Join us at an upcoming event and enjoy the treasure that is Walloon!
Fall Birding Hike
Tuesday, September 16 | 9 – 11 AM | Fields Preserve
Fly over to Fields Preserve with us for a fall birding hike led by the Petoskey Regional Audubon Society.
Together, we’ll take a slow and peaceful walk through the preserve, listening for bird calls, and learning how to identify different species by sight and sound. We will learn fascinating insights about bird behavior, migration patterns, and the important role birds play in our ecosystems.
Whether you’re an experienced birder or just curious about the flurry of activity in the treetops, this is a perfect opportunity to deepen your connection with nature and enjoy the beauty of spring in full swing.
Registration is not required, but appreciated.
Volunteer Stream Monitoring with Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
Wednesday, September 24 | 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Schoof’s Creek *Group will meet at Fields Preserve to walk out to Schoof’s Creek.
Thursdsay, September 25 | 1:00 – 3:00 PM | Fineout Creek *Group will meet at WLAC Office to ride together out to the access point for Fineout Creek.
We’re thrilled to partner once again with the Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council for another hands-on session of Volunteer Stream Monitoring! Volunteers will step into Schoof’s Creek and a new location we will begin monitoring, Fineout Creek, suited up in waders, to collect macroinvertebrates, the aquatic insects that serve as key indicators of water quality. In addition to gathering these specimens, volunteers will help document stream conditions, contributing valuable data to support watershed conservation efforts.
All collected samples will be turned over to the expert team at Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council for further analysis, supporting their ongoing conservation work across Northern Michigan.
Please note: Participants must be comfortable wearing waders and walking in shallow streams.
Register Here for Schoof’s Creek Monitoring
Register Here for Fineout Creek Monitoring
Registration is not required, but appreciated.
Mushroom Hike 
Thursday, October 9 | 1 – 3 PM | Wildwood Harbor Preserve
Join us for one of our most popular traditions, our annual Mushroom Hike with mushroom expert Teresa Crouse! Teresa will guide us through the woods, sharing her deep knowledge of local fungi and teaching the basics of mushroom identification, safe and sustainable foraging practices, and the fascinating role mushrooms play in our ecosystem. Whether you’re a seasoned forager or simply curious about the hidden world beneath the forest floor, this hike is a wonderful opportunity to connect with nature, learn something new, and enjoy the beauty of the season.
Registration is not required, but appreciated.