To celebrate No Student Left Inside Day and Earth Day, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is offering various outdoor-based programs for school groups that are designed to increase awareness of and sensitivity to the natural world.

Programs available include:

Stick Your Head in a Bear Den Hike. Participants will not only inspect a real bear den up-close, they also will learn about the fascinating world of this interesting animal. Topics include hibernation, bear biology, wildlife management, hunting as a management tool, animal adaptations and more.

Michigan Gray Wolf Hike. Participants will explore the world of one of Michigan's most controversial animals. On our hike we will explore wolf habitat and learn about this animal's life story. Topics include endangered species, predator/prey relationships, human factors pertaining to wolves, extinction, and historic use of bounties to control predator populations.

Bats of Michigan. The Porcupine Mountains is home to Michigan's fourth largest bat hibernaculum. If conditions allow, we will explore the inside workings of this hibernaculum and see hundreds of hibernating bats. We will learn the life cycle of bats and why they are such an important component in a healthy ecosystem. Topics include ecosystems, biodiversity, hibernation, mammals, predator/prey relationships and echolocation.

Other program topics may be requested, depending on availability.

These programs have limited availability, so early registration is required. Please call (906) 885-5206 to register. These program are free to all participants. All school buses will have free entry into the park. Private vehicles will be required to have a motor vehicle permit. The daily permit is $6.

For more information or to arrange a custom program, please contact Park Interpreter Bob Wild at (906) 885-5206.

Visit the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park page, click here

Visit the Wilderness Visitor Center page, click here.