A geologically exciting locale, there's always something to discover in northern Michigan.
Delving into rocks and fossils, attendees at Tuesday's "Traverse City Rocks" program learned about the region's geological history and make up.
Geologist Paul Schmude of Schmude Oil in Traverse City led each of the three hour-long sessions. With rock samples and drawings, he gave a lively talk about rock formation and types of rocks before leading attendees on a short rock-gathering hike along the Boardman River.
"The Earth is like a big recycling machine," said Schmude. "When you see a rock, how do you know where it came from? I'll give you some hints."
The rock program was part of the Grand Traverse Conservation Districts ongoing summer series of Discovery Hikes, which features hikes geared to kid as well as adults and families.
Hikes are based at the Oleson Pavilion at the Sabin Pond Trailhead, which is part of the Grand Traverse Nature Education Reserve, a 420-acre park along the Boardman River between Cass and Keystone roads. The Conservation District also offers a variety of Discovery Hikes throughout the school year.
The remaining hikes for kids this summer will cover Michigan mammals on July 17, creepy crawlies on July 22, ponds on July 23 and a nature scavenger hunt on July 31. The final hikes for families and adults include two sessions: edible plants on July 19 and sugaring for moths on August 7.
This year the attendance at the hikes has been booming, noted Cindy Retherford, education specialist for the Grand Traverse Conservation District.
"All of our hikes have been full this year," said Retherford, who took over the hikes seven years ago and has watched a steady growth. "People are getting to know who we are and also there are repeat customers, a lot of people are bringing their kids back and their grandkids."
Presenters in the Discovery Hikes are all volunteers, experts in their own field who share their time and talents to education and inspire others. While new classes are added every so often, the most popular ones such as the rocks, bugs and moths programs return year after year.
"Without the volunteers we would not be where we are because they're helping us to build our programming," said Retherford. "We're always looking to improving it and bringing in new items and new specimens. We try to keep the hikes fresh and new."
The Conservation District also invites the public to share in a grand opening celebration for their new Board River Nature Center at the Sabin Pond Trailhead. Festivities on August 16 and 17 will include activities for all ages, ranging from crafts, fishing, kayaking and canoeing to nature hikes, music, native garden tours, geocaching and workshops.
"Now that we have a Nature Center we'll be able to offer programs to kids of all ages that love to discover nature," said Retherford. "We've found that children who love nature and love to go outside just can't get enough and we also just love to introduce new kids to the wonders of nature."
For more information on upcoming Discovery Hikes for kids, adults and families, call the Grand Traverse Conservation District at 941-0960 or see their Web site www.gtcd.org/hikes. Most hikes are free but donations are accepted.
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