Library Lines: Learn the amazing story of Kirtland's Warbler
On Wednesday, Oct. 11, at 6 p.m., Straits Area Audubon Society presents “Kirtland’s Warbler - From The Brink of Extinction to a New Model for Endangered Species Conservation” with Bill Rapai, executive director, Kirtland’s Warbler Alliance. The Kirtland Warbler is an iconic species in Michigan, nesting primarily in the jack pine forests of the Northern Lower Peninsula. The Kirtland Warbler was nearly extinct just 50 years ago but populations have recovered due to conservation efforts. Today there are more than 4,000 birds and the population continues to grow. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service considers the warbler population level at “recovered.” In October 2019, the Kirtland Warbler was removed from the endangered species list. Learn how biologists are building a new model of conservation for this recovered species which continues to need our help.
Melissa F. Kaelin is a writer, painter, and photographer who moved to Michigan in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She is a native to rural Ohio, having spent her formative years writing nonfiction and creative writing in Minnesota, where she lived for 11 years. An avid adventurer, she is a nature enthusiast, a dog lover, and a chaser of the Northern Lights. She also has more than a decade of experience writing, editing, working in design and social media management. Currently, she is on staff at the collegiate level, with a role in writing, press relations, communications and marketing. In 2021, Melissa founded the Michigan Aurora Chasers, which features news and events on their Facebook page. In 2017, she became one of the founders of the Aurora Summit, an international conference celebrating the Aurora Borealis. Melissa has published several books including, “Below the 45th Parallel: The Beginner’s Guide to Chasing the Aurora in the Great Lakes Region.” Join us at the library when we welcome Melissa Kaelin at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, for a book talk and discussion about viewing the Northern Lights. This is a free author event, registration is not required.
On Tuesday, October 24, the Lord of the Gourd will be demonstrating his master carving skills at the library. Drop 5-7:45 p.m. to see a master carver in action. His impressive animated carved faces will surely make you grin. Get ideas, tips and inspiration from a master pumpkin carver just in time for pumpkin season. This is a free event, registration is not required.
If you are looking to take advantage of the great autumn weather we are experiencing in Northern Michigan consider picking up a trails map from our entryway and exploring a trail or nature preserve. While you are at the library check out an “Explore Cheboygan Backpack” from our Library of Things collection. Our Explore Backpacks are customized activity kits designed to encourage exploration of the surrounding natural environment. Each backpack focuses on a different location and provides supplies for expanded learning. The parks featured for our Explore Backpacks include Cheboygan State Park with items in the backpack that focus on the beach and wildflowers. The Gordon Turner Park backpack has supplies that focus on birds. Take a scenic drive to Ocqueoc Falls State Park or the Black River Recreation Area. These backpacks are equipped with items focusing on trees and bugs. The Headlands Dark Sky Park is an amazing place to visit on the shores of Lake Michigan. Our Explore Backpack for this park is filled with tools for exploring in the dark. Whatever park, trail or preserve you choose to visit will not disappoint. Soak in these warm sunny days while they last. We hope you will be inspired to spend time exploring our beautiful surroundings.
— Paula Jewell is program director of the Cheboygan Area Public Library.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Library Lines: Learn the amazing story of Kirtland's Warbler
