Kids & Creel

NatureologyANNUAL REPORT

to Contributors 2015

It is an undisputable truth that promoting environmental literacy is an essential ingredient inthe healthy development of children into productive and nuturing adults. Natureology, underthe leadership of founder Maureen Stine is a stalwart advocate for providing valuable opportunities to the children of Michigan. Started seven years ago, Natureology has and continues to, engage in quality programming for children to experience the outdoors.

The need to link the interest of children with the natural world is becoming more and more essential in the current trend of indoor, electronic, and overall sedentary existence of children. Connecting the elements of a healthy lifestyle in the outdoors where children can gain knowledge and life-experiences, while having fun, is an irrefutable necessity for the health of our future populations.

For example, teaching children how to fish is a perfect means to combine a healthy activity, with a chance to learn about the aquatic world, while engaging in an artful and life-long connection with nature. The skillful combination of providing an interpretive message while teaching children the art of how to fish is one such strength of Natureology. Over 200 children participated in their ice fishing programs alone in 2015.

Having been involved in educating children in, and training those that teach children about the outdoors over a span of nearly 40 years in public, non-profit, and academic settings, I always seek programs that are leaders in conducting valuable and successful programs. Natureology is a nationally acknowledged program I fully support. They do it right!

Cem M. Basman, PhD, CIT, CIPPrincipal, Turquoise Planet ConsultingVice President for Administration, National Association for InterpretationVice President, Indiana Parks Alliance

Natureology kicked off the new year enjoying the best of the season by offering our most popular interpretive program: Ice Fishing.

From Crooked Lake to Burt Lake to Mullett Lake we followed the frozen path of the Inland Waterway and spent time on the ice with over 200 attendees of ice fishing programs in 2015.

We applaud the dedicated staffof Wolverine Camps and Getting Kids Outdoors Northern Michigan for their partnerships in sharing this experience with adventurous friends and families up north.

Bruisers

The U.S. Fish & WildlifeService created their Partners in Fish and Wildlife program to further the good work of planners, resource managers, landowners and educators across the nation.

Natureology is proudto partner with theUSFWS Alpena Field Office each year and offer educational programs to students, parents and teachers.

In 2015, we worked together to implement explorations of the incredible Lake Huron watershed for hundreds of students at Besser Natural Area, Michigan.

Partners

StewardsMichigan Recreation and Park Association threw another super-cool ‘Get Outside & Play’ lawn party at the state capitol in Lansing on July 8, 2015.

Natureology helped mParks celebrate this 4th annual festival by providing over one thousand campers the opportuntiy to powder-paint their own lead-free fishing jigs.

We are grateful for the unique work of our Arkansas partners at Timmy Tom’s Lead-Free Jig Company and for sponsoring our annual participation in this one-of-a-kind outreach event.

AccomplicesSince 2008, Natureologyhas partnered with theChildren & Nature Network with an aim to take learning out of the classroom.

For this work, our focus remains on interpreting Michigan's natural history using multi-sensory tools in a variety of outdoor settings and we salute teachers like the amazing Jenny VanDaele, for supporting our efforts and recruiting us to reach students through connections with the natural world.

Fisheries Management -our signature programwas offered for studentsthroughout 2015.

VenturersThe 2011 MichiganEnvironmental LiteracyPlan was the inspiration for our work with a variety of audiences including many years ofnature explorations withthe Michigan Birdbrains.

With year-round programs taking place at Camp Tuhsmeheta in Greenville, Michigan, we look forward to outdoor time spent together with this talented group of naturalists lead by University of Michigan’s Donna Posont. In 2015 we launched the first in a series of Forestry and Fisheries Field Days.

Our 2016 adventure: Fishing the Hard Water!

GamersOn October 9, 2015 we joined our friends with the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education by offering MAEOE's first conference workshop on the fundamentals of guiding ice fishing programs for visitors.

Natureology welcomed Lake Superior State University’s, Dr. Megan Kelly & MAEOE’s Educator Stipend Award Winners: Abigale Labe, of the Clinton River Watershed Council and Nathan Miller of the Keewanaw Land Trust. Special thanks to Jiffy Augers, Jay’s Sporting Goods & Project F.I.S.H. for their sponsorship!

PioneersWe ended 2015 withsome fantastic news from the National Association for Interpretation.NAI’s Interpretive Projects Grant Committee selected Sturgeon for Tomorrow (Black Lake Chapter) as a recipient of the coveted IPG award! This support will help further Michigan’s first Lake Sturgeon in the Classroom Program - a revolutionary project focused on native species while engaging thousands of Michigan’s students in science, culture and conservation. Natureology will jointhe chapter at eventsin the coming year.

Thank you NAI!

the lunatic fringe

2015 www.natureology.me

Fish the Hard Water

Forty-five mile-per-hour winds, & twenty-three below during

the peak of our favorite season.Bring it.

Best Free Fishing Weekend Ever!

the lunatic fringe

2015 www.natureology.me

Fish the Hard Water

Forty-five mile-per-hour winds, & twenty-three below during

the peak of our favorite season.Bring it.

Best Free Fishing Weekend Ever!

Forestry StewardshipWatershed ExplorationsIce Fishing for Families

Professional Grant Writing

Conservation PlanningGuided Float TripsProfessional CertificationsGraphic Design/Print Media

www.natureology.me231-838-4913

RECIPIENT OF:

National Outstanding Educator of the Year, Project Learning Tree

\

Excellence in Conservation Education, USDA Natural Resources Conservation ServiceOutstanding Contributions to Environmental Education by an Individual, North American Association for Environmental Education

NATUREOLOGY

Cover Photo, Boys Fishing Crooked Lake, Emmet County, Michigan (circa unknown) Mr. Charlie Conn, Conservation Officer - Michigan Department of Natural Resources (Ret.)

Thanks to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation for their support and use of the Pure Michigan logo

-Henry David Thoreau