THE NEWSLETTER OF FENNER NATURE CENTER & FENNER...

SUMMER 2016

THE NEWSLETTER OF

FENNER NATURE CENTER &

FENNER CONSERVANCY

In This I s sue01 LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

ANNUAL MEETING & VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION POTLUCK

02 41ST ANNUAL MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL

04 EARTH DAY EXTRAVAGANZA

06 VOLUNTEER PROFILE: EAGLE SCOUT ALEX MOSS

07 IN MEMORIAM: KATHLEEN GIDDINGS

08 KIDSPACE

09 EXPLORE STORE: GEAR UP FOR SUMMER

PLAYSCAPE RIBBON CUTTING

10 DONORS & SUPPORTERS

12 PROGRAMS & EVENTS CALENDAR

OUR MISSION:

Fenner Conservancy connects people to nature in the heart of Lansing through conservation, education, and stewardship.

THE NEWSLETTER OF

FENNER NATURE CENTER &

FENNER CONSERVANCY

ON THE COVER: HACKBERRY EMPEROR BUTTERFLY | © David Marvin

STAFF & INTERNS

Liz Roxberry Executive Director [email protected]

Jenny Mensch Program Manager & Volunteer Coordinator [email protected]

Gair TourtellotGift Shop Coordinator

Robert PhillipsBookkeeper

Adrienne Adamczyk, Naturalist

Abby Feder, Naturalist

Olivia Guswiler, Animal Care Intern

Bailey Hannah, Environmental Education Intern

Adam Haviland, Naturalist Support

Laura Nowakowski, Animal Care Intern

Jeff Parks, Naturalist

Laura Rogers, Naturalist

Andrea Thompson, Communications & Marketing Intern [email protected]

Stephen Vrla, YLP Coordinator & Naturalist

EDITORS

Amy Moore [email protected]

Liz Roxberry [email protected]

Bobby Jereb [email protected]

PHOTOGRAPHY

David MarvinJenny MenschJason MeyerLiz Roxberry

PRINTING

Seasons is published four times per year and is received by all Fenner Conservancy members. It is generously printed by Jackson National Life Insurance Company.

CONTACT US

Fenner Nature Center 2020 East Mount Hope Ave. Lansing, Michigan 48910

Phone: (517) 483-4224

Web: mynaturecenter.org

Visitor Center Hours: Ju ne - August 5

Monday-Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm Saturday- Sunday 12pm-4pm

Au gust 8-October 31 Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm Saturday-Sunday, 12pm-4pm

Explore Store Hours: Tuesday-Friday open by request; Saturday-Sunday12pm-4pm

Trails are open daily from 8am to dusk.

A FEW YEARS AGO I read a book called Moral

Ground, Ethical Action for a Planet in Peril (Moore

& Nelson, editors). In it, the question is posed that

goes something like this:

“Do we have a moral obligation to take action to

nurture and grow the natural spaces on this planet in

order to save our children?”

Which caused me to think, what am I doing now to

assure that seven generations from now there will

still be spaces for children to climb trees, prairies to

get lost in, or the chance to see a wild animal that’s

not behind the glass of a zoo enclosure?

I have recently come to learn the term “nature deficit

disorder,” and find it so very perfect for capturing the

condition from which so many children suffer. Do our

children need to know that by growing and protecting trees they are saving the lungs of the

world? Do they need to know that if we eliminate all the milkweed pods they will never again

enjoy a beautiful monarch butterfly?

We all work very hard to assure our children are safe and have all the good things in life. But

do we also have a moral obligation to expend extraordinary efforts to expand our concern

beyond just current lives to those lives in the future?

Do we need to plant seeds that we know we will not see grow in our lifetime? I think so,

and I plant my seeds with Fenner Conservancy. I invite you to join me and plant a seed for

the future.

FENNER CONSERVANCY BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Peggy Roberts, PresidentStacie Longwell Hill, Vice PresidentKristin Arnett, TreasurerVeronica Gracia-Wing, SecretarySara Frank-HepferMelanie HarrisRaymond HarrisScott McPhailAmy MooreChris Stewart

COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Communications:

Amy Moore, ChairBrendan DwyerVeronica Gracia-Wing Meghan MartinDave Marvin Development:

Peggy Roberts, ChairKris ArnettRaymond HarrisStacie Longwell Hill Scott McPhailChris Stewart Personnel:

Lori BryceSara Frank-HepferAndrea RadelMichelle Rutkowski Programming:

Sara Frank-Hepfer, ChairPhil Rutkowski Stewardship:

Ron Eggleston Lucas ElenitskyJohn KrohnPhil RutkowskiGabe Zawadzki

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

P e g g y R o b e Rt s , P R e s i d e n t o f t h e b o a R d

Virg Bernero, Mayor

Fenner Conservancy’s Annual Meeting and Volunteer Appreciation Potluck

will be held at Fenner on Sunday, June 26, 4-6pm.Potluck for Members and Volunteers will begin at 4pm.

Annual Member Meeting will start at 5:15pm.Please RSVP to [email protected]

or by calling 517-483-4224.

fenneR natuRe CenteR & fenneR ConseRvanCy Summer 2016 | SEASONS | 1

ARCH AT FENNER NATURE CENTER MEANS TWO WORDS: MAPLE SYRUP. Each and every year, for over 40 years, more than 1500 community members have gathered at our annual Maple Syrup Festival to learn about this sweet part of our heritage, eat some delicious maple treats, and stretch our legs outdoors after being cooped up all winter.

This year, we started gathering our community together in the weeks before our festival, inviting you – our members and friends – to join us in the sugar bush to tap trees, collect sap, and begin the syruping process alongside our partners at MSU’s American Indian Studies Program. During the festival, our newly renovated sugaring shack was open for business. Students and faculty from the pro-gram spent the day cooking sap down into syrup while visitors watched and asked questions about the process of using the half-pint leader evaporator, and even learned some Anishinaabemowin words. Another new addition to the festival sugar bush demonstrations was the carving of a new sugaring log for the nature center that was led by members of the Indigenous Youth Empowerment Program. These active demonstrations of both traditional and modern tools for maple syrup inspired many festival-goers to pick up a home sugaring kit from the Explore Store to tap trees at home.

We hope to see you in the Iskigamezigan!*

*Iskigamizigan is the Anishinaabemowin word for Sugar Camp.

BY JENNY MENSCH, PROGRAM MANAGER & VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR

M

2016 MAPLE SYRUP FESTIVAL PHOTOS | © David Marvin

2 | SEASONS | Summer 2016 fenneR natuRe CenteR & fenneR ConseRvanCy

American Indian Studies Program

American Firewood

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR GREAT SPONSORS!

EVENT SPONSOR

SUGAR BUSH SPONSORS

SILVER SPYLE SPONSORS

Bond Creative


IGNS OF SPRING ABOUND AT THE NATURE CENTER: new birds at feeders, green sprouts emerging from the ground, tiny buds unfurling, and frog calls to name a few. But the way I know that spring has truly arrived is the explosion of volunteers and helping hands at our Earth Day Extravaganza. Our biggest workday of the year saw over 180 volunteers, 1,800 lbs of invasive garlic mustard and dame’s rocket removed, 200 trees planted, and countless cartloads of mulch spread

on trail. The amount of spring cleaning that was completed at this event is staggering! Many people see Earth Day as a special day to give back to the earth for the resources, relaxation, and adventure we find in nature. Volunteers that attended the Earth Day Extravaganza not only did just that on April 16th, but they learned skills while volunteering that they can take home with them to give back all year round.

Our Earth Day Extravaganza isn’t just about volunteering. This year’s Earth Day Extravaganza included a ribbon cutting for the Youth Leadership Program’s Playscape, close encounters with wildlife through activities like bird banding, reptile hikes, and pond dipping led by organizations from MSU, and (new this year) our Eco Village. The Eco Village featured booths from local organizations like Consumers Energy, Compost Katie, Fishin Michigan, and more with information on how visitors to the festival can incorporate sustainability and conservation into their everyday lives.


S

2016 EARTH DAY EXTRAVAGANZA PHOTOS | © David Marvin


THANK YOU EARTH DAY EXTRAVAGANZA SPONSORS!

HELPING HANDS SPONSORS

THANKS TO ALL OF OUR GREAT SPONSORS!

WILDLIFE SPONSORS

Bond Creative

PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION

Fishin’ Michigan

Compost KatieIngham County Parks

Consumers Energy MSU Surplus StoreUnited States Coast Guard

MSU Fisheries & Wildlife Graduate Student Organization

MSU Herpetology Club

Capital Area Audubon Society


LET’S MEET ALEX MOSS. He is the son of Tony and Susanne Moss, and has a younger brother who is also a scout. Alex has been a scout since the first grade, starting as a Cub Scout. Now he is an Eagle Scout with Troop 417 (St. Casimir). He has been taking martial arts classes for seven years. He speaks German fluently. He is a junior in high school. His future education plans are to attend Lansing Community College and then pursue a Mechanical Engineering degree from a university here in Michigan.

HOW DID THE PROJECT BEGIN? Alex has camped at Fenner with his scout troop several times and believes he knows the park very well. So, he asked Jason Meyer (former Executive Director) if he could complete his Eagle Scout project at Fenner. Jason put him in touch with Mark Ledebuhr (former Stewardship Committee Chair), who had an idea for a project. He suggested that Alex install several new park benches. Mark obtained approval from the Fenner Conservancy Board while Alex obtained approval from the Scout Council for the project.

WHAT WAS THE PROJECT? It was decided and approved that Alex would lead the project to install three new park benches and replace one park bench. Mark helped Alex identify the areas in the park to install the benches.

RAISING MONEY. Alex decided it would be best to make the benches out of composite wood so that they would last a long time. By developing a budget, he knew he needed to raise about $1,500. (Composite wood is an expensive material.) He started in 2013 by soliciting donations from individuals and by having a stand at the Friday fish fries, located at St. Casimir Church. He was able to earn enough funds for three benches. His Grandmother kindly donated the money for the fourth bench. There is a plaque on that bench honoring his Grandmother, Adline Moss, for sponsoring it. Thank you, Grandma! He bought the materials at Lowe’s where his Dad has a 10 percent veteran’s discount.

TEAMWORK! Now that he had the necessary funds, he could get started building the benches. Fellow scouts and friends worked with him—five or six helping with each bench. Alex was the leader of the team and project. He received helpful advice about the concrete pads from a scout parent who is a bricklayer, and his parents helped him stay on task.

FIRST STEPS. First, the teams cleared the areas of leaves and branches and leveled the spots. The team used a post-hole digger and hand-held shovels to dig 36” deep for the posts. They dug 4” deep for the concrete pad, which was 7 feet x 4 feet. They used a six-foot jig for the concrete

pillars and wooden frame in order to dig the right size. The next step was to pour in gravel, level it, and crush it. The gravel was necessary to keep water from getting under the concrete, preventing cracking.

Learning experience. This was the first time Alex had poured concrete. With the first bench, the team dug the holes and poured the concrete on the same day. They started about 4pm and finished about 11pm. That was a long, tiring day! He learned from that experience and modified his game plan to dig the holes and pour the concrete on two separate days. That worked much better and his team was very appreciative.

COMPLETED! The four benches were installed in the springs and summers of 2013 and 2014. His team worked a total of about 154 hours. Now, Fenner has four new benches for visitors. They will last a lifetime because they are made out of recycled plastic. And, Alex has successfully completed his project and earned his Eagle Scout rank. It’s a win-win. Thank you, Alex, and congratulations!

If you are interested in completing your Eagle Scout project at Fenner, like Alex, please call us at 517-483-4224.

WRITTEN BY JULIE FELDPAUSCH, VOLUNTEER

VOLUNTEER PROFILEEagle Scout Alex Moss

Alex Moss completed his Eagle Scout project at Fenner.

BENCH INSTALLATION PHOTOS | © David Marvin


“YOUR CHILD MAY BE IN a wheelchair next year,” were the words spoken to Auene Northey one early morning in 1940 inside a physician’s office. Kathleen (Northey) Giddings, a beloved member of Fenner Conservancy and a friend to so many of us, stood quietly next

to her mother. It is hard to imagine what thoughts filled Kathy’s head at such a young age of six, but in one of her many short stories, she shared some of the early fears she had. “First I stared, then I pretended I hadn’t heard. Words too large for me to understand, but I did understand the word wheelchair. How would I go to school? How would I play? The adults’ voices droned over my head, I either did not listen or purposely forgot everything else that was said.”

Kathy spent the majority of her adult life advocating for opportunities for children here in the Lansing community. Having earned her BA for Social Work in 1956, and a Master’s Degree in 1960, Kathy began a professional career at Catholic Social Services working in child welfare and adoption placement. Kathy and her adoring husband Tom, raised a family in Lansing but often traveled together on far away adventures in Scandinavia, Egypt and Asia.

Never did Kathy allow her diagnosis to limit her. In fact, quite the opposite. It appears that when a barrier presented itself, she would not just figure out how to get around it, but would remove it entirely to assure others wouldn’t have to overcome it the way she had. What conviction, what unwavering tenacity. At Fenner Conservancy it is our philosophy that access to nature should be universal. In the last three years, we have fundamentally shifted our culture, making inclusion for all a critical and compelling part of everything we do here. Beginning with the renovation for inclusiveness at the Visitor Center and extending to trailside sensory interpretation, Fenner Conservancy recognizes that every barrier we remove is a step toward a more whole and connected conservation community. Through a generous gift by the Giddings Family Trust, we are able to assure that gender, socioeconomic status, nationality or ability differences are not a barrier so strong, they are unable to be removed. What a legacy to leave, what a treasure she was. Thank you, Tom and Kathy for loving Fenner Nature Center.

WRITTEN BY LIZ ROXBERRY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

IN MEMORIAM


Fairy Forest Houses are the perfect summer project. They combine art and nature into an awesome “Wild Art” project that is perfect for all ages. If your child isn’t captivated by the idea of fairies, Toad Homes are just as fun to make. Not only do these little homes get the creative juices flowing, they also encourage children to continue to frequent the outdoors.

You will need:• Pencil• Paper• Empty clear plastic

bottle with the labels removed

• Grout, hot glue, or other adhesive

1. Go outside and collect natural materials similar to the ones listed above.

2. Use the pencil and paper to sketch an idea of how you want your fairy forest house to look.

3. Use the scissors to cut a door and any desired windows into your plastic container.

4. Attach pebbles to the plastic bottle using the adhesive to create a cobblestone type brick pattern.

5. Decorate the pebbled bottle with other natural materials that you collected.

6. Be Creative!

Once your Fairy Forest House is finished, find a spot in nature to set it up. Since it is not made of entirely natural materials, we recommend that you keep it on your personal property. To encourage children to continue spending time outdoors during the summer, remind them to check back on their house often to see if anyone has moved in!

BY BAILEY HANNAH

FAIRY FOREST HOUSES

Photo Credit: http://inhabitat.com/diy-how-to-make- garden-faerie-houses-pixie-towers-and-toad-homes-

from-reclaimed-materials/forest-fairy-house-lead/

• Scissors• Moss• Pebbles• Twigs• Leaves• Bark• Pinecones/acorns


THE EXPLORE STORE HAS HIKING AND WALKING STICKS, water bottles, clip-on dark glasses, a variety of magnifiers, totes, and guide books galore. We’re getting new Fenner apparel with logos and slogans to show your Fenner Pride, for yourself or as gifts. We offer Woodcraft® kits, houses and feeders for your feathered friends (and squirrel antics). Even a coloring book for grown-ups. Visit Fenner and check us out!

We are making way for new products to enhance your enjoyment of nature. Prices are reduced for some familiar items. Come see.

BY GAIR TOURTELLOT, EXPLORE STORE MANAGER

ARE YOU READY TO GEAR UP FOR SUMMER

It’s official! The ribbon has been cut, and the Fenner Youth Leadership Program’s Playscape is open for business – the business of play. The Youth Leaders held a ribbon cutting event during the Earth Day Extravaganza, providing park visitors with yet another way to interact with nature. With remarks from Lucy McClintic of CACS – Headstart, Stephanie Rustem of MUCC, and Zoe Chapman-King, of Fenner’s YLP, attendees heard about the value of learning through natural play, how to work together with youth for conservation, and the legacy that our youth wish to leave for the next generation. Through the coming seasons, this playscape will serve as a safe place for children to explore, play, and grow in nature. Starting this summer, YLP will lead Come and Play Days in the Playscape for kids in our community to enjoy the kind of fun that can only be had outside. (see page 12 for more information).


PLAYSCAPE RIBBON CUTTING

© David Marvin

RIBBON CUTTING PHOTOS | © David Marvin


DONOR PATIO

Thanks to the generous support of Susan and Jack Davis, we now have a patio behind our building that not only enhances the fire pit area, but also gives you a chance to show your permanent support of Fenner! Bricks are available in two sizes: 8” x 8” ($500) and 4” x 8” ($250). They can be purchased and engraved with your name, the names of loved ones, or your favorite nature-related quote. Help us continue to grow by purchasing a brick today! For more information or to purchase a brick, call 517-483-4224 or e-mail [email protected].

© Jason Meyer

f e n n e R C o n s e R va n C y d o n o R s & s u P P o Rt e R s d e C e m b e R 31, 2015–a P R i l 1 , 2016

Thank you donors and supporters for your generosity!

Circle of Stewards Legacy Society

Doris Bauer (Deceased)

Phoebe Clark (Deceased)

Ron & Sue Eggleston

Arlene Eskes (Deceased)

Grace Hoffer

Mary Monaghan

Jack & Peggy Roberts

David Young

Raymond Ziarno

$2,000- $4,999

Ann Hancock

$1,000–$1,999

Dorothy McMeekin

Jack and Peggy Roberts

Bob Perialas – Lansing Board of Water & Light

April Clobes – MSU Federal Credit Union

Susan and Jack Davis

$500–$999

April Clobes – MSU Federal Credit Union

Ron & Sue Eggleston

Barb Holster & Debbie Wolf – Capital Area Audubon Society

$100–$499

David Cmar

Charles Contreras

Rick & Ellen Dral

Autum Ehresmann

Telaina Eriksen

Julie Feldpausch

Victoria LaDuke

Cindi Martineau

Denise Mcginn

Jason & Kate Meyer

Thomas & Laurie Mitchell

Matt Page

Leanne Parks

Luke Roberts

Gordon & Jane Spink

Martin Valley

Ralph Votapek

Sara Yager

Tom Yates

Martha Yoder

Eric Zaban


Join the “Circle of Stewards Legacy Society” with an Estate Gift to Fenner Conservancy.

A bequest is one of the simplest and most meaningful ways to support Fenner Conservancy.

These thoughtful gifts help ensure that Fenner Conservancy will continue to provide environmental education and outdoor recreation for future generations of greater Lansing’s residents and visitors.

If you have already made provisions for Fenner Conservancy in your estate planning, please let us know so that we can recognize you as a member of the Circle of Stewards Legacy Society.

For more information on including Fenner Conservancy in your estate plan, please contact your financial advisor and call Liz Roxberry at 517-483-4224.

f e n n e R C o n s e R va n C y d o n o R s & s u P P o Rt e R s d e C e m b e R 31, 2015–a P R i l 1 , 2016

Thank you donors and supporters for your generosity!

Up Through $99

Lisa Wood

Joy Altepeter

Claudia Anderson Family

Matthew Beaumont

Kent Bell

Katie Benghauser

Ryan Brzak

Sally Burroughs

Martin Chaney

Carol Chappell & Peter Kamarainen

Deb Chester

Valerie Chunko

Jenniffer Clark

Ian Clarkson

Terry Clingersmith

JD Cortese

Jenny Crichton

Lisa Daugherty

Nicholas Daum

Maggie Depta

Deborah Diesen & Tobin Miller

Jessica Dral

Cathleen Duchaine

Margaret Dwyer

Ron & Sue Eggleston

Karin & Frank Eirosius

Juanita Elkins

Raymond & Doris Feldpausch

Joanne Floyd

Martha & John Gleichman

Jason Griffin

Paul Griggs

Debra Gundry

Lauren & Julius Harris

Matt Hutting

DW Johnson

Mark Jones

Mary Juzwik

Tommy Keskerson

Elsie Kettunen

Kim & Jak Heekyoung

Ann Krammerer

Jill Kroll & Kenneth Slayton

Nell Kuhnmuench

Wendy Larson

Joey Latterman & Fritz Hambly

Sarah & Philippe Laurens

Phillip & Trulinda Laycock

Rachel & Nicholas Lipinski

Alisa Mainville

Margie McMillen

Gretchen & Mark Meisler

Melissa Molenda – The Nature Conservancy

Phu Nguyen

Faye Norris

Kristin Osterkamp

Dan Perri

Barton Pickelman

Jennifer Powell

Kendra Pyle

Carl & Kay Ramroth

Laurie Ritsema

Chris Rowland

Matt & Karyll Russell

Stephanie Rustem

Virginia Satariano

John Sheffer

Kuljeet Sidhu

Bethany Simmons

Polly Sink

Erik Smith

Debbie Sommerfeldt-Neil

Paulette Soule

Natallie Stroup & Susan Andrews

Patrick Sullivan

Gordon & Sheila Taylor

Raymond Thibeault

Philip Trosko

Lisa Wood

Nick Zaban

Mary Ann Zaban

Eric Zaban

In-Kind

American FirewoodEd & Madeline MerzStanley Dudek

Commemorative Bricks

Holly Braun. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250.00Susan & John Brewster . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250.00Allan & Cathy Claypool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250.00Gene Wasserman – Woodcraft Kits . . . . . . . . . .500.00


Nature Story Hour (Ages 4-6)

AUGUST 6, SEPTEMBER 3, OCTOBER 1 | SATURDAYS | 1–2PM

On the first Saturday of each month, our resident librarian will be leading a nature story hour in the visitor center that is geared towards children between the ages of 4 and 6. After the story, participate in a fun craft.

Cost: Free

Nature’s Trading Post

JULY 17, AUGUST 14, SEPTEMBER 11, OCTOBER 16 | SUNDAYS | 12–4PM

Calling all backyard naturalists! Have you found something intriguing, unusual, or just plan cool in nature? Bring it in to Nature’s Trading Post! Since April, Fenner Naturalists have opened up the Trading Post monthly to help you identify and learn more about the amazing things you find in nature. You can even earn points through trading the item you collected, or researching more about your item toward something special from our Trading Post collection. Visit the Nature’s Trading Post page on our website to learn more about earning and spending points.

Cost: Free

Come and Play Days at the Playscape

JULY 10, AUGUST 14 | SUNDAYS | 1–4PM

Join Fenner’s Youth Leaders for a play day in our new playscape! The leaders will teach children about the fundamental needs of life while guiding them in fun activities in the playscape’s food, water, shelter, and space stations.

Cost: Free

Community Campfire

JULY 8, AUGUST 12 | FRIDAYS | 6–8PM

Fenner Nature Center staff are excited to invite you to our first community campfire. On the second Friday of each month of the summer, we will light the fire near the front gates of the park and offer stories, songs, and s’mores. This is an opportunity for friends, families, and Fenner supporters to get together and enjoy a summer’s evening together. Bring a blanket, picnic, or instrument if you’d like; or bring just yourself. All are welcome to this community event.

Cost: Free

NATURE DAY CAMPSSummer is the perfect time to get outdoors and discover the wonders of nature! Fenner’s Nature Day Camps blend exciting games, scientific inquiry, and lots of outdoor discovery that will inspire even the youngest naturalists! Camp sessions will run from June 13–August 5. Half-day preschool camps are open to children ages 4–5 and run from 9am–12pm or 1pm–4pm. Full day camps, from 9am–4pm, are open to children who have completed Kindergarten through 5th grade.

Extended care is available for from 7:30am–9:00am for $15 per week and 4:00pm–5:30pm for $15 per week.

Call or visit mynaturecenter.org/camps for more information.

PROGRAMS & EVENTS CALENDAR

CALL 517-483-4224 TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION!

© David Marvin


STEWARDSHIP WORKDAYSJULY 9, AUGUST 13, SEPTEMBER 10, OCTOBER 1 | 9AM–12PM

Looking for a way to give back this summer? Stop in for one of our Saturday volunteer work events to assist with maintaining the trails, battling invasive species, restoring habitat, and improving our park. We recommend that you bring a water bottle, work gloves, and closed toe shoes. Our volunteer team leaders will provide a brief safety talk and orientation to the workday activities. No experience necessary.

Cost: Free

Twilight Treks

SEPTEMBER 9, SEPTEMBER 23, OCTOBER 7 | FRIDAYS | 7–8:30PM

Interested in exploring Fenner at night? Come join one of our naturalists for a guided hike as the sun is setting. Learn how certain animals are adapted to function during twilight and nighttime and what animals are hunting, walking, or flying around while we are getting ready for bed! This family-friendly program concludes with a bonfire and marshmallow roast.

Cost: $5 non-members; members free

APPLE BUTTER FESTIVALOCTOBER 8 & 9 | SATURDAY & SUNDAY | 11AM–5PM

Join us as we celebrate the fall harvest with our Annual Apple Butter Festival. This event gives visitors a chance to reconnect with nature through an exploration of heritage arts, crafts, games and of course, to help cook authentic apple butter over an open fire. This year’s festival promises to be fun for the whole family and includes live music, great food and will feature “celebrity stirrers” on site to help stir the apple butter.

Cost: Free / Suggested Donation Parking $5

Día de los Muertos Cemetery Stroll

OCTOBER 28 | FRIDAY | 6–8PM

Fenner Nature Center and the Friends of Lansing’s Historic Cemeteries are teaming up for a guided tour through Mount Hope Cemetery to investigate the signs and symbols of nature that surround life and death. We will delve into the folklore of ravens, owls, and other animals that can be found on the tombstones on our walk before heading back to Fenner for a campfire and marshmallow roast.

Cost: $5 non-members; members free

SCHOOL PROGRAMSTeachers, you can find our list of programs for the 2016-2017 school year on our website at www.mynaturecenter.org/descriptions. We offer all of our programs year-round with the exception of the Apple Butter and Maple Syrup Tours. This year’s Apple Butter Tours will run from October 3–7.

CALL 517-483-4224 TO REGISTER AND FOR MORE INFORMATION!

© David Marvin

© David Marvin


FENNER NATURE CENTER

FENNER CONSERVANCY

2020 EAST MOUNT HOPE AVE.

LANSING, MICHIGAN, 48910

Newsletter printing generously provided by:

© David Marvin

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