Upcoming Event is For the Bird(er)s

Terry Grabill (aka Birdgoober) was one of the four local birders who helped make this project happen. The sign is one of several throughout the county marking the Birding Trail

Newaygo County Birding Trail to host Grand Opening event

The Newaygo County Birding Trail will officially open May 3 with a Grand Opening celebration and Ribbon-Cutting at the Newaygo County Welcome Center on M37.  4684 Evergreen Dr, Newaygo.

After years of planning and preparation, the committee of four birders is very excited to share Newaygo County’s beautifully diverse habitats and birds.  The trail is a collection of 35+ locations in all corners of the county.  Two trailheads are planned, the county welcome center on M37 in the southern region, and Kropscott Farm Environmental Center north of Fremont in the northern area.  The committee, consisting of Charles Chandler, Andrea Grabill, Marie Rust, and Terry Grabill, have worked to include sites with diverse habitats and bird life.  

Newaygo County Environmental Coalition will have information available, Kropscott Farm Environmental Center will have an activity for kids, artist Marie Rust will have artwork on display and for sale, and BirdGoober will have bird field guides and bird feeders for sale.  Binoculars  will be available to borrow provided by Kropscott Farm and Fremont Middle School’s Beaver Island Group.

 Logistical and financial support for the birding trail development has been given by Newaygo County Tourism Council and Newaygo County Parks & Recreation.  The logo artwork was completed by Trevor Grabill of Flat Mountain Press, photo images on the website are provided by local photographers Tori Martel, Jeniffer Selwa, and Marie Rust.

The Grand Opening will be staged  at  the Newaygo County Welcome Center on M37  (4684 Evergreen Dr) on May 3 from 9am until noon.  After some welcoming remarks from Newaygo County Tourism Counsel and Representative Joe Fox and the Ribbon-cutting, there will be a brief “Birding 101” discussion and a presentation of “Birds of Newaygo County”.  The program will continue at the park with two birding walks guided by Terry Grabill and Marie Rust.  Finally, after the activities in Newaygo, guided walks will be hosted at other trail sites, including Fremont High School and Croton Dam.  
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You can connect with us at https://newaygocountyexploring.com/birding-trail/ and on our Facebook page, Friends of Newaygo County Birding Trail.