Spring Programs at Seven Ponds
March
Fossils of the Michigan Basin
Friday, March 1 through Sunday, May 5
This traveling exhibit will take us back 350 million years when Michigan was under an ancient salt water sea. This exhibit will offer the opportunity to explore and discover the creatures and plants that lived in those seas through fossil specimens, diagrams, and illustrations.
The Turning Time of Spring
March 3, 2:00 p.m.
Winds are a very important mechanism to healthy lakes…come out and see why.
Seven Ponds Annual Meeting
Saturday, March 9, 9:00 a.m.
All Seven Ponds members are welcome as we review the center’s activities for the past year, honor outgoing board members, and elect new board members and officers.
Daylight Savings is Here
Sunday, March 10, 2:00 p.m.
As we start to “wake-up” from winter let’s see who else is stirring on this late winter walk.
Field School Sign-up
Friday, March 15, 9:00 a.m.
This is the day for early registration for summer field school programs. The sign- up starts at 9:00 a.m. sharp. Please do not call before 9:00 a.m.
Botanical Easter Eggs
Saturday, March 16, 10:00 a.m.
Sign up to learn this old-fashioned way of coloring Easter eggs. Wrapped in flowers and leaves and soaked in a natural dye, these beautiful eggs are sure to become a yearly tradition in your house. Pre-registration is required. Ages 12 and up.
Early Peeks at Spring
Sunday, March 17, 2:00 p.m.
We are so ready for spring…let’s see how many signs of spring we can find.
Webelos Badge Day – Forester and Geologist
Saturday, March 23, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Scouts will earn their Forester Badge during this session.
Saturday, March 23, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Scouts will earn their Geologist Badge during this session
Limit to 20 scouts per session. All scouts must pre-register.
Spend the Afternoon with a Paleontologist
Saturday, March 23, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Paleo Joe, paleontologist and author, will help us discover Michigan’s ancient history. You can bring in your fossils to have them identified from 1:30 to 2:00 p.m., stay for Fossils of the Michigan Basin program and learn about Michigan’s life under the sea at 2:00 p.m., and after the program stay for a personal tour of the Fossil exhibit with Paleo Joe. This will be an afternoon to remember!
Invasive Plant Workday #1
Sunday, March 24, 1:00 p.m.
We will spend the afternoon working on removing garlic mustard. This is a great opportunity for community service hours and master gardener hours. Bring gloves and water.
Easter Sunday Walk
Sunday, March 31, 2:00 p.m.
Put on your Easter bonnets and join us for a leisurely walk this afternoon.
April
Saginaw Bay Birding
Wednesday, April 3, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Today we will head north to Fish Point and other areas on Saginaw Bay in search of tundra swans, ducks and geese, raptors, and other early migrating birds. We’ll make a day of it, stopping for lunch along the way. Some participants may be required to drive. Bring binoculars, field guide, snacks, and spotting scope if you have one. Please pre-register by calling the nature center. Fee: $15.00 ($12.00 member).
Owl Prowl
Thursday, April 4, or Saturday, April 6, 7:00 p.m.
Our owl prowl will begin indoors with a short talk about the owls of Michigan. We’ll then hike along the trails in hopes of calling in one or more of the center’s resident owls. Bring a flashlight. This program is limited to 25 participants. Participants must pre-register by calling 810-798-3200. Fee: $5.00 ($3.00 member).
Invasive Plant Workday #2
Sunday, April 7, 1:00 p.m.
We will spend the afternoon working on removing dame’s rocket and garlic mustard. This is a great opportunity for community service hours and Master Gardener hours. Bring gloves and water.
Woodland Wildflower Workday
Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m.
Come help us ready the Woodland Wildflower Area for the beautiful array of blossoms that will be coming our way soon. Fulfill Master Gardner hours.
Salamander Foray
Saturday and Sunday, April 13 & 14, 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a salamander day of discovery at Jonathan Woods. We will be looking for many examples of the six species that reside in the rich woods while learning about their natural history and conservation. Meet at Seven Ponds and carpool to the site. Limit 12 at each session. Must pre-register by calling 810-796-3200. Fee: $3.00 per adult, $1.00 per child (members free).
Invasive Plant Workday #3
Sunday, April 21, 1:00 p.m.
We will spend the afternoon working on removing dame’s rocket. This is a great opportunity for community service hours and master gardener hours. Bring gloves and water.
Spring Bird Walk #1
Wednesday, April 24, 8:00 a.m.
This first spring bird walk will take us along the center’s own trails in search of year-around resident birds and those which have already come back from the south, including sandhill cranes, ducks, swallows, eastern bluebirds, eastern towhees, blackbirds, and others. All bird watching levels are welcome. Bring binoculars, field guide, and dress for the weather. Fee: $3.00 (no charge for members).
Build Your Own Tufa Toad Abode
Saturday, April 27, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
From start to finish we will mix and construct a tufa house, covered in moss or pebbles ready for your favorite garden toad. This workshop is for adults and for those 10 years and above (with parent). Bring gloves, plastic bowls, a tray or flat heavy cardboard, lunch, and a beverage. Fee $15.00 (members $12.00) includes supplies and instruction. Pre-register by calling 810-796-3200.
May
NatureFest and Native Plant Sale
Saturday, May 4, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
See flyer insert for details.
Invasive Plant Workday #4 and Wildflower Walk
Sunday, May 5, 1:00 p.m.
We will spend the afternoon working on removing dame’s rocket and garlic mustard and looking at native wildflowers. This is a great opportunity for community service hours and master gardener hours. Bring gloves and water.
Spring Bird Walk #2
Wednesday, May 8, 7:30 a.m.
For our second spring bird walk we’ll travel by car to the nearby Metamora-Hadley Recreation Area. This state-owned property has a variety of habitats and we will be able to see a nice variety of nesting birds, as well as species which are migrating to more northern locations. Likely sightings include migrating warblers, Baltimore oriole, scarlet tanager, rose-breasted grosbeak, and indigo bunting. All birdwatching levels are welcome. Bring binoculars, field guide, and dress for the weather. Fee: $3.00 (no charge for members).
Wild Lapeer - An Earthday Celebration
Saturday, May 11, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Seven Ponds will be participating in this event at The Willows Environmental Center in Lapeer. We will have a “please touch” table and be giving a native plant program. Pond activities will coincide with several family-oriented events. There will be hoop house programs, mud oven demonstrations, and lots more. The activities and displays are too numerous to list. Bring your family and show your support for the earth by participating in this fun and informative day.
Woodland Wildflower Walk
Sunday, May, 12, 2:00 p.m.
We should see some lovely examples of wildflowers, both inside and outside of the fenced area.
Invasive Plant Workday #5
Sunday, May 19, 1:00 p.m.
We will spend the afternoon working on removing dame’s rocket and garlic mustard. This is a great opportunity for community service hours and master gardener hours. Bring gloves and water.
Spring Bird Walk #3
Wednesday, May 22, 7:30 a.m.
Today we will meet at the center and travel to both of the nature center’s satellite nature preserves, Jonathan Woods and Richie Pond. At Jonathan Woods we’ll look for a variety of breeding warblers, including American redstart, ovenbird, and both northern and Louisiana waterthrushes. At Richie Pond Nature Preserve we’ll find birds of open habitats, including bobolink, eastern meadowlark, and savannah sparrow. We’ll also make a short stop along the way to look for rails. All birdwatching levels are welcome. Bring binoculars, field guide, and dress for the weather. Fee $3.00 (no charge for members).
Curious Canoers of Seven Ponds
Saturday, May 25, 10:00 a.m.
Join us for the first trip of the season out onto the ponds by canoe. We never know what we will find on our explorations, but we always have a great time. Dress warm as it tends to be chillier on the water. Pre-register by calling 810-796-3200. Fee: $5.00 per person ($3.00 for members) Minimum 5 years old, 10 years old to paddle.
Richie Pond Preserve Walk
Sunday, May 26, 2:00 p.m.
Join a naturalist for a tour of our newest land addition. We will look for grassland birds and explore the wild shoreline of Ritchie Pond. Meet at the center and carpool to the property.
Memorial Day
Monday, May 27, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
We will be open on this Holiday for you to come out with your picnic lunch and tour the grounds.
Spring Bird Walk #4
Wednesday, June 5, 7:30 a.m.
Our fourth spring bird walk will take us to a portion of the Lapeer State Game Area. Here we will visit both woodland and open habitats in search of nesting species, especially sparrows. The area is an excellent place to view song, vesper, field, and grasshopper sparrows. Blue-winged warbler, indigo bunting, and brown thrasher are other likely sightings. Meet at the center and we will carpool to the site. Bring binoculars, field guide, and dress for the weather. Fee: $3.00 (no charge for members.)