at CNC and at home.

Wildlife Wander Tues, Dec 15 • 9:30-11 am • Ages 18+ Pre-register by 12/14 Nature is always changing! Join an Interpretive Naturalist once a month this fall to walk the trails, look for wildlife and experience the transition of CNC’s natural landscape.

Story Hour

Thurs, Dec 3 & 17 • 9:30 & 11 am Ages: 3-5 yrs w/adult Pre-register by 12/2 & 12/16 Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities. The entire program will take place outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Nature Adventures: Animal TrackingFri, Dec 11 & Thurs, Dec 17 2-3:30 pm • Ages 5-12 Pre-register by 12/10 & 12/16 Become a nature detective and learn how to track animals. Using fine-tuned investigative skills, children will look for clues of animals including tracks, scat, feathers, broken plants and more.

Maple Syrup Day March 20, 2021 (tentative)

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour April 9 & 10, 2021 (tentative)

Save the Date

4 5www.chippewanaturecenter.org |

Winter was a harsh season for the Ojibwe people, the Native Americans that lived in this area. They depended on knowledge of the natural resources

of the region to be able to endure the season. Shelter and food were of primary concern and much effort was made to ensure that these needs were taken care of. Therefore, preparations for winter typically began earlier in the year, when plant resources for food and medicine were abundant. These resources were gathered, dried, and stored for later use.

A wigwam provided shelter from the wind and the snow. Constructed of saplings sunk into the ground, bent, and tied to form a dome, it was covered with waterproof materials such as cedar or birch bark. An additional layer of bark or animal skins was used inside to line the walls, and moss or leaves were used as insulation in between the layers to keep the winter winds out. A fire kept things warm and comfortable.

During the winter months, men would hunt deer, bear, wolves, and other animals which provided fresh meat for families in the winter camp. The use of snowshoes helped them move through the deep snow without sinking into the drifts and allowed them to track animals for a successful hunt. Fish was also an important winter food and provided an additional source of protein. Holes cut through the ice allowed for fishing which was done with hooks made of bone or wood. Women were also busy in the winter, using resources from the land to make necessary items for the family. It was a time to make clothing and footwear from the hides they had tanned in the fall, as well as eating and cooking utensils such as makuks, or birchbark baskets.

Winter was also a time for being with family, reflection, and teaching. The long nights around the warming fire in the wigwam provided a time for elders to share stories. These stories not only helped pass the long winter nights, but also served the purpose of teaching history and life lessons to the children.

Corrine Bloomfield Historical Interpreter

The Ojibway in Winter: A Time of Endurance and Reflection

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EvEntsJANUARY

Winter Tree Identification Sat, Jan 30 • 1-2 pm • Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult Learn to identify trees in winter by their bark, branches and buds. Compare characteristics of opposite, alternate or whorled, then look closer at bud shape and color. Dress for the weather for this outdoor program.

First Day Hike Fri, Jan 1 • 9 am-4 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult Join us in the tradition of a First Day Hike, where you can enjoy a self-guided hike around the Wetland Trail. Look for signs along the trail that share how wildlife live here year-round.

Kids Nature Art: Winter Sat, Jan 2 • 2-3:30 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 1/1 Drop in with CNC staff at The Woods Nature Play area for a blast of winter art. Stations with different projects will be set up throughout the play area to allow your artist to experience art through winter and winter through art. This self-paced experience will allow your child to create many projects or work hard on one masterpiece, whatever suits them best.

Families in Nature: Tracks and Scat Sat, Jan 9 • 2-3 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 1/8 Tracks and scat give us lots of clues about the animals that live around us. Even if we don’t see them, we can learn a lot about them by what they leave behind. The entire program will take place outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Full Moon Stroll Thurs, Jan 28 • 6-7:30 pm • Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 1/27 Walk through tree shadows under the light of the wolf moon. While no wolves live around CNC, we’ll look around and listen for signs of other nocturnal wildlife. Wear dark clothing and bring a flashlight. We may use snowshoes if conditions permit.

Story HourThurs, Jan 7 & 21 • 9:30 & 11 am Ages: 3-5 yrs w/adult • Pre-register by 1/6 & 1/20 Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities. The entire program will take place outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Snowshoe Sampler Jan 2, 10 am-12 pm & Jan 23, 2-4 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult It’s time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter morning in the snow.

Evening Snowshoe HikeJan 5, 7, 13, 19, 25, 27 • 5-6:30 pm • Ages 15+, under 18 w/adult • Pre-register and reserve snowshoes Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Family Snowshoe Hike Jan 11 • 4-5:30 pm • Ages 5+, under 18 w/adult • Pre-register and reserve snowshoes Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed! We will search high and low for signs of animals as we explore on and off trails. Please bring a sled to pull younger children.

If snow conditions are unfavorable, the events will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC).

Snowshoeing at CNC

www.chippewanaturecenter.org | 7

Madison Powell Nature Preschool Director

Wrestling in the Snow: Embracing Rough-and-tumble Play

Roughhousing

Roughhousing is a type of play which is seen not only across cultures, but across species! Usually voluntary and spontaneous, it involves a friendly sense of competition. For the young of both humans and animals this type of play promotes resilience, develops gross motor skills, and strengthens the sensory system. It also increases the brain-derived neurotropic factor for learning (BDNF). Winter is a wonderful time to initiate and encourage rough-and-tumble play. Soft, snow-covered surfaces and the addition of layered outerwear provide cushion for rolling and tackling.

What Rough-and-tumble Play Can Teach

It is a healthy sign of appropriate development to be interested in rough and tumble play throughout many years of childhood. Children who roughhouse learn to negotiate, give and take, and how to cooperate and coordinate. Rough and tumble play builds on social intelligence. This type of play allows children to learn about their bodies and about the world. When they verbalize what they want, don’t want, and how the action makes them feel within the framework of game play, they are learning morality. Children can learn boundaries and can develop a sense of strength and power.

How to Facilitate Play

Whether you are the opponent or facilitator, an adult can collaborate with the child(ren) to set up guidelines. Rough play is more likely to be safe and successful when all parties understand the boundaries before you begin. Use an area with plenty of space that is clear of hazards, no matter indoors or out. Come up with a word (stop, freeze, uncle) to pause the activity as soon as someone becomes uncomfortable. As the adult, model communication of boundaries through verbalization.

Resources: Daniel Hodgins, Early Childhood Consultant, www.danieljhodgins.com

6 Benefits of Roughhousing for Kids, by Therese Borchard, psychcentral.com/lib/6-benefits-of-roughhousing-for-kids/

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EvEntsFEBRUARY

Citizen Science: Wood Duck Box Clean Out Thurs, Feb 11 • 3-5 pm • Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 2/10 Join Tom Lenon, Director of Land Facilities, as we monitor Wood Duck Boxes, counting the number of hatched eggs from last season and seeing if anyone has been using the boxes since then. Meet at the end of the Homestead Road by the Pavilion and dress to be outdoors for the entire program.

Families in Nature: Winter Shelters Sat, Feb 13 • 2-3 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 2/12 Winter survival hangs in the balance as animals prepare their shelters for the harsh weather. Join a CNC naturalist to seek out, talk about and create winter shelters to determine if you would survive the season!

Wigwam in the Winter Sun, Feb 21 • 2-4 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult Drop by the wigwam to get a glimpse into what it was like for Ojibwa to live in a wigwam along the Pine River several hundred years ago. You’ll have a chance to see some traditional tools used for hunting and preparing wild game, learn about the fur trade and see some plants used for making cordage and baskets. If there is enough snow, we’ll play a game of snow snakes outside.

Owl Prowl Thurs, Feb 25 • 7-8 pm • Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 2/24 Join CNC Interpretive Naturalist Michelle Fournier for an adventure into the nighttime world of owls. We will travel to different “owl hotspots” on CNC property via car (participants will have to drive themselves) and take some short hikes as we try to call an owl in for a closer look. Make sure to dress for the weather for this outdoor program.

Full Moon Stroll Sat, Feb 27 • 6:30-8 pm • Ages 9+, under 18 w/adult Pre-register by 2/26 Enjoy a crisp winter walk under the light of the Snow Moon. We’ll look for signs of animals and enjoy the beauty of the woods after dark. Wear dark clothing and bring a flashlight. We may use snowshoes if conditions permit.

Story HourThurs, Feb 4 & 18 • 9:30 & 11 am Ages: 3-5 yrs w/adult • Pre-register by 2/3 & 2/17 Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story, crafts, and other age-appropriate activities. The entire program will take place outdoors, so dress for the weather.

Evening Snowshoe HikeFeb 2, 4, 8, 16, 22, 24 • 5-6:30 pm • Ages 15+, under 18 w/adult • Pre-register and reserve snowshoes Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.

Snowshoe Sampler Feb 6, 2-4 pm & Feb 13, 10 am-12 pm • All ages, under 18 w/adult It’s time to play outside! Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try, do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. Meet at the Homestead Cabin and come enjoy a winter morning in the snow.

Family Snowshoe Hike Feb 10 • 4-5:30 pm • Ages 5+, under 18 w/adult • Pre-register and reserve snowshoes Bring the whole family for an afternoon of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed! We will search high and low for signs of animals as we explore on and off trails. Please bring a sled to pull younger children.

Adventures for Women: Snowshoe Hike Thurs, Feb 18 • 5-6:30 pm • Ages 15+, under 18 w/adult • Pre-register by 2/18 Enjoy an afternoon hike on snowshoes as we notice birds, animal tracks and other points of interest in the woods and fields. Beginner and experienced snowshoers are welcome.

If snow conditions are unfavorable, the events will be canceled (based on the discretion of CNC).

Snowshoeing at CNC

8 9www.chippewanaturecenter.org |

Venture Out! To Improve your Health and Well-Being this Winter

On a cold winter morning, imagine arriving in a small opening after hiking deep into the woods. Recent snowfall has blanketed everything in sight. Due to

the vigorous stroll, you take deep breaths of the fresh, frigid air. Although stinging, it awakens your senses, while the warm rays of the sun bring on a sense of calm and peace. As described, excursions into nature are essential to staying healthy in all seasons but are especially important this winter.

With colder temperatures and less sunlight, it can be tempting to spend more time hibernating indoors. However, many health benefits are available to those that embrace being outside in the elements. Being in natural spaces can remove feelings of isolation, improve moods, and promote calmness. It also can physically lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels, reduce nervous system arousal, enhance immune system function, increase self-esteem, and reduce anxiety1. An outdoor winter lifestyle can enhance nature’s benefits by combining them with exercise or meditation - allowing us to thrive in the wintertime, not just survive!

Here are a few ideas to Venture Out! this winter:

• Get Active. There are many wild places to have a cross country skiing adventure in the Great Lakes Bay Region. Try the groomed trails at Midland County’s City Forest, Pine Haven State Recreation Area, or right here at the Chippewa Nature Center.

• Explore Nature. Pick-up a tracking field guide in the CNC gift shop before heading out on snowshoes to make discoveries of the wildlife that remain active all year long. Find, identify, and follow tracks and signs to learn intimate details of Michigan animals and how they survive winter.

• Be Silent and Still. Find a nearby natural place and develop a “sit spot.” Visit it daily and allow nature to reveal itself to you, approximately twenty minutes after you arrive. Take an extra blanket or cup of something warm to drink. You’ll never know what might reveal itself – maybe even peace and calmness.

Both stillness and activeness in the winter world can rejuvenate your health and improve your overall sense of well-being. The Chippewa Nature Center is ready to support and encourage you to Venture Out and fall in love with each season that nature has to offer!

Steve Frisbee Nature Day Camp Director

1Robbins, Jim 2020, Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health, Yale School of the Environment, Accessed October 12,2020 <https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health>

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July-sEptEmbEr 2020DONORS

Gisela & Thomas Bailey in memory of Betty Stark

Bill & Amy Booth

Shasta Breitkopf

Margaret O’Keefe & Fred Buether

Elias Varachia & Suraiya Essack

Jim & Fran Falender

Kevin & Lynda Frazier in memory of Sarah Frazier

Barry & Joanne George

Neil & Annmarie Hawkins

Richard Helling

Richard & Sandra Ivan

Kay Johnson in memory of Jack Failla

Betsy Kulling

Steve & Laura LaLonde

Lesley Larson

Carol & Hal Locker

Darlene & Jim Looker in memory of Martin Pat

Dr. Wallace & Lindsay Mayton in memory of Joseph Palmer, Jr.

Ellen Meyer

William & Mary Louise Mick

Lincoln Morr in memory of Pat Koepplinger

Timothy & Brenda Mott in memory of Mike Albee

Robert Gilman & Tawny Nelb

John & Diane Popp

Mildred P. Putnam

Susan Race

Mary Rohn

Jim & Cathie Stewart

Kristine Swanson Preschool Supplies & Equipment

Ying Liu & Sean Tang

Arbury Insurance Agency Homestead Sundays

Kristine Avery Memorial Tree in memory of Sherry Render Nelson

Thank you for including CNC in your giving. It is your generosity that makes the difference in the programs and services we

are able to offer to the community. Jeannie Dellar

Memorial Tree in memory of Sherry Render Nelson

Sherilyn Farris

Jane & David Frisque Memorial Basswood Tree in memory of Michele Szok

Stephen & Laura Hahn Memorial Tree in memory of James Hahn

Diana & Harold Simmons

Warner Norcross & Judd Nature Adventure Sponsorship

In Memory of William Norris

Suzanne & Joe Abbott

John & Iris Cance

David & Margaret Fifield

Larry & Anne Giebelhaus

Karen Ann & Roy Goethe

Rebecca Lamb

Linda Lyons

Kathy & Doug Metcalf

RE/MAX of Midland

Michael Stapelman

Julie Welsh

In Memory of Myra Idessa Annis Walker

Ginny Majer & Mike Beck

Marilyn & William Watkins

Nature Day Camp Scholarship Donations

Arbury Insurance Agency

Xi Alpha Alpha Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi

Nature Preschool Scholarship Fund

Steve Kin in memory of Mary Kin

Jane & David Frisque in memory of Michele Szok

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

Laine & Mike AdamsAshley AldenMyranda BarceyMistine Nasrey & Yvonne BeckMegan & William BelangerKayla & Joey BlakeBrandon BoberSarah & Justin BobickErica & Ryan BrewingtonBrigette BuhlSarah CassidyEmily & Paul ClarkMary Ellen & Patrick CliffordLucinda & Josiah CoonPatricia CovenMegan & Jonathan CrainRobert Miller & Jennifer DeckerGretchen DeLueRyan & Colette DeShanoMaria DouglasShawna ElmoreElias Varachia & Suraiya EssackMichelle EstradeKatherine FirstKenda & Joshua FischFern FoyTrisha GallagherChristopher Minton &

Stacey GentleKatie GilletteThomas Peeler & Marie GlinskiJennifer & Cruz HaleGabrielle HansenTara & Richard HolmesJennifer JacksonJoHannah & Shane JeffriesHeather KloepferAndrea KlopfRobert Whitcombe &

Kristina KnopicElizabeth KullingGrace & Andrew LeisSara & Ray Letson

Anna & Kyle MetcalfRegan MillerHeidi MuradTawny & Robert NelbJustine & Victor NelsonKathy & Jim NesbittRachel & Nic PeltonChloe & William PineSummer PublowVanessa & David RickettHannah & Michael RobertsBreanna & Chris RodgersAmanda & Paul RodnickRichelle SampierCory & Amber SaylorLindsay & Ryan SchaffCorrie & Joseph SchoofAmber SmithJohn Pfeiffer & Amanda

Stearns-PfeifferAmanda Steere-HillKyle Yordy & Jessica Steere-YordyJames & Cathie StewartBly & Ryan StittJacklyn & Matthew TkaczykStephanie & Zachary VarnerLisa & Justin WadeTimothy Parsons &

Kimberly WheelerBrock & Halee WilliamsJennifer & Kyle WilliamsJade YorkChristina & Andrew ZanottiKatie & CJ Zanotti

We’re glad you’reWe’re glad you’re

HERE!HERE!

10 11www.chippewanaturecenter.org |

July-sEptEmbEr 2020Express your love and appreciation of nature!Please consider making a commitment to give to CNC through your estate plan. Contact Dennis Pilaske, Executive Director, at dpilaske@chippewanaturecenter.org to further explore the Legacy Society.

CNC LEGACY SOCIETY

Holiday Gift Ideas!

Half-day classes for 3- & 4-year olds2, 3 or 4 days per week

Scholarships available

Register

NOW for the

2021-22

school year!

Dec 4 2021-22 Registration packets available Nature Preschool Open House (tentative)

Jan 4 Placement for current and alumni families begins

Feb 1 New family placement begins

Important Dates

Gift Memberships• Program and store discounts, members only

events, quarterly newsletter delivery & more! Gift memberships purchased for new members Nov 23-Dec 31 will be valid until Jan 31, 2022. Comes with a certificate, hand lens and reusable cloth gift bag. Order early in time for the holidays!

Rent-a-Sap Bucket• Includes a bottle of CNC Maple Syrup and a Tree

Tapping Experience – Schedule a private 30 minute Sugarbush tour for up to 10 people. A Naturalist will teach you how to identify trees and the group will tap a maple using a bit and brace. Tours must be scheduled at least a week in advance and are available during the month of March.

Nature Center Store• Unique nature-themed toys, gifts, books & more!

Gift Certificates• Good for Nature Center Store, workshops,

field trips & more!

400 S. Badour Rd.Midland, MI 48640-8661

www.chippewanaturecenter.org |

Photo C

redit: Megan Young

BBecome a member ecome a member aand be part of something yound be part of something you

LOVE!LOVE!

CNC members allow us to fulfill our mission to connect all people with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences.

Check out the benefits below, and review the various levels of CNC membership online: • Quarterly newsletter by mail or email • 20% off registered programs • Invitation to member events • 10% store discount • Free admission to Maple Syrup Day and Fall Harvest Festival • Free or reduced admission to 180 Nature Centers worldwide

CNC is your one-stop shop for all your holiday gift needs. From CNC honey, birding books and apparel we have something for everyone on your list. Shop in-person or online with curbside pickup avaialable.

CNC Has Something For CNC Has Something For Everyone on Your Everyone on Your List!List!