optional Conference activities
Pre-registration required
Trace Analytical Laboratory Tours
Tuesday, May 24, 8AM - Noon
Thursday, May 26, 12:30-4PM
Trace Analytical Laboratories is offering 15-minute tours of their analytical laboratory at 2241 Black Creek Road in Muskegon. These tours of 5-6 people will show the flow of samples and where they go throughout the lab. Transportation is not provided.
Muskegon Lake Area of Concern Tours
Join one of four tours of the Muskegon Lake Area of Concern on Tuesday afternoon. These tours are included with your registration, but capacities are limited. Sign up during registration:
- Habitat Tour East - Features three hydrologic reconnection and wetland habitat restoration projects and a Great Lakes Legacy Act cleanup.
- Habitat Tour West - Features three shoreline habitat restoration projects, a Great Lakes Legacy Act cleanup, and the historic NOAA GLERL Lake Michigan Field Station.
- Lakeshore Trail Bicycle Habitat Tours - Features two habitat restoration projects along the Lakeshore Trail.
- Downtown Muskegon Walking Tour - Explore amenities and attractions in downtown Muskegon.
Muskegon AOC Tour Itineraries
HABITAT TOUR EAST
TIME |
TOUR FEATURE |
1:00 PM |
Motor Coach Departs Delta Marriott Hotel Lobby Entrance |
1:10 PM |
Heritage Landing - Northern Peninsula Point (Heritage Landing is a 10-minute walk from Delta Marriott Hotel Parking Lot) |
1:45 PM |
Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve "MERES" Habitat Restoration - Lake Street Parking Lot, City of N. Muskegon |
2:45 PM |
Bear Creek Hydrologic Reconnection and Wetland Restoration - Witham Road Parking Lot (East), City of N. Muskegon |
3:45 PM |
Lower Muskegon River Wetland Restoration and Hydrologic Reconnection |
4:45 PM |
Depart Lower Muskegon River to arrive at Delta Marriott by 5:00 PM |
HABITAT TOUR WEST
TIME |
TOUR FEATURE |
2:00 PM |
Motor Coach Departs Delta Marriott Hotel Lobby Entrance |
2:10 PM |
Heritage Landing - Northern Peninsula Point (Heritage Landing is a 10-minute walk from Delta Marriott Hotel Parking Lot) |
2:45 PM |
Ruddiman Creek Great Lakes Legacy Act Cleanup - Motor Coach will Park at Amoco Habitat Site |
3:00 PM |
Amoco Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Wetland Connectivity Project |
3:45 PM |
Grand Trunk Shoreline Restoration and Community Involvement - Lakeshore Drive at McCracken Street |
4:15 PM |
Lake Michigan at Muskegon Lake Channel - Pere Marquette Park and the NOAA GLERL (Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory) Lake Michigan Field Station |
4:45 PM |
Depart Lower NOAA GLERL Field Station to arrive at Delta Marriott by 5:00 PM |
LAKESHORE TRAIL HABITAT BICYCLE TOUR
Bicycles will be available at Heritage Landing's Northernmost Peninsula Point around the tall Flagpole. Participants will depart the hotel lobby at 1:45PM and walk to Heritage Landing for the 2:00 PM bike tour.
TIME |
TOUR FEATURE |
2:00 PM |
Heritage Landing - Northern Peninsula Point |
3:00 PM |
Amoco Fish and Wildlife Habitat Restoration and Wetland Connectivity Project |
3:45 PM |
Grand Trunk Shoreline Restoration and Community Involvement - Cyclists from the Amoco site will continue west on bike path and arrive at Grand Trunk (meet up with Motor Coach tour participants for presentation). Lakeshore Trail bike path becomes an on-road path to Lake Michigan at this location (Lakeshore Drive at McCracken St.) |
5:00 PM |
Cyclists Return via Lakeshore Trail to Muskegon County Convention & Visitors Bureau, 610 Western Avenue |
4:45 PM |
Depart Lower NOAA GLERL Field Station to arrive at Delta Marriott by 5:00 PM |
DOWNTOWN MUSKEGON WALKING TOUR
Tour Guide: Dave Alexander
Meet at Vandyke Mortgage Convention Center Front Lobby (at Delta Marriott)
TIME |
TOUR FEATURE |
3:00 PM |
Heritage Landing - Northern Peninsula Point Tour will feature historic, cultural, educational, and commercial assets including:
|
PRE-CONFERENCE RECEPTION
MAY 24, 6-8PM
Walker's Restaurant (included with registration)
Following the AOC Habitat Tours from 6-8PM, join us for an opening reception, including appetizers, in downtown Muskegon at Walker's Restaurant, located inside the Delta by Marriott hotel.
Additional Option with Cost
PRE-CONFERENCE CRUISE ABOARD THE AQUASTAR
PRE-CONFERENCE CRUISE ABOARD THE AQUASTAR - MAY 24, 7:45-9:45 pm ($10)
Get your camera ready and enjoy the sunset while cruising Muskegon Lake.
Note: Pre-registration is required. On-site signup for this option will not be available.