The Second Saturday Series is a great opportunity to learn more about the land in southwest Berrien County. This year’s events are localized around New Buffalo, Michigan, and especially the Louis J. Sima Great Lakes Marsh. If you’ve ever wanted to get an up-close look at the marsh, this is a perfect opportunity to do so. Additionally, it’s a way to learn more about conservation easements and the people who choose this avenue of land preservation. It’s a good idea to call the COL office to let us know you’re coming to one of these events so we can be prepared for you!

2008 SECOND SATURDAY SERIES
Covenant Farm Easement - June 14 - Take a spring tour through a private nature preserve. Learn why this land is special and the owners’ motivation to preserve it.

Kayak the Great Lakes Marsh – July 12 - Kayak this Berrien County preserve. Learn why this last Great Lakes marsh is so important to us and the wildlife it supports. Reserve your spot through Sarett Nature Center, 269-927-4832, BYOKayak or $7/person for rental

Clean the Galien – August 9 - Become a member of the “green team” by helping to clean up an area in the Galien River watershed.

Voyageur Canoe Outing – September 13 - Explore the Galien River Marsh aboard a 30-foot replica of a Voyageur Canoe. Meet at New Buffalo Boat Launch: 10:00 am, 12:00 & 2:00 pm launches. Please RSVP COL for this popular event! Members: free; Non-members: $25

Galien River County Park Preserve – October 11 – Get an up-close look at the uplands of the Great Lakes Marsh, the last of its kind in southwest Michigan. Learn about the flora and fauna of the preserve and marsh, and get updates on the master plan for this property.
 
Unless otherwise noted, all tours and work days will meet at the COL office and leave @ 9:30 a.m. EST to arrive at the destination by 10:00 a.m. All tours are naturalist led. Please contact the office for more information: or 269-469-2330.

Past Volunteer & Events Page

Volunteers Work Tirelessly
“Clean Up the Galien” on August 19, 2006
Volunteers join forces with Chikaming Open Lands and The Conservation Fund to “Clean Up the Galien” on August 19, 2006. More than 30 people pitched in; including this dedicated group gathered by the tires they pulled from the river (L-R) John Haman, Kent Lindquist, Don Flinn, Kevin Underwood, Lynne Haman, Pat Underwood, Kip Miller and Steve Smith.











Galien River Clean-October 2005
Nearly twenty volunteers from age 10 to 81, turned out on a brisk fall morning to give our Galien River a helping hand. Tires, bottles, plastics, two window frames with glass, and a lawnmower were just a part of the trash collected from the parking area and along the banks of the Galien River at the DNR boat launch on Red Arrow Highway. Very little rubbish was pulled from the river itself, but the tall grass and shrubs bordering the water’s edge produced nearly 30 bags of garbage.

Second Saturday Series 2006
Chikaming Open Lands hosted a series of field events informing members about native and invasive plants in our landscapes. The three sessions focused on Woodlands, Landscapes and Gardens, and Marshlands.

Steve Bornell from Fernwood presented Landscapes & Gardens a program on using native plants in gardens at the Van Nice Home July 8th, 2006.




















Voyager Marsh Tour 2006

Adventurous guests explored the Galien River Marsh aboard a 30-foot replica of a Voyageur Canoe. Jean Smith captains a group of COL members, with Pat Underwood assisting at the rear of the vessel.














Steering Committee Meetings
The Steering Committee Meetings are open to anyone interested in learning more about the Galien Watershed Project.

Galien Steering Committee Meeting in June 2006.

Galien Steering Committee Meeting in June 2006. Beth and Harvey Plotnick share their experience of restoring prairie and wetland buffers on their Judy Lake property. In this photo, Peg Kohring (on right with back to camera) points out some of the prairie plants and explains their role in improving water quality.

















Forestry Workshop February 2007
Thirty people braved a snowy, cold Michigan morning to attend the Forestry Workshop held February 10th. About half of them were even braver, and joined foresters outdoors in a local woodlot for the afternoon. Although temperatures were in the teens, lively discussion and great presentation kept people active and interested.

Chikaming Open Lands hosted the Forestry Workshop as part of the Galien Watershed Project. Morning seminar topics included Timber Management, Wildlife Management, Tree Health and Forest Conservation & Water Quality. The afternoon session highlighted the same topics in a field setting.