University of Michigan
Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

The 27th annual retreat with fellow faculty and students will include field trips, student and faculty group meetings, and the opportunity for swimming and hiking at nearby locations. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will also be provided. Participation is both valuable and fun for new students, experienced students, and faculty. New students benefit greatly by meeting their new colleagues and learning about the graduate program and EEB research in a relaxed and fun setting. Spouses, significant others, and children are all welcome.

If you are planning on staying for dinner, the cost for the day is $10 for faculty members and $5 for everyone else (dinner is free for incoming students!). Breakfast and lunch will be provided free of charge.

Vans will be available for transportation to the event and a sign-up sheet for rides will be posted on the door to EEB Grad Lounge (2060 Kraus Building). Times for van departure and return to Ann Arbor will be coordinated with the drivers. (There will probably be something like an early van and later van but this will be determined based on demand.) Carpooling is encouraged if you want to drive. See a map here.

If you are interested in camping on either Friday and/or Saturday night at a nearby campground, contact Gyuri Barabas for more information. Camping or not, be sure to bring clothes for outdoor hiking and playing, bug spray, extra shoes or boots and bathing suits. 

Please let us know if you plan to attend by replying to Jane Sullivan in the EEB office with the information requested below. We do encourage you to give us your reply about attending as soon as possible so we can plan accordingly. Please include the following information:

1. How many adults and children will be attending?   adults:______ children:_______

2. For what meals?            breakfast            lunch              dinner

3. Do you or any of your guests have allergies (food or insects or other)? (Vegetarian offerings will be available at all meals)

3. Would you be willing to drive a van?

4. If you are planning to drive would you be willing to carpool?  If yes, when do you intend to leave/return to Ann Arbor? 

5. Do you have a lifeguard license or know CPR?

Schedule

9 - 9:30 a.m.           Continental breakfast is served

9:30 – 10 a.m.         Welcome and introductions

10 - 12:30 p.m.        Field trips led by EEB faculty (choose one):

Wetlands, Drylands & In Between (Tony Reznicek)

Pickerel Lake North Trail (Mark Hunter)

ES George Reserve (John Vandermeer)

Fen Trip (Deborah Goldberg)

Patterson Lake or other nearby lake (T.B.D)

12:30 - 1:30            Lunch is served

1:30 – 4:30 p.m.      Field trips led by EEB faculty:

Wetlands, drylands and in-between (Tony Reznicek)

Pickerel Lake North Trail (Mark Hunter)

ES George Reserve (John Vandermeer)

Fen trip (Deborah Goldberg)

Patterson Lake or other nearby lake (T.B.D)

Also: swimming, hiking at nearby Pinckney State Recreation Area or just relaxing on the clubhouse grounds  

4:30 – 5 p.m.       Gather for cocktails and/or informal meetings

5 p.m.                    Drinks are served

5:30 p.m.               Barbeque dinner begins

Items you might want to bring include: lawn chairs for sitting outside the clubhouse, lawn games, a refillable water bottle, tevas, rubber boots, old tennis; bring along your tools of the trade too: field guides, butterfly net, camera, etc.