Field Trip #2: Garden Island Excursion

Description

NOTE: This trip is weather dependent at the discretion of the captain. If canceled, a full refund will be given and participants will be transported to a site selected by an expert field trip leader.

Garden Island: The island has a long Native American history and is recognized in the Treaty of 1836 with Washington. Approximately 2 miles north of Beaver Island, it is now uninhabited but at one time was home to Native Americans who farmed, fished, and harvested maple syrup. Later European immigrants arrived and established a town called Success with a post office. This island is designated a Wildlife Research Area and is under the management of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Division.

Terry and Andrea Grabill: Terry Grabill is a recently retired middle school teacher and West Michigan birder who made a Michigan Big Year run in 2021. On his way to recording a whopping 323 species for the year, he logged an obscene number of miles, had some great adventures, and met many amazing people along the way. Terry and his wife Andrea have dedicated countless hours to developing beginning birders with their “Beaver Island Group” program through Fremont Middle School. Most of Terry’s introductory birding experiences happened on Beaver Island while he was a Central Michigan University student studying at the CMU Biological Station on Beaver in 1989. He then discovered that there were other individuals, groups even, interested in birding. He has maintained life-long relationships with these people. He and Andrea have developed young birders for 20 years with the groups they’ve brought to CMU’s Biological Station and birding events down-state.

This trip will depart and return from Paradise Bay Diving Co. dock across from the Beaver Island Lumber Company. Passage to Garden Island will be aboard the Resolute with Captain Mike  and crew. You’ll be back in time for a quick lunch before heading out for an afternoon adventure. Options include the Concession Stand at the BIC Center  and the Shamrock (both nearby) or The Wild Strawberry Café (about a 20-minute walk towards the Whiskey Point Lighthouse).

Please note our cancellation policy: Cancellations made by 5:00 p.m. on April 18, 2024 will receive a 50% refund. No refunds will be made for cancellations after that time.