March is Sugar Bush Time in Grand Rapids Michigan

March is SugarBush Time in Grand Rapids Michigan.

We are fortunate to have Blandford Nature Center, a 143 acre natural site

in the second largest city in the state. And all this month on Saturday and Sunday

(*except Easter weekend) there will be a SugarBush Festival with the smell of maple

syrup cooking in the air. This fresh maple syrup is available to eat at the annual

pancake breakfast. So, you can have some real maple syrup on those pancakes!

If you have never had one of nature’s sweetest treats – make it a point to sample:

The Annual 2008 Pancake Breakfast

March 15th from 8 AM to 12 PM

1715 Hillburn Ave. Grand Rapids Michigan

Admission: $3 Adults $1 children

blandford sugar shack gr mi

If you are interested in Maple Sugaring Facts, here are a few to consider:

Tapping does no permanent damage and only 10 percent of the sap is collected each year.
Many maple trees have been tapped for 150 or more years.
Usually a maple tree is at least 30 years old and 12 inches in diameter before it is tapped
It takes 30-50 gallons of sap to make one gallon of maple syrup

Much more information is available at the Michigan Maple Sugar Association

Volunteers are needed to run the sugar bush and help with all the facilities. A perfect way

to learn all about this process, a hands on education for yourself and your children/grand children.

* Easter Weekend, Blandford Nature Center’s 5 miles of Nature Trails will be open for self-guided tours.

Mixed Greens has more information on volunteering, Blandford Nature Center, and Sugar Bush Fun.

sugar shack photo courtesy of mixed greens.com

Grand Rapids Real Estate