Education Report

A little snowy weather doesn’t slow down the hardy residents of Oceana County. The new year started off with several winter activities for all ages. Otto Nature Preserve was the site for three “Fridays in the Forest” hikes as well as a field trip for area high school students. A beautiful destination any time of year, Otto Nature Preserve is especially interesting in winter for what is revealed when the snow falls: participants were thrilled with the sighting of a pileated woodpecker and enjoyed tracking deer, identifying porcupine scat and even spotting tiny mouse tail marks in the snow.

Our popular Owl Prowl events were led by Conservation Technician (aka Owl Whisperer) Adam Chandler and retired science teacher John Wyns. These winter hikes, held on or near the full moon, are always exciting as we gain our night vision and make our way carefully along the snowy paths while listening intently for an answering call. Even when the owls choose to watch us quietly from their perch above, Adam has a knack for spotting them against the winter sky.

We welcomed spring with a wildflower walk in May on the Shelby area property of Jim and Bonnie Nicholas in which participants had the opportunity to identify and learn about the cultural history of many spring ephemeral wildflower species. Guided birding field trips to Pines Point Recreation Area, Walkinshaw Wetlands, and the Hart Biopure facility were also well attended last year with sightings of numerous woodland and wetland birds. During our “Fern Frenzy” program, participants joined retired naturalist Chip Francke to learn about the life cycle and identification of ferns that grow in Oceana County.

During all seasons of the year, Oceana County’s forests, fields and waterways echo with the joyful sounds of children exploring, playing and learning through our Knee-high Naturalists Forest School Program and Nature Day Camps. In 2022 a new pavilion at Doolittle County Park provided much appreciated shelter for our education programs, which operate rain or shine. Among the many woodland activities of 2022, the children reveled in creek stomping, campfire cooking and building birdhouses with volunteer Frank Doll. Thanks to a Community Foundation Grant we were able to hire 6 local teens to serve as Nature Camp counselors while generous community donations funded many scholarships enabling more children than ever to participate in these two popular programs. Spring and Fall in Oceana County signal the return of two annual events: our 3rd grade tree seedling distribution and 6th grade field trip. In 2022, Oceana County’s 3rd graders enjoyed a classroom visit from Conservation District staff highlighting the Eastern White Pine. This annual tradition celebrates our state tree while providing all area 3rd graders and their families an opportunity to engage in stewardship action by planting and caring for a pine seedling. In September, area 6th graders headed to Gales Pond where they explored woods and water and gained a deeper understanding of our role on the planet, as they circulated through station activities provided by Conservation District staff and volunteers.

While our education programs strive to provide enriching experiences for learners of all ages, a central mission of the Conservation District is to inspire and support stewardship of the land and resources of Oceana County through best practices. In the fall, in collaboration with the Savannah Institute, area farmers and others participated in an Intro to Agroforestry seminar at Bill and Patrice Bobier’s Earthscape Farm in Ferry Township. Nate Ayers, of the West Michigan Agroforestry Partnership, presented a variety of practices for the sustainability of our agricultural industry. Lively conversation and a tour of the farm highlighting the Bobier’s multi-year investment in transforming the land was followed by a barbecue enjoyed by all. Throughout 2022, in all seasons and weather conditions, Oceana County residents of all ages were engaged in meaningful learning opportunities through Conservation District education programming.