Highlights by Pierce Cedar Creek Institute:• BuildingScienceLiteracy• PermacultureDesignCourse• WinterFestival

PetteriSulonencreativecommons.org

The way a crowShook down on meThe dust of snowFrom a hemlock tree

Has given my heartA change of moodAnd saved some partOf a day I had rued.

—“Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost

December 2016 – February 2017

A Letter from the Executive Director

Hours

Visitor CenterMonday–Friday9am–5pm

SaturdaysinJanuary10am–4pmWeekends–Openforprogramsonly

Holiday HoursClosedforChristmasFriday,December23Monday,December26

ClosedforNewYearFriday,December30Monday,January2

TrailsOpenDailyDawn–Dusk

Mission Statement“To inspire appreciation and stewardship

of our environment.”

Board of DirectorsCarlSchoessel,PresidentHilarySnell,VicePresidentJimToburen,Treasurer

CarrieDuitsShailyMenon

WillardL.“Joe”PierceDanBirchfield

Naturally Speakingispublishedquarterlyby

PierceCedarCreekInstitute701WestCloverdaleRoad

Hastings,MI49058Tel(269)721-4190Fax(269)721-4474

cedarcreekinstitute.org

EditorCathyHart,DevelopmentDirector

DesignBarbLancaster,MarketingCoordinator

Contributing WritersMichelleSkedgell,ExecutiveDirector

SaraSyswerda,EducationandFieldStationDirector

JenniferHowell,StewardshipManagerMattDykstra,ProgramManager

SaraLienEdelman,CommunicationsCoordinatorCathyHart,DevelopmentDirector

BarbLancaster,MarketingCoordinatorPaulVugteveen,Chef/HospitalityCoordinatorAJSmith,ResearchandDataCoordinatorCoreyLucas,LandManagementFellow

Copyright2016PierceCedarCreekInstitute

Allrightsreserved

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A Great Idea with a Great Team—That’s ScienceStrong!Don’tyoufindwhenyoucomeacrossagoodideathatyouareworkinghardtoimplementthingsjustseemtofallintoplace?I’mnotsure;maybethat’sjustthesignofagoodidea.Regardless,that’sthewayIfeelwiththeInstitute’sScienceStrongefforts.

Reachingpre-kindergartenthroughhighschoolstudentsandteachersissomethingwearedefinitelyworkinghardatandfocusingagreatdealofresourcestoward,and,Ibelieve,wearemakingadifference.Muchofourfocushasbeenonouryoungestlearnersindaycares,preschools,andelementaryclassrooms.Byprovidinghands-onclassroomactivitiesthatinspireaninterestinscienceandprofessionaldevelopmentforteachers,PierceCedarCreekInstituteishelpingbuildscienceliteracy.TheseScienceStrongefforts—nomatterhowgoodofanidea—wouldnotbepossiblewithoutsupportfromkeypartners.

Ourfirstpartners,DougandMargaretDeCamp,are,forthethirdyearinarow,helpingusgentlyencourageeachofyoutosupportScienceStrongwithachallengegrantthroughtheirfoundation.Thisyearthey’veincreasedtheirchallengegrantfrom$10,000to$15,000.Thismoney,andthemoneydonatedbysomanyofyou,iswhatfundsthetrainingforteachers,theclassroomsupplies,andthestaffsalariesthatallowustoprovidesupporttoourschools.

Equallyimportantareourvolunteerswhohelpdevelopthecurriculum,compileanddistributeclassroomsupplies,andprovidethehands-onclassroomsupport.Wehavesomeincrediblydedicatedvolunteers,manyofwhomareretiredteacherslikeBarbCaseandJeanneSwander.JustasitwouldbeimpossiblefortheInstitutetodothiswithoutthefunding,itwouldbeimpossibletodothiswithoutourvolunteers.

And,finally,whyIbelieveweareseeingsuchgoodprogressisbecausewehaveaninspiringleaderinourEducationandFieldStationDirectorSaraParrSyswerda.SaraisthecaptainleadingtheScienceStrongeffort,andanyonewhoknowsherknowssheisdedicatedanddauntless.Iamproudtohaveheraspartofourteamandcreditherformuchofwhatwe’vebeenabletoaccomplish.ShehasworkedhardandcontinuestopushtoexpandthereachofScienceStrong.

ScienceStrongisanimportanteffort—arealteameffort—thatIbelieveissuccessfulbecauseit’ssimplyagoodideaandbecausewe’vegottheteamandresourcestogetthingsdone.Andforthat,Iamencouragedandgrateful!Ican’tsay“thankyou”enough.

Executive Director Michelle Skedgell

Doug and Margaret DeCamp

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Building Science Literacy

can—andshould—befunandinspiring.Fromfieldtripsfordaycarestudentstolunch-and-learnprogramsforseniors,lifelonglearningcanenhanceourlivesinavarietyofways.“Let’sTalkScience”isanaward-winningprogrambasedinCanadathatfocusesonSTEMeducationandprovidesawell-definedoverviewofthevalueofscienceeducationandascience-literatepublic.Theirwebsite,letstalkscience.ca,providesagoodlistofwhatscienceliteracymeansandinvolves:

•Science is Inclusive—Everyone,regardlessofwheretheylive,theirgender,ortheirreligiousbeliefs,canexploreandexperiencescienceindividually,aswellasbeapartofacollective,largergroupinterestedinaspecificsubject.

•Science Education Crosses Subjects—Scienceisnaturallyinterdisciplinary,foundinsomanyothersubjectssuchashistory,languageandcreativearts,andphysicaleducation.Itcrossesbordersintheclassroomandcertainlyinlife.Abetterunderstandingofsciencecanenhancelearningingeneralandhelpdevelopadeeperunderstandingofthesevarioussubjects.

•Science Develops Literacy Skills—Reading,writing,andspeakingskillsarefundamentalwhenlearningandcommunicatingscientificissues.ThroughSTEMeducation,literacyskillsarebuiltandstrengthened.

•Science Develops Mathematical Abilities—Math,likelanguage,isanintegralpartofscience.Sorting,classifying,measuring,andgraphingareallskillsthatscienceeducationstrengthens.

•Science Develops Problem Solving Skills—Scienceexplorationrequirestheabilitytodigdeeper,askquestions,andformulatehypotheses.Theseskillsarekeyinproblemsolvinganddecisionmakingthroughoutlife.

Scienceliteracyprovideseveryoneabetterunderstandingoftheworldwelivein.Withscienceliteracyasagoal,ScienceStrongisgivingstudentsasolidbeginningontheroadoflifelonglearning.

Withamission“toinspireappreciationandstewardshipofourenvironment,”PierceCedarCreekInstituteisfocusingresourcesthroughitsScienceStronginitiativeandthroughotherefforts,suchasitsEnvironmentalLeadersandEnvironmentalIssuesForums,tohelpbuildscienceliteracyandtheawarenessofhowscienceaffectseachofourlives.Butwhatisscienceliteracyandwhyisitsoimportant?

Scienceliteracy,orknowledge,isusuallydefinedthroughtheacronymofSTEM—science,technology,engineering,andmath.Withastrongerunderstandingoftheworldthroughthesetopics,peopledevelopabetterunderstandingofthemanyfactorsaffectingtheirdailylivesandbuildcriticalthinkingskillsthathelpthemaskquestionsandunderstandtheprocesses,bothphysicalandnatural,uponwhichtheirlivesandtheworldtheyliveinarebuilt.

Whilewemakemanyscience-baseddecisionsdaily,theyarenotalwaysobvious.However,decisionsonwhatproductstobuy,whichfoodstoconsume,whattransportationtouse,andhowwasteshouldbemanagedarebettermadethroughamorecompleteunderstandingofscientificfacts.Scienceliteracydoesn’trequire“PhD-type”knowledgeoneverysubject;itjustrequiresageneralunderstandingandawarenessofthevariousfactsofeachdecisionandtheskillstoaskquestions,gatherinformation,andmakeaconsciousdecisionbasedonwhatisdiscovered.

Notonlydoesscienceaffectourdailylives,italsoaffectsourfuture.Long-termdecisionsoncertaintopicsandissues—includingonesthatfillthenewslikethesafetyofthecountry’sgasandoilpipelines,theprotectionofdrinkingwater,theeffectsofseeminglystrongerandmorefrequentweatherdisasters,andthedeclineofhoneybees—havepolitical,social,andeconomicimplications.Sometimestheseissuescanbeoverwhelming,but,again,throughageneralunderstanding,willingnesstoaskquestions,andabilitytolookattheissuescritically,weallcanbecomemoreinformedandabletoeffectivelysortthroughtheinformationwehearinthenews,throughfriends,andontheinternet.

And,buildingthisscienceliteracydoesn’thavetobedrudgerybyanymeans;it

Science can and should be fun and inspiring—from field trips for daycare students to Lunch-and-Learn programs for seniors.

So Why is ScienceStrong and Science Literacy Important?

New for 2017

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Permaculture Design Course Permacultureisamethodofprovidingfoodandbuildingculturesbaseduponecologicalprinciples.OriginallydevelopedbyBillMollison,anAustralianscientist,andhisstudentDavidHolmgren,permacultureappliesasetofcoreenvironmentalandsocialprinciplestothedesignofhumansystems.Briefly,theseprinciplesarecarefortheearth,careforthepeople,andthereturnofsurplus.FromitsAustralianroots,permaculturespreadaroundtheworldintodifferentecosystemsandclimates,inspiringpeopletothinkdifferentlyabouttheirfarms,homesteads,andlives.

JoshShultz,alocalresidentwhotookaninterestinpermaculture,hasbecomealocalleaderandeducatorinpermaculturesystems.Hewasfirstintroducedtopermaculturein2007duringaninternshipattheCapeEleutheraInstituteintheBahamas.Throughhisworkthereandhisfurther

studyofpermaculture,Joshbegantorealizetheintensityofenergyuseandenvironmentaldamageassociatedwithindustrialagricultureandfeltaresponsibilitytohelpotherslearntoprovideforneedsthatdonotfosterenvironmentaldegradation.

ForthepastseveralyearsJoshhasservedasthePermacultureProgramCoordinatoratWesternMichiganUniversity(WMU).Hehasworkedwithstudentsonseveralresearchprojectsaimedattestingintegratedmethodsofresourcemanagement.Theseprojectsinclude:

•Theuseofblacksoldierflylarvae(BSFL)toconsumewastefoodfromdininghallsandturnitintoaliquidfertilizerandfishfeed.

•Theimplementationofawaterheaterpoweredbyawoodchipcompostpiletoproduceheatforagreenhouseinthewinter.

•Thedevelopmentofanindooraquaponicssystemthattestsvariouslettucegrowingtechniqueswhileraisingornamentalfishforthepettrade.

Ultimately,thehopeistointegratethesethreeprojectsintoasinglesystemwherethewaterisheatedbyacompostpilewhilefoodwastefromthedininghallsisturnedintofishfoodthroughBSFLcomposting.

Principles of Natural Systems and Design January 21 & 22 9 am - 4 pm Members $200 | Non-Members $220ThisprogramprovidesanoverviewoftheconceptsofpermacultureandwilltakeplaceattheInstituteandFairLakeFarm.

Aquatic Systems for Homes and Farmsteads February 18 9 am - 4 pm Members $70 | Non-Members $90Thesecondclassintroducesspecializedaquaticsystemslikeaquacultureandaquaponicsthatcanextendtheseasonandthetypesoffoodsproducedatahomesteadorfarm.

Soils and Plant Propagation March 18 Members $85 | Non-Members $105

Urban Permaculture and Gardening Strategies April 15 Members $85 | Non-Members $105

Large Scale Permaculture and Managing Water in the Landscape May 20 Members $85 | Non-Members $105

Food Forests June 17 Members $85 | Non-Members $105

Animals in Permaculture Systems July 15 Members $85 | Non-Members $105

Preserving the Harvest* August 19 Members $20 | Non-Members $27

Natural Building and Energy Efficiency September 16 Members $85 | Non-Members $105

Nutrient Cycling and Waste Disposal October 21 Members $70 | Non-Members $90

Wood Burning and Woodlot Management* November 11 Members $45 | Non-Members $60

Homestead Design Practicum** December 9 & 10 Members $200 | Non-Members $220

*Programsarenotpartofthecoreandarenotrequiredforacertificate.**ParticipantsmusthaveattendedPrinciplesofNaturalSystemsandDesignandatleastthreeofthecoreclassestoparticipate.

Learn about Permaculture at the Institute!PierceCedarCreekInstituteisexcitedtobeworkingwithJoshShultztoagainofferaPermacultureDesignCoursein2017.Unlikeinpreviousyears,thecoursewillbeofferedasanumberofone-ortwo-dayworkshopsheldonweekendsthroughouttheyeartomakeiteasierforindividualswithworkcommitmentsandtightbudgetstoparticipate.Theindependentworkshopsalsoallowindividualsinterestedinspecifictopicstoparticipatewithouthavingtocommittotheentirecourse.Additionally,withthisschedule,courseparticipantscanmakevisitstofieldsitesthroughouttheyear,takingadvantageofseasonallyappropriatetopics.

TheInstituteisofferingtencoreandtwosupplementalworkshopsthroughout2017.IndividualswhoparticipateinallcoreworkshopsareeligibleforaPermacultureDesignCertificate.Participantsarewelcometosign-upforcoursesonanongoingbasis.Allfull-dayprogramsincludelunch.Overnightaccommodationsareavailablefor$75anight.Adiscountisavailableforindividualswhosignupforthefullcourse,whichincludesallcoreandsupplementalworkshops:$995formembers,$1025fornon-members.Moreinformationisavailableatcedarcreekinstitute.org.

Josh working at one of the gardens at WMU.

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Biological Field Station Update

Nature in Words FellowsThe Institute also hosted two Nature in Words Fellows in the summer of 2016.

ElizabethEnsinkfromHopeCollegewroteA Field Guide to Disappearing,acollectionoflyricalessays.InitEnsinkusesthegenreofthefieldguidetodescribenaturalelementsofecosystems,aswellasportionsofthehumanexperience.Forinstance,anentryabouttheeasternhog-nosedsnakereflectsoninstinct,atraitsharedbyhumans:

The eastern hog-nosed snake’s black splotches make it yet another species to confuse with the venomous massasauga, but it also has an upturned, flattened snout that allows it to burrow and dig for toads to eat. This snout is distinctive but not what earned it the nickname of “puff adder” and “spreading viper.” Humans are born with two innate fears: falling and loud noises. We might also call these instincts, which look different for every species, including us. Snakes must be ready to face attack from raccoons, foxes, hawks, crows, herons, even other snakes, even from their own species. The hog-nosed snake responds in a grotesque ritual, appearing to lose muscle control, writhing, mouth open, it ejects the contents of its stomach, sometimes bleeds at the mouth, eventually upturns its belly, tongue out. Even for death, this groveling feels abnormal. Perhaps this is why we fear it. This, too, is instinct.

LucyMerrill,astudentfromKalamazooCollege,wroteacollectionofworksinspiredbythenaturalareasattheInstitute.Onesuchpiecewas“Recovery,”astoryabouttheabilityofbothpeopleandnaturalareastorecoverfromdisturbances:

The trees around me, predominantly beech, are draped across the land, following its ridges and dips. They remind me of the hairs that rise from skin, erect, following the soothing caress of a hand along a lower back. The land here falls up and down like waves, hilly unlike much of the geography of Southwest Michigan. As I walk, I reach the top of one of these many slopes. I am standing on an esker, an ancient remnant from when glaciers dragged across these lands and carved out the flat expanses into rolling ridges. As I walk on, the swelling and dropping of the land makes me think of waves, as if the grasses themselves once crested upon these trees and are only frozen in time.

Gordon Art FellowsDuring the summer of 2016, two Gordon Art Fellows worked on visual arts projects at the Institute.

LauraWhitman,astudentfromValparaisoUniversity,workedonaprojecttitled,Art, Nature, and Mental Health,whichwascenteredonthecreationofwatercolorpaintingsinspiredbythebodiesofwaterandnaturalsurroundingsofPierceCedarCreekInstitute.ThefeaturedpaintingisondisplayintheInstitute’sauditorium.

Laura“LB”Barrett,astudentfromKalamazooValleyCommunityCollege,createdaprojecttitledFreedom in the Woods.LBcreatedseveralindividualpieces,includingTransitions,alargestippledrawingcreatedentirelyofdotsplacedoneatatime,usuallywithatechnicalpen.Evenasmalldrawingcantakehundredsofhoursandrequiresimmensededicationtosuchatedioustechnique.LBchosetodoalargestippledrawing,notonlyasachallengeorthepursuitofgreatresults,butalsoasanescapeor“freedom.”

Elizabeth Ensink

Lucy Merrill

Transitions is a 27”x 40” scene of a forest-to-field passage that took over 150 hours to complete. —“LB” Barrett

Water and Mind in Action, the largest painting in Whitman’s collection. —Laura Whitman

These manuscripts, along with past Nature in Words Fellow manuscripts, are available on the Institute’s website.

Cedar Creek SceneryWinter Trail Information and SafetyWinterisagreattimetogetoutside!TheninemilesoftrailsattheInstituteareopentohiking,snowshoeing,andcross-countryskiingeverydayfromdawntodusk.

Thestewardshipstaffwillberegularlygroomingthetrailsforcross-countryskiersthroughoutthewinterseasonandrespectfullyrequeststhatsnowshoersandhikersusethesidesofthetrails,reservingthesettracksforcross-countryskiingtraffic. Before heading out on the trails:

• Always inform someone when and where you plan to hike or ski.• Please be sure to stay on the trails at all times and keep pets on a 6-foot leash.• Dress appropriately for winter conditions and carry water, snacks, and a trail map.

Foryoursafety,theBrewsterLakeTrailwillbeclosedfromDecember2untilJanuary1duringthemuzzle-loadingandlateantlerlessfirearmseasons.AlltrailssouthofCloverdaleRoadwillremainopendawntoduskduringthistime.OrangevestsareavailableforuseattheVisitorCenterentrance.

Duck BandingThispastsummertheInstitutepartneredwiththeMichiganDepartmentofNaturalResourcesinanefforttobandwoodducksfortheNorthAmericanBirdBandingProgram.BandingisanimportantaspectofwaterfowlconservationasithistoricallyledtothediscoveryofthefourNorthAmericanmigrationpatterns—Atlantic,Mississippi,Central,andPacific—referredtoasflyways.Italsoaidsintheevaluationofharvestandsurvivalratesandhelpstomonitortheeffectsofbreedinghabitatconditiononvariouswaterfowlspecies.

BandingeffortsattheInstituteutilized“swim-in”trapsattwolocationsalongCedarCreek.Ducksenteredthetrapthroughafunneltoacorn-baitedplatform.Theywerethenaffixedwithauniquelynumberedaluminumlegband,theirageandsexdatawasrecorded,andthentheywerereleasedunharmed.Datafrombandsrecoveredbyhuntersandbirdbandingoperationsisenteredintoanationaldatabase,www.flyways.us.ThiseffortwasoverseenbyLandManagementFellowCoreyLucasandcontributedtothe200,000+ducksbandedeachyearbybiologistsacrossthecontinentaspartoftheNorthAmericanBirdBandingProgram.

The Plight of Monarchs Ifyounoticedarelativeabsenceofmonarchbutterfliesthispastsummer,it,unfortunately,wasn’tjustyourimagination.Justasmonarchpopulationswerebeginningtoshowsignsofrecoveryfromhabitatloss,afiercelate-winterstormprovedtobeamajorset-back.Thisstormhittheirprimeover-winteringgroundsinthehighmountainoyamelfirforestsinsouthernMexicoduringthetimeoftheannualnorthwardmigration,andmillionsofindividualssuccumbedtotheprolonged,freezingtemperatures.

Whileinitiallydiscouragedbytheplightofmonarchsthisyear,thestewardshipstaffwasultimatelyencouragedbythenumberofmonarchcaterpillarsutilizingtheInstitute’snativeplantdemonstrationgardensinSeptember.Manyofthelarvaewerecollectedandrearedindoorstopreventthelikelihoodofthembeingparasitizedbywasps.Oncetheydevelopedintoflyingadults,themonarchswerereleasedtocompletetheirsouthwardmigration.

VolunteerConservationSpecialistforMonarchWatchIlseGebhardisalocalactivistformonarchs.Shehopesmonarchpopulationswillreboundthroughhabitatexpansionandoutreachefforts.IlsevisitedtheInstituteinSeptembertocertifyfivemoreMonarchWaystations,bringingtheInstitute’stotalnumberofMonarchWaystationstoten.Thesewaystationshelpmigratingmonarchsbyprovidingimportantearlyandlatebloomingnectarsourcesformigratingadults,aswellashostplantstofeedcaterpillars.ForamaptoPierceCedarCreekInstitute’sMonarchWaystations,visitcedarcreekinstitute.org.Tolearnmoreabouthowyoucanhelpmonarchs,pleasevisitmonarchwatch.org/waystations/.

Eco-friendly Tips from the Stewardship Department

Snowshoes are available for rent weekdays from 9 am until 4 pm, every Saturday in January from 10 am until 4 pm, and the second Sunday of the month from 11 am until 2 pm—provided, of course, there is sufficient snow on the ground. Snowshoe rental is free to members and costs $5 per pair for non-members per two hour time block.

Land Management Fellow Corey Lucas in the process of banding a wood duck.

After rearing indoors to prevent the likelihood of being parasitized by wasps, Stewardship Coordinator Kyle Tomczyk releases one of the adult monarchs.

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Cedar Creek Scenery

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ChefPaulandhisstaffarecommittedtoreducingtheirimpactontheenvironment.Onewaytheydothisistopurchaseproduceandproductsfromlocalfarmersandproducers.However,thispracticecanoftenbeachallengeforplacesliketheInstitutebecauseitoftenmeansworkingwithmanyindividualfarmersandproducers,whichtranslatesintomoretimespentcoordinatingdeliveries,searchingforproducts,andprocessinginvoices.

Fortunately,ChefPaulfoundasolutiontothischallenge.Inhisendeavortofurtherincreaselocalspending,hewasputintocontactwithBrennanDougherty,theFoodHubManagerforSproutBC.Accordingtotheirwebsite,SproutBCisanonprofitorganizationbasedinBattleCreek,Michiganfocusedon“healthful,affordable,fairfoodaccess”forBattleCreek’sresidentsandbeyond.ThroughtheFoodHub,SproutBCproudlyworkswithover45gardenersandfarmerswithplotsofallsizes,froma.5acresmallto100acreslarge.Thesefarmsandgardens,allofwhicharelocatedwithin80milesofBattleCreekandincludebothcertifiedorganicandconventionalfarms,supplya

widevarietyofproducts,includingcheese,pasture-raisedmeats,andvegetables.Bybringingallofthesegardenersandfarmerstogether,theFoodHubincreasesthevarietyofproductsavailabletoitscustomers—liketheInstitute.

ChefPaulbeganpurchasingfoodfromSproutBCinJanuary2016.Withtheoptiontohaveweeklyupdatedproducelistsandweeklydeliveries,SproutBChasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingtostreamlinehislocalpurchasingeffortsandhasgreatlyexpandedhisabilitytoofferfresh,local,andcertifiedorganicproducetoourguests.

WiththeInstitute’sforthcomingeffortsarounddiversityandinclusioninmind,

Eco-friendly Tips from the Stewardship DepartmentEco-friendly Salt Alternatives for Melting Ice this Winter

Sprout BC: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s Main Produce Supplier

•Alfalfa meal—Thisoptionis100%naturalandwillprovideadditionaltraction.Typicallyusedasafertilizer,itcanbepurchasedatahomesupplyorgardenstore.

•Sugar beet juice—Thecarbohydratesfoundinbeetjuicepreventicefrombondingtopavement.ThisrenewableresourceissoldunderthenameGeomelt®atorganicdeicing.comandissafeforanimals,people,metals,concrete,andplants.

•Sand, fireplace ash, or saw dust—Theseeasy-to-come-byproductsprovidetraction,andthedarkercolorsabsorbmoreheatandmeltice.Theseneedtobeusedsparingly,sotheydonotrunoffanddisruptwaterways.

•Biodegradable kitty litter—Althoughthisproductisminimallyeffectiveatmeltingice,itdoesprovidetractionforamorenon-slipsurface.

•Elbow grease—Whilelaborintensive—andnotafeasibleoptionforeveryone—frequentlyshovelingwalkwaysanddrivewaysisthemostnatural,environmentallyfriendlywaytogetridofice.

For more information visit sproutbc.org

ChefPaulremainscognizantofhowandwherefoodservicedollarsarespent.Inthisrespect,SproutBCisaterrificpartner;SproutBCisdedicatedtoupliftingmarginalizedindividualsacrossawidespectrumofidentities,andtheInstituteiscommittedtoinspiringappreciationandstewardshipofourenvironmentineveryone,makingourfoodserviceprogramsomethingthateveryonecanfeelwelcomedandsupportedby.

ForthoseinterestedinlearningmoreaboutSproutBCandhowithelpsthecommunitythroughfarming,don’tmisstheFarmtoTableDinneronSaturday,February4.Seepage10formoreinformation.

DavidGutierrez creativecommons.org

Commonsalt(sodiumchloride)isaneffectivemeansofmeltingicefromsidewalksanddriveways,butitcanbebadnewsfortheenvironment.Plantsadjacenttosaltapplicationsufferfrom“leafburn”anddehydration.Soilsladenwithsaltenduphavingthephosphorusandpotassiumdisplaced,whichresultsinincreasedsoilcompaction.Duringspringmelt,theaccumulatedsalt—specificallychloride—endsupinwaterways,whichhasanegativeimpactonfishandaquaticinvertebratereproduction.

When faced with the need to remove ice from walkways this winter, please consider one of these more eco-friendly alternatives:

A Place to Meet and Volunteer

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Volunteer Spotlight—Nathaniel McCombNathanielMcComb,whovisitedtheInstituteduringfieldtripsingradeschoolandhighschool,hasbeenanInstitutevolunteerforfouryears.AftergraduatingfromHastingsHighSchoolin2011,NathanielattendedGrandValleyStateUniversity(GVSU)andpursuedadegreeinGeographyandacertificateinGeographicInformationSystems(GIS).Regardinghisdecisiontobecomeavolunteer,Nathanielresponded,“Duringoneseasonofmycollegecareer,Iwasexploringmanyclassesthatinvolvednaturalresourceandenvironmentalmanagement,andwhenIbegantoseekoutpossiblevolunteeropportunitiesinthisarea,theInstitutequicklycametomind.”

Nathanielworkedwiththestewardshipdepartmentonmanyprojectsduringcollegeandwasarealasset.StewardshipManagerJenHowellrecalls,“WhatIappreciatedmostaboutNathanielwashiswillingnesstojumpinandhelpoutwithwhatevertaskswethrewathim.”

AftergraduatingfromGVSU,NathanieloffereduphisGIStechnicalskillsfortwoprojects:mappingthebottomofAurohnLakeandsurveyingandmappingpotentialerosiononthehikingtrails.Bothprojectsprovidevaluableinformationforfutureresearchandstewardshipprojects.

Whilevolunteeringthissummer,NathanielwashiredbyGarminandnowworksasaCartographyTechnician,ensuringthatmapsandothergeographicinformationforGarmin’srecreationproductsareaccurateandup-to-date.AccordingtoNathaniel,thepastfewmonthsathisnewjobhavebeenchallenging,butheislearningalotandisgratefulforhistimeattheInstitute.

Active Saturdays! in JanuarySaturdays, January 7, 14, 21, and 28 10 am – 4 pmSnowshoe or Regular Hike: 1 pm

StartthenewyearoutonanactivenoteattheInstitute.TheVisitorCenterwillbeopenSaturdaysinJanuaryforgueststotryoutapairofsnowshoes,participateinfamilycrafts,joininonaguidedhike,andenjoyahealthysnack.Thetrailsandsleddinghillwillbeopenandaccessibledawntodusk.Winterfunforeveryonewithahealthyfocus!

FREE

Winter Festival and January BrunchSunday, January 8 | Brunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pm | Program: 12:15 – 1 pm | Snowshoe Hike: 2 – 4 pm

Bring the Entire Family to the Institute for a Winter Festival of Fun!Thisistheperfectchancetocelebratetheseasonoutsidebysnowshoeing,hiking,andsledding.Snowshoerental,artsandcraftprojects,hotchocolate,andawarmfirewillbeavailableintheVisitorCenterfrom10am–4pm,thetrailsandsleddinghillwillbeopenfromdawntodusk,thebrunchprogramwillfeaturetraditionalandtruelifestoriestoldbyGloriaCangelosiofStorySpinners,andtoendtheday—aguidedsnowshoehike.

You don’t need to attend the brunch to enjoy the Winter Festival!Brunch Cost: Member Adults: $16; Children $8

Non-Member Adults: $18; Children $9 (Plus 6% sales tax. Children ages 4 – 10)Snowshoe rental: Members FREE | Non-Members $5

Allotheractivitiesarefree.

To reserve your seats for brunch and/or your snowshoes, call (269) 721-4190 today!

Winter Festival Event Schedule10 am – 4 pm....................Snowshoe rental, sledding hill, and a craft table in the Visitor Center11:30 am and 1 pm ...........Brunch – Reservations and pre-payment are required12:15 – 1 pm.....................Storytelling – Auditorium2 – 4 pm............................A guided snowshoe hike – Meet in the Visitor Center

Nathaniel McComb

Many thanks to Spectrum Health

Pennock Hospital and Foundation for their funding support to make

Active Saturdays! possible.

Supporting the Mission

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Oil Pipelines and the Great Lakes InJulyof2010oneofthelargestoilspillsintheUnitedStatestookplaceontheKalamazooRiver.After1milliongallonsofoilcontaminated25milesofriverbed,manycitizensandenvironmentalgroupsbegantoevaluatethedangerofspillsatotherpipelines.OnepipelinethatdrewimmediateattentionisEnbridgeLine5,whichcarriescrudeoilthroughtheUpperPeninsula,undertheStraitsofMackinac,andthroughtheLowerPeninsuladowntooilrefineriesinSarnia.ItscrossingoftheGreatLakesattheStraitsofMackinacpromptedtheNationalWildlifeFederationtoperformanunderwatervisualinspectionofthepipeline.ThisinspectionandsubsequentresearchexposedproblemswiththepipelineanddemonstratedhowvulnerabletheGreatLakesaretoaspillsimilartotheoneintheKalamazooRiver.

Tolearnmore,attendtheEnvironmentalIssuesForumonJanuary19.Seepage10formoreinformation.

A Latesummer Night’s Green was a Dream Come True!ALatesummerNight’sGreen2016wasabsolutelyamazing.Thankstoeveryonewhocontributedtoit—thedonors,sponsors,attendees,volunteers,andauctioneers—thiswasourmostsuccessfulfundraiseryet.Infact,togetherweraisedover$41,000!TosaytheInstitute’sstaffisinspiredbythissupportisanunderstatement.Thankyou!

ThesefundsareimportanttotheInstituteformanyreasons.Theywillmakemoreprograms,workshops,hikes,trailimprovements,andresearchopportunitiespossiblein2017.Justassignificantly,theyalsodemonstratethecommunity’scontinuedandever-growingcommitmenttotheInstituteanditsmissiontoinspireappreciationandstewardshipofourenvironment.

AsHelenKelleroncesaid,“Alonewecandosolittle;togetherwecandosomuch.”ThesuccessofALatesummerNight’sGreenisatestamenttothisfact.Let’sseeallthegoodwecandotogetherattheInstitutein2017!

Save the Date! Saturday, September 9, 2017

Membership Milestones

The Straits of Mackinac.

15 yearsJim and Mary Atkinson

Mike and Janie BergeronGeorge and Martha J. Brown

Jim and Albie BrunnerDavid and Caroline Dimmers

Joyce EarleBonnie Gettys

Gary and Sue HaskinBrian and Polly Hoxworth

D. Thomas and Carol A. JohnsonBob and Brenda Jones

Richard and Agnes KarasFred and Jeanette Kogge

Kathy LaVictorRobert and Joanna Learner

Andrew Leat and Linda Jo ScottNelson Lumm

Willard L. “Joe” and Shari PierceKatrinka Reel

John and Maureen RobinsonJohn and Judy Stovall

Dick and Veroneze StraderCliff and Kathy Ward

John and Jean WalkerDon and Kathy Wiggins

Jo Anne WoodPatty Woods

Gordon and Carolyn Worth

10 yearsJoe and Helen Barr

James and Judy BaursWilliam Bedford and Christine Homik

Kathie BlackSheryl Lewis Blake and Jim Blake

Ned and Rita BrownJohn and Barb Carpenter

Mark and Margaret ChristensenBenjamin and Connie DaweDave and Marta DesJardin

Matt and Beth DykstraRic and Roberta Gendernalik

Robert and Gail GuthStephanie Heard and Paula Van Valkenburgh

Mary Hunt Barry and Elizabeth Latoszewski

Marcia LeedyBruce and Nola Lindberg

Clyde John and Mary LoganJared and Lindsey Nichols

David Piotrowski and Jean Ann Wahl-PiotrowskiAnthony Plants

Larry and Jan RiccoLaurel Robertson

Roy and Mary RobertsonRichard and Ann Root

Michael and Elaine Wallace

5 yearsKayla Angeletti

Dave and Jane ArnoldPaul and Lora Ballinger

Norman BarlowJerry and Deloris Bradley

Brenda BurgessRon and Donna Dillman

Elisabeth FrenchBud and Cindy Glenn

Carl and Mary GoyMarty Hall

Rick and Peggy HemerlingNelson and Elaine Hine

Evelyn HolzwarthFred and Patti Jacobs

Michael and Debbie JensenKenneth and Vicki Kornheiser

Wilma KyleJoseph and Barbara McAllister

Joe and Dori Milan Charlie and Toni Mueller

Barb OsborneKirk Parent

Jeff Price and Sue HarrisonLynne K Serfling

Sarah SmithDave and Mary Staley

Bradley SwansonGerald Tilmann and Gary Steiner

Thomas and Elaine Van DorenTerri Warren

Larry Wesner and Deb Sweet

Thank you for your commitment! Congratulations on reaching this membership milestone in 2017!*

*Weapologizeforanynamesinadvertentlyomittedfromthislist.

Calendar of EventsAnnual Coat DriveThrough December 31TheInstituteiscollectinggently-usedandnewwintercoatsandblankets.SecondHandCornersinHastingswilldistributeallcollecteditemstothoseinneed.DonationscanbedroppedoffattheInstituteoratSecondHandCornersat102W.StateStreetindowntownHastingsduringregularbusinesshours.Inappreciationforadonation,youwillreceiveacoupongoodfor$1offperpersoninyourpartyforanySundayBrunchattheInstitute.

History of the Landscape Hike Saturday, December 3 10 am – 12:30 pmJoinProgramManagerMattDykstraona2.5milehikethroughtheJonesparcel.Thegroupwilldiscusshowgeology,biology,andhumanityconnectinshapingthislandscape.Thishikeisoftenaccompaniedwithsnowandcold;pleasedressappropriatelyfortheweather.

Members FREE | Non-Member Adults $6; Children $3

December Brunch, Artist’s Reception, and Christmas ConcertSunday, December 11 Brunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pm Christmas Music Concert: 12:15 – 1 pmAnne Sipe – Artist’s Reception: 1 - 3 pmThisyear’sChristmasConcertwillfeaturetheBrassRailbrassquintet,whichplaysavarietyofmusicalstylesincludingRenaissanceandBaroque,RagTimeandSwing,BluesandRock,andagoodbitofNewOrleansinfluencedmusic.TheplayersareRogerLynchandMikeMcMinnontrumpets,FritzMacDonaldontuba,JohnDickeyontrombone,andChrisGarrettonFrenchhorn.Thisconcertissuretoputyouintheholidayspirit!AftertheconcertAnneSipewillbeavailabletotalktoaboutherexhibitofexceptionalphotographs.

Member Adults $16; Children $8Non-Member Adults $18; Children $9(Plus 6% sales tax. Children ages 4 – 10) ConcertandArtist’sReceptionarefree.Youdonotneedtoattendbrunchtoenjoytheconcert.

Active Saturdays! in JanuarySaturdays, January 7, 14, 21, and 28 10 am – 4 pmSeepage8formoreinformation.

Winter Festival and January BrunchSunday, January 8 Winter Festival: 10 am – 4 pmBrunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pmStorytelling: 12:15 – 1 pm Guided Snowshoe Hike: 2 - 4 pmSeeafullscheduleandmoreinformationonpage8.

Candlelight TrailsSaturday, January 14 7 – 9:30 pmHearthecrunchofsnowunderfootandthequietofthewoodsatnight.TheBeech-MapleRidgeandTallGrassPrairieTrailswillbeopenforparticipantstotakeawalkonthecandlelittrails.Awarmfire,coffee,andhotchocolatewillbeintheVisitorCenter.

Members FREE | Non-Member Adults $6; Children $3Snowshoesarelimited;pleasepre-registertoreserveapair.

Environmental Issues Forum: Oil and the Great LakesProgramheldattheBarryCountyEnrichmentCenter,231S.BroadwayinHastingsThursday, January 19 Noon – 1 pmBethWallaceoftheNationalWildlifeFoundationandauthorofareportontheEnbridgeLine5pipelinewillprovideanupdateonthestatusofthepipelineandwhatEnbridge,stategovernment,andenvironmentalgroupsaredoingtoreducetheriskofaspill.Pleasefeelfreetobringalunch.Coffeeandcookieswillbeserved.

FREE

Permaculture Design Course: Principles of Natural Systems and Design Saturday and Sunday, January 21 and 22 9 am – 4 pm both daysSeepage4formoreinformation.

Farm to Table DinnerSaturday, February 4 6 – 8 pmThisspecialmulti-coursedinnerseriescontinueswithChefPaulhighlightinglocalfarmersandbreweries.ThistimeSproutBCofBattleCreekwillshareinformationaboutfoodaccess.Alongwithfarming,SproutBChelpsthecommunityprosperthroughfood,education,andenterpriseandalsoengagesyouthinthelocalfoodsystem.Alocalbrewerywillbeofferingbeerpairings.Programislimitedto20participants.Pre-registrationisrequired.

Members $30 I Non-Members $41

10

Register online at cedarcreekinstitute.org or call (269) 721-4190 for more information.Pre-payment may be required for some events.

Calendar of Events

11

Full Moon Snowshoe HikeFriday, February 10 6:30 – 9:30 pmEnjoyFebruary’sfullmoonwiththeInstitute’sguidedhikethroughthemoonlitwoodlandsandprairies.Twohikelengthswillbeavailable—1.5milesand3miles.Afterwards,warmupwithahotcupofcoffeeorhotchocolateandacookiearoundaroaringfireintheVisitorCenter.Thiseventissuitableforallagesandexperiencelevels.

Members FREE | Non-Member Adults $6; Children $3Snowshoesarelimited;pleasepre-registertoreserveapair.

February BrunchSunday, February 12 Brunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pm Program: 12:15 – 1 pmTheFebruarybrunchwillfeaturethemostmagicaloffoods:chocolate.Duringtheprogram,PatrickFields,professoratOlivetCollege,willsharehispassionforthisuniquefood,discussthebiologyofthecocoatreeanditsculturalhistoryandproduction,andprovideinsightsintochocolate’slastingallure.

Member Adults $16; Children $8Non-Member Adults $18; Children $9(Plus 6% sales tax. Children ages 4 – 10)BrunchProgramisfree.Youdonotneedtoattendbrunchtoenjoytheprogram.

Lunch and Learn: Michigan in Transition (1820-1900)Friday, February 17 Program: 10:30 am – 12 pm Lunch: 12 – 1 pmIn1820Michigan’spopulationwasabout7500people,mostlyclusterednearDetroit,MackinacIsland,andSaultSte.Marie,andforestscoveredthestate.By1900thepopulationhadgrownto2.4million,andthevastforestshaddisappeared,convertedtofarmlandandlumber.MattDykstrawilldiscussthistransitionandwhatforcesdrovethisdrasticchange.PleaseregisterbyFebruary15forlunch.

Members $10 | Non-Members $14 Programisfree.Youdonotneedtoattendthelunchtoenjoytheprogram.

Permaculture Design Course: Aquatic Systems for Farms and Homesteads Saturday, February 18 9 am – 4 pmSeepage4formoreinformation.

Baking with BeerSaturday, February 18 3 – 5 pmBeerandbreadhavealong,closerelationship.ChefPaulwilldemonstratehowtomakebreadsandbakedgoodswithbeerandspentgrainasingredients.Participantswillbeabletotakesomebreadhomewiththem.Programislimitedto20participants.

Members $20 | Non-Members $27

Snowshoe Lacing WorkshopSaturday, February 4 9 am – 4 pmSaturday, February 11 1 – 4 pm Optional follow-up session Laceyourownpairofsnowshoesduringthisworkshop.Bothwoodenframestylesandanaluminumframestylewillbeavailable.Theworkshopincludespersonalinstructionandallmaterialsrequired:frames,lacing,bindings,andsparvarnish.LunchonFebruary4isincluded.ThedeadlineforregistrationisJanuary20.Pre-paymentisrequired.PleasecontactMattDykstrawithanyquestionsatdykstram@cedarcreekinstitute.orgor(269)721-4473.

Wooden Frames (Green Mountain, Huron, Ojibwa, and Alaskan) Members $185 | Non-Members $205 Aluminum Frames (Urban) Members $100 | Non-Members $120

Snowshoe Options:Model Dimensions Suggested Maximum Weight*Urban 8”x25”(M) 140lbs. 9”x30”(L) 200lbs.GreenMountain 10”x36” 200lbs.Huron 12”x42” 220lbs.Ojibwa 10”x48”(S) 140lbs. 11”x54”(M) 240lbs. 12”x60”(L) 260lbs.Alaskan 10”x56”(L) 260lbs. 12”x60”(XL) 300lbs.*Suggestedmaximumweightincludestheweightofthesnowshoerandanyloadstheywillbecarrying.

Green Mountain

Huron

Alaskan

Ojibwa

Urban

Art Exhibit

Willard G. Pierce andJessie M. Pierce Foundation

701 W. Cloverdale RoadHastings, MI 49058

100% Post-Consumer

Non-ProfitOrganizationUSPostage

PAIDDowling,MIPermitNo.3

Photography by Anne SipeAmateurphotographerAnneSipe’sinterestinphotographywassparkedduringhermiddleschoolyearswhiledevelopingblackandwhitefilmforasciencefairproject,anditcontinuestoday.

Annetriestocaptureimagesthatevokeanemotionalresponsefromtheviewerandlovestakingphotographsofnature—plants,animals,andbirds,aswellasbarns,farmland,andtheGreatLakes.Hergrandchildrenare,ofcourse,alsosomeofher

favoritesubjects.Alongwithtakingphotographs,sheisalsointerestedindisplayingthem,takingadvantageofthedifferentmediumsthatareavailable.Inthis,herfirstexhibit,herphotographsaredisplayedonmetal,canvas,andacrylic.

Eagertoshareherworkwithothers,AnneisproudofthefactherphotographshavebeenusedbytheMichiganAudubonSocietyinemailblaststotheirmembersandWoldumarNatureCenterinarecentemailpost.ShehasalsocontributedpicturestothePottervilleMusicBoostersfortheirsilentauctionforthepastthreeyears.

AnnegrewupinruralEatonCountyandtravelsthebackroadsofruralMichiganwithherhusbandof12years,Jeff.

Anne’s photography will be on display and for sale throughout the Institute’s Visitor Center December 2016 through February 2017 with an opening reception Sunday, December 11.