Bengel Wildlife Center Signage Project
MSU Conservation Stewards Capstone Project
Bengel Wildlife Center — Bath, MI
Project Overview
This capstone project for the Michigan State University Conservation Stewards program involves designing and installing interpretive signage along the trail system at the Bengel Wildlife Center in Bath, Michigan. The project includes mapping points of interest, creating educational content, and producing durable trail signs for visitors.
Project Timeline
Initial Meeting with Director
Met with Drew Monks, Director of Bengel Wildlife Center, to discuss project scope and goals. Walked the southwest park trail system to identify potential sign locations and assess trail conditions. Drew mentioned he wanted to remove a couple of unmaintained trails in the southwest portion of the property from the map.
Map Revision
Received the current PDF map distributed at the wildlife center. Edited the existing trail map to remove unused trails and added 16 numbered Points of Interest (POIs) to the updated map. POI #1 has two locations (1A and 1B), for 17 total waypoints.
📄 View Original Map (PDF) 🗺️ View Edited MapGPS Waypoint Collection
Returned to Bengel Wildlife Center with a Garmin GPS unit. Marked waypoints for each of the 17 POI waypoints on the updated trail map. Collected tracking files and waypoint data for mapping and documentation.
📍 View GPS DataGPS & Map Data Review
Reviewing GPS waypoint data against the edited trail map. Identified potential labeling discrepancies: POI #13 on the edited map appears to correspond to #14 on the GPS data. GPS waypoint #15 is positioned lower (further north) than intended — it should be at the top of the loop and labeled as #14, as the southern bend where #15 should be was not reached during collection. A return trip will be needed to verify and correct waypoint placements.
📍 View Map SnapshotFeedback from Drew Monks
Received email from Drew with revisions and direction for the map and POI placements. Several trail and waypoint changes requested.
View requested changes
- Delete the red trail between POI #3 and halfway between #2 and #4 (decommissioned)
- Move POI #8 to the closest point between the easternmost pond and the red trail
- Add a short trail from the technology demonstration building; delete the short trail from 1A to the tech dem bldg
- Move 1A to the northeast side of the technology demonstration building (Mauser trail doesn’t need special marking)
- Move POI #10 to the intersection just west of the main driveway and just south of the bus parking (no trail markers needed on NE corner)
- Trail at #13 has been decommissioned — remove #13 and adjust numbering accordingly
- Add a new numbered POI at the intersection of Drumheller and the west trailhead (sign location)
Map Revision v4
Update the edited trail map based on Drew’s feedback: remove decommissioned trails, adjust POI locations, remove #13, add Drumheller/west trailhead intersection POI, and renumber accordingly.
Meeting with Drew Monks
Meeting with Drew to go over the project and discuss anything needed before he starts his new job in two weeks. Should have the v4 map updates completed before this meeting.
Return Visit: Waypoint Corrections & New POIs
Return trip to Bengel Wildlife Center to:
- GPS new location for POI #1A (NE side of tech dem bldg)
- GPS new location for POI #8 (near easternmost pond)
- GPS new location for POI #10 (intersection west of main driveway)
- GPS new POI at Drumheller & west trailhead intersection
- Remap POIs #12–#14 with correct labeling
- Locate and mark #15 and #16
Sign Content Development
Develop interpretive content for each of the 16 POI signs based on wildlife, habitat, and conservation themes.
Sign Design & Production
Design sign layouts, select materials, and produce finished signs for installation.
Installation
Install completed signs at each POI location along the trail system.