Reading the Landscape 2010 to offer "Exploring our Diverse Watersheds" field trips

HANCOCK -- "Exploring our Diverse Watersheds" is the subject of the 2010 Reading the Landscape series of art and natural history field trips for adults to be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on four Saturdays -- June 19, July 10, Aug. 7 and Sept. 18.

"Natural Patterns," by Rachel Toczydlowski. Graphite. (Image courtesy Rachel Toczydlowski)

Here is the schedule:

Saturday, June 19: "A Water Year" -- Learn how water and nutrients cycle naturally through the watershed of a small stream near Calumet, with David Toczydlowski, field ecologist for a long-term research study of this site. Create informed "maps" of water systems with Phyllis Fredendall, associate professor at Finlandia University International School of Art and Design. Meet at the Calumet Township Park on Lakeshore Drive.

Saturday, July 10: "Reading a Trout Stream" -- Learn to think like a trout -- or a fisherman -- on this visit to the Pilgrim River with experienced (and retired) Fisheries Biologists Bill Deephouse and Tom Rozich. Avid fly tier Don Kreher will help you discover how fly fishermen tie flies. Meet at the Nara Nature Center chalet on Hwy US-41 near the mouth of the Pilgrim River.

Saturday, Aug. 7: "Stamp Sands Remediation" -- See various stages of ongoing restoration of the Eagle River watershed, which has been adversely impacted for over a century by copper mining. Visit ongoing remediation projects at historic Cliff and Central mine sites with Rob Aho, Project Engineer; Gina Nicholas, Chair of the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District; and Dick Dana, who will share some of Central’s history through old bottles that have been found there.

Gina Nicholas, Chair of the Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District, speaks about the Eagle River watershed stamp sand remediation during a previous Reading the Landscape session, held at Central in 2008. This year, on Aug. 7, Reading the Landscape participants will have an opportunity to see the progress being made in the Stamp Sand Stabilization project. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Saturday, Sept. 18: "Dynamic Shorelines" -- Lightfoot Bay is a natural embayment of Huron Bay and the heart of a diverse and ecologically rich Great Lakes coastal wetland complex protected by the Keweenaw Land Trust and conservation partners. Explore the dynamics of the marshes and bogs of this beautiful embayment with Fisheries Ecologist Casey Huckins and see how this system is impacted by the shifting barrier beaches along Huron Bay. Watercolorist and print maker Kayo Miwa will help you appreciate this ever-changing interdunal wetland and the historic structures remaining at this preserve that was once a family retreat.

"Summer Stream," by Kayo Miwa. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Meet at the Lightfoot Bay Coastal Wetlands Preserve cabins near the Skanee Cemetery. Lunch is provided for this session. Carpooling from Hancock is available for those interested.

Registration and advanced payment of $15 per session are required. Please register early; session size is limited.

The program is for adults age 16 or older.

Sponsors include Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT), Copper Country Audubon, Gratiot Lake Conservancy (GLC), Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District, Keweenaw County Historical Society, Michigan Nature Association, Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited. KLT (906-482-0820) and GLC (906-337-5476) offer some scholarships. Please contact them directly.

For more details on the sessions, what to bring, etc., click here for the brochure.