The Muskegon County Nature Club
In the late 1930's Muskegon High School biology teacher Ann Verne Fuller took her students on nature hikes. With encouragement from the school librarian, noted naturalist Margaret Drake Elliott, some of the students continued those hikes after school.
The group met at the Muskegon County Museum originally in the Vanderlaan School, later in the old jail building. Premier birder George Wickstrom sent the others postcards announcing future hikes.
In 1981 during the presidency of Les Ford, the group created a set of by-laws, established the present meeting times and places, and created the official "Muskegon County Nature Club" name.
Each Saturday morning following the monthly meeting, the MCNC conducts its monthly fieldtrip. In December it participates in two Christmas Bird Counts (Muskegon city area and Muskegon Wastewater area).
On the third Saturday in May the MCNC conducts its Big Day Count. A record 158 bird species were counted in Muskegon County on May 18, 2002.
The club organizes annual fieldtrips to such Michigan locations as the Allegan State Game Area, Tawas Point and Whitefish Point. It has also conducted occasional birding trips to Point Pelee in Ontario, Magee Marsh & Crane Creek in Ohio, the Upper Texas Coast, and Southeast Arizona from Tucson to the New Mexico border.
Although it does not have "Audubon" in its name, the Muskegon County Nature Club is an official chapter of the Michigan Audubon Society.
- OFFICERS -
2007-2008
President ... Diane Morton-Pletcher
Vice-President & Programs ... Judy Fleener
Secretary ... Roger Tharp
Treasurer ... John Walhout
Newsletter Editor ... Joyce Sherburn
Refreshment Chair: ... Delores DeWitt
Fieldtrip Chair: ... Ric Pedler
- MEETINGS -
Meetings are held the third Thursday of every month September
through April at 7:30 P.M., usually in the Roosevelt Park Community Building
at Glenside and Roosevelt Roads. Business takes about thirty minutes followed
by a program and refreshments. At 6:00 P.M. on the third Thursday of May the
club holds a potluck picnic meeting in the Pavillion at Hoffmaster State Park.
- DUES -
$15.00 per year
But try us first! No charge to come to a meeting, enjoy the program and refreshments, get to know us!
- CONTACT INFORMATION -
- Mail -
Muskegon County Nature Club
12 S. Third
Fruitport, MI. 49415
-
Email -
Diane
Pletcher, President
DISCLAIMER: Although titled "MUSKEGON COUNTY NATURE CLUB" with the club's permission, this is an "unofficial website" created and financed by me. I try to post information which will further people's appreciation of nature, particularly birds, in the Muskegon area. I avoid posting information which might harm birds, habitat or people. I usually listen to others, avoid the political, and emphasize the fun. I always decide what appears or does not appear on these pages. - Ric Pedler (click here to contact me).