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Highlights by Pierce Cedar Creek Institute:• BuildingScienceLiteracy• PermacultureDesignCourse• WinterFestival
PetteriSulonencreativecommons.org
The way a crowShook down on meThe dust of snowFrom a hemlock tree
Has given my heartA change of moodAnd saved some partOf a day I had rued.
—“Dust of Snow” by Robert Frost
December 2016 – February 2017
A Letter from the Executive Director
Hours
Visitor CenterMonday–Friday9am–5pm
SaturdaysinJanuary10am–4pmWeekends–Openforprogramsonly
Holiday HoursClosedforChristmasFriday,December23Monday,December26
ClosedforNewYearFriday,December30Monday,January2
TrailsOpenDailyDawn–Dusk
Mission Statement“To inspire appreciation and stewardship
of our environment.”
Board of DirectorsCarlSchoessel,PresidentHilarySnell,VicePresidentJimToburen,Treasurer
CarrieDuitsShailyMenon
WillardL.“Joe”PierceDanBirchfield
Naturally Speakingispublishedquarterlyby
PierceCedarCreekInstitute701WestCloverdaleRoad
Hastings,MI49058Tel(269)721-4190Fax(269)721-4474
cedarcreekinstitute.org
EditorCathyHart,DevelopmentDirector
DesignBarbLancaster,MarketingCoordinator
Contributing WritersMichelleSkedgell,ExecutiveDirector
SaraSyswerda,EducationandFieldStationDirector
JenniferHowell,StewardshipManagerMattDykstra,ProgramManager
SaraLienEdelman,CommunicationsCoordinatorCathyHart,DevelopmentDirector
BarbLancaster,MarketingCoordinatorPaulVugteveen,Chef/HospitalityCoordinatorAJSmith,ResearchandDataCoordinatorCoreyLucas,LandManagementFellow
Copyright2016PierceCedarCreekInstitute
Allrightsreserved
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A Great Idea with a Great Team—That’s ScienceStrong!Don’tyoufindwhenyoucomeacrossagoodideathatyouareworkinghardtoimplementthingsjustseemtofallintoplace?I’mnotsure;maybethat’sjustthesignofagoodidea.Regardless,that’sthewayIfeelwiththeInstitute’sScienceStrongefforts.
Reachingpre-kindergartenthroughhighschoolstudentsandteachersissomethingwearedefinitelyworkinghardatandfocusingagreatdealofresourcestoward,and,Ibelieve,wearemakingadifference.Muchofourfocushasbeenonouryoungestlearnersindaycares,preschools,andelementaryclassrooms.Byprovidinghands-onclassroomactivitiesthatinspireaninterestinscienceandprofessionaldevelopmentforteachers,PierceCedarCreekInstituteishelpingbuildscienceliteracy.TheseScienceStrongefforts—nomatterhowgoodofanidea—wouldnotbepossiblewithoutsupportfromkeypartners.
Ourfirstpartners,DougandMargaretDeCamp,are,forthethirdyearinarow,helpingusgentlyencourageeachofyoutosupportScienceStrongwithachallengegrantthroughtheirfoundation.Thisyearthey’veincreasedtheirchallengegrantfrom$10,000to$15,000.Thismoney,andthemoneydonatedbysomanyofyou,iswhatfundsthetrainingforteachers,theclassroomsupplies,andthestaffsalariesthatallowustoprovidesupporttoourschools.
Equallyimportantareourvolunteerswhohelpdevelopthecurriculum,compileanddistributeclassroomsupplies,andprovidethehands-onclassroomsupport.Wehavesomeincrediblydedicatedvolunteers,manyofwhomareretiredteacherslikeBarbCaseandJeanneSwander.JustasitwouldbeimpossiblefortheInstitutetodothiswithoutthefunding,itwouldbeimpossibletodothiswithoutourvolunteers.
And,finally,whyIbelieveweareseeingsuchgoodprogressisbecausewehaveaninspiringleaderinourEducationandFieldStationDirectorSaraParrSyswerda.SaraisthecaptainleadingtheScienceStrongeffort,andanyonewhoknowsherknowssheisdedicatedanddauntless.Iamproudtohaveheraspartofourteamandcreditherformuchofwhatwe’vebeenabletoaccomplish.ShehasworkedhardandcontinuestopushtoexpandthereachofScienceStrong.
ScienceStrongisanimportanteffort—arealteameffort—thatIbelieveissuccessfulbecauseit’ssimplyagoodideaandbecausewe’vegottheteamandresourcestogetthingsdone.Andforthat,Iamencouragedandgrateful!Ican’tsay“thankyou”enough.
Executive Director Michelle Skedgell
Doug and Margaret DeCamp
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Building Science Literacy
can—andshould—befunandinspiring.Fromfieldtripsfordaycarestudentstolunch-and-learnprogramsforseniors,lifelonglearningcanenhanceourlivesinavarietyofways.“Let’sTalkScience”isanaward-winningprogrambasedinCanadathatfocusesonSTEMeducationandprovidesawell-definedoverviewofthevalueofscienceeducationandascience-literatepublic.Theirwebsite,letstalkscience.ca,providesagoodlistofwhatscienceliteracymeansandinvolves:
•Science is Inclusive—Everyone,regardlessofwheretheylive,theirgender,ortheirreligiousbeliefs,canexploreandexperiencescienceindividually,aswellasbeapartofacollective,largergroupinterestedinaspecificsubject.
•Science Education Crosses Subjects—Scienceisnaturallyinterdisciplinary,foundinsomanyothersubjectssuchashistory,languageandcreativearts,andphysicaleducation.Itcrossesbordersintheclassroomandcertainlyinlife.Abetterunderstandingofsciencecanenhancelearningingeneralandhelpdevelopadeeperunderstandingofthesevarioussubjects.
•Science Develops Literacy Skills—Reading,writing,andspeakingskillsarefundamentalwhenlearningandcommunicatingscientificissues.ThroughSTEMeducation,literacyskillsarebuiltandstrengthened.
•Science Develops Mathematical Abilities—Math,likelanguage,isanintegralpartofscience.Sorting,classifying,measuring,andgraphingareallskillsthatscienceeducationstrengthens.
•Science Develops Problem Solving Skills—Scienceexplorationrequirestheabilitytodigdeeper,askquestions,andformulatehypotheses.Theseskillsarekeyinproblemsolvinganddecisionmakingthroughoutlife.
Scienceliteracyprovideseveryoneabetterunderstandingoftheworldwelivein.Withscienceliteracyasagoal,ScienceStrongisgivingstudentsasolidbeginningontheroadoflifelonglearning.
Withamission“toinspireappreciationandstewardshipofourenvironment,”PierceCedarCreekInstituteisfocusingresourcesthroughitsScienceStronginitiativeandthroughotherefforts,suchasitsEnvironmentalLeadersandEnvironmentalIssuesForums,tohelpbuildscienceliteracyandtheawarenessofhowscienceaffectseachofourlives.Butwhatisscienceliteracyandwhyisitsoimportant?
Scienceliteracy,orknowledge,isusuallydefinedthroughtheacronymofSTEM—science,technology,engineering,andmath.Withastrongerunderstandingoftheworldthroughthesetopics,peopledevelopabetterunderstandingofthemanyfactorsaffectingtheirdailylivesandbuildcriticalthinkingskillsthathelpthemaskquestionsandunderstandtheprocesses,bothphysicalandnatural,uponwhichtheirlivesandtheworldtheyliveinarebuilt.
Whilewemakemanyscience-baseddecisionsdaily,theyarenotalwaysobvious.However,decisionsonwhatproductstobuy,whichfoodstoconsume,whattransportationtouse,andhowwasteshouldbemanagedarebettermadethroughamorecompleteunderstandingofscientificfacts.Scienceliteracydoesn’trequire“PhD-type”knowledgeoneverysubject;itjustrequiresageneralunderstandingandawarenessofthevariousfactsofeachdecisionandtheskillstoaskquestions,gatherinformation,andmakeaconsciousdecisionbasedonwhatisdiscovered.
Notonlydoesscienceaffectourdailylives,italsoaffectsourfuture.Long-termdecisionsoncertaintopicsandissues—includingonesthatfillthenewslikethesafetyofthecountry’sgasandoilpipelines,theprotectionofdrinkingwater,theeffectsofseeminglystrongerandmorefrequentweatherdisasters,andthedeclineofhoneybees—havepolitical,social,andeconomicimplications.Sometimestheseissuescanbeoverwhelming,but,again,throughageneralunderstanding,willingnesstoaskquestions,andabilitytolookattheissuescritically,weallcanbecomemoreinformedandabletoeffectivelysortthroughtheinformationwehearinthenews,throughfriends,andontheinternet.
And,buildingthisscienceliteracydoesn’thavetobedrudgerybyanymeans;it
Science can and should be fun and inspiring—from field trips for daycare students to Lunch-and-Learn programs for seniors.
So Why is ScienceStrong and Science Literacy Important?
New for 2017
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Permaculture Design Course Permacultureisamethodofprovidingfoodandbuildingculturesbaseduponecologicalprinciples.OriginallydevelopedbyBillMollison,anAustralianscientist,andhisstudentDavidHolmgren,permacultureappliesasetofcoreenvironmentalandsocialprinciplestothedesignofhumansystems.Briefly,theseprinciplesarecarefortheearth,careforthepeople,andthereturnofsurplus.FromitsAustralianroots,permaculturespreadaroundtheworldintodifferentecosystemsandclimates,inspiringpeopletothinkdifferentlyabouttheirfarms,homesteads,andlives.
JoshShultz,alocalresidentwhotookaninterestinpermaculture,hasbecomealocalleaderandeducatorinpermaculturesystems.Hewasfirstintroducedtopermaculturein2007duringaninternshipattheCapeEleutheraInstituteintheBahamas.Throughhisworkthereandhisfurther
studyofpermaculture,Joshbegantorealizetheintensityofenergyuseandenvironmentaldamageassociatedwithindustrialagricultureandfeltaresponsibilitytohelpotherslearntoprovideforneedsthatdonotfosterenvironmentaldegradation.
ForthepastseveralyearsJoshhasservedasthePermacultureProgramCoordinatoratWesternMichiganUniversity(WMU).Hehasworkedwithstudentsonseveralresearchprojectsaimedattestingintegratedmethodsofresourcemanagement.Theseprojectsinclude:
•Theuseofblacksoldierflylarvae(BSFL)toconsumewastefoodfromdininghallsandturnitintoaliquidfertilizerandfishfeed.
•Theimplementationofawaterheaterpoweredbyawoodchipcompostpiletoproduceheatforagreenhouseinthewinter.
•Thedevelopmentofanindooraquaponicssystemthattestsvariouslettucegrowingtechniqueswhileraisingornamentalfishforthepettrade.
Ultimately,thehopeistointegratethesethreeprojectsintoasinglesystemwherethewaterisheatedbyacompostpilewhilefoodwastefromthedininghallsisturnedintofishfoodthroughBSFLcomposting.
Principles of Natural Systems and Design January 21 & 22 9 am - 4 pm Members $200 | Non-Members $220ThisprogramprovidesanoverviewoftheconceptsofpermacultureandwilltakeplaceattheInstituteandFairLakeFarm.
Aquatic Systems for Homes and Farmsteads February 18 9 am - 4 pm Members $70 | Non-Members $90Thesecondclassintroducesspecializedaquaticsystemslikeaquacultureandaquaponicsthatcanextendtheseasonandthetypesoffoodsproducedatahomesteadorfarm.
Soils and Plant Propagation March 18 Members $85 | Non-Members $105
Urban Permaculture and Gardening Strategies April 15 Members $85 | Non-Members $105
Large Scale Permaculture and Managing Water in the Landscape May 20 Members $85 | Non-Members $105
Food Forests June 17 Members $85 | Non-Members $105
Animals in Permaculture Systems July 15 Members $85 | Non-Members $105
Preserving the Harvest* August 19 Members $20 | Non-Members $27
Natural Building and Energy Efficiency September 16 Members $85 | Non-Members $105
Nutrient Cycling and Waste Disposal October 21 Members $70 | Non-Members $90
Wood Burning and Woodlot Management* November 11 Members $45 | Non-Members $60
Homestead Design Practicum** December 9 & 10 Members $200 | Non-Members $220
*Programsarenotpartofthecoreandarenotrequiredforacertificate.**ParticipantsmusthaveattendedPrinciplesofNaturalSystemsandDesignandatleastthreeofthecoreclassestoparticipate.
Learn about Permaculture at the Institute!PierceCedarCreekInstituteisexcitedtobeworkingwithJoshShultztoagainofferaPermacultureDesignCoursein2017.Unlikeinpreviousyears,thecoursewillbeofferedasanumberofone-ortwo-dayworkshopsheldonweekendsthroughouttheyeartomakeiteasierforindividualswithworkcommitmentsandtightbudgetstoparticipate.Theindependentworkshopsalsoallowindividualsinterestedinspecifictopicstoparticipatewithouthavingtocommittotheentirecourse.Additionally,withthisschedule,courseparticipantscanmakevisitstofieldsitesthroughouttheyear,takingadvantageofseasonallyappropriatetopics.
TheInstituteisofferingtencoreandtwosupplementalworkshopsthroughout2017.IndividualswhoparticipateinallcoreworkshopsareeligibleforaPermacultureDesignCertificate.Participantsarewelcometosign-upforcoursesonanongoingbasis.Allfull-dayprogramsincludelunch.Overnightaccommodationsareavailablefor$75anight.Adiscountisavailableforindividualswhosignupforthefullcourse,whichincludesallcoreandsupplementalworkshops:$995formembers,$1025fornon-members.Moreinformationisavailableatcedarcreekinstitute.org.
Josh working at one of the gardens at WMU.
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Biological Field Station Update
Nature in Words FellowsThe Institute also hosted two Nature in Words Fellows in the summer of 2016.
ElizabethEnsinkfromHopeCollegewroteA Field Guide to Disappearing,acollectionoflyricalessays.InitEnsinkusesthegenreofthefieldguidetodescribenaturalelementsofecosystems,aswellasportionsofthehumanexperience.Forinstance,anentryabouttheeasternhog-nosedsnakereflectsoninstinct,atraitsharedbyhumans:
The eastern hog-nosed snake’s black splotches make it yet another species to confuse with the venomous massasauga, but it also has an upturned, flattened snout that allows it to burrow and dig for toads to eat. This snout is distinctive but not what earned it the nickname of “puff adder” and “spreading viper.” Humans are born with two innate fears: falling and loud noises. We might also call these instincts, which look different for every species, including us. Snakes must be ready to face attack from raccoons, foxes, hawks, crows, herons, even other snakes, even from their own species. The hog-nosed snake responds in a grotesque ritual, appearing to lose muscle control, writhing, mouth open, it ejects the contents of its stomach, sometimes bleeds at the mouth, eventually upturns its belly, tongue out. Even for death, this groveling feels abnormal. Perhaps this is why we fear it. This, too, is instinct.
LucyMerrill,astudentfromKalamazooCollege,wroteacollectionofworksinspiredbythenaturalareasattheInstitute.Onesuchpiecewas“Recovery,”astoryabouttheabilityofbothpeopleandnaturalareastorecoverfromdisturbances:
The trees around me, predominantly beech, are draped across the land, following its ridges and dips. They remind me of the hairs that rise from skin, erect, following the soothing caress of a hand along a lower back. The land here falls up and down like waves, hilly unlike much of the geography of Southwest Michigan. As I walk, I reach the top of one of these many slopes. I am standing on an esker, an ancient remnant from when glaciers dragged across these lands and carved out the flat expanses into rolling ridges. As I walk on, the swelling and dropping of the land makes me think of waves, as if the grasses themselves once crested upon these trees and are only frozen in time.
Gordon Art FellowsDuring the summer of 2016, two Gordon Art Fellows worked on visual arts projects at the Institute.
LauraWhitman,astudentfromValparaisoUniversity,workedonaprojecttitled,Art, Nature, and Mental Health,whichwascenteredonthecreationofwatercolorpaintingsinspiredbythebodiesofwaterandnaturalsurroundingsofPierceCedarCreekInstitute.ThefeaturedpaintingisondisplayintheInstitute’sauditorium.
Laura“LB”Barrett,astudentfromKalamazooValleyCommunityCollege,createdaprojecttitledFreedom in the Woods.LBcreatedseveralindividualpieces,includingTransitions,alargestippledrawingcreatedentirelyofdotsplacedoneatatime,usuallywithatechnicalpen.Evenasmalldrawingcantakehundredsofhoursandrequiresimmensededicationtosuchatedioustechnique.LBchosetodoalargestippledrawing,notonlyasachallengeorthepursuitofgreatresults,butalsoasanescapeor“freedom.”
Elizabeth Ensink
Lucy Merrill
Transitions is a 27”x 40” scene of a forest-to-field passage that took over 150 hours to complete. —“LB” Barrett
Water and Mind in Action, the largest painting in Whitman’s collection. —Laura Whitman
These manuscripts, along with past Nature in Words Fellow manuscripts, are available on the Institute’s website.
Cedar Creek SceneryWinter Trail Information and SafetyWinterisagreattimetogetoutside!TheninemilesoftrailsattheInstituteareopentohiking,snowshoeing,andcross-countryskiingeverydayfromdawntodusk.
Thestewardshipstaffwillberegularlygroomingthetrailsforcross-countryskiersthroughoutthewinterseasonandrespectfullyrequeststhatsnowshoersandhikersusethesidesofthetrails,reservingthesettracksforcross-countryskiingtraffic. Before heading out on the trails:
• Always inform someone when and where you plan to hike or ski.• Please be sure to stay on the trails at all times and keep pets on a 6-foot leash.• Dress appropriately for winter conditions and carry water, snacks, and a trail map.
Foryoursafety,theBrewsterLakeTrailwillbeclosedfromDecember2untilJanuary1duringthemuzzle-loadingandlateantlerlessfirearmseasons.AlltrailssouthofCloverdaleRoadwillremainopendawntoduskduringthistime.OrangevestsareavailableforuseattheVisitorCenterentrance.
Duck BandingThispastsummertheInstitutepartneredwiththeMichiganDepartmentofNaturalResourcesinanefforttobandwoodducksfortheNorthAmericanBirdBandingProgram.BandingisanimportantaspectofwaterfowlconservationasithistoricallyledtothediscoveryofthefourNorthAmericanmigrationpatterns—Atlantic,Mississippi,Central,andPacific—referredtoasflyways.Italsoaidsintheevaluationofharvestandsurvivalratesandhelpstomonitortheeffectsofbreedinghabitatconditiononvariouswaterfowlspecies.
BandingeffortsattheInstituteutilized“swim-in”trapsattwolocationsalongCedarCreek.Ducksenteredthetrapthroughafunneltoacorn-baitedplatform.Theywerethenaffixedwithauniquelynumberedaluminumlegband,theirageandsexdatawasrecorded,andthentheywerereleasedunharmed.Datafrombandsrecoveredbyhuntersandbirdbandingoperationsisenteredintoanationaldatabase,www.flyways.us.ThiseffortwasoverseenbyLandManagementFellowCoreyLucasandcontributedtothe200,000+ducksbandedeachyearbybiologistsacrossthecontinentaspartoftheNorthAmericanBirdBandingProgram.
The Plight of Monarchs Ifyounoticedarelativeabsenceofmonarchbutterfliesthispastsummer,it,unfortunately,wasn’tjustyourimagination.Justasmonarchpopulationswerebeginningtoshowsignsofrecoveryfromhabitatloss,afiercelate-winterstormprovedtobeamajorset-back.Thisstormhittheirprimeover-winteringgroundsinthehighmountainoyamelfirforestsinsouthernMexicoduringthetimeoftheannualnorthwardmigration,andmillionsofindividualssuccumbedtotheprolonged,freezingtemperatures.
Whileinitiallydiscouragedbytheplightofmonarchsthisyear,thestewardshipstaffwasultimatelyencouragedbythenumberofmonarchcaterpillarsutilizingtheInstitute’snativeplantdemonstrationgardensinSeptember.Manyofthelarvaewerecollectedandrearedindoorstopreventthelikelihoodofthembeingparasitizedbywasps.Oncetheydevelopedintoflyingadults,themonarchswerereleasedtocompletetheirsouthwardmigration.
VolunteerConservationSpecialistforMonarchWatchIlseGebhardisalocalactivistformonarchs.Shehopesmonarchpopulationswillreboundthroughhabitatexpansionandoutreachefforts.IlsevisitedtheInstituteinSeptembertocertifyfivemoreMonarchWaystations,bringingtheInstitute’stotalnumberofMonarchWaystationstoten.Thesewaystationshelpmigratingmonarchsbyprovidingimportantearlyandlatebloomingnectarsourcesformigratingadults,aswellashostplantstofeedcaterpillars.ForamaptoPierceCedarCreekInstitute’sMonarchWaystations,visitcedarcreekinstitute.org.Tolearnmoreabouthowyoucanhelpmonarchs,pleasevisitmonarchwatch.org/waystations/.
Eco-friendly Tips from the Stewardship Department
Snowshoes are available for rent weekdays from 9 am until 4 pm, every Saturday in January from 10 am until 4 pm, and the second Sunday of the month from 11 am until 2 pm—provided, of course, there is sufficient snow on the ground. Snowshoe rental is free to members and costs $5 per pair for non-members per two hour time block.
Land Management Fellow Corey Lucas in the process of banding a wood duck.
After rearing indoors to prevent the likelihood of being parasitized by wasps, Stewardship Coordinator Kyle Tomczyk releases one of the adult monarchs.
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Cedar Creek Scenery
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ChefPaulandhisstaffarecommittedtoreducingtheirimpactontheenvironment.Onewaytheydothisistopurchaseproduceandproductsfromlocalfarmersandproducers.However,thispracticecanoftenbeachallengeforplacesliketheInstitutebecauseitoftenmeansworkingwithmanyindividualfarmersandproducers,whichtranslatesintomoretimespentcoordinatingdeliveries,searchingforproducts,andprocessinginvoices.
Fortunately,ChefPaulfoundasolutiontothischallenge.Inhisendeavortofurtherincreaselocalspending,hewasputintocontactwithBrennanDougherty,theFoodHubManagerforSproutBC.Accordingtotheirwebsite,SproutBCisanonprofitorganizationbasedinBattleCreek,Michiganfocusedon“healthful,affordable,fairfoodaccess”forBattleCreek’sresidentsandbeyond.ThroughtheFoodHub,SproutBCproudlyworkswithover45gardenersandfarmerswithplotsofallsizes,froma.5acresmallto100acreslarge.Thesefarmsandgardens,allofwhicharelocatedwithin80milesofBattleCreekandincludebothcertifiedorganicandconventionalfarms,supplya
widevarietyofproducts,includingcheese,pasture-raisedmeats,andvegetables.Bybringingallofthesegardenersandfarmerstogether,theFoodHubincreasesthevarietyofproductsavailabletoitscustomers—liketheInstitute.
ChefPaulbeganpurchasingfoodfromSproutBCinJanuary2016.Withtheoptiontohaveweeklyupdatedproducelistsandweeklydeliveries,SproutBChasbeeninstrumentalinhelpingtostreamlinehislocalpurchasingeffortsandhasgreatlyexpandedhisabilitytoofferfresh,local,andcertifiedorganicproducetoourguests.
WiththeInstitute’sforthcomingeffortsarounddiversityandinclusioninmind,
Eco-friendly Tips from the Stewardship DepartmentEco-friendly Salt Alternatives for Melting Ice this Winter
Sprout BC: Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s Main Produce Supplier
•Alfalfa meal—Thisoptionis100%naturalandwillprovideadditionaltraction.Typicallyusedasafertilizer,itcanbepurchasedatahomesupplyorgardenstore.
•Sugar beet juice—Thecarbohydratesfoundinbeetjuicepreventicefrombondingtopavement.ThisrenewableresourceissoldunderthenameGeomelt®atorganicdeicing.comandissafeforanimals,people,metals,concrete,andplants.
•Sand, fireplace ash, or saw dust—Theseeasy-to-come-byproductsprovidetraction,andthedarkercolorsabsorbmoreheatandmeltice.Theseneedtobeusedsparingly,sotheydonotrunoffanddisruptwaterways.
•Biodegradable kitty litter—Althoughthisproductisminimallyeffectiveatmeltingice,itdoesprovidetractionforamorenon-slipsurface.
•Elbow grease—Whilelaborintensive—andnotafeasibleoptionforeveryone—frequentlyshovelingwalkwaysanddrivewaysisthemostnatural,environmentallyfriendlywaytogetridofice.
For more information visit sproutbc.org
ChefPaulremainscognizantofhowandwherefoodservicedollarsarespent.Inthisrespect,SproutBCisaterrificpartner;SproutBCisdedicatedtoupliftingmarginalizedindividualsacrossawidespectrumofidentities,andtheInstituteiscommittedtoinspiringappreciationandstewardshipofourenvironmentineveryone,makingourfoodserviceprogramsomethingthateveryonecanfeelwelcomedandsupportedby.
ForthoseinterestedinlearningmoreaboutSproutBCandhowithelpsthecommunitythroughfarming,don’tmisstheFarmtoTableDinneronSaturday,February4.Seepage10formoreinformation.
DavidGutierrez creativecommons.org
Commonsalt(sodiumchloride)isaneffectivemeansofmeltingicefromsidewalksanddriveways,butitcanbebadnewsfortheenvironment.Plantsadjacenttosaltapplicationsufferfrom“leafburn”anddehydration.Soilsladenwithsaltenduphavingthephosphorusandpotassiumdisplaced,whichresultsinincreasedsoilcompaction.Duringspringmelt,theaccumulatedsalt—specificallychloride—endsupinwaterways,whichhasanegativeimpactonfishandaquaticinvertebratereproduction.
When faced with the need to remove ice from walkways this winter, please consider one of these more eco-friendly alternatives:
A Place to Meet and Volunteer
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Volunteer Spotlight—Nathaniel McCombNathanielMcComb,whovisitedtheInstituteduringfieldtripsingradeschoolandhighschool,hasbeenanInstitutevolunteerforfouryears.AftergraduatingfromHastingsHighSchoolin2011,NathanielattendedGrandValleyStateUniversity(GVSU)andpursuedadegreeinGeographyandacertificateinGeographicInformationSystems(GIS).Regardinghisdecisiontobecomeavolunteer,Nathanielresponded,“Duringoneseasonofmycollegecareer,Iwasexploringmanyclassesthatinvolvednaturalresourceandenvironmentalmanagement,andwhenIbegantoseekoutpossiblevolunteeropportunitiesinthisarea,theInstitutequicklycametomind.”
Nathanielworkedwiththestewardshipdepartmentonmanyprojectsduringcollegeandwasarealasset.StewardshipManagerJenHowellrecalls,“WhatIappreciatedmostaboutNathanielwashiswillingnesstojumpinandhelpoutwithwhatevertaskswethrewathim.”
AftergraduatingfromGVSU,NathanieloffereduphisGIStechnicalskillsfortwoprojects:mappingthebottomofAurohnLakeandsurveyingandmappingpotentialerosiononthehikingtrails.Bothprojectsprovidevaluableinformationforfutureresearchandstewardshipprojects.
Whilevolunteeringthissummer,NathanielwashiredbyGarminandnowworksasaCartographyTechnician,ensuringthatmapsandothergeographicinformationforGarmin’srecreationproductsareaccurateandup-to-date.AccordingtoNathaniel,thepastfewmonthsathisnewjobhavebeenchallenging,butheislearningalotandisgratefulforhistimeattheInstitute.
Active Saturdays! in JanuarySaturdays, January 7, 14, 21, and 28 10 am – 4 pmSnowshoe or Regular Hike: 1 pm
StartthenewyearoutonanactivenoteattheInstitute.TheVisitorCenterwillbeopenSaturdaysinJanuaryforgueststotryoutapairofsnowshoes,participateinfamilycrafts,joininonaguidedhike,andenjoyahealthysnack.Thetrailsandsleddinghillwillbeopenandaccessibledawntodusk.Winterfunforeveryonewithahealthyfocus!
FREE
Winter Festival and January BrunchSunday, January 8 | Brunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pm | Program: 12:15 – 1 pm | Snowshoe Hike: 2 – 4 pm
Bring the Entire Family to the Institute for a Winter Festival of Fun!Thisistheperfectchancetocelebratetheseasonoutsidebysnowshoeing,hiking,andsledding.Snowshoerental,artsandcraftprojects,hotchocolate,andawarmfirewillbeavailableintheVisitorCenterfrom10am–4pm,thetrailsandsleddinghillwillbeopenfromdawntodusk,thebrunchprogramwillfeaturetraditionalandtruelifestoriestoldbyGloriaCangelosiofStorySpinners,andtoendtheday—aguidedsnowshoehike.
You don’t need to attend the brunch to enjoy the Winter Festival!Brunch Cost: Member Adults: $16; Children $8
Non-Member Adults: $18; Children $9 (Plus 6% sales tax. Children ages 4 – 10)Snowshoe rental: Members FREE | Non-Members $5
Allotheractivitiesarefree.
To reserve your seats for brunch and/or your snowshoes, call (269) 721-4190 today!
Winter Festival Event Schedule10 am – 4 pm....................Snowshoe rental, sledding hill, and a craft table in the Visitor Center11:30 am and 1 pm ...........Brunch – Reservations and pre-payment are required12:15 – 1 pm.....................Storytelling – Auditorium2 – 4 pm............................A guided snowshoe hike – Meet in the Visitor Center
Nathaniel McComb
Many thanks to Spectrum Health
Pennock Hospital and Foundation for their funding support to make
Active Saturdays! possible.
Supporting the Mission
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Oil Pipelines and the Great Lakes InJulyof2010oneofthelargestoilspillsintheUnitedStatestookplaceontheKalamazooRiver.After1milliongallonsofoilcontaminated25milesofriverbed,manycitizensandenvironmentalgroupsbegantoevaluatethedangerofspillsatotherpipelines.OnepipelinethatdrewimmediateattentionisEnbridgeLine5,whichcarriescrudeoilthroughtheUpperPeninsula,undertheStraitsofMackinac,andthroughtheLowerPeninsuladowntooilrefineriesinSarnia.ItscrossingoftheGreatLakesattheStraitsofMackinacpromptedtheNationalWildlifeFederationtoperformanunderwatervisualinspectionofthepipeline.ThisinspectionandsubsequentresearchexposedproblemswiththepipelineanddemonstratedhowvulnerabletheGreatLakesaretoaspillsimilartotheoneintheKalamazooRiver.
Tolearnmore,attendtheEnvironmentalIssuesForumonJanuary19.Seepage10formoreinformation.
A Latesummer Night’s Green was a Dream Come True!ALatesummerNight’sGreen2016wasabsolutelyamazing.Thankstoeveryonewhocontributedtoit—thedonors,sponsors,attendees,volunteers,andauctioneers—thiswasourmostsuccessfulfundraiseryet.Infact,togetherweraisedover$41,000!TosaytheInstitute’sstaffisinspiredbythissupportisanunderstatement.Thankyou!
ThesefundsareimportanttotheInstituteformanyreasons.Theywillmakemoreprograms,workshops,hikes,trailimprovements,andresearchopportunitiespossiblein2017.Justassignificantly,theyalsodemonstratethecommunity’scontinuedandever-growingcommitmenttotheInstituteanditsmissiontoinspireappreciationandstewardshipofourenvironment.
AsHelenKelleroncesaid,“Alonewecandosolittle;togetherwecandosomuch.”ThesuccessofALatesummerNight’sGreenisatestamenttothisfact.Let’sseeallthegoodwecandotogetherattheInstitutein2017!
Save the Date! Saturday, September 9, 2017
Membership Milestones
The Straits of Mackinac.
15 yearsJim and Mary Atkinson
Mike and Janie BergeronGeorge and Martha J. Brown
Jim and Albie BrunnerDavid and Caroline Dimmers
Joyce EarleBonnie Gettys
Gary and Sue HaskinBrian and Polly Hoxworth
D. Thomas and Carol A. JohnsonBob and Brenda Jones
Richard and Agnes KarasFred and Jeanette Kogge
Kathy LaVictorRobert and Joanna Learner
Andrew Leat and Linda Jo ScottNelson Lumm
Willard L. “Joe” and Shari PierceKatrinka Reel
John and Maureen RobinsonJohn and Judy Stovall
Dick and Veroneze StraderCliff and Kathy Ward
John and Jean WalkerDon and Kathy Wiggins
Jo Anne WoodPatty Woods
Gordon and Carolyn Worth
10 yearsJoe and Helen Barr
James and Judy BaursWilliam Bedford and Christine Homik
Kathie BlackSheryl Lewis Blake and Jim Blake
Ned and Rita BrownJohn and Barb Carpenter
Mark and Margaret ChristensenBenjamin and Connie DaweDave and Marta DesJardin
Matt and Beth DykstraRic and Roberta Gendernalik
Robert and Gail GuthStephanie Heard and Paula Van Valkenburgh
Mary Hunt Barry and Elizabeth Latoszewski
Marcia LeedyBruce and Nola Lindberg
Clyde John and Mary LoganJared and Lindsey Nichols
David Piotrowski and Jean Ann Wahl-PiotrowskiAnthony Plants
Larry and Jan RiccoLaurel Robertson
Roy and Mary RobertsonRichard and Ann Root
Michael and Elaine Wallace
5 yearsKayla Angeletti
Dave and Jane ArnoldPaul and Lora Ballinger
Norman BarlowJerry and Deloris Bradley
Brenda BurgessRon and Donna Dillman
Elisabeth FrenchBud and Cindy Glenn
Carl and Mary GoyMarty Hall
Rick and Peggy HemerlingNelson and Elaine Hine
Evelyn HolzwarthFred and Patti Jacobs
Michael and Debbie JensenKenneth and Vicki Kornheiser
Wilma KyleJoseph and Barbara McAllister
Joe and Dori Milan Charlie and Toni Mueller
Barb OsborneKirk Parent
Jeff Price and Sue HarrisonLynne K Serfling
Sarah SmithDave and Mary Staley
Bradley SwansonGerald Tilmann and Gary Steiner
Thomas and Elaine Van DorenTerri Warren
Larry Wesner and Deb Sweet
Thank you for your commitment! Congratulations on reaching this membership milestone in 2017!*
*Weapologizeforanynamesinadvertentlyomittedfromthislist.
Calendar of EventsAnnual Coat DriveThrough December 31TheInstituteiscollectinggently-usedandnewwintercoatsandblankets.SecondHandCornersinHastingswilldistributeallcollecteditemstothoseinneed.DonationscanbedroppedoffattheInstituteoratSecondHandCornersat102W.StateStreetindowntownHastingsduringregularbusinesshours.Inappreciationforadonation,youwillreceiveacoupongoodfor$1offperpersoninyourpartyforanySundayBrunchattheInstitute.
History of the Landscape Hike Saturday, December 3 10 am – 12:30 pmJoinProgramManagerMattDykstraona2.5milehikethroughtheJonesparcel.Thegroupwilldiscusshowgeology,biology,andhumanityconnectinshapingthislandscape.Thishikeisoftenaccompaniedwithsnowandcold;pleasedressappropriatelyfortheweather.
Members FREE | Non-Member Adults $6; Children $3
December Brunch, Artist’s Reception, and Christmas ConcertSunday, December 11 Brunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pm Christmas Music Concert: 12:15 – 1 pmAnne Sipe – Artist’s Reception: 1 - 3 pmThisyear’sChristmasConcertwillfeaturetheBrassRailbrassquintet,whichplaysavarietyofmusicalstylesincludingRenaissanceandBaroque,RagTimeandSwing,BluesandRock,andagoodbitofNewOrleansinfluencedmusic.TheplayersareRogerLynchandMikeMcMinnontrumpets,FritzMacDonaldontuba,JohnDickeyontrombone,andChrisGarrettonFrenchhorn.Thisconcertissuretoputyouintheholidayspirit!AftertheconcertAnneSipewillbeavailabletotalktoaboutherexhibitofexceptionalphotographs.
Member Adults $16; Children $8Non-Member Adults $18; Children $9(Plus 6% sales tax. Children ages 4 – 10) ConcertandArtist’sReceptionarefree.Youdonotneedtoattendbrunchtoenjoytheconcert.
Active Saturdays! in JanuarySaturdays, January 7, 14, 21, and 28 10 am – 4 pmSeepage8formoreinformation.
Winter Festival and January BrunchSunday, January 8 Winter Festival: 10 am – 4 pmBrunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pmStorytelling: 12:15 – 1 pm Guided Snowshoe Hike: 2 - 4 pmSeeafullscheduleandmoreinformationonpage8.
Candlelight TrailsSaturday, January 14 7 – 9:30 pmHearthecrunchofsnowunderfootandthequietofthewoodsatnight.TheBeech-MapleRidgeandTallGrassPrairieTrailswillbeopenforparticipantstotakeawalkonthecandlelittrails.Awarmfire,coffee,andhotchocolatewillbeintheVisitorCenter.
Members FREE | Non-Member Adults $6; Children $3Snowshoesarelimited;pleasepre-registertoreserveapair.
Environmental Issues Forum: Oil and the Great LakesProgramheldattheBarryCountyEnrichmentCenter,231S.BroadwayinHastingsThursday, January 19 Noon – 1 pmBethWallaceoftheNationalWildlifeFoundationandauthorofareportontheEnbridgeLine5pipelinewillprovideanupdateonthestatusofthepipelineandwhatEnbridge,stategovernment,andenvironmentalgroupsaredoingtoreducetheriskofaspill.Pleasefeelfreetobringalunch.Coffeeandcookieswillbeserved.
FREE
Permaculture Design Course: Principles of Natural Systems and Design Saturday and Sunday, January 21 and 22 9 am – 4 pm both daysSeepage4formoreinformation.
Farm to Table DinnerSaturday, February 4 6 – 8 pmThisspecialmulti-coursedinnerseriescontinueswithChefPaulhighlightinglocalfarmersandbreweries.ThistimeSproutBCofBattleCreekwillshareinformationaboutfoodaccess.Alongwithfarming,SproutBChelpsthecommunityprosperthroughfood,education,andenterpriseandalsoengagesyouthinthelocalfoodsystem.Alocalbrewerywillbeofferingbeerpairings.Programislimitedto20participants.Pre-registrationisrequired.
Members $30 I Non-Members $41
10
Register online at cedarcreekinstitute.org or call (269) 721-4190 for more information.Pre-payment may be required for some events.
Calendar of Events
11
Full Moon Snowshoe HikeFriday, February 10 6:30 – 9:30 pmEnjoyFebruary’sfullmoonwiththeInstitute’sguidedhikethroughthemoonlitwoodlandsandprairies.Twohikelengthswillbeavailable—1.5milesand3miles.Afterwards,warmupwithahotcupofcoffeeorhotchocolateandacookiearoundaroaringfireintheVisitorCenter.Thiseventissuitableforallagesandexperiencelevels.
Members FREE | Non-Member Adults $6; Children $3Snowshoesarelimited;pleasepre-registertoreserveapair.
February BrunchSunday, February 12 Brunch seatings: 11:30 am and 1 pm Program: 12:15 – 1 pmTheFebruarybrunchwillfeaturethemostmagicaloffoods:chocolate.Duringtheprogram,PatrickFields,professoratOlivetCollege,willsharehispassionforthisuniquefood,discussthebiologyofthecocoatreeanditsculturalhistoryandproduction,andprovideinsightsintochocolate’slastingallure.
Member Adults $16; Children $8Non-Member Adults $18; Children $9(Plus 6% sales tax. Children ages 4 – 10)BrunchProgramisfree.Youdonotneedtoattendbrunchtoenjoytheprogram.
Lunch and Learn: Michigan in Transition (1820-1900)Friday, February 17 Program: 10:30 am – 12 pm Lunch: 12 – 1 pmIn1820Michigan’spopulationwasabout7500people,mostlyclusterednearDetroit,MackinacIsland,andSaultSte.Marie,andforestscoveredthestate.By1900thepopulationhadgrownto2.4million,andthevastforestshaddisappeared,convertedtofarmlandandlumber.MattDykstrawilldiscussthistransitionandwhatforcesdrovethisdrasticchange.PleaseregisterbyFebruary15forlunch.
Members $10 | Non-Members $14 Programisfree.Youdonotneedtoattendthelunchtoenjoytheprogram.
Permaculture Design Course: Aquatic Systems for Farms and Homesteads Saturday, February 18 9 am – 4 pmSeepage4formoreinformation.
Baking with BeerSaturday, February 18 3 – 5 pmBeerandbreadhavealong,closerelationship.ChefPaulwilldemonstratehowtomakebreadsandbakedgoodswithbeerandspentgrainasingredients.Participantswillbeabletotakesomebreadhomewiththem.Programislimitedto20participants.
Members $20 | Non-Members $27
Snowshoe Lacing WorkshopSaturday, February 4 9 am – 4 pmSaturday, February 11 1 – 4 pm Optional follow-up session Laceyourownpairofsnowshoesduringthisworkshop.Bothwoodenframestylesandanaluminumframestylewillbeavailable.Theworkshopincludespersonalinstructionandallmaterialsrequired:frames,lacing,bindings,andsparvarnish.LunchonFebruary4isincluded.ThedeadlineforregistrationisJanuary20.Pre-paymentisrequired.PleasecontactMattDykstrawithanyquestionsatdykstram@cedarcreekinstitute.orgor(269)721-4473.
Wooden Frames (Green Mountain, Huron, Ojibwa, and Alaskan) Members $185 | Non-Members $205 Aluminum Frames (Urban) Members $100 | Non-Members $120
Snowshoe Options:Model Dimensions Suggested Maximum Weight*Urban 8”x25”(M) 140lbs. 9”x30”(L) 200lbs.GreenMountain 10”x36” 200lbs.Huron 12”x42” 220lbs.Ojibwa 10”x48”(S) 140lbs. 11”x54”(M) 240lbs. 12”x60”(L) 260lbs.Alaskan 10”x56”(L) 260lbs. 12”x60”(XL) 300lbs.*Suggestedmaximumweightincludestheweightofthesnowshoerandanyloadstheywillbecarrying.
Green Mountain
Huron
Alaskan
Ojibwa
Urban
Art Exhibit
Willard G. Pierce andJessie M. Pierce Foundation
701 W. Cloverdale RoadHastings, MI 49058
100% Post-Consumer
Non-ProfitOrganizationUSPostage
PAIDDowling,MIPermitNo.3
Photography by Anne SipeAmateurphotographerAnneSipe’sinterestinphotographywassparkedduringhermiddleschoolyearswhiledevelopingblackandwhitefilmforasciencefairproject,anditcontinuestoday.
Annetriestocaptureimagesthatevokeanemotionalresponsefromtheviewerandlovestakingphotographsofnature—plants,animals,andbirds,aswellasbarns,farmland,andtheGreatLakes.Hergrandchildrenare,ofcourse,alsosomeofher
favoritesubjects.Alongwithtakingphotographs,sheisalsointerestedindisplayingthem,takingadvantageofthedifferentmediumsthatareavailable.Inthis,herfirstexhibit,herphotographsaredisplayedonmetal,canvas,andacrylic.
Eagertoshareherworkwithothers,AnneisproudofthefactherphotographshavebeenusedbytheMichiganAudubonSocietyinemailblaststotheirmembersandWoldumarNatureCenterinarecentemailpost.ShehasalsocontributedpicturestothePottervilleMusicBoostersfortheirsilentauctionforthepastthreeyears.
AnnegrewupinruralEatonCountyandtravelsthebackroadsofruralMichiganwithherhusbandof12years,Jeff.
Anne’s photography will be on display and for sale throughout the Institute’s Visitor Center December 2016 through February 2017 with an opening reception Sunday, December 11.
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