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X-WR-CALNAME:Land Conservancy of West Michigan
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://naturenearby.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Land Conservancy of West Michigan
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260606
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260607
DTSTAMP:20260510T193237
CREATED:20260105T214216Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260505T171830Z
UID:20836-1780704000-1780790399@naturenearby.org
SUMMARY:Explorathon: Preserve Pedal
DESCRIPTION:ABOUT THE EVENT\n\n\nAcross 50 years\, the Land Conservancy of West Michigan has protected spaces where curiosity grows\, and where caring for the earth means caring for each other. In West Michigan’s forests\, prairies\, and shorelines\, protecting habitats also means we’re nurturing the relationships that make conservation possible. \nAs part of our 50th anniversary celebrations\, we are hosting the Explorathon: a three-event series highlighting connected\, protected natural lands and the impact of collaboration in conservation in West Michigan. The Explorathon invites participants to hike along the Lake Michigan Shoreline\, bike the varied topography of the Eastern Glacial Corridor\, paddle the waters of our Big Forests & Wild Rivers—while learning about\, enjoying\, and celebrating the ongoing protection of these beautiful natural places. Together\, we will explore the land that has been protected over the past 50 years\, and we will dream of the impact that can be had in the coming 50. \nJoin us for the second stop of the Explorathon: a pedal through the Eastern Glacial Corridor! \nThis area in Kent County is characterized by a diverse patchwork of habitats\, sculpted by glaciers thousands of years ago. These shrinking masses of ice left behind lakes\, streams\, and wetlands. Their impact on the area’s geology paved the way for unique habitats like oak savannas and prairies to take root. \nBikers will ride along the region’s rolling hills and along the Grand and Flat Rivers\, with opportunities to stop at parks and preserves and learn about the importance of protecting places where biodiversity can thrive. \nTickets are required to attend. If the event is not sold out\, on-site registration will be available\, but space is limited. We recommend registering early to secure your spot!   \n\nRegister to Attend \n\nIf you’re interested in sponsoring this event\, please reach out directly to han@naturenearby.org.  \nIf you’re interested in volunteering for this event\, please reach out directly to kendra@naturenearby.org.  \n\nCHOOSE YOUR ROUTE\n\n7 Miles: Join us for a 7-mile bike ride in the Lowell area. This route takes place entirely on paved trails and sidewalks\, and is a great option for those who prefer a shorter route\, or those riding with kids.\n25 Miles: This 25-mile route adventures through the Eastern Glacial Corridor\, and takes riders past LCWM owned nature preserves\, community parks\, and other natural areas. This route includes some gravel and rolling hills.\n50 Miles: Ride 50 miles to celebrate 50 years! Our 50-mile route includes gravel\, rolling hills\, and a few big climbs as it explores the Eastern Glacial Corridor and features some of LCWM’s most iconic properties along the way.\n\nBIKE AT YOUR OWN PACE\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nThis is a non-competitive\, self-guided ride. Check in at any time during the registration hours (listed below) and ride at your own pace. If you are interested in an organized group ride\, stay tuned for updates on group ride departure times and pace groups.\n\n7 MILE CHECK IN: Check in at the Wittenbach Wege Center at any time between 7:30am-10:00am.\n25 MILE CHECK IN: Check in at the Wittenbach Wege Center at any time between 7:30am-10:00am.\n50 MILE CHECK IN: Check in at the Wittenbach Wege Center at any time between 7:30am-8:30am.\n\nRIDE IN COMMUNITY\n\nIf you’re interested in riding with community and receiving some extra naturalist interpretation along the way\, join a group ride! Group rides are included in your ticket price. Stay tuned for specific ride information\, including start times\, distance\, and pace. We recommend anyone planning to join a group ride arrives at least 20 minutes before their group ride departs.\n\nWHAT’S INCLUDED IN YOUR TICKET\n\nOn-Route Support: There will be aid stations along the route with snacks\, drinks\, and regular restrooms to help keep riders refreshed and energized throughout the day!\nEducation: Each aid station will be located at a different natural area. These aid stations will provide opportunities to learn more about the protected area and stretch your legs by taking a hike.\nActivities: Participate in a course-based game for a chance to win a prize! Details to be shared at check in.\nPrizes: Each participant will receive an LCWM water bottle and a unique\, limited-edition Explorathon pedal-themed sticker to decorate. NOTE: Each Explorathon event includes a custom sticker! Participate in all three activities and receive all three stickers to fully customize your water bottle!\nAfterparty: Join us immediately following the hike for an afterparty\, hosted at the Wittenbach Wege Center! There will be food\, drink\, and more! Celebrate your accomplishment of finishing the long ride with us!\n\nPARKING & ARRIVAL\n\nParking is available at Lowell High School\, located at 11700 Vergennes St SE\, Lowell\, MI 49331. Please park at the high school and cross the street at the cross walk to access registration at the Wittenbach Wege Center.\n\nFAQ’S\n\nCan I register for the bike day-of on site? Yes\, you can register for the bike on-site. This event has limited space\, so we recommend securing your ticket early\, but we will be accepting morning-of registrations. If the event sells out before June 6\, we will update the event page to reflect this.\nIs there anything I should bring with me? This is a long ride\, so bring what you need to successfully complete your route. We recommend comfortable clothes\, sunscreen\, layers\, and water. Helmets are required.\nWhat should I know about safety? We have done our best to create safe routes for everyone to ride. When available\, please stick to the paved bike paths and sidewalks. Helmets are required\, and bright clothes and/or reflective gear are encouraged. In addition this\, we recommend all participants read the League of Michigan Bicyclist’s handbook\, found here: https://lmb.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/WEMBMK_2019_Web.pdf.\nWhat if I cannot complete the route I signed up for? We are offering multiple routes day-of\, so please select the distance you are comfortable with! Please note that the 25 and 50 mile routes include gravel and some challenging hills. That said\, if you are unable to complete whichever route you have signed up for\, just alert a volunteer along the route. LCWM will provide or coordinate transportation back to the Wittenbach Wege Center for anyone who may need to drop partway through the course.\nWill bikes be provided? Bikes will not be provided. Participants must supply their own bikes.\nWhat kind of bikes are permitted? This is a non-competitive ride\, so most bikes are allowed. Hybrids\, gravel bikes\, road bikes\, mountain bikes\, recumbent bikes\, and e-bikes in Class 1 & 2 are allowed. Trailers to pull kiddos are also allowed. As a reminder\, the 25 and 50 mile routes include significant sections of gravel riding\, so we recommend considering your bike’s compatibility with the course as you select your route! PLEASE NOTE: Class 3 e-bikes (or e-bikes that can go over 20mph) and e-motos are not allowed on this course.\n\nRegister to Attend \n\n\nTHIS EVENT IS GENEROUSLY SPONSORED BY\n \n 
URL:https://naturenearby.org/events/50th-explorathon-pedal-060626/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:50th Anniversary
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260613T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260613T120000
DTSTAMP:20260510T193237
CREATED:20260504T202806Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260504T202806Z
UID:21362-1781341200-1781352000@naturenearby.org
SUMMARY:Second Saturday Workday at Brower Lake Nature Preserve
DESCRIPTION:Join the Land Conservancy of West Michigan at Brower Lake Nature Preserve for our June Second Saturday Workday! We’ll be removing garlic mustard\, an invasive plant\, as part of our ongoing stewardship of this rare ecosystem. \nThis event will happen rain or shine\, so please wear boots and come dressed for the weather and activity. We recommend wearing long pants. Tools\, water\, work gloves\, and snacks will be provided. \nWe will gather at the Brower Lake Nature Preserve entrance (near the preserve sign) and will hike into the preserve together. There is a small parking lot. If the parking lot is full\, please parallel park along the sides of Je-NE-Be Drive. \n\n\n\n\n\nRegister to Attend \n\nAbout Second Saturday Events\nThe Land Conservancy of West Michigan owns and cares for 20 nature preserves protecting a diverse mosaic of native natural communities\, from prairies and forests to bogs and freshwater dunes. The permanent protection of these places often requires active management to ensure they stay healthy and resilient in the face of encroaching invasive species\, climate change\, and altered natural processes. \nAt our Second Saturday Workdays\, we invite volunteers to participate in these acts of care. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the second Saturday of every month\, volunteers meet at a preserve and help manage invasive species\, plant native seeds\, maintain trails\, and more. Together\, we create visible\, lasting change we can return to and build upon. Here\, your hands shape the future\, and the future has your fingerprints on it.
URL:https://naturenearby.org/events/ssw-at-brower-lake-061326/
LOCATION:Brower Lake Nature Preserve\, 8748 Je-Ne-Be-Dr\, Rockford\, MI\, 49341\, United States
CATEGORIES:Second Saturdays
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260829
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260830
DTSTAMP:20260510T193237
CREATED:20260105T215016Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260306T145950Z
UID:20839-1787961600-1788047999@naturenearby.org
SUMMARY:Explorathon: Guided Paddle
DESCRIPTION:About the Event\n\n\nHelp the Land Conservancy of West Michigan celebrate our 50th year by exploring the land we’ve worked together to protect! The Explorathon event series will invite participants to hike along the Lake Michigan Shoreline\, bike the varied topography of the Eastern Glacial Corridor\, paddle the waters of our Big Forests & Wild Rivers\, and celebrate the ongoing protection of these beautiful natural places.  \nThe Explorathon’s Guided Paddle will take participants floating down the Pere Marquette River. This event will highlight the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s work with landowners to protect private land using conservation easements. \n\n\nMore info coming soon! \nIf you’re interested in sponsoring this event\, please reach out directly to han@naturenearby.org.  \n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://naturenearby.org/events/50th-explorathon-paddle-082926/
LOCATION:MI
CATEGORIES:50th Anniversary
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