Bret Muter, 2005 Scholar, led the inaugural Parks in Focus Michigan (PIFMI). In addition to introducing eight enthusiastic
youth to digital photography and some of the Upper Peninsula’s most scenic sights, the program established a relationship
with the NCCS Boys and Girls Club of Newaygo County and the Muskegon River Valley Chapter of Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Highlights of PIFMI included visits to Miner’s Castle, a striking natural sandstone formation at Pictured Rocks National
Lakeshore on Lake Superior, and Munising Falls, one of several waterfalls within the protected National Lakeshore. At Seney
National Wildlife Refuge, participants spotted ribbon snakes, osprey, trumpeter swans, and Canada geese and went fishing
in one of the refuge’s many lakes, catching bluegill, sunfish, perch and bullhead. Participants also went on a guided hike
to learn about Michigan’s bears, which gave them a unique opportunity to stick their heads in a real-life bear’s den.
Finally, a 4.5-mile hike from the lower falls to the upper falls of Tahquamenon Falls State Park took the group through
beautiful mixed forests along the Tahquamenon River where chipmunks, red squirrels, waterfowl and other birds are common.
Seney National Wildlife Refuge (Keisha, 2007 participant)
Gone fishing!
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Chase, 2007 participant)