There is no wi-fi on the river but we promise you a better connection

Watershed Photo Workshop

May 11-12 & October 19-20

HRWC is hosting two Photography Workshops in 2013, May 11-12 & October 19-20. Local professional photographers Michael Seabrook and Marc Akemann will lead the classes. Each workshop, in May & October, will consist of 2 half-day classes. We encourage you to register for both workshops to get the full benefit of what Marc and Mike will be teaching. Come prepared to get hands-on experience in the field, and learn basic techniques for taking great nature photos—obtaining correct exposures, controlling the depth-of-field, making sharper photos, customizing your camera to do what you want it to, and more. All skill levels are welcome.

Special guest speaker: world-renowned photographer and local Ann Arbor resident, Howard Bond will be speaking at the Sunday workshops.

Cost: $100 each workshop for HRWC members and $120 for non-members. An HRWC member would pay a combined total of $200 and non-members would pay $240 total for both workshops.

What to Bring: A camera that allows you to manually set the shutter speed and aperture.

Saturday:

2 PM-3:45 PM – New Center* – Introductions, class time, Q&A, Howard Bond.
4 PM-6 PM – Shooting time in the field (along the Huron somewhere…TBD).

Sunday:

8 AM-9:45 AM – Shooting time at Delhi Metropark (tentatively)
10 AM-12 PM – New Center* – Work on images w/ Howard Bond.

*New Center is @ 1100 N Main St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104

Maximum registration for both classes is 20 participants.

Register and make payment online for this event HERE.

Birding

Meet at the Gallup Canoe Livery Paddle Boat Dock and join City of Ann Arbor Ornithologist Dea Armstrong as she leads walks to look for birds in Gallup Park and Furstenberg Nature Area in Ann Arbor. Please bring binoculars if you have them, but they are not necessary.

Friday, May 17, @ 6 PM– 8 PM, Evening Bird Walk

This is the time of year when many birds are just arriving in our area and actively searching for partners and nest sites. And there is the occasional colorful migrant!

Saturday, June 8, @ 7:30 AM– 9:30 AM, Early Morning Bird Walk

By June, most of the migrant birds have moved on and those that are breeding are quite busy with feeding young. This activity is at its peak in the earlier morning hours, so we’ll hope to have a chance to see bird parenting in action.

Free, all ages. No registration required.

Fly Fishing Lessons

Meet at Lillie Park North, 4365 Platt Rd,  Ann Arbor,  western side of Haven Lake. Due to high demand, we have scheduled two women’s fly fishing classes.

$25 for HRWC members, $35 for non-members.

$35 for members family class, $40 for a non-members family class.

$35+ will receive 12-month HRWC membership.

Saturday, June 1

Family Fly Fishing Class @ 8:30 AM–noon, Children 11 or older. Adults must accompany children.

Women’s Fly Fishing Class @ 1 PM–5 PM

Sunday, June 2

Women’s Fly Fishing Class @ 8:30 AM–noon

General Fly Fishing Class @ 1 PM–5 PM, Open to any adult interested 16 and older.

Mike Mouradian of Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited (AATU) will teach casting, knot tying, fly identification, and entomology; along with experienced instructors from AATU. Rods, flies, fly fishing instruction book, and snacks will be provided.  Bring a pair of polarized sunglasses and wear appropriate clothing for the weather. We practice fly casting on the lawn, so waders are not necessary.

Each fly fishing class limited to 15 participants, registration is required, register HERE.

Single Fly Tournament

Saturday, June 15 @ 10 AM, Schultz Outfitters, 4 E Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

After-Glow  @ 5 PM, Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 E Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198

Join us for this year’s 3rd annual Huron River Single Fly Tournament! Presented by Schultz Outfitters and sponsored by Ann Arbor Trout Unlimited.  Pick your best fly and fish it till you lose it! Prizes include fly rods, reels, gear, gift certificates and more. All proceeds benefit the Huron River Watershed Council’s RiverUp! and Huron River Water Trail projects.

The Single Fly tournament is an annual event that celebrates watershed protection and a special group of folks that spends a great deal of time on the river.  Anglers are important stewards of the watershed because they are out in the field observing and monitoring the Huron River and its tributaries throughout the year.  HRWC greatly values the anglers for their stewardship because they often serve as our eyes and ears out in the field when we cannot be there.

Join us for the After-Glow at Sidetrack Bar & Grill to help celebrate the Tournaments participants, as well as, your hand in helping watershed protection!

Cost for this event is:

$20 for Sidetrack After-Glow

$50 for Tournament ticket

$70 for Tournament + After-Glow

$70 for Tournament +12-month HRWC membership

$90 for Tournament + After-Glow + 12-month HRWC membership

Register and make payment online for this event HERE.

Huron River Watershed Walks

Wednesday, May 29 @ 4 PM, County Farm Park, Ann Arbor, MI

County Farm Park is a breath of fresh air for those who seek refuge from Ann Arbor’s urban landscape. The park contains 127 acres of rolling-meadows and wildflower-filled woodlands. County Farm Park is part of a sequence of the Malletts Creek Stream Restoration Project, to improve water quality and habitat while maintaining safe, stable drainage throughout the Malletts Creek basin. Malletts Creek is the largest waterway in Ann Arbor. Stormwater runoff continues to be the primary cause of water pollution in the Huron River. Walk with us and learn about the watershed from Washtenaw County’s Environmental Manager Harry Sheehan and HRWC staff member Laura Rubin.

*Meet at the park entrance off Platt Rd. behind the Meri Lou Murray Recreation Center.

Saturday, June 22 @ 10 AM, Lower Huron Metro Park, Paw Paw Nature Trail, Belleville, MI

Lower Huron Metropark contains 1,258 acres of mature woodlands, grassy meadows, and the winding path of the Huron River. Join us as we experience the natural beauty and learn about the ecology in one of metro Detroit’s system of metroparks. HRWC staff member and Watershed Ecologist Kris Olsson will lead the guided walk through Lower Huron Metropark.

Tuesday, July 9 @ 5:30 PM, Mill Creek Park, corner of Main St. and Jeffords, Dexter, MI

Mill Creek Park is a 56 acre linear park, recently established by the Village of Dexter in 2008 as a result of the removal of the Mill Pond dam.  It is part of a large natural system consisting of Mill Creek, its tributary and contiguous floodplain, wetlands, and forest vegetation that provides habitat for a variety of terrestrial and aquatic plant and animal species. Paul Evanoff of JJR, an Ann Arbor-based engineering firm, and HRWC staff member and Executive Director Laura Rubin, will walk with us as we explore the benefits to the community through its removal and restoration of the impoundment area in a manner that would embrace the creek as an ecological, recreational, and economic asset.

*Meet at the corner of Main St. and Jeffords.

Free, all ages. Registration required. Contact Derek Schrader – recreation@hrwc.org

Swim Baseline Lake

Sunday, July 14 @ 8:30 AM, Baseline Lake, Michigan Sailing Club, Dexter (1-mile and 2-mile swim)

Jump in for our annual summer tradition; leave the chlorine behind, and try a swim in the river channel through Baseline Lake. Back by popular demand, we are including a 2-mile swim, in addition to our traditional 1-mile swim. All swimmers are required to register in advance to swim. After the swim join us for a continental breakfast of hot coffee, fruit and bagels.

Cost is $25 for HRWC members, $35 for non-members, and $40 for a family.

Register and make payment online for this event HERE.

Paddle Trips — Huron River

5 different trips throughout May – September

Shuttle transportation is provided. Bring your own watercraft, gear, food, drinking water and appropriate clothing for the weather. Every paddler must wear a flotation device – bring your own. Exact location of each put-in will be sent to participants after they register.

Experience the quiet waters of the Huron River with expert paddlers Ron Sell, Barry Lonik, and the HRWC staff.  Each trip includes discussion regarding the river’s water ecology, history, and unique features.

Cost is $25 for HRWC members, $35 for non-members + 12-month HRWC membership.

Registration is limited to 10 watercrafts for each trip.

All paddlers must register in advance and payment for the event HERE.

For a Paddler’s Safety Checklist click HERE.

Saturday, May 18

Proud Lake State Recreation Area to Milford Central Park in Milford, MI

Put-in @ 10 AM

Saturday, June 15

Baseline Lake @ Michigan Sailing Club to Mill Creek Park, Dexter, MI (Formerly Warrior Creek Park)

Put-in @ 10 AM

Sunday, July 21

Full Moon Paddle

Mill Lake @ Waterloo State Recreation Area

Put-in @ 7 PM

Saturday, August 17

Baseline Lake to Zukey Lake Tavern and back to Baseline Lake

Put-in @ 8 AM

Saturday, September 21

Willow Metropark to Oakwoods Metropark (TBD due to shortness of trip)

Put-in @ 10 AM

Do you have ideas or suggestions for recreational events? We would love to hear from you. Please contact recreation@hrwc.org