Michigan Naturalist North Country

           This program is open to anyone who has an interest in the great out-of-doors! Participants in the Michigan Naturalist program will gain a greater understanding of the natural environment and conservation techniques while learning the flora native to Michigan. Throughout the program, local volunteer opportunities may become apparent.
Participants can take an active role in implementing what they learn throughout their neighborhoods and in their own backyards.
This program is delivered in partnership with Huron Pines and the Pigeon River Country Discovery Center. 

The six sessions will be taught in both indoor and outdoor settings. The indoor sessions
will take place at the Pigeon River Country Discovery Center, near Vanderbilt, MI (20 miles NE from Gaylord).  
The outdoor sessions will take place in various locations around the Pigeon River Country State Forest.   
These sessions will run from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. each Saturday listed below. 
All classes will be held rain or shine.
  

Topics/Dates for 2024:
May 18 - Geology and History of the Pigeon River Country State Forest

June 15 - Michigan Wetland Habitats 

July 20 - Beneficial Insects and an Overview and Impacts of Invasive Species

August 17 - River and Lake Ecology and Macroinvertebrates

September 21 - Michigan Grassland Habitats, Prescribed Fire, and Elk Habitat

October 19 - Michigan Forest Types, Tree Identification and Forest Habitat Structure for Wildlife

(Note: dates on which topics are presented may be subject to change)

 Automobile transportation and a Michigan State Park Recreation Passport are necessary. Carpooling can be coordinated if needed.

Students must obtain required books on their own:
Douglas Tallamy’s Bringing Nature Home (available new and used)
The Kaufman Field Guide to Nature of the Midwest (available new and used) and
Managing Michigan's Wildlife: A Landowners Guide (available as a free PDF in the D2L classroom using your MSU Guest ID) 
Students should plan to wear weather and activity appropriate clothing such as closed toed shoes or hiking boots, hat, long pants, etc.  
A camera, hand lens, field guides, related apps preloaded on smart phones and binoculars may also prove helpful on outdoor experience walks. 

All classes will be held rain or shine.  

       Throughout the course, students are expected to complete knowledge checks, or quizzes, via the Desire 2 Learn classroom platform (D2L).
Students must obtain an MSU Guest ID to gain access to the online material and quizzes (instruction will be provided). 
Participants must successfully complete the quizzes to be certified as a Michigan Naturalist.

           Each Michigan Naturalist is expected to attend every one of the six sessions.  
If a participant misses more than one session, then he or she cannot become a certified Michigan Naturalist.
State Continuing Education Credit Hours (SCECH) are available to interested teachers.