Page 6 - Michigan DNR–Outdoor Adventure Center January - April 2019

B6 EHIND THE SCENES at the OAC PETOSKEY STONE at the OAC
Michigan’s state stone is the Petoskey stone.
It is a fossilized coral that lived during the Devonian Period, around 350 million years ago When wet or polished, a distinctive pattern emerges.
A 93-pound (42-kilogram) Petoskey stone was illegallyremovedfromLakeMichigan. Whenrock hunting in Michigan state parks, please remember that you may take no more than 25 pounds of rock or minerals per year from state parks, recreation lands and Great Lakes bottomlands.
The great staff from the Michigan DNR Minerals Management polished two portions of the large stone to bring out the beautiful honeycomb pattern.
The story has a happy ending, as the large stone has been placed at the Michigan DNR Outdoor Adventure Center in Detroit where thousands of visitors can see its beauty.
You will find the Petoskey stone at the base of the indoor waterfall, near the turtles. This stone is one of the many state symbols highlighted at the OAC. Try to find the others on your next visit!
THE FRIENDS OF THE OUTDOOR ADVENTURE
The Friends of the Outdoor Adventure is a small group of local professionals who strive to advance the mission of the Outdoor Adventure Center through fund development, community engagement and outreach. They volunteer their time, network, and professional skills to increase awareness, recruit volunteers, and raise donations to supplement existing programs and exhibits at the Outdoor Adventure Center.
If you are interested in joining this Board, or donating to our Friends Group, please e-mail andrea.m.lafontaine@gmail.com for more information.
Board members: Harvey "Chip" Amoe III, Carter Bundy, Charlie DeVries, Andrea LaFontaine, and Kevin Vettraino.