Sessions
2021 Nature Center Summit: A Virtual Event, February 5
This year's Nature Center Summit was a free, day-long series of Zoom webinars informing educators from Michigan nature centers, zoos, conservation districts and universities about the latest science and policies governing natural resource management. Experts in the field brought current and relevant science to participants, who in turn will educate thousands of students and citizens at their venues. This year’s presentations included bird conservation, Great Lakes ecology, invasive species updates, mammal science, wolf and cougar updates, whitetail deer updates, and bat conservation.
The Nature Center Summit is supported by the National Association of Interpretation – Region 5, the Association of Nature Center Administrators – Michigan Region, and the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education.
Sessions were 30 minutes each with time for questions.
Nature Center Summit Presentations
Sessions at a glance
Time Topic 9 a.m. Welcome and opening remarks with DNR Director Dan Eichinger 9:15 a.m. "Michigan Birds: Status, Conservation and Action" 10 a.m. Kirtland's Warbler news 10:45 a.m. "Fisheries Dynamics" - how the Great Lakes are adapting to ecosystem changes 11:30 a.m. Aquatic invasive species update 1 p.m. "Mega Mammals" - an update on bear, wolf and cougar populations 1:45 p.m. "Managing Michigan's Mystifying Mammals" - featuring furbearers such as bobcat, fisher and more 2:30 p.m. "Battle for the Bats" - latest news and research on white-nosed syndrome 3:15 p.m. "Oh, Deer!" - managing Michigan's most popular wildlife resource
