Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season. Children and their caregiver(s) are invited to play and connect during this guided program. Weather-permitting, the program will be outdoors. FREE | Ages: 3-5 w/adult Learn more: STORY HOUR 6/6/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 6/20/2024 10:00 […]
Meet an Interpretive Naturalist at the end of Homestead Road at the Lanigan Pavilion to learn about our native fireflies and watch them light up the fields and forests of CNC. We will search for their glowing larvae and learn about their bioluminescence. FREE | All Ages, under 18 w/adult Learn more: FIREFLY FRENZY 6/18/2024 9:30 […]
Step back in time at Homestead Sundays at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) for a free, family-friendly afternoon, Sundays June 2-August 25 from 1-5 pm. Visit the pigs, sheep, cows and chickens that call the Homestead Farm home in the summer. Explore the cabin, one-room schoolhouse and timber frame barn, and learn how life was different […]
Children and their caregiver(s) are invited to join us for a staff-led walk, learn about the outdoors and learn ways to introduce children to the natural world around them. Meet at the Visitor Center. 2nd Friday of the month April-Oct, 9:30-10:30 am FREE | Ages: 6 mos-2 yrs w/adult Learn more: WEE STROLL 6/14/2024 9:30 AM […]
**Monthly Series** Nature Connections: Redbud Embrace the opportunity to know the forest in a new way by focusing on an individual species of tree or shrub each month. Through exploration and guided experiences, participants will come to know a section of CNC’s land throughout the seasons to make a meaningful, personal connection with nature. Quiet […]
Step back in time at Homestead Sundays at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) for a free, family-friendly afternoon, Sundays June 2-August 25 from 1-5 pm. Visit the pigs, sheep, cows and chickens that call the Homestead Farm home in the summer. Explore the cabin, one-room schoolhouse and timber frame barn, and learn how life was different […]
Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season. Children and their caregiver(s) are invited to play and connect during this guided program. Weather-permitting, the program will be outdoors. FREE | Ages: 3-5 w/adult Learn more: STORY HOUR 6/6/2024 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM 6/20/2024 10:00 […]
Enjoy a casual evening hike exploring the gardens and trails at CNC to discover and learn about native plants for your garden. Meet at the Visitor Center. FREE l Ages 15+, under 18 w/adult Learn more: NATIVE PLANTS AND GARDEN EXPLORATION 5/28/2024 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. Meet at the Visitor Center. FREE | Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult Learn more: FULL MOON STROLL 5/22/2024 8:30 PM […]
**Monthly Series** Nature Connections: Redbud Embrace the opportunity to know the forest in a new way by focusing on an individual species of tree or shrub each month. Through exploration and guided experiences, participants will come to know a section of CNC’s land throughout the seasons to make a meaningful, personal connection with nature. Quiet […]
Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. Meet at the Visitor Center. FREE | Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult April 23 8:30pm-10pm Learn more: FULL MOON STROLL
Whether we’re making pies in the mud kitchen, building forts, constructing rivers, lounging in hammocks or creating nature art, this hour of play is sure to engage everyone! Come make some new friends as you enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Caregivers must remain with children during this program. This program will be facilitated by volunteer host […]
Earth Day Celebration: Community Science - Vernal Pool Patrol Join us as we contribute to a statewide citizen science project hosted by Michigan State University’s Michigan Natural Features Inventory program. We will be surveying one of CNC’s temporary ponds to see what is living in and around it. This project helps gather data for protection […]
Earth Day Celebration: Invasive Species of Michigan The Central Michigan Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CM-CISMA) will be discussing invasive species and the impact they have on the environment. Learn identification tips for some of the more prevalent invasive species in this region, as well as some methods of how to help mitigate their spread […]
Earth Day Celebration: Bluebird Nest Box Workshop Join a Naturalist to create a bluebird nest box. We will discuss Eastern Bluebird conservation, where to install your box, maintenance, and how to identify who is using the nest box. All materials will be provided. Registration required. Registration fee is for each bluebird box made. $30 / […]
We are celebrating Earth Day with a day full of stewardship and conservation programs! Join us for a vernal pool community science project, birdhouse building, learning about invasive plant species and how to handle them at home and more! Earth Day Celebration: Bluebird Nest Box Workshop Earth Day Celebration: Community Science - Vernal Pool Patrol […]
Join naturalist Tom Lenon on a short hike to look for Woodcock and Snipe. Tom will highlight the different habitats these birds use, discuss their mating behaviors and look for their aerial displays in action. Wear dark clothing and dress for the weather. FREE | Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult Learn more: IN SEARCH OF […]
**Monthly Series** Nature Connections: Redbud Embrace the opportunity to know the forest in a new way by focusing on an individual species of tree or shrub each month. Through exploration and guided experiences, participants will come to know a section of CNC’s land throughout the seasons to make a meaningful, personal connection with nature. Quiet […]
Join CNC's Historical Interpreter to hike the trails and explore the natural resources that brought people to the region. We will look for evidence of how nature has influenced our history and guided the settlement of our area. Meet at the Visitor Center. FREE l Ages 15+, under 18 w/adult 4/2/2024 10:00 AM - 11:30 […]
Discover the magic of maple syrup season Saturdays and Sundays in March as you experience the process of making syrup from start to finish during this drop-in program. Visitors are invited to peek in buckets on tapped trees, watch the steam rise in the sugarhouse and learn how to change maple sap into sweet maple […]
Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. Please wear dark colors and bring a flashlight. Meet at the Visitor Center. FREE | Ages: 9+, under 18 w/adult 3/25/2024 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM Learn more: […]
Discover the magic of maple syrup season Saturdays and Sundays in March as you experience the process of making syrup from start to finish during this drop-in program. Visitors are invited to peek in buckets on tapped trees, watch the steam rise in the sugarhouse and learn how to change maple sap into sweet maple […]
Discover the magic of maple syrup season Saturdays and Sundays in March as you experience the process of making syrup from start to finish during this drop-in program. Visitors are invited to peek in buckets on tapped trees, watch the steam rise in the sugarhouse and learn how to change maple sap into sweet maple […]
Venture out for a special egg hunt event! Each child will make their own egg hunt bag, then venture into the woods to search high and low for hidden eggs. Prizes will be awarded to all participants. Before or after the hunt, be sure to spend time discovering the wonders of Michigan’s egg-laying animals through […]
Easter makes us think of brightly colored and painted eggs. Historically, eggs were dyed with natural materials, creating beautiful muted colors. Learn why they have long been a part of the Easter holiday tradition and how with a little planning, you can make and use natural dyes from your pantry and vegetable bin this holiday. […]
Events and times subject to change without notice. For most accurate information, please contact event organizers directly.