Jackson Audubon Society upcoming events

Watkins Lake State Park & County Preserve Grassland Tour (Tuesday, June 16, 2026)

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Join us for a visit to Watkins State Park and County Preserve for a grasslands tour . Our watch list will include Bobolink, Eastern Meadowlark, Henslow's & Grasshopper sparrows, Dickcissel, and other grassland birds.

Photos by Chuck Mekbel

Meet at the parking lot which is on the north side of the park on Arnold Rd.
A Michigan DNR parking pass is required for parking in the lot.

Email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com for more information.

Haehnle Sanctuary Thursday Workday (Thursday, June 18, 2026)

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary Thursday Workday

9 AM to 12 PM

Monthly workdays continue in support of habitat restoration and general maintenance. These are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month. Chad Machinski from Michigan Audubon and Steve Jerant from Jackson Audubon will lead the work. Volunteers can assist from 9 AM - 12 PM. Tools and materials are provided. Wear sturdy work boots.

Registration is required so we are able to plan work type and location in the sanctuary.

To register, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Seed Gathering (Chad Machinski)

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

Audubon Pot Luck (Saturday, June 27, 2026)

Sat, 27 Jun 2026 15:00:00 GMT

Audubon potluck

Shady Acres Campground at 2023 Crispell Rd. Bring a passing dish and an item to raffle (plant, bird item). Come see Connie’s new floating mallard nest, 2 and 3-hole bluebird boxes and plenty of butterflies. Meet the Martin Landlords of Michigan.

Call Connie Spotts at 517-230-2707 for more information.

West Lake County Preserve (Tuesday, June 30, 2026)

Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:00:00 GMT

West Lake County Preserve

This Washtenaw County nature preserve was purchased under the Natural Areas Preservation Program and opened in 2008 and JAS first visited this property in 2019. Since then, additional grassland acreage has been added. We are on the cusp of getting Henslow's and Bobolink in this larger grassland habitat.

Steve Jerant will lead us on a walk through the grassland and forest habitats of the wonderful preserve.

Forest Trail

Grassland in May

Photos by Steve Jerant

Meet at the parking lot on Waterloo Rd. about 1 mile east of Werkner Rd. in Chelsea.

Email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com for more information.

Haehnle Sanctuary Thursday Workday (Thursday, July 16, 2026)

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary Thursday Workday

9 AM to 12 PM

Monthly workdays continue in support of habitat restoration and general maintenance. These are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month. Chad Machinski from Michigan Audubon and Steve Jerant from Jackson Audubon will lead the work. Volunteers can assist from 9 AM - 12 PM. Tools and materials are provided. Wear sturdy work boots.

Registration is required so we are able to plan work type and location in the sanctuary.

To register, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Seed Gathering (Chad Machinski)

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

Dahlem: Birds, Blooms, & Butterflies Festival (Saturday, August 08, 2026)

Sat, 08 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

The Dahlem Center will be hosting its annual Birds, Blooms, & Butterflies Festival on August 8th. There will be activities including crafts, live music, food, nature walks and more. This is a family-friendly event for all ages.

NOTE: This is NOT a Jackson Audubon Society event.

the Dahlem Center.

the Dahlem Center. v

the Dahlem Center.

Haehnle & CISMA Spotted Knapweed Pull (Thursday, August 20, 2026)

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary & CISMA

Spotted Knapweed Pull

9 AM to 12 PM

Monthly workdays continue in support of habitat restoration with a special Spotted Knapweed pull . Chad Machinski from Michigan Audubon and Steve Jerant from Jackson Audubon will lead the work along with Shikha Singh from Jackson, Lenawee and Washtenaw CISMA.

Spotted Knapweed (Michigan Public)

Tools and materials are provided. Wear sturdy work boots.

Registration is required so we are able to plan work type and location in the sanctuary. When registering, please note if you are attending the morning of afternoon event.

To register, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

PROGRAM: Exploring our U.S. National Parks & JAS Member Meeting (Tuesday, September 08, 2026)

Tue, 08 Sep 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Exploring our U.S. National Parks

Doug Leffler presents “Exploring our U.S. National Parks.” He will discuss the diversity of our National Parks, based on personal visits, and also take a brief look at notable state and local parks.

Meetings will begin with a social time at 6:30 PM then the member meeting followed by the program starting at 7:00 PM.

Bring recyclables (magazines, feeders, etc.) to the program.

Weather cancellation Policy: JAS programs and activities will be cancelled if Jackson Schools close.

Haehnle Fall Workbee (Saturday, September 12, 2026)

Sat, 12 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Fall Workbee at Phyllis Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

We will be doing trail clearing, invasive species management, and general maintenance & cleanup of the grounds.

For more information, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

Haehnle Sanctuary Thursday Workday (Thursday, September 17, 2026)

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary Thursday Workday

9 AM to 12 PM

Registration is required so we are able to plan work type and location in the sanctuary.

To register, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Seed Gathering (Chad Machinski)

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

Kate Palmer Fall Workbee (Saturday, September 26, 2026)

Sat, 26 Sep 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Spring Workbee at the Kate Palmer Sanctuary

9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

We will be doing trail maintenance, invasives management, and general cleanup of grounds and trails.

O'Brien Rd. Near McCain Rd., Jackson
Meet at Parking lot
GPS Coordinates: 42.234557, -84.490496

Wear sturdy shoes or boots. Bring gloves, water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.

For more information, contact Allen King at allenjking211@gmail.com.

PROGRAM: Michigan Reptiles and Amphibians Up Close & JAS Member Meeting (Tuesday, October 13, 2026)

Tue, 13 Oct 2026 22:30:00 GMT

Michigan Reptiles and Amphibians Up Close

Jim and Carol McGrath of Nature Discovery present, ”Michigan Reptiles and Amphibians Up Close.” They will feature live frogs, salamanders, turtles and snakes, their behaviors and needs. We will learn how to help them survive.

Blanding's turtle

Meetings will begin with a social time at 6:30 PM then the member meeting followed by the program starting at 7:00 PM.

Bring recyclables (magazines, feeders, etc.) to the program.

Weather cancellation Policy: JAS programs and activities will be cancelled if Jackson Schools close.

Haehnle Sanctuary Thursday Workday (Thursday, October 15, 2026)

Thu, 15 Oct 2026 13:00:00 GMT

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary Thursday Workday

9 AM to 12 PM

Registration is required so we are able to plan work type and location in the sanctuary.

To register, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Seed Gathering (Chad Machinski)

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

PROGRAM: Wren Talk & JAS Annual Membership Meeting (Tuesday, November 10, 2026)

Tue, 10 Nov 2026 23:30:00 GMT

Wren Talk

Dale Kennedy, Professor Emerita, Biology Department at Albion College, presents, “Wren Talk.” Dale and Doug have done research on the house wren for 32 years. Dale will discuss various aspects of the wren vocalizations, including male songs, feeding calls from the young wrens in the nest even scolding sounds and responses.

Jackson Audubon Society will have its annual membership meeting preceding the program.

Meetings will begin with a social time at 6:30 PM then the member meeting followed by the program starting at 7:00 PM.

Bring recyclables (magazines, feeders, etc.) to the program.

Weather cancellation Policy: JAS programs and activities will be cancelled if Jackson Schools close.

Haehnle Sanctuary Thursday Workday (Thursday, November 19, 2026)

Thu, 19 Nov 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary Thursday Workday

1:00 to 4 PM

Monthly workdays continue in support of habitat restoration and general maintenance. These are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month. Chad Machinski from Michigan Audubon and Steve Jerant from Jackson Audubon will lead the work. Volunteers can assist from 1:00 to 4 PM. Tools and materials are provided. Wear sturdy work boots.

Registration is required so we are able to plan work type and location in the sanctuary.

To register, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Seed Gathering (Chad Machinski)

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

Haehnle Sanctuary Thursday Workday (Thursday, December 17, 2026)

Thu, 17 Dec 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Haehnle Memorial Sanctuary Thursday Workday

1:00 to 4 PM

Monthly workdays continue in support of habitat restoration and general maintenance. These are scheduled for the 3rd Thursday of each month. Chad Machinski from Michigan Audubon and Steve Jerant from Jackson Audubon will lead the work. Volunteers can assist from 1:00 to 4 PM. Tools and materials are provided. Wear sturdy work boots.

Registration is required so we are able to plan work type and location in the sanctuary.

To register, email jacksonaudubon@gmail.com.

Seed Gathering (Chad Machinski)

Haehnle is located at the intersection of Seymour Rd & Fairlane Dr, Grass Lake.
The sanctuary is across the street.

Goggle Map
Meet at the Wing Overlook kiosk on Seymour Road.

PROGRAM: Peaks of Europe: The Alps to the Dolomites & JAS Member Meeting (Tuesday, January 12, 2027)

Tue, 12 Jan 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Peaks of Europe: The Alps to the Dolomites

Gary Siegrist presents, “Peaks of Europe: The Alps to the Dolomites.” Join Gary and Nancy as they travel through six countries in Europe to experience the Alps and the Dolomites. Highlights include Mont Blanc, Alpine Valley Walks, and an extended stay in Venice.

Meetings will begin with a social time at 6:30 PM then the member meeting followed by the program starting at 7:00 PM.

Bring recyclables (magazines, feeders, etc.) to the program.

Weather cancellation Policy: JAS programs and activities will be cancelled if Jackson Schools close.

PROGRAM: Designing with Native Plants & JAS Member Meeting (Tuesday, February 09, 2027)

Tue, 09 Feb 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Designing with Native Plants

Shannon Gibb-Randall, landscape architect and owner of InSite Design Studio presents, “Designing with Native Plants.” Her work involves the use of native plants to absorb water and provide habitat. We will learn how to improve our gardens in both urban and rural areas.

Meetings will begin with a social time at 6:30 PM then the member meeting followed by the program starting at 7:00 PM.

Bring recyclables (magazines, feeders, etc.) to the program.

Weather cancellation Policy: JAS programs and activities will be cancelled if Jackson Schools close.

PROGRAM: Wild Birds of Prey & JAS Member Meeting (Tuesday, March 09, 2027)

Tue, 09 Mar 2027 23:30:00 GMT

Wild Birds of Prey

Joe and Barb Rogers of Wildlife and Recovery Association, present, “Wild Birds of Prey.” They will have owls, falcons and doves on display to teach us about their communication and the problems they face daily.

Meetings will begin with a social time at 6:30 PM then the member meeting followed by the program starting at 7:00 PM.

Bring recyclables (magazines, feeders, etc.) to the program.

Weather cancellation Policy: JAS programs and activities will be cancelled if Jackson Schools close.

PROGRAM: Bird Nerd Trivia & JAS Member Meeting (Tuesday, April 13, 2027)

Tue, 13 Apr 2027 22:30:00 GMT

Bird Nerd Trivia

“Bird Nerd Trivia”—Host and trivia creator, John Scaramucci, will guide members through a quizzical journey involving several stages of bird-centric trivia. This will feature individual game play, an honor system of score keeping (Just like birding). Players will follow along with the PowerPoint presentation, recording answers on a checklist provided by the host and earn points for correct answers. Birders of all skill levels are encouraged to come and have a lot of fun.

Meetings will begin with a social time at 6:30 PM then the member meeting followed by the program starting at 7:00 PM.

Bring recyclables (magazines, feeders, etc.) to the program.

Weather cancellation Policy: JAS programs and activities will be cancelled if Jackson Schools close.