Baker Sanctuary Programs

Birdwatching at Baker Sanctuary

Saturday, March 21, 10:00a-1:00p

Saturday, May 30, 9:00a-12:00p

Saturday, September 12, 10:00a-1:00p

Enjoy a leisurely morning or afternoon of birdwatching at Baker Sanctuary. Trips depart from the West entrance of Baker Sanctuary. Bring your binoculars!

Cost: $10 per person. Only $5 for Michigan Audubon members
Pre-registration required. Limited to 12 participants.

For information and registration contact Wendy Tatar, Michigan Audubon Program Coordinator 517-886-9144 or wendy@michiganaudubon.org

Baker Lodge Spring Cleaning

Saturday, April 18, 10:00a – 2:00p

Join Michigan Audubon for the annual Spring work day at Baker Sanctuary. For over 25 years, Baker Lodge has been the site of classes, overnight programs, and educational workshops. Help spruce up the Lodge so it’s clean and cozy for another year of use. In addition, assist with some chores at the trailhead of the Doty Native Wildlflower Trail. Old clothes, work boots and gloves are recommended. Meet at Baker Lodge (East sanctuary entrance).

Cost: FREE
Bring work gloves, close-toed shoes. Donations of tools and cleaning supplies are welcome.

For information and registration contact Wendy Tatar, Michigan Audubon Program Coordinator 517-886-9144 or wendy@michiganaudubon.org

Seasonal Wildflower Identification

Saturday, June 6, 9:00a -11:00a

Saturday, August 15, 9:00a -11:00a

Saturday, September 12, 1:00p-3:00p

Enjoy the beauty of wildflowers at Baker Sanctuary! Local wildflower enthusiasts will help you locate and identify wildflowers along the sanctuary’s trail network. No equipment or experience necessary. Participants are encouraged to bring a wildflower field guide if they own one. Cameras and binoculars are always encouraged. Trips depart from the West entrance of Baker Sanctuary.

Cost: $10 per person. Only $5 for Michigan Audubon members
Pre-registration required. Limited to 20 participants.

Night Walk on the Meadow and Marshlands Trail

Saturday, June 6, 8:00p -10:00p

Join Baker Sanctuary Resident Manager and naturalist, Mike Boyce, for a bright night hike. Participants will listen for owls, woodcock, coyotes and other creatures of the night. Bring binoculars and/or spotting scopes if you want to explore the nearly full moon and night sky. Trip departs from the West entrance of Baker Sanctuary.

Cost: $10 person. Only $5 for Michigan Audubon members
Pre-registration required. Limited to 15 participants.

Building and Maintaining Nest Boxes for Wildlife

Saturday, July 18, 2:00p-4:00p

Turn your backyard into a haven for wildlife! Installing a nest box is one way to attract birds and mammals to your backyard. Workshop participants will learn how to construct and maintain nest boxes for a variety of wildlife species, such as bluebirds, kestrels, screech owls, wood ducks, and swallows. Program takes place at Baker Lodge (East sanctuary entrance).

Cost: $15 per person. Only $10 for Michigan Audubon members
Pre-registration required. Limited to 12 participants. Participants need to bring their own hammer.

Harvest Moon Hike

Sunday, October 4, 7:00p -9:00p

Observe the moon through binoculars and spotting scopes and discover the story behind the “Harvest Moon.” Watch and listen to the sandhill cranes converging on Big Marsh Lake. Observation will take place at the Kiwanis Youth Area.

Cost: $15 per person. Only $10 for Michigan Audubon members
Pre-registration required. Limited to 15 participants.

Basics of GPS and Geocaching

Saturday, November 7, 10:00a – 12:00p

Geocaching is a fun way to explore Baker Sanctuary! If you own a GPS, understand its basic functions, and want to learn more about geocaching, then this workshop is for you. The first hour will be spent indoors becoming familiar with the principles behind GPS and an introduction to geocaching. The remainder of our time will be spent outside, where participants can put their new skills to the test. The ultimate goal: locate the cache that’s hidden on the grounds of Baker Sanctuary! Meet at Baker Lodge (East sanctuary entrance).

Cost: $15 per person. Only $10 for Michigan Audubon members
Pre-registration is required. Limited to 15 participants. Familiarity with your personal hand-held GPS unit is a must.

Fundamentals of Nature Photography

December 5, 2009

Baker Sanctuary Resident Manager, Mike Boyce, will share his professional photography background with nature photographers of all skill levels. Participants should be familiar with the basic operation of their own camera. Topics covered will include: Equipment, Light and Exposure, Composition, Processing and Printing, Critiques of Participants Work, as well as a list useful references. Program takes place at Baker Lodge (East sanctuary entrance).

Cost: $30 per person. Only $25 for Michigan Audubon members
Pre-registration required. Limited to 12 participants.