As our name suggests, conservation has been at the core of daily activities at WWCCA since our inception in 1938. Our Conservation Committee is involved in preserving and improving our club’s grounds including the purchase and planting of trees on the club grounds, and they work actively with various state conservation groups to help protect the natural resources of Michigan.
Below are some of the current activities that the Conservation Committee sponsors regularly. See the 2025 Conservation Activity Dates.
Frog Survey
Survey frogs during nighttime hikes, listening for the different types of frogs and toads, starting in March going through the end of July. Frog and toad populations are a great environmental health marker. The survey is done with our “Friend of the Rouge” partners. Kids and parents are taught the frog calls and then go on a night walk/hike with Sherman, the World-Famous Frog-Finding Black Labrador Retriever. This is a very popular activity for Scouts groups and kids of all ages.
Tree Planting
Spring tree planting usually takes place towards the end of April. We plant about 100 pine seedlings and other trees each year, which help improve the environment and support the wildlife. This is a great kid event and usually has many Scouts attending. It is a great learning experience, and the kids have fun.
Pumpkin and Wild Flower Planting
Towards the of May we plant native wildflowers and pumpkins, which the kids will pick at the Fall Scavenger Hunt. This is a very popular event for families and especially kids.
Star Gazing
Star gazing events take place typically in September, weather permitting. Telescopes are set up on the shotgun fields at dusk, and are manned by some very learned star guides who will show the stars, planets and the moon in the night sky. Along with learning about the heavens comes a bonfire, marshmallows and popcorn. A great family event.
Nature Trail
WWCCA Conservation has built and maintains a 1.5 mile long, beautiful Nature Trail that runs through the WWCCA property. The trail starts at, and includes, the Walk-Through Archery Range. The Walk-Through Archery (or 3D) Range is only used as a range 10 days of the year for 3D Archery shoots, and the Nature Trail is closed on those days. The rest of the year it is open for hiking.
Occasionally the Nature Trail hosts guided hike days, and it is used for the Scavenger Hunt and Hay Ride in early October and the Haunted Hay Ride in late October.
Scavenger Hunt and Hayride
This event takes place in early October. It features a guided (or unguided) wildlife Scavenger Hunt down the Nature Trail, with pumpkin and Fairy Door painting. The kids can pick pumpkins in the pumpkin patch (planted in May) and take their Fairy Doors to be placed in the Fairy Village on the Nature Trail. Always, be on the look out for Big Foot! There is hot cider and doughnuts for kids and parents. The Scavenger Hunt is followed by a Hayride down the Nature Trail. Another great WWCCA family event.
Haunted Hayride
WWCCA Conservation puts on a Haunted Hayride the end of October. The Haunted Hay Ride goes through the Haunted Nature Trail, full of Monsters, Zombies, Werewolves, Witches, Spiders, Chainsaws, and Big Foot. Ghost Friendly Wagons are very popular with little ones. I’m not sure who has more fun, the riders or the monsters. A very popular family event.
In support of the Haunted Hay Ride, WWCCA has Build Days for members and their families to come out and make things for the Haunted Hayride. It is designed so that the whole family can have fun making things.
Invasive Tree and Plant Removal
Our main focus in the last several years has been on the removal of Buckthorn Trees. We have a tree tagging day in the end of September, which is a great event for kids. Buckthorn removal day is in early October, and is a serious work day and not for young kids. Boy Scouts usually attend for Service and Conservation Projects, but the removal day is limited to older Scouts.
The Owl Prowl
The Owl Prowl is in the end of December or early January. It starts with a fireside talk about owls in the clubhouse, with hot chocolate. Then there is an owl pellet dissection, for those who are willing, followed by a night hike to listen for owls. Great for families and kids of all ages.
The Chili Cook Off
Conservation’s Biggest event and fund raiser of the year. It is held in the end of February, at the clubhouse. For $5 you get to sample the best chilies in the state and vote for your favorite! Plus there are a lot of great raffle prizes. A great event for everyone!
Youth and Scouting Events
Conservation coordinates youth and Scouting events like camping, day camps, frog hikes, Nature Trail hikes, conservation projects, service projects, Eagle Scout projects, archery, airgun, rimfire rifle, shotgun and more with the other disciplines at WWCCA to ensure a safe and good experience. We are committed to helping the youth groups in our area, as best we can. (Note: These are individual events, and not the same as the Junior Archery, Shotgun, Pistol and Rifle shooting teams).
2025 Conservation Activity Dates
- Friday September 19, 2025 – Star Gazing – Dusk
- Saturday September 20, 2025 – Star Gazing (Backup, if weather on Sept 19 is bad) – Dusk
- Sunday September 21, 2025 – Buckthorn Tagging – 8 am
- Saturday October 4, 2025 – Scavenger Hunt & Hayride – 2-5 pm
- Sunday October 12, 2025 – Buckthorn Removal – 8 am
- Friday October 24, 2025 – Haunted Hayride Setup – 1 pm
- Saturday October 25, 2025 – Haunted Hayride – Dusk
- Sunday October 26, 2025 – Haunted Hayride Clean Up – 8:30 am
- Saturday December 27, 2025 – Saturday Owl Prowl – 5:30 pm
