Aldo Leopold Festival in Les Cheneaux - Weekend Schedule of Events
Welcome to Les Cheneaux! Visit lescheneaux.org or lescheneaux.net for general information on lodging, restaurants and
taverns, and services available in our area. Some events request advance registration. Please follow registration directions
for each event. General registration to provide head counts for all other events is available at the Les Cheneaux Historical
Museum at 105 Meridian Street, Friday and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Sunday 8:00 a.m. to Noon. Bicycle
and kayak rentals available at Woods & Water Ecotours by calling 906.484.4157. Power boat rentals available at Hills
Point Resort by calling: 906.236.2449.
Friday, June 19, 2015
Weekend Event Registration: Les Cheneaux Historical Museum
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: 105 Meridian, Cedarville
Phone: 906.484.2821
Programs of celebration events and maps of the area showing location of events and preserves will be available.
Registration forms available for events not requiring advance registration or payments.
Scavenger Hunt
Time: Friday, Saturday, & until 3:00 p.m. Sunday
Location: Les Cheneaux area
Registration: No registration required. Free fun!
Pick up your passport/map at Woods and Water Ecotours or the Les Cheneaux Historical Museum
You can redeem your completed passports for a prize at Woods and Water Ecotours
Saturday 10 a.m. thru 4 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. thru 3 p.m.
The Scavenger Hunt invites participants to explore four of the Les Cheneaux nature preserves. You will be looking for a
hidden bucket containing a stamp for your “Preserve Passport.” Stamped Passports are redeemable for commemorative
tokens and a drawing for locally produced hand-blown glass.
The Historic Waters of Aldo Leopold
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location/meeting place: Woods &Water Ecotours, 20 S. Pickford Ave. Hessel
Reservation required. Phone: 906.484.4157
E-mail: [email protected] or stop in at Woods & Water Ecotours, 20 S. Pickford Ave., Hessel
Cost: $45 per person.
Explore the west side of the island chain, where Aldo Leopold’s family cabin still stands. Paddle along the shoreline
toward Mackinac Bay, one of the largest bays occupied by Great Lakes Marsh. Meander through the small islands toward
the Derby Preserve and along a historic stretch of summer cottages on Marquette Island. Enjoy a glimpse of Aldo’s water
playground and former home. Return to Hessel with the low sun light transforming the sky. Trip includes guide and gear.
No experience necessary. Trip limited to 14 people.
Les Cheneaux Row Club - Meet & Greet First Annual RAID
Time: 3:00 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Location: Great Lakes Boat Building School – 485 S. Meridian, Cedarville
Phone: 906.484.2217
The Les Cheneaux Row Club will host a “Meet and Greet” this afternoon at the Great Lakes Boat Building School. Tour
the school—the Midwest’s only vocational program and register for the RAID. The RAID is a fun and competitive sailing
and rowing race, reminiscent of Scottish raids held between waterfront villages. If you are participating in the RAID,
registration of $25 includes tour, lunch, & T-shirt (register early and order your shirt) Family rates available. To register
early you may contact the Row Club at [email protected]
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Aldo Leopold documentary, “Green Fire,” introduced by Ed Zahniser, noted author and speaker of environment
and conservation issues, award winning poet, recent honored retiree of the National Park Service. Q & A following
the film.
Cost: Free!
Time: 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Les Cheneaux Community Schools - “Old Gymnasium,” Cedarville
“Green Fire” is the first full-length documentary (57 minutes) film ever made about the legendary environmentalist, Aldo
Leopold. “Green Fire” highlights Leopold’s extraordinary career, tracing how he shaped and influenced the modern
environmental movement. Leopold remains relevant today, inspiring projects all over the country that connect people and
land.
Saturday, June 20, 2015
Weekend Event Registration: Les Cheneaux Historical Museum
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location: 105 Meridian, Cedarville
Phone: 906.484.2821
Programs of Celebration Events and maps of the area showing location of events and preserves will be available.
Registration forms available for events not requiring advance registration or payments
Scavenger Hunt
Continues, see description under Friday’s listings. Get free passport and map at Historical Museum or Woods and Water
Ecotours.
Up a Creek without a Paddle
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Great Lakes Boat Building School, Cedarville - 485 S. Meridian, Cedarville
Pre-registration required. Contact: The Great Lakes Boat Building School 906.484.1081
Cost: $150 – includes all materials.
In this one-day workshop, Matt Hohlbein, with 15 years of broad experience in woodworking and boat building, will
guide you in making a standard wooden paddle from a blank, which he will supply. No experience required, and open to
everyone until the class fills up.
Row Club RAID
Time: 9:00 a.m. Approximately 6 hours
Location: Great Lakes Boat Building School
Registration required: $25 fee includes lunch and T-shirt (see Friday registration information)
Phone: 906.484.2217
The Les Cheneaux Row Club will host a tour of the Boat Building School prior to the row, paddle, or sail to Government
Island for a picnic and races. The Row Club will row their two 24 foot Chesapeake Light Craft boats called “Team Dory”
plus other rowing boats. It is about a two mile trip. There will be sprint races in 3 classes – solo, double and 4 or more
rowers. The day will conclude with an endurance race which will start at Government Island around Coryell Island and
back to the Great Lakes Boat Building School.
Hiking, Birge/Mertaugh/Nye Preserve:
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Birge/Mertaugh/Nye Preserve, Pt. Brulee Road, Hessel
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Registration: none required. Free!
Birge Preserve is one of the one of the oldest and most important preserves in the region. This 528-acre complex features
wildflowers, migratory bird habitat, and 1.5 miles of Lake Huron shoreline. Join Little Traverse Conservancy staff on a
more than two-mile trail, following the historic “Wheel Road,” looping through the cedar forest and wetlands. To get to
the preserve complex, drive 2.4 miles west of Hessel, turn south on Pt. Brulee Road, go .7 miles to trailhead parking on
right (west side of road.)
Hiking Gerstacker Preserve at Dudley Bay
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Location: Gerstacker Preserve 13 miles east of Cedarville on M-134 to a large pull off on south side
of the highway next to Nature Conservancy sign.
Registration: none required. Free!
Join The Nature Conservancy’s Upper Peninsula Director of Land Protection, Jeff Knoop, on a hike through the 1,600acre Carl A. Gerstacker Preserve at Dudley Bay. The preserve includes two lakes, five miles of Lake Huron shoreline, and
2.7 miles of hiking trails.
Birding with Elliot Nelson
Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location/meeting place: Meet at Les Cheneaux Historical Museum, 105 Meridian, Cedarville; will need
transportation to preserve
Registration: register at Historical Museum; limit 15 people. Free!
Join one of the area’s most expert birders on a hike through Gerstacker Preserve, located 13 miles east of Cedarville on
M-134 to a large pull off on south side of the highway next to Nature Conservancy sign. Birds you may see include
American Redstart, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Black capped
Chickadee, Common Merganser and Common Loon.
Kayak Rolling and Safety Demonstration
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Location: Cedarville Lodge, poolside
Registration: none required. Free!
Have you ever wondered what it looks like to capsize a kayak and thought about how a person gets back in? Sit back and
learn the basics of kayak safety. This session includes paddle float self-rescue, assisted rescue, and techniques for saving
oneself in cold water. Enjoy a fantastic demonstration of advanced paddling skills that include Greenland
rolls. Hypothermia symptoms and remedies and will be discussed. All ages welcome.
Want to see the Outback?
Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location/meeting/registration place: Les Cheneaux Historical Museum
Registration: Registration required. Free!
Limited to 15 riders.
Phone: 906.484.2821
Join local mountain bicyclist, Tom Conroy, who will lead a group of committed mountain cyclists through some of the
back country of Mackinac and Chippewa Counties. You will ride on established trails, due to distance and terrain; this
may not be a ride for young children. Bring your own hydration, bicycle, and transportation to starting point.
“GreenBird” Bird Houses Family Workshop
Time: 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. drop-in event, takes an hour or two
Location: Pickle Point - 138 Pickford Ave., Hessel
Registration/cost: $25; $10 for age 12 and under, includes all materials. Classes are limited in size.
Contact Pickle Point - 138 Pickford Ave., Hessel or call 906.484.3479. Email [email protected]
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For bird lovers of all ages…celebrate the Aldo Leopold Festival weekend in Les Cheneaux by spending a couple hours
making nesting material boxes and bird houses, supplied by GreenBird (www.greenbirdhouses.com), out of recycled
paper and other sustainable materials such as milk paint.
Wildflowers/Plant Identification Walk
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Meet at the Historical Museum, 105 Meridian, Cedarville – will leave promptly at 10:15.
Registration: none required. Free!
*You will need your own transportation to trail, or carpool from meeting site
Local naturalist, Moira “Pat” Wilson will guide walkers over easy terrain to see some of the delightful plant species of our
area. Following in the footsteps of Helen & Harry Harris and Oliver Birge, Pat will scope out different local preserves
prior to the walk to share what is currently in bloom at the time. Given the unique geology of Les Cheneaux, many
protected species may be found here. Children are welcome and encouraged to come. The use of a magnifying lens is
encouraged
Title: Kayak to the Sea
Time: Noon-1:00 p.m.
Location: Les Cheneaux Community Schools – “Old Gymnasium,” Cedarville
Registration: none required. Free!
Former local resident and guide for Woods & Water Ecotours, Timothy Gallaway, embarked on his dream to
paddle a solo, self-supported kayak expedition from the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. This trip marked a new life
chapter for Tim, who had become an accomplished paddler, and who graduated from Lake Superior State University with
a degree in mechanical engineering. His trip followed historic voyageur routes, beginning his passage in Sault Ste. Marie,
and finishing in the St. Lawrence Seaway where his trip destination was complete at the Atlantic Seaboard. Join Tim as he
shares his tales and photos of his one-of-a-kind exciting trip!
Hike the John Arthur Woollam Nature Preserve
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: John Arthur Woollam Nature Preserve 6 miles east of Cedarville on south side of M-134
Registration: none required. Free!
Join Nature Conservancy Staff and hike the newest trail in the area. The hike is 2.5 miles, classified as “easy to moderate”
over existing trails. You will visit and hike along a mile of protected shore, visit coastal wetland areas, a coastal plain lake,
alvar plain communities and some of the best examples of glacial chatter marks in Michigan. Meet at the trailhead. Hike is
approximately 3 hours.
Hike the William B. Derby Preserve
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: William B. Derby Preserve south on Four Mile Block Road off M-134 to Club Road, Cedarville.
Look for signs and parking area on the left.
Registration: None required. Free!
Join Little Traverse Conservancy staff on a nearly three-mile hike through this 200-acre preserve that boasts a trail that
meanders through evergreen and alder forest, along rugged Lake Huron shore, natural moss-covered limestone boulders
that were dragged and deposited by ancient glaciers!
Rugged Mountain Bike Trip
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Location: meet at the Historical Museum, 105 Meridian, Cedarville
Registration: Register at Historical Museum, trip limited to 15 participants. Free!
If you think you are ready for a real biking challenge, join local cyclist James White who will lead you through some of
the wildest and most beautiful terrain in the area.
Bring: Mountain bike, helmet, water, bike repair kits or spares and transportation to the trail.
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Breeding Birds of Michigan's Coastal Wetlands and Islands
Time: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Historical Museum, 105 Meridian, Cedarville
Registration: Register at Historical Museum, group limited to 15 participants. Free!
Leader/Guide Elliot Nelson will give you a look into the spectacular coastal wetlands of the Eastern Upper Peninsula and
the rare breeding species which occupy them. A 30-minute presentation is followed by birding Cedarville Bay with an
optional add on to caravan to a number of other local coastal wetlands.
Family Paddle to Duck Bay
Time: 2:00 p.m.to 5:00 p.m.
Location: Woods & Water Ecotours, 20 S. Pickford Av, Hessel
Registration: Trip details and reservation call 906.484.4157 or e-mail: [email protected], or stop in
at Woods & Water Ecotours.
Cost: $45 per person, or inquire about family rates. Limited to 14 people.
Paddle to Duck Bay, one of the most biologically rich bays, nestled in Marquette Island. The bay is occupied by numerous
wetland species including rare Great Lakes marsh, wild rice, nesting birds, and spawning fish. Enjoy paddling around
Eagle Island and view an active bald eagle nest. This guided trip is suitable for all ages over 5 years of age, with little to
no experience. Includes guide and paddling gear.
Masonic Roast Beef Dinner
Time: 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Location: Les Cheneaux Community Schools Cafeteria, Cedarville
Registration/cost: Price: $12 Adult; Children shorter than their parents’ waist are free.
Menu: Roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies, salad and dessert
Proceeds support local Masonic scholarships and charities.
Island Boat Cruise
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Location: Depart and return Hessel Marina
Registration: Cruise tickets may be purchased for $35 at Les Cheneaux Community Foundation
Office, Pine Cone, Pickle Point, Hessel Grocery and Les Cheneaux Visitor Center
Cruise through Voight and Duck Bays on Marquette Island where you will view the Aldo Leopold Preserve. Meet at
Hessel Marina for a 5 p.m. departure for this late afternoon cruise. Cruise narrator will share points of interest. Light
appetizers included with cruise ticket. Cash bar available on cruise.
Movie “Finding Farley”
Time: 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Location: Les Cheneaux Community Schools – “Old Gymnasium,” Cedarville
Registration: Free admission
A full-length documentary: husband and wife team Karsten Heuer and Leanne Allison, along with their two year old son
and dog, retrace the literary footsteps of Canadian writer Farley Mowat. Rather than fly or drive the thousands of
kilometers to see the Canadian icon, they paddled east from Calgary towards the prairies. They then traversed the same
paths that Farley took more than 60 years ago. This became the foundations for “Never Cry Wolf” and “People of the
Deer.” Their epic 5,000 kilometer journey of trekking, sailing, portaging, and paddling ends in the Maritimes, at Mowat’s
Nova Scotia summer home.
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Sunday, June 21, 2015
Weekend Event Registration: Les Cheneaux Historical Museum
Hours: 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: 105 Meridian, Cedarville
Phone: 906.484.2821
Programs of celebration events and maps of the area showing location of events and preserves will be available.
Registration forms available for events not requiring advance registration or payments.
Scavenger Hunt
Continues through 3:00 p.m. See description under Friday’s listings. Get free passport and map at Historical Museum or
Woods and Water Ecotours. Passport redemption to Woods & Water Ecotours, Hessel ends at 3 p.m.
Birding with Dave Ewert
Time: 9:00 a.m. to Noon
Location: Gerstacker Preserve, 13 miles east of Cedarville on M-134
Registration: Historical Museum, 105 Meridian, Cedarville. Limited to 15 participants. Free!
*bring your own binoculars and insect repellent.
Join Birding expert Dave Ewert on a hike through the Gerstacker Preserve. You may see American Redstart, Blackthroated Green Warbler, Yellow-rumped Warbler, Red-breasted nuthatch, Black Capped Chickadee, Common Merganser,
and Common Loon.
Sea Kayak the Sweet Waters of Lake Huron
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Location: Woods & Water Ecotours
Registration: Trip details and reservations call 906.484.4157 or e-mail: [email protected], $115 per
person. Limited to 14 people
Join local guides on an exemplary paddling excursion among the clear blue waters and forested shoreline of the Les
Cheneaux Island 36 island archipelago. View inner bays, bordered by boreal forest, limestone loving wildflowers, and
glacial remnants of Michigan’s frozen past. Discover insights about the wildlife and birds that occupy these near shore
waters. Rest on the Little Traverse Conservancy Sieberling-Stewart tract, of the Aldo Leopold Preserve, and enjoy a North
Woods picnic. Traverse a short shoreline trail. Or, just take a seat along the shore and take in the gorgeous scenery. Trip is
geared for beginners. All Paddle distance is 5 miles. All gear, guides, and Les Cheneaux Culinary School lunch provided.
Coastal Wetland Walk at Michigan Nature Association Beaver Dam Sanctuary
Sunday, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Location: (directly across from Mackinac Bay Preserve)
Registration: None required. Free!
Learn about Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands with ecologist Adrienne Bozic of the Michigan Nature Association. We will
talk about what makes these unique wetlands so important, and the flora and fauna that call these ecosystems home. A
short stroll will highlight features of two nearby preserves that protect the natural features of the Les Cheneaux
region. Learn what you can do to help protect these critical areas! Meet at the Michigan Nature Association Beaver Dam
Sanctuary – park on north shoulder of M-134 just east of Hessel. Long pants and appropriate wetland footwear
recommended.
Aldo Leopold Historical Marker Dedication
Time: 12:15 p.m.
Location: Scenic lookout at Mackinac Bay just east of Hessel.
Registration: None required. Everyone welcome and encouraged to attend!
Please join us in a brief dedication ceremony celebrating the recognition by the Michigan Historical Commission of the
contribution of Aldo Leopold to today’s contemporary conservation practices and land ethic policies. We will unveil a
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historical marker as tribute to the protection of our natural environment. Leopold spent many of his summers traversing
the woods and waters of Les Cheneaux during his youth.
Community Picnic – hosted by Les Cheneaux Lions Club
Time: 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Location: Snows Heritage Park, 267 Blind Line Rd, Cedarville (behind Clark Township Hall)
Registration/cost: Free to everyone! Donations appreciated.
Please join neighbors and friends as we celebrate the culmination of the Aldo Leopold Celebration
Weekend. Menu: Hot dogs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade, coffee, water and desserts
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