UPCOMING EVENTS
“Sustainable Agriculture, Wetlands & Community Collaboration” by Dr. Darien Ripple (October Member Program)
Sustainable Agriculture, Wetlands & Community Collaboration
What happens when students, conservationists, researchers, and farmers come together to rethink how we use the land?
Join us as Dr. Darien Ripple of Grand Valley State University shares the story of an exciting partnership between GVSU and Ducks Unlimited focused on sustainable agriculture and wetland conservation. Through hands-on, interdisciplinary research, students developed a proposal to transform 34 acres of farmland into an experiential learning lab for sustainable agriculture and wetland restoration.
Dr. Ripple will explore how education and community collaboration can turn ideas into meaningful conservation action, bringing together universities, nonprofits, governments, businesses, schools, farmers, and local communities.
“The Splendor Next Door: Discovering Birds and Nature Close to Home” with Steve Jessmore (November Member Program)
The Splendor Next Door: Discovering Birds and Nature Close to Home
Award-winning photographer Steve Jessmore presents the story behind The Splendor Next Door, his new photography book created at Reeds Lake in East Grand Rapids. Over five years and more than 250 mornings, Jessmore returned to one 241-step boardwalk, documenting the birds, behaviors and changing seasons of this familiar community place.
A longtime Michigan photographer and multiple National Audubon Photography Award winner, Jessmore now focuses his work on birds, freshwater habitats and conservation. Through photographs and personal stories, he will share how slowing down, paying attention and returning to the same place transformed the way he sees the natural world.
Although the project began at Reeds Lake, its message can belong anywhere: birds and nature surround us, often closer than we realize. Jessmore hopes to inspire others to find a special place of their own, spend time there and discover why nearby nature is worth appreciating—and protecting.
“Teacher of the Woods” by Curtis Dykstra (September Member Program)
"Ovenbird: Teacher of the Woods" by Curtis Dykstra, Ottawa County Parks
The theme for this year's programs for Grand Rapids Audubon Club will center around birds themselves - their behaviors with each other as well as how they relate to us humans in their world. We'll take a more intimate look at the lives of our feathered friends. What better way to start off the season as the school year begins than to look at the little bird who proclaims, "Teacher, Teacher, TEACHER!" While small, hidden and often overlooked, the Ovenbird has a
song that’s part of the symphony of summertime woodlands in Michigan.
While this presentation focuses on the Ovenbird, Curtis will dig much deeper than that. The Ovenbird, as well as all things natural, wild and untamed often deeply impact us and sometimes even teach us important and valuable lessons. Just what did he learn from this little bird? And how did it end up with such a special place in his heart. That’s the story Curtis will share with us. Maybe the little Ovenbird has a lesson for the rest of us, too!
Curtis Dykstra serves as Program Supervisor for Ottawa County Parks where he coordinates educational programming and activities for adults. He has worked in the Outdoor Education field for over 25 years and for Ottawa County Parks since 2013. Curtis is an avid birder and traveler who delights in sharing his passion for birds and nature with others.
Habitat Restoration and Creation on Michigan Audubon Sanctuaries
Chad Machinski, Conservation Manager for Michigan Audubon, will talk with us about his efforts at properties managed by his organization.
Across many of Michigan Audubon’s Sanctuaries, active habitat restoration and creation is an ongoing project. Chad will discuss where this work is going on, why the work is going on, and how the work is happening. Chad’s presentation will focus on three Michigan Audubon Sanctuaries as examples of specific work: The Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary, the Otis Farm Bird Sanctuary, and the Martha Mott Bird Sanctuary. Attendees will also learn about ways they can get involved with Michigan Audubon work.
While Chad’s first love is botany, he doesn’t deny the intertwining nature of birds, plants, insects, and all other organisms we share the world with. As Michigan Audubon’s Conservation Manager, Chad is responsible for the management and care for all 20 of Michigan Audubon’s Sanctuaries around the state and bird specific programs such as Chimney Swift and Purple Martin conservation. In his spare time, Chad tends to think about many of the same things he does at work: plants, birds, and insects.
This program is open to the public, who may attend as guests of the Grand Rapids Audubon Club. Doors of the Donnelly Center open at 7:00pm; come early to meet fellow members, browse the large selection of library items, and connect with others about birding. The program begins at 7:30 pm.
November Membership Meeting - North Country Trail
The North Country National Scenic Trail spans 4,800 miles across eight states, including both peninsulas of Michigan, rendering it the longest National Scenic Trail in the country. While it’s administered on a federal level by the National Park Service, efforts to build, maintain, protect, and promote it are predominantly managed by the North Country Trail Association, a nonprofit headquartered in Lowell, Michigan, with a staff of 16 and a volunteer base of hundreds. Learn more about the trail community and this treasure in your own backyard.
Cultivating a Community of Conservationists
Cultivating a Community of Conservationists
Speaker: Spencer High
Lessons learned from the resiliency of nature and how they apply to our human ecosystems.