7th Biennial Lake Superior Youth Symposium
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS for SATURDAY, MAY 12, 2007
SATURDAY: FULL-DAY Sessions 10:00 – 3:00
(Programs are listed alphabetically) Page 1
Bike Grand Island National Recreation Area!
Donna Shields, Anna River Peddlers
Take a guided tour on a mountain bike of Grand Island. See the beautiful cliffs, beaches, forests, and lakes of Grand Island National Recreation Area. Bicycles are provided. Participants MUST bring their own bike helmets and MUST have prior experience riding on trails and in sand. This requires special permission on the Student Health-History & Consent Form.
Canoe the Au Train River
Eric Raikko, USDA Forest Service
Canoe the Au Train River as it slowly meanders through the Hiawatha National Forest. There is great opportunity to view area wildlife on this pristine river. Personal flotation devices are provided and REQUIRED to be worn. This requires special permission on the Student Health-History & Consent Form.
Carnivore Research & Wildlife Tracking
Jerry Belant, Wildlife Supervising Biologist, National Park Service
Carnivore-research activities may include radio-tracking carnivores, chemical immobilization, capture techniques, radio-telemetry techniques, and a look at an old bear den.
All-Day Hike (9 Miles) – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Fred Young, retired National Park Service ranger
Take a nine mile hike along the Pictured Rocks cliffs up to 200 feet above Lake Superior. Enjoy waterfalls, beautiful beaches and spectacular views of Lake Superior. Learn the fascinating natural history of the area.
SATURDAY: HALF-DAY Sessions 10:00 – 12:00 or 1:00 – 3:00
(Programs are listed alphabetically)
Cultural Tour of Munising (10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00)
Gregg Bruff, Chief of Interpretation, National Park Service
Explore two historic blast furnace sites and a U.S. Coast Guard self-righting rescue boat, plus take a walking tour of Munising.
Cultures of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan – Alger County Historical Society (10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00)
· Native American Culture
Mari Beth Leveque
Experience hands-on activities designed to introduce the Native American culture of the area.
· Blacksmithing Demonstration
Don Snitgen,
Learn the basics of the age-old art of blacksmithing and how it was important to the early history of Lake Superior.
· Wool Spinning Craft Demonstration
Rose St. Martin
Learn the basics of wool spinning. Hands-on fun!
· Museum Tour and Historical Research
Mary Jo Cook, Alger County Historical Society
Tour the Alger County Historical Society Museum to learn about the early history of the area and about doing historical research at a museum.
George Shiras III Discovery Trail (10:00-12:00 only)
Tina Hall, The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy staff will lead a walk through the old forest, pointing out some of its unique features. A photographer will present an introduction to the photography of legendary George Shiras, who in this location took some of the first nighttime photographs of wildlife. Participants will use a single-use camera to take some of their own nature photography along the Discovery Trail. The Trail is approximately a 1-mile loop, which starts and ends at the parking area.
Inland Lake Fish Ecology (1:00-3:00 only)
Mark Ammerman, Hiawatha National Forest
Participants will assist in recovering fish trap nets, as well as identify and size fish for lake ecology research.
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SATURDAY: HALF-DAY sessions 10:00 – 12:00 or 1:00 – 3:00
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Pictured Rocks Cliffs Hike (10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00)
David Kronk, Education Specialist, National Park Service
Take a four-mile hike along the cliffs between Sand Point and Miners’ Castle in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore to see spectacular views, waterfalls, and wildlife!
Quilling on Birch Bark (10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00)
Francie Wyers, Munising Public Schools – Native American Education Program
Kim Swanberg, Munising Public Schools – Native American Education Program
Cindy Blank, Sault Tribe Youth Education and Activities Program
Porcupine quilling is an ancient Native American art. Indian quillwork involved softening and dying stiff porcupine quills and weaving them onto leather or birch bark. Use your imagination to design and make your own medallion using quills and birch bark. When your project is finished, take a stroll on the path to Munising Falls. You will be guided on your journey by Native American Education staff. Listen to the sounds of nature and hear stories of early Native American life in the Munising area.
“Warrior Games” paired with “Face in the Rock” (10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00)
· Warrior Games
Michelle Willis, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Michelle will explain and demonstrate the origins and rules of several traditional Chippewa games. Everyone will be involved participating in these competitive challenges. The “Warrior Games” are fun, active and encourage team building.
· Face in the Rock: Experiencing Anishinaabe Footprints in the Sand
Art Leighton, Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians
Loren Graham, the author of “Face in the Rock”
This walking tour and talk along the Sand Point beach and rocky shore will be led by two fascinating men. Loren Graham wrote the book Face in the Rock, about the life of the Chippewa on Grand Island, which is now being made into a movie. He lives in a lighthouse on Grand Island. Art Leighton is a cultural advisor working with the movie filming crew. Both historians will help you see and understand how the Grand Island Band of Chippewa Indians lived many years ago. They will share reminders of these early families in the Sand Point and Grand Island area.
Waterfalls Tour – Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00)
Pam Baker, Interpretative Specialist, National Park Service
Explore three beautiful waterfalls in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – Chapel Falls, Mosquito Falls and Miners Falls.
What Lives In This Pond? (10:00-12:00 and 1:00-3:00)
Bob Moody, Michigan Department of Natural Resources
We will be looking at what kinds of fish and bugs live in a local pond. Students will capture organisms and we will be identify and discuss how these creatures live and how they make our world a little more interesting.