Lantern Festival, bird and plant walks help you get outside this week, Michigan
- The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will return to the John Ball Zoo April 9
- The Spring Birding Tour at Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area in Pinconning happens Saturday
- Numerous other events give Michiganders a chance to enjoy their state outdoors in the next week
The Grand Rapids Lantern Festival will return to the John Ball Zoo on April 9. A one-mile pathway will come to life with glowing, handcrafted Asian lanterns shaped like plants, animals, insects and more.
“These beautiful lanterns tell the intersecting story of wildlife and Asian culture,” said John Ball Zoo promotions and events manager Darci Mitchell.
Last year’s display included larger-than-life animals, an under-the-sea-themed area and a partially upside-down lotus garden, among other features.
Hundreds of lanterns will be included in this year’s exhibit. Just don’t expect to see real animals, as the zoo says most of them will be in their indoor habitats, not viewable from the Lantern Festival’s route.
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The Lantern Festival will run from 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays until May 20 and then Tuesdays through Sundays until June 15. Individual tickets range from $19 to $23 for zoo members and $22 to $26 for non-members, depending on the day. Children younger than 3 get in free. Tickets and more information can be found here.
Other great ways to get your outdoors fix:
Friday:
- Take part in one of two community park cleanups happening in Muskegon. The city is looking for volunteers to do things like rake leaves and help clear debris. Choose from events at McGraft Park and Smith-Ryerson Park. Both run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. More info here.
Saturday:
- Join the Spring Birding Tour at Nayanquing Point State Wildlife Area in Pinconning. In the car-caravan-style birding tour, hosted by Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, participants will have an opportunity to see some of the tens of thousands of migrating ducks, wading birds, raptors and more that stop in at the 1,505-acre wildlife area. The DNR will lead the tour, which will include opportunities to get out of the car at various stops beside wetlands, marshes and a viewing tower. Doors open at 8 a.m., departure happens at 9 a.m. Free. More info here.
- Plants more your speed? The Michigan Botanical Society: Huron Valley Chapter will host an Early Spring Flora field trip at Michigan State University’s Sanford Natural Area in East Lansing. That 34-acre beech-maple forest runs along the Red Cedar River and has old-growth characteristics. A botanist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Scott Warner, will point out leatherwood, sedges and other interesting spring plants on the guided walk. 10 a.m. Free. More info here.
- Bugs more your thing? Sampling for benthic macroinvertebrates — stonefly larvae, dragonfly larvae, snails, worms and beetles — is a common way to test for a stream’s health. Friends of the Rouge is looking for people who’ve participated in those kinds of volunteer events in the past to become a team leader. They’re hosting a training event from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Plymouth Township Park. More info and register here.
- Michigan United Conservation Clubs, better known as MUCC, and Land Ethic will host a workday event in the Traverse City Forest Management Unit in Bear Lake. Volunteers will construct brush piles meant to benefit wildlife. A complimentary lunch will be provided. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free. Register before 2 p.m. on Friday here.
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Tuesday:
- Learn about foraging for fungi at a presentation at the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw in Houghton. Authors of “Winter Fungi of the North Woods” will talk about how to identify woody species often found above snow level. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., the talk begins at 7 p.m. Free. More info here.
- Audubon Society of Kalamazoo has kicked off its weekly Tuesday morning trail walks on the Kal-Haven Trail in Kalamazoo. The group will walk for a total of five miles while someone keeps track of species sightings. It’s recommended that you bring your own binoculars. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Free. More info here.
Is there a Michigan outdoor event on your radar that you want to make sure we don’t miss? Email Laura Herberg at LHerberg@bridgemi.com.
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