Outdoors in Calhoun: August 2026

Outdoors in Calhoun is a newsletter sharing information and events about the natural resources of Calhoun County, Michigan. Our community has a number of amazing assets, and this newsletter is geared to highlighting the work taking place to make the outdoors accessible for all.

Youth programming in Calhoun County is in full swing

So far, over 250 youth from partner organizations in the communities of Battle Creek, Marshall, and Albion have had the opportunity to take part in the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council's youth programs, which include the Kalamazoo River Youth experience and Kalamazoo River Watershed Classroom. Through our programs, youth participate in immersive, place-based watershed education and may also develop hands-on skills in water safety, paddling, fishing, and core conservation stewardship.

Calhoun County youth have participated in water resources education through:

Fishing lessons on the Battle Creek River with support from Kalamazoo Valley Trout Unlimited
Macroinvertebrate sampling and water quality testing
Presentations about Battle Creek Unlimited’s Kalamazoo River Naturalization Project
Wetland education/plant & animal identification
Various other educational crafts, games, and activities

Calhoun County youth have experienced Paddle Safety and instruction, including:

Learning how to properly wear a PFD
Paddle introduction on a no-wake lake (Hart’s Lake; Winnipeg Lake)
Paddling trip down the Kalamazoo River

A special “Thank You” to:

Kalamazoo Valley Trout Unlimited for providing fishing instruction on the Battle Creek River.
Jimmy's Johns Portable Toilets for generously helping to make programming possible out at Hart’s Lake.
Marshall Public Schools Transportation for providing reliable transportation for our youth.
Calhoun Conservation District for land management at Hart’s Lake and fishing/paddling assistance.
City of Battle Creek for enviroscapes demonstrations, macroinvertebrate sampling, and other educational activities.
Battle Creek Unlimited for detailed presentations about their Kalamazoo River Naturalization Project.
Ford Blue Oval Battery Park for their financial contribution that made this work possible.
…And all of our wonderful volunteers who join us for these programs! We couldn’t do it without you!

Interested in getting involved? We'd love your help! If you would like to volunteer, please sign up for one of our remaining program dates.

You can also support this program by making a financial contribution to help us continue providing free, hands-on watershed education and experiences for youth throughout Calhoun County.

-- Kalamazoo River Watershed Council

Property Spotlight: Brandt Woods

Brandt Woods was donated in 1963 to the Calhoun Conservation District by Charles Brandt, a well-known local naturalist and conservationist. During the 1950’s, after many conversations with Michigan State University colleagues and friend Burrell (B.E.) Henry, Calhoun County Agricultural Director, Mr. Brandt laid the groundwork to deed his woodland in perpetuity for conservation studies. Mr. Brandt retained a life lease on his property to manage as he wished, during his lifetime.

This forest serves as a valuable public resource offering opportunities for wildlife observation, hiking, environmental education and community engagement. The Conservation District recognizes the importance of maintaining and enhancing this property, not only for recreation, but also as a model of sustainable forest management. The property has been environmentally verified through the Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program for Forests, Wetlands and Habitat. In 2009, the Calhoun Conservation District conducted a project to reconnect Rice Creek’s floodplains. This included removing berms along the North Branch of Rice Creek and reconnecting 17 acres of floodplains on the property. This project is key to reduce downstream flooding and sedimentation within Rice Creek by slowing down water during high flows and to reduce long term dredging. Then, in 2025, the CCD replaced the roof to the pavilion at the property, and we are planning for future programming for the public at Brandt Woods.

This property is enrolled in the Hunting Access Program for Spring Turkey Season Only (mid-April through May). From August to January, the property is closed to the public to all uses. All other times of year the property is open for hiking, wildlife viewing and foraging. There are an array of trails, a pavilion and 100 acres of dense hardwood forest to explore.

-- Calhoun Conservation District

Battle Creek River cleanup a success

The Battle Creek River is a little cleaner after this month's cleanup with City of Battle Creek staff (and the wonderful interns), friends from the Calhoun Conservation District, Battle Creek Unlimited, Huron River Watershed Council (all the way from Ann Arbor!) and a couple great volunteers from the community.

We removed about 40 tires, a shopping cart, and loads of other trash. Funding from the MiCorps Volunteer Stream Cleanup Program was used to purchase supplies for the event.

Thank you to all who helped support this.

Let's all do our part to keep the Battle Creek River clean!

-- City of Battle Creek

Paddling through History in Albion

The Marshall Area Conservation Corps was happy to partner with the Kalamazoo River Watershed Council and our University of Michigan SEAS Kalamazoo River Research Team to host Albion’s Kanoe the Kazoo: “Paddling through History”.

We had a great turnout! We had the pleasure of paddling alongside not only some of our own Albion/Marshall residents, but also those from Lansing, Kalamazoo, Bellevue, Coldwater, and even Ft. Wayne.

Paddlers learned about the history behind Albion’s dams and upcoming dam removal efforts. They also enjoyed paddling beneath Albion’s historic Coca-Cola mural as we paddled through the transition from urban to natural environment. It was a great day out on the river.

Don’t forget to register for the next one! https://kalamazooriver.org/events/kanoe-the-kazoo/

On Sunday, September 13th, grab a pair of binoculars and join us for Marshall’s Kanoe the Kazoo: “Fall Migration on the Kalamazoo.”

We will float from B Drive N (2nd crossing) to Stuart’s Landing, passing through large river sections adjacent to wetlands. This will provide the perfect opportunity to witness a nice variety of birds as they begin their migration to the south. Paddlers will be guided by local expert birding guides.

This is a 5.83 mile/3.5 hour paddle. Lunch will be provided at Stuart’s Landing following the float.

See you there!

-- Marshall Area Conservation Corps

Tick and mosquito reminders mid-summer

At the start of summer, Calhoun County Public Health Department shared information with local outdoors non-profits about tick-borne disease prevention. This information continues to be relevant as ticks will become more active as the weather cools. Stephanie Hanchett, Environmental Public Health Operations Coordinator, reports that mosquito numbers are also increasing in Public Health Department traps, and shares these tips about mosquito bite prevention.

Ticks: Three types of ticks that the Public Health Department is tracking are the American Dog Tick, which is most common; the Blacklegged Deer Tick, which can spread Lyme disease; and the Lone Star Tick, which is less common but on the rise and associated with Alpha-gal syndrome. Ticks are found in wooded or brushy areas outdoors. Take these steps to prevent tick bites.

Use EPA-registered insect repellents containing DEET, picaridin, IR3535, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus, para-methane-diol, and 2-undecanone.
After being outside, check clothing for ticks, as well as gear and pets.
Shower soon after being outdoors.
Check your body for ticks, especially under the arms, in and around the ears, inside belly button, back of the knees, in and around hair, between the legs and around the waist.

Mosquitos: Mosquitoes can spread illnesses such as West Nile, Zika, LaCross, and Eastern Equine Encephalitis. They bite day and night. Take these steps to prevent mosquito bites.

Use insect repellent. Look for these active ingredients: DEET, picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus, para-menthane-diol, or 2-undecanone. Follow instructions on the container and reapply as directed.
Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. You can also treat clothing with permethrin, which helps deter mosquitoes.
Mosquito-proof your home by using screens on windows and doors and removing standing water around your home where mosquitoes can lay eggs.

-- Calhoun County Parks Department

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