Take a hike @ Furstenberg Nature Area

Thu, 08/16/2012 - 7:09am by K.C.

Thursday, August 16 | 7:00-8:30 PM | All Ages

Join us for a nature walk through Furstenberg Nature Area with the City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation staff. We’ll walk through prairie and woodlands viewing native plants and trees, and learning about the ecological restoration going on at this site.

Park in the lot off Fuller Road (across from Huron High School). We’ll meet near the restrooms.

Stories And Pictures From Inside The Grand Canyon

Fri, 06/15/2012 - 9:00am by hillary dorwart

Monday June 18, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Journey through the Grand Canyon with Western writer and Canyon hiker Rick Kempa. He has been hiking the canyon since 1974 and will present a slideshow and reading to guide you through his explorations.

Kempa is the author of Keeping the Quiet and has a forthcoming book, Ten Thousand Voices. Copies of his work will be for sale at the event, which will include a book signing.

Take a Hike @ Black Pond Woods

Thu, 06/14/2012 - 4:37pm by K.C.

Thursday, June 14 -- 7:00-8:30 p.m. -- 1831 Traver Road -- All Ages

Meet at the Project Grow Garden of the Leslie Science and Nature Center, 1831 Traver Road and join a naturalist from Natural Area Preservation (City of Ann Arbor) on a nature walk. Learn about native plants and trees, ecological restoration, and responsible use of public lands, as well as volunteer activities in Ann Arbor Parks.

Black Pond Woods is named for a small, vernal pond whose basin was carved by receding glaciers. Tannins and humic acids from leaf litter cause the water color to be dark brown, thus giving rise to the name “Black Pond.” This pond provides favorable conditions for frogs and salamanders. The land around the pond includes an oak-hickory forest, a savanna, and a wet meadow.

Join us on a nature walk full of fascinating things to see. Prepare for a potentially “buggy” evening as mosquitoes are likely to be out in full force.

Cycle Vacations: Learn How To Take An Entire Vacation By Bike

Tue, 05/15/2012 - 3:00pm by hillary dorwart

Tuesday May 15, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Pittsfield Branch: Program Room

Have you always thought that a two-wheeled vacation would be a great adventure? Attend this workshop where Bivouac staff will discuss how to plan the route, pack and prepare for mishaps. They will cover it all so that you can start planning your trip!

Take a Hike@Bird Hills

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 1:49pm by K.C.

Thursday, May 3 | 7:00-8:30 PM | Bird Hills Natural Area | All Ages

The City of Ann Arbor Natural Area Preservation staff will lead a nature walk in one of Ann Arbor's most beloved parks, Bird Hills. Covering 147 acres, it is the largest park in Ann Arbor.

Learn about ecological restoration and responsible use of public lands. Opportunities for wildlife viewing are plentiful. If we’re lucky, we may get to view some early spring bloomers like trillium, jack-in-the pulpit, and more. Black, red, and fox squirrels, ground squirrels, deer, and butterflies are very common in Bird Hills. Dress comfortably to walk and enjoy nature.

We'll meet in the parking lot off Newport Road, just north of M-14. This event is for all ages.

More than Morels: Michigan Seasonal Mushrooms

Thu, 05/03/2012 - 8:58am by hillary dorwart

Thursday May 3, 2012: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

What makes mushrooming such a fun and interesting activity? Where and when can mushroom hunts be planned? How can someone tell if a mushroom is safe for eating? What is involved in cooking mushrooms? How can one preserve them?

Phil Tedeschi, President of the Michigan Mushroom Hunter's Club, will discusses popular Michigan mushrooms and share his ideas on Michigan mushrooming at this informative program.

Earth Day Festival at Leslie Science & Nature Center

Thu, 03/15/2012 - 10:54am by Caser

Celebrate Earth Day at the Leslie Science and Nature Center on April 22 from 12-4pm. "This free, family-friendly event features displays from 50 local environmental, non-profit, and governmental organizations; live animal demonstrations; hands-on activities; product & toy testing; live entertainment; green building & commuting technologies; energy topics; water awareness; sustainable agriculture; and more." Check out the birds of prey and the Critter House. Engage in crafting with the Scrap Box. Dance along with local musicians, Gemini. More details are posted at www.a2earthday.org. Can't make this event? Check out the AADL's collection of Earth Day books and videos for more ways to celebrate Earth Day.

Birds of North America Online

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 10:57am by darla

Clangula hyemalis! Ortalis vetula! No, these aren't Harry Potter spells, they are birds -- the Long-tailed Duck and the Plain Chachalaca, scientifically speaking. For a wealth of information on our local feathered friends, be sure to visit the Birds of North America Online database. Created by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the American Ornithologists' Union ("Ornithology" is the scientific study of birds), BNA provides information on EVERY species of bird from North America. Photos, videos, and audio recordings of bird calls accompany text descriptions about characteristics, life cycles, habits, and demographic information for each species. This site, which is updated every month, is fabulous for students, bird watchers, budding ornithologists, and lovers of nature.

Access to this and any of our other reference databases and resources is available at every branch of the AADL, as well as from outside the library with a valid AADL library card. For access from an outside location, please sign in to your library account, visit our reference database page, and navigate to the desired resource. To access the Birds of North America Online database, go to the research page, and select Birds of North America Online from the Science & Technology category.

Author Jerry Dennis Discusses His New Book "The Windward Shore "

Fri, 10/28/2011 - 10:36am by hillary dorwart

Thursday November 3, 2011: 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm -- Downtown Library: Multi-Purpose Room

Award-winning Michigan author Jerry Dennis reads from and discusses his powerful and insightful new book "The Windward Shore" which centers on winter in Great Lakes country. This event includes a book signing and books will be on sale.

In this just-released book, Dennis, grounded by a knee injury, learns to live at a slower pace while staying in houses ranging from a log cabin on Lake Superior's Keweenaw Peninsula to a $20-million mansion on the northern shore of Lake Michigan. Walking beaches and exploring nearby woods and villages, he muses on the future of the Great Lakes, the nature of time, weather, waves, agates, books, words for snow and ice, our complex relationship with nature, and much more.

This Week In Booklists

Tue, 09/20/2011 - 4:03pm by jaegerla

Significant Dates for the Week of September 18-24

On Wednesday September 21st put on your best tie-dye for International Peace Day!

On Friday September 23rd be ready for a twofer because it is both:
Native American Day- Get ready by reading up on Native American history and lore.
And
The Autumnal Equinox- Celebrate that Fall is finally here with some fun reads on the season and its most important harvest.