Mini courses are designed to let you enjoy being in the field and learning in a friendly atmosphere. Whether you are a practicing naturalist, student, Station alumni, or simply an interested individual, you will enjoy participating in a mini course at UMBS. We are offering two non-credit, adult mini course sessions this summer, along with a course for children during the August session. These small field courses will be taught by individuals who are leaders in their field and are well acquainted with the Biological Station and Northern Michigan.

The cost for a five-day course is $420 (includes tuition & lab fee) plus $252 for housing and meals at the Biological Station. Courses begin on Wednesday morning and run through Sunday afternoon. For more information contact the UMBS office, lisaumbs@umich.edu or 231-539-8408 in Pellston.

2009 FEE SCHEDULE

*Price does not include additional texts and course packs.

SPRING SESSION (JUNE 10 – 14, 2009)

Birds of Northern Michigan (Mary Whitmore): This class, which takes place when early summer singing and nesting are underway, features lots of time in the field. The focus is on learning to identify birds by sight, sound and habitat. The class begins early in the mornings and early-risers are regularly rewarded with the traditional bird class breakfast and coffee. The main instructor is Mary Whitmore. Mary has a rich background in ornithology and is very familiar with the birds of northern Michigan. She will be assisted by Bob Hess, who is especially interested in the connection between birds and habitats and is the former director of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ Nongame Wildlife Program.

Flora of Northern Michigan (Ed Voss): Participants will identify mostly late spring and early summer blooming plants, examining basic structures, learning some terminology, and reviewing diverse habitats. It includes one field trip to the Upper Peninsula (Whitefish Point, Tahquamenon Falls, and some beautiful little bogs). There will be a fair amount of hiking and a little climbing (no big dunes!). Two indoor sessions will feature lecture, slides, and keying practice. Ed Voss has taught botany at the Biological Station for more than four decades as well as on the Ann Arbor campus. He is the author of the three-volume Michigan Flora.

Art in Nature (Ann Singsaas): The beauty of UMBS and the surrounding area is often something we wish we had more time to enjoy. This class will focus on the rich visual experience and inspiration that the Biological Station's woods, fields and shorelines provide us. Demonstrations, instruction, and inspiration in plein-air sketching, pencil and pen drawing, simple watercolor painting techniques, composition, subject selection, and personal attention will be provided by the instructor. Students will learn to keep a field sketchbook, take visual notes and capture both the detail and the broader essence of the natural world on paper. Those who are looking for a challenge or just want to break out of a rut will be given special assignments. We will explore the area through field trips, take a visit to a local arts center, take a look at the history and diversity of past nature artists, explore personal aesthetics, and engage in group discussions to gain insight into our own growth and development as artists. You will also find plenty of time to simply paint or draw on your own. Come enrich your skills and share your love of art and nature with kindred spirits. All skill levels, styles and media welcome. Supplies such as pen, pencil, watercolor travel kits, drawing boards etc. will be provided, but feel free to bring your own chosen medium (Material and equipment list available). Ann Singsaas is an accomplished multimedia artist. Her expertise includes drawing and painting in oil and watercolors. She is an avid lover of Michigan’s North woods and has spent many years working as a field biologist doing plant inventory and identification. (annsingsaas.com)

FALL SESSION (AUGUST 19 – 23, 2009)

Fungi of Northern Michigan (Marilynn Smith): [CANCELLED]The Fungi course will consist of field trips to varied habitats to collect fungi for identification in the lab. Emphasis will be on the ecology of forest fungi: What are the fungi doing? How does one find a specific mushroom? Techniques for preparing and storing edible fungi, as well as avoiding their poisonous look alike will be studied. Marilynn Smith is a former student and independent researcher at UMBS. She teaches short courses in mushroom identification in Michigan, and has traveled world-wide studying fungi.

Forest and Landscape Ecology (Dan Kashian): [CANCELLED] Why do plants grow where they do? We can answer this question for most species of northern forests right at UMBS because of its remarkably diverse glacial geology, landforms, soils, vegetation, and disturbance history. We'll also examine old-growth forests at Colonial Point and Hartwick Pines State Park. We'll travel to Mack Lake in Oscoda County to study the ecosystems occupied by the endangered Kirtland's warbler in the burned-over forests that are home to jack pine and northern pin oak. Sharpen your identification skills of Michigan’s woody plants. Plan on moderate hiking—both short and long hikes—rain or shine! Dan is a forest ecologist at Wayne State University and an alum of UM’s School of Natural Resources and Environment and conducts forest and landscape ecology research and teaching in Michigan and in the Rocky Mountains.

Digital Photography in Nature (Brad Orr): This class opens the doors to a photographic odyssey, through which participants can photograph an abundance of birds, mammals, flowers, tree foliage, dunes, lakes, and other spectacular natural scenery in northern Michigan. Traditional SLR cameras are welcome, although there are no facilities for processing conventional film at the station. Instead, the course emphasizes how to capture, store, recall, and edit electronic images via digital photography. Take this wonderful opportunity to learn about nature photography. There will be opportunity for evaluation and comment each day. The class will be taught by Brad Orr, professor of physics at the University of Michigan and skilled amateur photographer for over 20 years.

Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature (Doug Farr): For more than a century, the UM Biological Station (UMBS) has been a world center for the research and study of both individual organisms and entire ecosystems. The accumulated learning has advanced the scientific understanding of nature, essential for anticipating and mitigating the impacts of climate change on natural systems. Far less advanced is our societal understanding of how human settlement patterns cause climate change in the first place. This mini course Sustainable Urbanism was conceived to explore the links between human settlement patterns and climate change. Specifically the course will survey 1) what is known about how human settlement patterns affect human health and determine human impacts on the natural environment and 2) the emerging theories, practices and standards for creating sustainable human settlements. The course will use lectures, hands-on workshops and field survey trips to immerse participants in this fascinating topic. The lectures will draw extensively from Sustainable Urbanism: Urban Design with Nature. Course participants will learn how to benchmark the sustainability of a settlement by applying the Emerging Thresholds of Sustainable Urbanism and LEED Neighborhood Development. The UMBS Campus itself and the nearby coastal towns of Petoskey and Cheboygan, Michigan will be used as case studies for understanding the elements and structure of sustainable communities. The course will be taught by architect and planner Doug Farr, author of Sustainable Urbanism. Doug serves on the boards of the Congress for New Urbanism, Bioregional and was the founding chair of the LEED-Neighborhood Development Core Committee.

Bio-Explorers: Science Adventures for Kids (Marty Samson): [CANCELLED] Especially designed for young scientists (ages 8 to 12), and for children of Mini-Course participants, Bio-Explorers provides a guided exploration of northern Michigan habitats. The aim is for kids to experience science as a "real" field biologist or ecologist would. As such, the class will use actual scientific equipment ranging from bug nets to microscopes. As part of the class, participants will visit and learn about the Biological Station's research facilities and various research projects. The course will be taught by Marty Samson and Jane Mooradian, along with UMBS staff experienced in environmental education and classroom science teaching. The class is at the same time as adult mini-courses, so all family members may be simultaneously engaged in outdoor educational activities.