March/April Around the Bog Newsletter

on March 3, 2024

The latest issue of the Around the Bog newsletter is now available. This issue announces the 2023 “Get Out and Explore!” Photography Contest winners along with their amazing photos. Enjoy!

Click here to view the pdf file: March/April Around the Bog Newsletter.

The January/February Around the Bog newsletter is now available. We look forward to seeing everyone in the New Year. Enjoy!

Click here to view the pdf file: Jan/Feb Around the Bog newsletter

GivingTuesday reimagines a world built upon shared humanity and generosity. Whether you give to a large charity or local non-profit, we hope you will consider the MooseWood Nature Center worthy of your generous monetary gift or time.

Nature experiences at MooseWood Nature Center inspire a sense of wonder in all generations. With your help and support we will continue to provide these unique experiences well into the future.

Top 5 Ways You Can Help:

  1. Make a donation on this Giving Tuesday, November 28th 2023
  2. Become a supporting member by donating $50 or more annually
  3. Make a contribution to the Virginia Long School Scholarship Fund that will aid in the cost of educational programs and transportation costs to schools of the Marquette and greater areas
  4. Gift cards from area businesses such as Menards, PetSmart, Walmart, or Mares-Z-Dotes will allow us to purchase supplies and the day-to-day needs of the Center
  5. Your time. We operate solely on our volunteers who support the need for a nature center. Consider volunteering by interacting with the public visiting the Center or offering your knowledge or experiences for a program.

Thank you! for your support. We hope to continue to be a valued and needed asset in the community.

MNC color logo

MooseWood Nature Center

Board of Directors and Volunteers

 

Area residents had the opportunity to help construct a new mural on the side of the MooseWood Nature Center building. Designed and painted by MooseWood board member, Matt Betts, the project is funded by a generous donation from the National Audubon Society.

Click here to read fill article in the latest “Around the Bog” newsletter.

 

Photos documenting the progression of the mural:

October 24th-

IMG_20231024_162827487

October 29th-

IMG_20231029_141836090_HDR

Novermber 5th-

IMG_20231105_163828226_HDR

November 9th-

IMG_20231109_153704769

November 13th- last update due to the approaching cold season

IMG_20231112_171447189

 

The November-December 2023 “Around the Bog” newsletter is available for your viewing. Just click the link below for the pdf version of this latest issue.
If you enjoy this issue and would like to support the MooseWood Nature Center and its mission please consider a donation or a membership (or a renewal of membership). Membership information can be found inside this issue as well as at this website link.

 

November-December “Around the Bog” newsletter 

Mural Painting

Throughout September

Local artist, Matt Betts will paint a mural on the Center’s exterior wall highlighting some of the native bird species that visit the Center’s grounds. Most of the painting will take place in September and public participation opportunities will be announced on the website and FaceBook.

The month of May brings new Friday hours to MooseWood. In addition to regular Saturday and Sunday times, the Center will be open from noon to 4:00 P.M. only for this month. Additionally, each Friday in May will feature a 1:00 P.M. story time with a different featured topic each week,geared for children aged 3-8 years.

New Competition Announced

The MooseWood Nature Center invites amateur photographers to enter our 2023 “Get Out and Explore!” Nature Photography Contest. Contestants will vie for cash prizes, complimentary memberships, MooseWood merchandise, and the honor of participating in a juried contest.

The competition, in its second year, offers a cash fund of $850.00. Prizes will be awarded as follows:

  • Best of Show: Cash prize of $250.
  • First place winners in all categories: Cash prize of $100. 
  • Second place winners in all categories: Cash prize of $50. 

All winners, including third-place winners: Complimentary MooseWood mug.

First through third place winners will be selected in two separate categories and age levels.

The categories for this year’s contest are:

  • Flora and Fauna (any native Michigan species)
  •  Nature and Light (Upper Peninsula Nature scenes featuring interesting, unusual, or dramatic lighting)

Age groups are:

  • Elementary and middle school
  • High school and beyond

Download contest details below:

Deadlines and full submission deadlines (pdf file)

Our very first electronic newsletter, Around the Bog is now available here for you to peruse and enjoy. Like what you see? Consider a new membership (or renew now) to enjoy the next issue. Each newsletter will include: photos, interesting articles, announcements, kids activities, programming, and events. Members of MooseWood Nature Center will receive the next issue about every two months as a benefit of membership.
 
Checks can be sent to P.O. Box 773, Marquette, MI 49855 so that 100% of your donation goes directly to the nature center or visit www.moosewood.org to give a donation on-line.

Dear Members and Friends,

As we get older (and wiser) time seems to be passing us by. But before another year comes to an end, I would like to take this opportunity to THANK YOU for being a part of MooseWood Nature Center now and into the future.

As a non-profit with a small budget, we do important work in the community. We strive to celebrate nature through education and action in the Upper Peninsula changing lives by providing memorable experiences to people of all ages and backgrounds by connecting them with nature and science.

Allow me a quick moment to share a few of the highlights of the year:

  • Added two new members to the Board of Directors.

  • Hosted a Dino Orienteering event in partnership with the U.P. Children’s Museum, NMU’s Seaborg Center and offered “Birding the Dead River” to residents of the Tourist Park Campground in partnership with the Laughing Whitefish Audubon Society.

  • Hands-on and educational programs were offered including a variety of craft workshops, an intro to “Leave No Trace,” and “What Can I Eat with this Beak? programs for youth.

  • Participated in Marquette community events, specifically Lake Superior Day, Art Week, and Salamander Days.

  • Attended our very first TV6 Christmas Craft show offering pottery, jewelry and an assortment of hand-made items for sale to benefit the nature center.

  • Collected cans and plastic bottles for the “Cans for Critters” fundraiser. Future collection dates will be most weekends until further notice.

  • Offered birthday parties to youth ages five to 12 years old with assorted themes.

So, what is next at the MooseWood Nature Center? By the end of the month, members will soon be receiving the brand-new electronic newsletter, Around the Bog. Each issue, published every two months, will be sent via email as a benefit of membership. We are still finalizing programming for the new year, but you can look forward to searching for owls and learning about winter bird adaptations in January, and a new storytime and craft duo in February. Also, the second annual Photo Contest will be offered in 2023.

If you appreciate having a nature center in your community, now is the time to renew or begin your MooseWood membership for 2023. Please consider a supporting membership of $50 or more. We are a 501(c)3 corporation, so your gift is entirely tax-deductible.

Every gift matters! Your gift today will enrich hundreds of visitors’ experience at the nature center.

Sincerely,

Tiffany Rantanen

Board Member

12-3-Birch-Angels-1-1100x733DSCN0040

Birds Need Love Too! Valentine's Treats for Our Feathered Friends programmoosewood nature center

DSCN0050DSCN0383

Where Can I Donate?

We appreciate donations made by check to ensure 100% of your gift goes to support the MooseWood Nature Center. Simply mail you check to P.O. Box 773, Marquette, MI  49855 or stop by the nature center today. If you wish to make a donation online, please use the quick link below:

Donate online Here

 

Change in Contact info?

If you have recently had a change of address or have updated your email address, please send an email to moosewoodnc@gmail.com so that we can update our records.