By: Allyson Hutchison
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
For the past 20 years, the Woodland and Wildlife Family Festival has been rotating around in 9 counties to educate citizens about wildlife. This year, it took its place in Fulton County at Camp Palmer. With activities for the children and lessons to be learned at each stop, the event had something for everyone.
The morning of May 21 began early for those partaking in the 5K run which took place prior to Woodland and Wildlife Family Festival. By the time the festival started at 10 o’clock, the parking lot at Camp Palmer was packed. Children and adults milled around from station to station learning valuable lessons on how to care for and protect their woods and the creatures who live there.
The festival got its start when Walt Lange, decided he wanted to educate citizens about how to care for their woods. “A lot of people own their woods, but they don’t manage their woods,” Lange expressed. “And there’s a big difference.” Taking care of a flourishing woodland environment is more difficult than it may seem. Each of the lessons taught, whether about worm composting or chain saw safety, were necessary to understand the inner workings of a woods.
Lange received a grant from The American Tree Farm System to begin the delightful festival. Each year after, beloved supporters present monetary donations to supply the event with the funds necessary to continue sharing the fun and knowledge. There are also donation bins on several of the demonstration areas to aid in the funding.
Planning is also a big part of what makes this event so special. Lange stated that organization for the next event will begin in June of this year. It takes almost a year to configure each of the special activities that the Woodland and Wildlife Family Festival brings to each of the attendees. Location is one of the largest aspects that must be arranged. Since the festival moves around several of the surrounding counties, there are many different places that have hosted the festival. For example, the festival took place in the Schedel Arboretum and Gardens, in Ottawa County, in 2015 and at the Wood County Historical Center and Museum in 2014.
This year, Camp Palmer had many activities to offer that interest people of all ages. Leaf casting, zip lining, log rolling, and tomahawk throwing were just a few of the activities to accompany the displays that taught lessons about the woods. The lessons varied from edible mushrooms to tree cookies (which, unfortunately, are not able to be eaten). There was also a popcorn vendor and a maple syrup display with samples to provide a snack.
This festival engaged each and every person who attended and is an event not to be missed when it comes around next year.
Allyson Hutchison may be reached at
publisher@thevillagereporter.com