The event, which is free and open to the public, will feature appearances and presentations by some of Michigan's most popular nature and children's book authors and video producers, and a representative from Lansing's Potter Park Zoo. There will also be an old-fashioned Country Music Jamboree, horse-drawn wagon rides, bog tours, habitat hikes, and more.

Though many Harvest Social activities will be held continuously throughout the day, some will be presented at specific times:

12:00 p.m. Dennis Laidler, Education Curator, Potter Park Zoo -- How animals adapt to differing habitats to survive.

1:00 p.m. Rob and Laura Sams, creators of the award-winning video based on the popular children's book, Lost in the Woods - How the lives of animals can be brought to life through imagination and creativity.

2:00 p.m. Nick van Frankenhuyzen, illustrator of Michigan's Official State Children's Book, Legend of Sleeping Bear, and 15 other titles in the Legends series - Learn how to draw and find out how artists capture the essence and spirit of nature in their work.

3:00 p.m. Robbyn Smith, author of Adopted by an Owl and Saving Samantha - Learn how to observe wildlife and share your experiences through storytelling.

All four special guests will be on hand immediately following their presentations to talk with attendees and personally autograph copies of their books or videos in the Anderson Great Hall, located on the second floor of the Laughlin Building at the Bengel Wildlife Center.

Guests may also visit the Dancing Crane Gift Shop that features some unique and clever wildlife and gardening-themed gifts during the event. Proceeds benefit the MWC.

Representatives from a number of mid-Michigan conservation and environmental-related groups including the Friends of the Looking Glass River, Lansing Area Localvores, Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy and Wild Ones will also be on hand to provide information about their organizations.

The Michigan Wildlife Conservancy is a non-profit, charitable organization founded in 1982 to help people help wildlife through habitat restoration and educational programming, and is headquartered at the Bengel Wildlife Center, 6380 Drumheller Road in Bath. The MWC's Fall Harvest Social event is one of several being held this year to celebrate the organization's 25th anniversary of working to sustain Michigan's rich wildlife heritage.

For a complete event schedule, directions to the Bengel Wildlife Center or to support MWC programs, visit the Conservancy's website at: www.miwildlife.org.