Lake Orion residents will have a chance to enjoy nature as the Moose Tree Nature Preserve will be open for the public for the first time this year.
Typically used as a curriculum tool for Lake Orion elementary schools, Moose Tree will now host a variety of community events, while also being open some weekends for the public to come and enjoy the building and trail.
According to Executive Director of Business Service Jillynn Keppler, the concept to open Moose Tree to the public came as a way to deal with budget issues.
‘We knew the nature center needed to become more self-sufficient,? Keppler said.
At first the district looked at working as a partnership, renting the facility out to organizations that would use it to host their events. This idea developed into the thought of ‘why not just do it ourselves,? and the district developed a variety of events that charge participants a nominal fee for participation.
These fees would go back to help fund the building, and as Keppler said, ?(Moose Tree) would not continue to impact the general fund.?
According to Webber Elementary Principal Sarah Manzo, who is also the district representative in charge of overseeing Moose Tree, the goal was to develop one event a month.
‘We want to get them in the Moose Tree and on the trails to see how great it is,? Manzo said.
Manzo said that they focused on developing family events with the idea that they wanted people of all ages to be able to utilize the center.
One of the first community events will be a ‘Moose Tree Meet and Greet Open House? held on Saturday, Sept. 29. The event, which is free, will be held from noon to 4 p.m., and will feature food, games, crafts and door prizes.
‘The open house will give people an opportunity to come in and see what the nature center is all about,? Keppler said, adding that people will enjoy the gorgeous views of nature.
Other events include ‘Honey and Apples,? where families can learn about, as well as make, some old-fashioned apple cider and learn about bees? role in apple and honey production, and ‘SPOOKtacular Story Stroll,? a family friendly Halloween walk through the woods that features nature legends, superstitions and stories. Both events are open to families.
Honey and Apples will be held on two separate dates, Sunday, Sept. 16 or Sunday, Oct. 7, from 1-2:30 p.m. The event costs $5 per person.
SPOOKtacular Story Stroll will be held on Saturday, Oct. 27 and costs $7 per person. The event lasts an hour with walks leaving every 15 minutes, starting at 7 p.m.
The Moose Tree will also be hosting a variety of preschool programs and be open for scout programs.
More information about the various Moose Tree events and what weekends the center will be open can be found in the Lake Orion Schools Community Education booklet.
Also, Manzo said that the Moose Tree is always looking for volunteers to help out with the various programs. Those interesting in helping can contact Moose Tree’s Naturalist Jennie Klein at (248)391-3649 or e-mail jklein@lakeorion.k12.mi.us.
‘We need to use this building,? Manzo said, noting that not every community has such a valuable nature and educational resource.