Name: The Business of Life Sciences
Start: 2026-09-29
End: 2026-09-29

The Dexter Blueberry Farm is a "u-pick" farm where visitors can come and pick their own berries! Once a farm of wild blueberries, the land was cultivated in the 1960s and has been expanded several times since.

Come visit and spend some quality time outdoors picking the best blueberries.

Dexter Blueberry Farm

A large wetland complex ('Trinkle Marsh') is a premier spot for watching waterfowl. Every spring and fall, dozens of species of birds, including ducks, shorebirds, herons, cranes, and more, stop on their migration journey. Additionally, many other species use the preserve as their summer home for nesting and raising young birds. Two convenient boardwalks and overlooks take you to the water’s edge getting you close to wildlife.

Other features of the preserve include a scenic woodlot adjacent to the marsh. Another wetland complex is situated in the northern portion of the preserve. Portions of the property remain as active farmland, as it has been for well over 100 years.

Trinkle Marsh at Easton Farm Preserve

Whitmore Lake Golf Links is a 18 hole Championship Bill Newcomb Signature design golf course located in Whitmore Lake just 10 miles north of Ann Arbor and 13 miles south of Brighton just off of US-23.

Located on 254 acres with two different style 9’s to enjoy, the front nine will give you the Links style play with rolling hills, plenty of water and tall heather grass and the back 9 will give you the Up North scenic, tree lined fairways and challenging play.

Their facility includes a practice green, practice bunker and driving range with lessons and clinics available.

Whitmore Lake Golf Links

They source the finest Heirloom Nacional Cacao from organic family farms in Ecuador and make stone-ground chocolate in small batches in Dexter, Michigan and in Mindo, Ecuador. Mindo Chocolate Makers are constantly striving to create a sustainable, environmentally-friendly company that goes above and beyond fair trade standards and in pursuit of the most delicious chocolate possible.

Mindo Chocolate Makers

Alber's offers hayrides, a corn maze, you-pick pumpkin patch, straw maze, farm animals, tours of a vintage cider press and crisp heirloom apples. Watch cider being made. Taste over 100 different apple varieties. Adults ages 21+ can try the wine bar open on select days.

Alber Orchard & Cider Mill

Michigan's Willow Run Bomber Plant played a tremendous role in shaping the landscape, people, culture, and local economy of Ypsilanti and Washtenaw County during and after WWII. Going beyond the core storyline of the Willow Run Bomber Plant, the Story Map tells about the impact of the Willow Run Bomber Plant on the Ypsilanti area both during and after World War II. Follow the story map and explore the key sites of Willow Run's historic impact on United States history.

Willow Run: Arsenal of Democracy

Independence Lake's universally-accessible Blue Heron Bay spray park is the perfect place for some fun in the sun! Whether you are playing on the water play structure, gliding down our new water slides, or just catching some shade in our rentable pavilions, there is something for everyone!

Your kids will be sure to have a great adventure with our water jet spider, cattails, and buckets. Their concessions area is a great place to take a break from all the excitement while enjoying a hot meal and a cold drink. Guest amenities include first aid services, family changing rooms, showers, diaper changing stations and coin lockers.

Blue Heron Bay Spray Park

Independence Lake County Park offers a multitude of recreational activities for park visitors, and features diverse habitats including wetlands, prairies and great stands of oaks. The park offers a launch site for canoes, kayaks and motorized boats.

The park is among the best destinations in southern Michigan for diverse, beautiful natural areas that are carefully balanced with year-round recreational offerings.

Highlights include Blue Heron Bay (spray park), a beautiful beach and swimming area, boat rentals, playgrounds, the Red Hawk Disc Golf Courses, hiking trails, groomed cross-country (X-C) ski trails, and ice fishing in the winter.

Independence Lake County Park

Whitmore Lake Preserve's trails let visitors explore diverse habitats, including, meadows, mixed hardwood forest, and wooded wetlands, with scenic views over a large marsh and small lakes.

- Acres: 319
- Trail Length: 2.7 miles (Natural, unpaved)

Whitmore Lake Preserve

Baker Woods Preserve has a mixture of forests and meadows. It is also home to the Chelsea District Library's Storybook Trail. The Storybook Trail displays a children's book along a nature trail, allowing for an interesting experience for hiking and reading outdoors. The Storybook trail is updated seasonally and is recommended for kids of all ages.

Another attractive site nature feature is Mill Creek, which traverses the property from north to south. The creek banks are in good condition and the creek itself is well shaded by adjacent vegetation. The site has a varied topography with especially steep slopes along the course of the creek. A parking lot and trails for public access were constructed in 2014.

- Acres: 70
- Trail Length: 1.10 miles (Natural ground, unimproved)

Baker Woods Preserve

The [Ann Arbor Sports Commission](https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/ "Ann Arbor Sports Commission") works diligently to improve the quality of life through sports for all of Washtenaw County. The [Ann Arbor area](https://www.annarbor.org/ "Ann Arbor area") attracts both sports enthusiasts and participants alike. Thanks to its [easy accessibility](https://www.annarbor.org/plan/getting-here-getting-around/ "easy accessibility"), [wide range of facilities](https://www.annarbor.org/sports-commission/facilities-venues/ "wide range of facilities") available and variety of [dining](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/ "dining") & [entertainment](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/ "entertainment") options, the Ann Arbor area is a favorite of sporting event organizations. The area has a rich sporting culture seeding in the history of two Division 1 athletic programs ([University of Michigan](https://www.annarbor.org/university-of-michigan/ "University of Michigan") and Eastern Michigan University) and several other small institutions. The Ann Arbor Sports was formed to attract amateur sporting events to the Ann Arbor region by assisting organizers every step of the way.

Ann Arbor is a dynamic mix of energy and charm—a bustling university town, a [foodie’s paradise](https://www.annarbor.org/foodanddrink/ "foodie's paradise"), and a cutting-edge tech hub, all wrapped in a [walkable downtown](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/downtown/ "walkable downtown") bursting with [world-class arts and culture](https://www.annarbor.org/things-to-do/arts-culture/ "world-class arts and culture"). Located in Michigan’s southeast Lower Peninsula, Ann Arbor is the heartbeat of a vibrant network of [communities across Washtenaw County](https://www.annarbor.org/surrounding-destinations/ "communities across Washtenaw County"). With its creative spirit, diverse flavors, and unique neighborhoods, Ann Arbor shines as a exciting oasis.

Ann Arbor Sports Commission

From lab bench to market launch, this event explores the full spectrum of life sciences entrepreneurship. Connect with researchers, executives, and investors shaping health tech and bioinnovation in Washtenaw County. Panels and speakers will tackle funding gaps, regulatory challenges, and emerging opportunities facing life sciences companies today.  
  
A must-attend for life sciences professionals and innovators, the event also complements the following day’s MichBio Michigan Medical Device Summit, creating a unique opportunity to engage with industry leaders and deepen connections across Michigan’s life sciences ecosystem.

The Business of Life Sciences

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