Little Traverse Conservancy plans mix of outdoor events: See what's scheduled this spring
The Little Traverse Conservancy — with a five-county service area covering Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet and Mackinac counties — has a full slate of events coming up this season.
Where: Elizabeth B. Hoffmann Nature Preserve, south of Charlevoix
When: 9 a.m. to noon on Friday, April 4
What: Participants will join Nate Dionne for this hands-on seminar exploring various techniques that can help revitalize trees in a way that also supports the ecosystem and landscape around them. Participants will put these principles and objectives to use on the trees at the preserve. There will be a limited supply of tools to use, and participants are asked to bring their own pruners and loppers.
Where: Sally & Art Hailand, Jr./Helstrom Family Nature Preserve in Oden
When: 7-8:30 p.m. on Friday, April 4
What: Brad Von Blon will lead this walk where participants can listen and watch for woodcocks. The walk is described as 'easygoing' and suitable for all to enjoy.
Where: Tanton Family Working Forest Reserve, southeast of Petoskey
When: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 16
What: The conservancy is co-hosting a trail maintenance workday with the Top of Michigan Mountain Bike Association to get the Tanton Family Working Forest Reserve mountain bike trails ready for the new season. Volunteers should meet at the reserve at 9 a.m. Activities will include walking trail segments, removing downed limbs and trees, trimming brush, clearing natural drains and attending to any areas of erosion. Tools will be provided.
Where: Offield Family Viewlands Reserve in Harbor Springs
When: 9 a.m. to noon and from 1-4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22
What: Celebrate Earth Day by helping the conservancy with trail maintenance on the mountain bike trails at the Offield Family Viewlands Reserve. Volunteers should meet in the parking area at 9 a.m. for the morning session or at 1 p.m. for the afternoon session. There will also be a group ride led by a conservancy staff member at 4 p.m. Tools will be provided. This is a family-friendly work bee, so kids are welcome.
Where: Cheboygan State Park
When: 7-10 p.m. on Saturday, May 3
What: This partnership event with Mackinac Straits Raptor Watch will allow participants to interact with and learn about owls. Along with observing the banding, the group will enjoy conversations by the campfire with snacks and drinks. This event is limited to 12 people.
If you are interested in any of these events, registration is available at (231) 347-0991 or landtrust.org/events.
— Contact Jillian Fellows at jfellows@petoskeynews.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Little Traverse Conservancy plans events for spring 2025
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
Stacy Keibler Turns Heads With 'Boat Day' Swimsuit Photos
Stacy Keibler Turns Heads With 'Boat Day' Swimsuit Photos originally appeared on The Spun. Former WWE star Stacy Keibler is living it up this summer. Keibler, 45, was a fan favorite during her time with the WWE. It didn't matter if she was the "Duchess of Dudleyville" or Vince McMahon's personal assistant, she knew how to grab everyone's attention. In 2023, she was officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. "I never thought I would be in the Hall of Fame, to be honest," Keibler said. "I was completely shocked when I got the call. I had tears in my eyes." Although the days of Keibler representing the WWE are long gone, she's still incredibly popular in the wrestling community. Over the past few days, Keibler has shared countless vacation photos from Saint-Tropez. "It was our first time staying Château de la Messardière... and I'm completely enchanted," Keibler wrote on Instagram. "From the views to the service to every magical moment with my family—this place is something out of a dream. Hands down, one of my favorite hotels in the world. Family memories were made here that we'll never forget." Keibler showed off her figure with a few swimsuit photos this week. It was part of her family's "Boat Day" festivities. If you're familiar with Keibler's social media content, you'd know that she likes to travel. In April, she opened up about a life-changing experience in Peru. "Have you ever hugged a tree? Like really hugged one? Years ago, if you told me I'd be the kind of person who hugs trees and means it—I would've laughed. But somewhere along the way, something shifted," Keibler wrote. "On a trip to Peru, I connected with Pachamama—Mother Earth—in a way I never had before. I've always loved nature, but this was different. It was a felt connection. Deep, grounding, alive.Being in Costa Rica for Earth Day was a vivid reminder of nature's awe-inspiring beauty. Today (and every day), I'm grateful for this wild, generous planet we call home. Happy Earth Day. Go hug a tree... I promise it won't judge you." It won't be long before Keibler goes viral Keibler Turns Heads With 'Boat Day' Swimsuit Photos first appeared on The Spun on Jul 18, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Jul 18, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Yahoo
Little Traverse Conservancy continues trail clean-up, more volunteers welcome
PETOSKEY — The Little Traverse Conservancy is making good progress in clearing trails affected by the late-March ice storm, but some areas still need to be cleaned up. According to the conservancy, the group has been prioritizing the most heavily used trails for clean-up first. The team is making its way down the list, while also managing time-sensitive and previously contracted projects at the same time. More: U.S. Small Business Administration grants disaster declaration request for ice storm damages 'Nearly 100 of our nature preserves and reserves include at least a short trail, with more than 125 miles of trails in total,' said executive director Kieran Fleming in a June 12 statement. 'We appreciate your patience as we continue working to reopen them all as quickly and safely as possible.' The conservancy thanked the volunteers, local businesses, Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation and Charlevoix County Community Foundation for their help as clean-up efforts continue. More: Cleanup efforts continue for Little Traverse Conservancy following March ice storm The conservancy also welcomes any volunteers who are interested in joining a work day or who can help in other ways. If you are interested, contact volunteer coordinator Cacia Lesh at cacia@ or (231) 347-0991. For more information, visit This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Little Traverse Conservancy continues ice storm trail clean-up, asks for volunteers
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Forbes
Raise A Glass To Slow Travel: 4 Destinations To Savor Local Culture One Drink At A Time
Woman pouring red wine from a bottle into a drinking glass at vineyard. The Napa Valley Railroad dates back over 160 years. However, Napa Valley Wine Train is also celebrating its 36th anniversary, debuting a new clean-energy locomotive, designed to cut emissions by 95% without sacrificing its vintage charm. Guests can choose from curated experiences, lasting between 2.5 to 6 hours and ranging from gourmet meals and afternoon tea to grape stomping. But to mark this anniversary, it also hosted a special 'Earth Day' tasting event on April 22 in partnership with Grgich Hills Estate, a winery focusing on organic and regenerative winemaking. This milestone offers more than just a toast to history, it is a reminder that slow travel has been and will be compelling. For those who enjoy sipping their way through a destination at a relaxed pace, here are four additional slow travel experiences where the journey is just as flavorful as the destination. Cape Winelands District Municipality is one of South Africa's most celebrated wine regions, known for its world-class vineyards, fine dining and French Huguenot heritage. It is over 3,167 square miles, stretching from the outskirts of Cape Town all the way to Tankwa Karoo National Park. Franschhoek lies within the Cape Winelands region, calling itself the 'Valley of Dreams.' It is home to over 40 wineries and vineyards, as well as several immersive experiences to discover fine dining, award-winning wines, art galleries andsculpture gardens. Aerial view of Babylonstoren in Franschhoek. If you do not want to drive around, hop on the Franschhoek wine tram that takes you through scenic vineyards with stops at world-class wineries. But choose your line carefully. There are five color-coded routes, each offering a unique mix of wine estates and tasting experiences. If you want to stay in one place to experience award-winning wines, South Africa's rich history and slow travel, head to Babylonstoren. Wine here is only the beginning. It is a modern working farm, luxury hotel, spa, farm-to-fork restaurants and state-of-the-art winery. Whether for a day visit or an overnight stay, Babylonstoren makes slow travel luxurious while connecting you with South African traditions in a meaningful, immersive way. The garden of Babylonstoren from above. It has over 230 acres of vineyard to grow 13 different grape varieties and over 12 acres of garden filled with seasonal vegetables, edible flowers, fruit trees, beehives, climbing roses, a prickly pear maze and rare indigenous plants of botanical importance. In its Story of Wine Museum, visitors can try hands-on wine blending and taste the full range of its award-winning wines: four whites, a rosé, four elegant reds and the beloved Sprankel Cap Classique. A meal with a display of Babylonstoren wines. Visitors can cycle through the vineyards, enjoy bass fishing or canoeing, learn to bake mosbolletjie, a South African sweet bread, unwind with stretching classes, visit the herd of water buffalo, or join a guided drive up the slopes of Simonsberg to In the Clouds. Soetmelksvlei is Bablyonstoren's unique art and living history project to bring 19th-century farm life to life. Bablyonstoren restored and immaculately recreated the interiors of a farmhouse, a cottage, a cellar, a distillery, a mill and a workshop, where visitors can also try traditional craftsmanship. Fowl House at Soetmelksvlei Northumberland is the northernmost county of England, spreading from Hadrian's Wall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, all the way to the Scottish border. The region has a distinct identity shaped by centuries of history, from the Iron Age and Roman rule to Anglo-Saxon and Viking influences. Thanks to its strategic location, Northumberland has over 70 ruined or inhabited castles, the most compared to any other county in England. It offers endless opportunities for slow travel from England's largest dark sky park, Northumberland National Park, to walking on trails, passing Roman forts, rolling hills and remote moorlands. Sunset at Hadrian's Wall in Northumberland, England Active England Tours, a British adventure and luxury tour operator, launched a new tour for 2025 to explore Northumberland at a leisurely pace. Its 'Bike Hadrian's Wall & Northumberland' tour is a 4-day coast-to-coast cycling adventure through Northern England's rugged landscapes, including the famous Hadrian's Wall, local pubs and historic ruins. Stop at Ad Gefrin Anglo-Saxon Museum and Whisky Distillery if you love a good whisky. In the distillery, the first (legal) Northumbrian English Single Malt Whisky in over 200 years is currently maturing, with the first limited release set to be available in 2026. Ad Gefrin visitors centre and whisky distillery Until then, try Ad Gefrin's signature spirits: Tácnbora Whisky Blend, a blend of grain and malt whiskies from Ireland and Scotland, Flyté, a whisky cream liqueur and Thirlings Dry Gin, flavored with Sea Buckthorn and Irish moss from the coast, dill and elderberry from the hedgerow, and heather and pine from the hills. One of Ad Gefrin's signature spirit the Tácnbora Whisky Blend. Visitors can take a 90-minute guided distillery tour, explore The Great Hall and Museum—including artifacts on loan from the British Museum—and sample spirits in a multi-sensory tasting room set to Northumbrian pipe music. It is at least a half-day experience, blending storytelling, craftsmanship and regional pride. Skip Paris and slow down in France's Champagne region. It is in northeastern France, bordering Belgium. The region is the birthplace of 'champagne,' the only sparkling wine legally allowed to bear the name. This year marks the 10th anniversary of The Champagne Hillsides, Houses, and Cellars becoming a UNESCO World Heritage site. The region spans 320 villages and includes nearly 280,000 vineyard plots cultivated by over 16,000 growers, upholding a winemaking tradition that dates back centuries. Wineyards in Marne, Champagne-Ardennes, France. Visitors can leisurely explore wine trails around Reims or Épernay, drive through vineyard-draped hills, stop in villages to visit cellars, explore open-air vine museums or picnic with scenic views. For travelers who prefer slow travel over road-tripping, Belmond's Conquelicot offers an elegant alternative, a floating celebration of France's art de vivre. Conquelicot is a luxury canal barge navigating Canal de la Marne au Rhin, an almost 200-mile-long canal connecting the Marne River at Vitry-le-François to the Rhine River at Strasbourg. Deck of Coquelicot luxury barge of Belmond Bateaux. Six guests in three en-suite cabins can enjoy all the luxurious facilities: elegant lounge, expansive outdoor deck and scenic view of the Marne Valley. From fresh French breakfast pastries to alfresco dining, curated by three-Michelin-star Chef Dominique Crenn, all meals will be prepared using seasonal and local ingredients. Private tastings and vineyard tours at esteemed champagne houses, including Ruinart, the world's oldest champagne house, Leclerc Briant, Veuve Clicquot and Dom Pérignon await its guests. Wine tasting at Coquelicot luxury barge of Belmond Bateaux. While it may not be on most tourist's radar, Gifu quietly champions the values of authenticity, heritage and slow travel. It is where centuries-old craftsmanship meets striking natural beauty and well-preserved historical towns. The region is mostly renowned for the UNESCO-listed thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go. However, the meticulous art of Washi paper-making, the time-honored production of Gifu lanterns and umbrellas and the 1,300-year-old traditional cormorant fishing on the Nagara River are all part of this region's living history. Shirakawa is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. Watanabe Sake Brewery is a family-owned business in operation for 150 years in Hida Furukawa, Gifu Prefecture. Their brewers use traditional sake-making techniques that were added to UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2024. Wabunka, a Japanese travel company specializing in exclusive experiences that showcase traditional craft and art industries, offers private sake tastings and guided tours at the historic Watanabe Sake Brewery. The tour begins with an introduction to the traditional sake-brewing process and concludes with a tasting in a beautifully renovated, 100-year-old building that's typically closed to the public. If you time your visit between September and June, you will be able to see the brewing happening live. Cold sake with rice and ear of rice on the table What else to do in Gifu Prefecture? A representative of Wabunka recommended in an email interview to visit and unwind in the waters of Gero Onsen or Yunoshimakan, stroll through Takayama's Edo-era Old Town, try kaiseki cuisine rooted in regional tradition and walk through Hida no Sato, an open-air museum preserving Japan's rural heritage.
