Series runs all month
GAYLORD — Live online lessons hosted by Huron Pines will continue weekly through May as a way for people to stay connected to the outdoors and gain a better understanding of environmental topics relevant to Northeast Michigan.
Connecting to Nature lessons take place every Thursday at 1pm and will feature different Huron Pines staff each week discussing conservation-related subjects in their areas of professional interest. Lessons last 30 minutes and are co-hosted by Huron Pines AmeriCorps member Jennifer Klemm, who led the first five lessons of the series in April.
Emily Vogelgesang is Environmental Education Coordinator and has led the charge of moving Huron Pines’ educational outreach efforts from in-person events to online so people can continue being involved in the protection of our natural resources.
“It’s great seeing familiar names and getting to know new folks who are asking questions and following up with us after the lessons,” Vogelgesang said. “I’m excited for participants to get to know some of the other incredibly smart folks we have on staff covering topics that showcase how special our land and water are in Northeast Michigan.”
Lessons are hosted through Zoom, an online conferencing tool. Participants can join with a smartphone, tablet or computer and do not need a webcam or microphone. There is time for participants to ask questions and interact through a chat window during each lesson.
The series schedule is as follows:
- May 14, Bringing Birds to Your Back Yard: Discover natural ways to attract birds without bribing them with birdseed. Led by Abigail Ertel, Community Program Lead.
- May 21, Reading the River: What can banks, bends, riffles and runs tell us about fish? Led by Josh Leisen, Senior Project Manager.
- May 28, Protecting Wild Places: A look at the unique and diverse ecosystems of Northeast Michigan and why their conservation is critical. Led by Heather Huffstutler, Land Protection Director.
To join the lessons, visit huronpines.org/events to get the link and add them to your calendar or email chris@huronpines.org to receive invitations by email.
Recordings of all past and upcoming lessons, along with other activity resources, are posted at huronpines.org/stay-connected.
Funding for the Huron Pines Education Program is provided by the US Forest Service, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the US Endowment for Forestry and Communities through the Healthy Watersheds Consortium program, Great Lakes Fishery Trust, Consumers Energy Foundation and the support of individual donors.
To learn more, visit huronpines.org.
