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Saturday & Sunday, March 20 & 21, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The nature center frequently receives donations of nature and garden books from members and friends. Some books are added to the center’s library, but many are already in our collection. The remaining books include many great titles, some which are now out of print. All of these books will be made available on the above days on a donation basis. If you still have nature or garden books ready for a new owner, bring them out prior to the sale and we will try to recycle them for you.
Room rental at the Nature Center
For many years Seven Ponds has had provisions for room rental, but it was seldom practical as the large room also contained our reception area, gift shop, exhibits, bird observation windows, and visitor access to restrooms. To rent this space during regular open hours would have pretty much meant shutting down the area to members and other visitors. Now that we have a large multi-purpose room which is isolated from other building functions, we will be able to provide additional opportunities for room rentals. The new multi-purpose room could provide a wonderful setting for a variety of events, including business retreats, group luncheons, wedding and baby showers, retirement parties, weddings, and other private events. The room features windows overlooking the woodlands and lakes of Seven Ponds and has a small warming kitchen for handling light refreshments. The room will easily accommodate over one hundred people in auditorium style seating or smaller group sizes with table seating. Tables and chairs are available. Additional portions of the building may also be utilized in conjunction with the rental of the large room, in instances when the building is not open to the public. The guidelines for rental of the multi-purpose room are as follows:
- Room rental is available to Seven Ponds Nature Center members only and must be approved by the Director.
- Nature center programs and activities take precedence over room rentals.
- Room rental activities must be compatible with nature center policies and activities. Other nature center visitors must be respected.
- The Interpretive Building is a smoke free facility.
- No pets are allowed.
- Consumption of alcohol is not permitted during the nature center’s open hours, and afterwards only with the approval of the Director.
- Nature center programs can be scheduled in conjunction with room rental for an additional fee.
- The renter is responsible for any property damage.
- Room rental rates vary with total rental time and time of day of the rental.
A Camera Club at Seven Ponds?
Are you interested in photography and would like to learn more about the art of photography, how your camera works, and how you can improve your photos? Would you like to go on field trips with other photographers? Several local photographers, including Mike Mercier of Dryden, Stu Davis of Imlay City, Denny Kelly of Metamora, and Dale Vronch of Lapeer would like to see a photography/camera club start up at the nature center. If you would be interested in taking part in such a club, please respond by calling the nature center at 810-796-3200, or contact Mike Mercier at 810-796-2915 or mike@wildphotoguy.com.
Lapeer County Birdathon & Big Day Count
It’s time for the annual Lapeer County Birdathon. Birdwatchers arise before dawn and watch birds until late afternoon. Members of the birdathon team also help raise funds for the nature center by soliciting pledges from their family and friends. This year’s event is scheduled for Saturday, May 15.
Many members of last year’s birdathon team plan on taking part, and additional team members are needed. Both beginning and advanced birdwatchers are welcome. It is really a great way to gain birding experience and we always have some wonderful sightings. It’s a fun day, give it a try!
Funds raised during this year’s birdathon will be used for the new exhibit area. Your pledge will help us expand the decoy exhibit, add interpretive signage to the beehive exhibit, create a bird nest exhibit, and set up a large aquarium with fish found in the ponds. To make a pledge, simply write your name, address, and pledge amount on a piece of paper and send it to the nature center (or call it in). You may choose to make a fixed amount pledge (such as $25.00), or a per bird pledge (such as 25¢ per bird). Once the birdathon is over, you will be sent a list of birds seen by the birdathon team and a bill for the amount of your pledge. The birdathon team will probably see a total of about 100 species of birds on the day of the count.
Grants and gifts
The nature center was very pleased to receive a bequest from longtime member and volunteer, Patricia McFadden, since the last newsletter. Pat was a strong believer in the need for a strong Endowment Fund and her bequest has been added to this fund, per her wishes. Such planned gifts continue to be an important part of a strong financial foundation at Seven Ponds and we greatly appreciate each and every gift of this nature that we receive.