Merry Lea to sponsor wildflower and birding trips in April and May

WOLF LAKE, Ind. – Each spring, Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College sponsors several weekend trips for nature lovers. This year’s destinations are the Highlands Nature Sanctuary in southern Ohio near Bainbridge from April 19 to April 22 and the Necedah National Wildlife Refuge, a birding hot spot near Necedah, Wis., from May 18 to May 21.

Merry Lea’s trip to the Southern Ohio Wildflower Pilgrimage leaves Thursday morning, April 19 and returns Sunday, April 22. The group will attend a Wildflower Pilgrimage sponsored by Highlands Nature Sanctuary, which means there are a wide variety of hikes to choose from and evening programs also. An experienced botanist or naturalist who knows the area well leads each hike.

The foothills of Appalachia in south central Ohio are a botanically rich region of springs, caves, dolomite cliffs, boulder-strewn hillsides and stunning wildflower displays. Last year’s group was wowed by acres of lupines and trilliums, as well as many rarer flowers.

Merry Lea travelers will stay at Beechcliff, an early 20^th century restored hunting lodge nestled in the woods on Highlands property. Back porches overlook the Rocky Fork Gorge. Merry Lea’s fee of $350 includes registration, lodging (double occupancy), transportation and all meals except two eaten on the road. To learn more about Highlands, go to www.highlandssanctuary.org.

Merry Lea’s second trip, the Midwest Birding Expedition, will head to Necedah, Wis., Friday, May 18 and return Monday, May 21. Necedah National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1939, primarily to provide sanctuary, food and cover for migratory waterfowl. Located in the Great Central Wisconsin swamp, the refuge covers 43,656 acres and includes wetlands and open water areas; pine, oak and aspen forests; grasslands; and savannahs. This refuge is a host site for whooping crane reintroduction and home to over 200 other species of birds. Endangered Karner blue butterflies and gray wolves also live here.

The Midwest Birding Expedition will also visit The International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wis. The International Crane Foundation (ICF) works worldwide to preserve cranes of all species as well as the wetland and grassland habitats they require. It is the only place in the world where one can see all 15 of the world’s crane species – 11 of which are threatened with extinction. A guided tour of the ICF offers a chance to learn about the techniques used to preserve some of the rarest birds in the world.

The cost of $250 per person includes transportation, lodging (double occupancy) and trail time with two skilled birding guides, Lisa Zinn and Paul McAfee. Zinn is one of Merry Lea’s environmental educators and a lifelong birder. She has worked extensively with the MAPS bird banding program. McAfee is a friend of Merry Lea, former director of the Little River Wetlands Project in Fort Wayne and a veteran leader of Midwest Birding Expeditions. Having two leaders helps us to meet the needs of both experienced birders and novices.

Meals are at local restaurants on your own. A kitchen will also be available for those who prefer to make their own breakfasts or pack lunches.

To register for either trip, e-mail jenniferhs@goshen.edu or call (260) 799-5869. The registration deadline for the Wildflower Pilgrimage is March 20; for Midwest Birding, respond by April 20.

Editors: For more information about this release, to arrange an interview or request a photo, contact Goshen College News Bureau Director Jodi H. Beyeler at (574) 535-7572 or jodihb@goshen.edu.

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Goshen College, established in 1894, is a four-year residential Christian liberal arts college rooted in the Anabaptist-Mennonite tradition. The college’s Christ-centered core values – passionate learning, global citizenship, compassionate peacemaking and servant-leadership – prepare students as leaders for the church and world. Recognized for its unique Study-Service Term program, Goshen has earned citations of excellence in Barron’s Best Buys in Education, “Colleges of Distinction,” “Making a Difference College Guide” and U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition, which named Goshen a “least debt college.” Visit www.goshen.edu.