Well, it's Groundhog Day... again...

Michigan's official groundhog, Woody the Woodchuck, provided her prediction for the remainder of the winter season. Hundreds tuned in virtually February 2nd for Woody's 22nd annual prediction on Howell Nature Center's Facebook broadcast.

Woody the Woodchuck emerges from her home on Feb. 2, 2021 to predict the remainder of the winter season (Howell Nature Center)

The virtual event began early Tuesday morning around 7:30 a.m. with an educational presentation about the history of groundhogs hosted by HNC's Wildlife Education Coordinator, Evin Luehr. CEO of Howell Nature Center, John "JC" Carlson, hosted the live Groundhog Day prediction at 8 a.m alongside the Director of Wildlife and Education at HNC, Laura Butler.

The Howell Nature Center (HNC) has hosted the annual tradition for the past 22 years, the 22nd annual celebration being the first hosted entirely virtual. Throughout the annual tradition, Woody the Woodchuck has predicted accurately 76% of the time, said Carlson.

Discussing the unfortunate circumstances of the pandemic, Carlson expressed his gratitude to all those who continue to support the HNC through these uncertain times, allowing further growth and improvement for their facilities.

"2020 was a rough year but thanks to our community we have remained on mission to teach people to be faithful caretakers of one another and the world around them," said Carlson during the HNC broadcast.

The Howell Nature Center's annual tradition served as a fundraiser with hopes to raise $10,000 for the betterment of constructing improved wildlife habitats. The donations will be utilized toward building a larger and higher quality habitat for Woody and other groundhogs at HNC.

"While our current habitat is nice, we want to do better," said Laura Butler, Director of Wildlife and Education at HNC. Butler explained HNC's plans to introduce more opportunities for the wildlife to thrive by expanding digging, climbing, and swimming habitat features as well as improved heating in the habitat so the groundhogs no longer have to be moved to different habitats in the winter.

If you'd like to contribute, donations can be made through the Howell Nature Center Facebook page or on their website at https://www.howellnaturecenter.org/donate/.