Oak Openings Region Blue Week 2023
May 13-21
Each May, the partners of the Green Ribbon Initiative assemble a wide array of programs to encourage people to get out into the amazing region that we have right here in northwest Ohio and southeast Michigan. This globally unique region is home to a wide variety of plants and animals such as wild blue lupine, Karner blue butterflies, blue spotted salamanders, big and little bluestem, blueberries, bluebirds, blue racers and much, much more. The programs offered each year are assembled to encourage people to get out and explore the region and inform them of how diverse and important the region is. This year our theme is You Belong in Nature, be sure to check the full schedule for all of the opportunities and events our partners have to offer!
2023 BLUE WEEK SCHEDULE
updated 4/28/2023
Use the PDF Viewer below to view all events. Click on the title of the event to view the Facebook Event page, click on the listed location to view the map, and click on “Register Here” to access the event’s registration page. Use the zoom feature on the right-hand side to view the text in a larger format.
Trouble viewing the Viewer? Please CLICK HERE for the PDF.
2023 BLUE WEEK NATIVE PLANT SALE
Help restore nature and bring more wildlife to your yard by growing native plants sourced from the Oak Openings Region and Great Black Swamp. Proceeds go to the Oak Openings Green Ribbon Initiative & Wild Ones Oak Openings programs.
Note: NO Registration required.
2023 BLUE WEEK CONTESTS
Blue Week Photo Contest
The Green Ribbon Initiative (GRI) annual Blue Week Photo Contest invites you to showcase the Oak Openings Region’s natural beauty and share your connection to nature. Show us why this region is worth protecting and how it enhances your quality of life. We are excited to see our favorite natural areas through your eyes! Winners will be announced in the Oak Openings June 2023 e-newsletter, and prizes will be awarded to one Best of Show, five category winners, and one People’s Choice winner. The prizes include a photo feature in the GRI Newsletter and on the GRI website, one print of your winning photo, and GRI swag! For more information, visit: www.oakopenings.org/photo-contest
NEW! – Blue Week Tattoo Contest
For the first-ever Oak Openings Blue Week Tattoo Contest, we want to learn what the Oak Openings region means to you. We will celebrate nature’s art in our Blue Week Tattoo Contest. We want to see your nature-inspired ink and hear your story of what inspired your tattoo! Prizes will be awarded to one Best of Show, four category winners, and one People’s Choice winner. Prizes will include a feature in the GRI Newsletter and on the GRI website, GRI swag, and more! For more information, visit: www.oakopenings.org/tattoo-contest
2023 BLUE WEEK SELF-GUIDED ACTIVITIES
updated 4/28/2023
Immerse yourself in nature and enjoy these activities at your leisure throughout the week.
Blue Week Featured Story Walk: Black Swamp Conservancy
The Blue Week Featured Story Walk at Black Swamp Conservancy invites you to immerse yourself in the wonders of nature. As you stroll through the breathtaking Pat & Clink Mauk Prairie, let the permanent story panels guide you on a journey of discovery. Story Walks provide a unique opportunity for people of all ages to enjoy literature and connect with the great outdoors. So come explore the prairie and discover how you belong in nature!
Toledo Memorial Park Blue Week Self-Tour
Toledo Memorial Park (TMP) is excited to participate in Blue Week and to share what’s happening at the cemetery with native plants!! This will allow the community to learn more about the Wildflower Prairie. First, stop by the main office to pick up a tour map highlighting the Wildflower Prairie and areas where native flowers have been incorporated into the landscaping. Then, take a self-guided tour of the site and learn more about which flowers TMP are growing for their plant sale in the fall. Take advantage of this opportunity to immerse yourself in the memorial park’s natural beauty and experience a sense of connection to nature.
Bedford Township Blue Week Self-Tour
Discover the natural beauty of Ansted Park and Wheeler Preserve in Bedford Township, MI, with a self-guided tour of their trails. Admire the serene atmosphere and walk through the one-mile trail of native wildflowers at Ansted Park, a Monarch Waystation and habitat for Monarch butterflies. During Blue Week at Wheeler Preserve, witness the stunning Blue Birds in the morning or late afternoon from the trailhead. Feel a sense of belonging in nature by exploring these trails. Remember to capture the breathtaking scenery on your camera and submit your photos to the Blue Week Photo Contest! CLICK HERE FOR FULL CONTEST DETAILS