Good food, roaring fires, nights under the stars, and entertaining classes about the state’s natural history – all of this and more are part of Wildlife Weekend, Feb. 1-3, in Michigan’s north woods. The DNR and the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education have teamed up to create this fun learning experience at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on scenic Higgins Lake in Roscommon County.

DNR education manager Kevin Frailey is excited about this development.

“We offer many professional development opportunities at the RAM Center for educators who want to find new ways to bring the outdoors into their classrooms, but Wildlife Weekend is open to anyone 18 or older who’s simply interested in learning more about nature in a relaxing retreat setting,” Frailey said. “Many of the topics we cover are things you’ll hear or read about in the news from week to week.”

Two classes are available:

• Mammal Mania is taught by Holt High School teacher Bill Hodges, who described the class as a “great chance to become an expert on Michigan mammals and learn their behaviors, tracks and identification.” Updates on bears, wolves, cougars and more are included.
• Frailey will teach Michigan My Michigan. “This course covers everything from the Great Lake to forests, wildlife, conservation history and more,” he said. “If you want to be the Michigan natural history expert in the neighborhood or you’ve recently moved into the state, this course is perfect.”

In between classes, there will be plenty of time to enjoy the area’s gorgeous scenery, explore trails, borrow some snowshoes and just get back in touch with nature. Classes begin at 7 p.m. Friday and run through noon Sunday. Get more information and register online at maeoe.com.

Questions? Contact Kevin Frailey at fraileyk@michigan.gov or 517-284-6043.