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Outreach: Talks and hikes
2012 season:
Michigan Wilderness Act 25th Anniversary Celebration - Sylvania Location
"A decade-long campaign was an incredible undertaking, but none of us involved will ever question whether or not it was worth it when we look at the splendid shores and wild heart of Michigan that are this heroic effort's living legacy." said Jane Elder, a passionate advocate who walked the halls of Congress to help win the fight.
In honor of this anniversary, the Sierra Club Michigan Chapter hosted events at three locations: Nordhouse Dunes (May 19), Sylvania Wilderness (July 15), and Horseshoe Bay Wilderness (August 18).
The celebration at Sylvania Wilderness consist of two panel discussions at the Ottawa Visitor Center:
- "The Making of the Michigan Wilderness Victory"
Anne Woiwode (Michigan Sierra Club), Jane Elder (Sierra Club staff person in the 1980s), Dave Dempsey (former staffer for Cong. Bob Carr who introduced the legislation) - "Sylvania Wilderness Today"
Waltraud Brinkmann (Friends of Sylvania), William Malmsten (UPEC), Alan Shively (Lac de Vieux Desert Band of the Chippewa Indians), Norm Nass (USFS)
These panel discussions werre followed by a catered picnic at the Day Use Building at the north end of Clark Lake.
Celebration attendees at the Day Use Building
2011 season:
Dr. Lee Frelich (Director, University of Minnesota Center for Forest Ecology)
presented a talk entitled: "Climate change, invasive species, and Sylvania"
and led a hike through the forest
The group at Katherine Lake
Earthworm extraction
Tall old trees
Both events were organized in collaboration with the ONF
Photos by W. Brinkmann
2010 season:
Dr. Lee Frelich, University of Minnesota:
presented a talk entitled: "European earthworm invasion", July 15, at the Visitor Center, and
led a hike through the forest, pointing out the impact of earthworms on vegetation, July 16.
Both events were organized in collaboration with the Ottawa National Forest.
Photos by W. Brinkmann
To learn more about Dr. Frelich's research and read published materials, visit the University of Minnesota, Center for Forest Ecology website.
2009 season: 
Dr. Lee Frelich, University of Minnesota:
presented a talk at the Visitor Center, 11 August 2009, "Wind, fire, and deer in northern hardwood-hemlock forests", and led a hike through the forest in Sylvania, 12 August 2009.
Both of these events were organized in collaboration with the Ottawa National Forest.
Photo by P. Jost