Friday, January 28, 2011
Grandfather Tree
There is a large white pine tree at Au Sable called the Grandfather Tree. This tree is greatly loved by the children that visit Au Sable. The tree sprouted in the year 1880. In the year 1900 Louie Sands bought the land that is now Au Sable. He sent his loggers to harvest all the white pines from the property. The Grandfather Tree was only 20 years old and deemed too small to take. After the logging the land looked very different. The sun was able to reach the forest floor for the first time in hundreds of years. The white pine branches that were left behind baked in the sun.
In 1923 a spark from a train traveling on the track that is now Sunset Trail ignited the dried branches. A forest fire began and raged for two days. After the fire only one tree was left standing. The Grandfather Tree.
Since the beginning of the environmental education program in 1977, children have visited the Grandfather Tree and judged its size by linking arms to see how big around it was. Peering up to its top it was easy to see that it was the tallest tree at Au Sable. Its height spelled its doom. In 1992 this much-loved tree was struck by lightening. The bark exploded off. Without its cambium, xylem, and phloem the tree died. The children were sad but soon became interested in investigating claw marks and other wildlife signs. Who was using the Grandfather Tree as a home?
Another chapter has begun for the Grandfather Tree. This past October we had a violent wind storm. The Grandfather Tree cracked in half and fell. The Grandfather Tree is no longer a wildlife hotel but has turned into a wildlife motel. What animals will we discover using this new habitat?
In 1923 a spark from a train traveling on the track that is now Sunset Trail ignited the dried branches. A forest fire began and raged for two days. After the fire only one tree was left standing. The Grandfather Tree.
Since the beginning of the environmental education program in 1977, children have visited the Grandfather Tree and judged its size by linking arms to see how big around it was. Peering up to its top it was easy to see that it was the tallest tree at Au Sable. Its height spelled its doom. In 1992 this much-loved tree was struck by lightening. The bark exploded off. Without its cambium, xylem, and phloem the tree died. The children were sad but soon became interested in investigating claw marks and other wildlife signs. Who was using the Grandfather Tree as a home?
Another chapter has begun for the Grandfather Tree. This past October we had a violent wind storm. The Grandfather Tree cracked in half and fell. The Grandfather Tree is no longer a wildlife hotel but has turned into a wildlife motel. What animals will we discover using this new habitat?
Monday, January 17, 2011
January 17, 2011
Sunrise 8:14 AM 9 hours and 15 minutes of daylight Sunset 5:30 PM
Teachers waiting to sign up for the spring environmental education session:
We cannot register anyone until we have raised all the funds needed to cover all the expenses. We are over half way. We still need to raise $6,870.
Teachers waiting to sign up for the spring environmental education session:
We cannot register anyone until we have raised all the funds needed to cover all the expenses. We are over half way. We still need to raise $6,870.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Environmental Education at Au Sable Institute
December 14, 2010
Au Sable Institute is located in the northwest corner of the lower peninsula of Michigan. We are located 44 degress and 49 minutes lattitude... half way between the north pole and the equator! Being in the northeast corner of Kalkaska County, we are right in the middle of the snow belt. This gives us plenty of snow to study, play, snowshoe, and cross country ski in.
We offer environmental studies for kindergarten through grade twelve students. Since our program began in 1977 we have served 120,000 students! Students come from 9 counties of NW lower Michigan.
Topics covered by our 4 hour studies:
This fee does not cover all the expenses of the program. If you believe in providing environmental education for the children of northwest lower Michigan, please consider joining our 100 Club. To be a member, one commits to giving $100 each year for 5 years.
If you are a teacher trying to raise the money to come to Au Sable, check out DonorsChoose.org. This website was begun by a classroom teacher trying to raise the money for his classroom projects. A teacher can list his or her classroom project or needs. Potential donors can read through the requests and choose projects to donate to.
Au Sable Institute is located in the northwest corner of the lower peninsula of Michigan. We are located 44 degress and 49 minutes lattitude... half way between the north pole and the equator! Being in the northeast corner of Kalkaska County, we are right in the middle of the snow belt. This gives us plenty of snow to study, play, snowshoe, and cross country ski in.
We offer environmental studies for kindergarten through grade twelve students. Since our program began in 1977 we have served 120,000 students! Students come from 9 counties of NW lower Michigan.
Topics covered by our 4 hour studies:
- Exploring with the 5 senses
- Birds
- Mammals
- Insects
- Plants
- Pond Study
- Wildlife Study
- Forest Study
- Winter Study
- Celebrating Earth's Cycles
- Water Quality - Surface water
- Groundwater
- Air Quality
This fee does not cover all the expenses of the program. If you believe in providing environmental education for the children of northwest lower Michigan, please consider joining our 100 Club. To be a member, one commits to giving $100 each year for 5 years.
If you are a teacher trying to raise the money to come to Au Sable, check out DonorsChoose.org. This website was begun by a classroom teacher trying to raise the money for his classroom projects. A teacher can list his or her classroom project or needs. Potential donors can read through the requests and choose projects to donate to.
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