Membership
The activities of Seven Ponds Nature Center, including many educational programs for children, depend largely on memberships for funding. Your financial support is necessary to continue these important services.
However, there is much more to membership than the satisfaction of giving children an unforgettable outdoor experience. A membership at Seven Ponds Nature Center is like having 486 acres of clean lakes, inviting woodlands and colorful fields for your personal use.
Membership Entitles You To These Privileges:
- Free admission to the Interpretive Building and grounds.
- Special programs and walks designed for members.
- Discount on most bookstore purchases.
- Discount on workshops and classes.
- Library loan privileges.
- Subscription to Heron Tracks, a quarterly newsletter featuring natural history articles and reports on programs and activities.
- Free admission to selected nature centers. To see a list, visit the ANCA Reciprocal Organizations page.
Annual Membership Dues:
Benefactor: $1,000 or more
Donor: $500
Sustaining: $250
Supporting: $100
Contributing: $75
Family: $40
Individual: $30
Corporate or group memberships are welcome. Memberships are renewable May 1. Payment is deductible within legal limits for U.S. income tax purposes.
SEVEN PONDS NATURE CENTER
3854 Crawford Road
Dryden, MI 48428-9776
(810) 796-3200
Volunteering
Seven Ponds depends on the generous help of volunteers to provide many of our services. Volunteers help with teaching, mailings, trail work, garden work, bird box monitoring, fund raising, and a variety of other tasks. Please check with the nature center for current projects. The following volunteer groups meet and work at the center on a regular basis. Your participation is welcome!
Assistant Naturalists
These adult classes are held on Saturdays and usually start at 9:30 a.m. and run to 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. (except for field trips). Coffee, tea and a snack are provided and you are welcome to bring your lunch to eat with the group after the session. Classes are open to Assistant Naturalists only. If you would like to become a part of this rewarding program, contact us at 810-796-3200.
Weather Basics and Fun Facts
Saturday, March 17
Naturalist Lois Rheaume will go over basic weather information. Included will be weather vs. climate, cloud formations, and changing weather patterns; all of which affect the living organisms so closely tied to this earth.
Wetland Basics
Saturday, April 21
Naturalist Nancy Kautz will take us to Jonathan Woods to visit the various wetlands there and compare and contrast the differences.
Wildflower Primer and Trip
Saturday, May 26
Meet at the center to carpool to some sites displaying magnificent spring wildflowers. Learn some new flowers and enjoy seeing some old favorites. We will leave at 9:30 a.m. and return by 4:00 p.m. Please bring a lunch and drink.
Garden Volunteers
Volunteers are also needed for the various gardens at Seven Ponds. These gardens are a beautiful focal point during the summer months for teaching and reflection. If you are interested in doing general garden maintenance for the Butterfly Garden, the Herb Garden or the Woodland Wildflower Area, contact the nature center.
The Butterfly Garden will be in need of plenty of volunteers to spruce up the garden after a long winter. Call the center for details.
Stingers
The Women's Auxiliary of Seven Ponds, or Stingers, perform much rewarding work for the nature center and have a lot of fun. They meet on the first Monday of each month, April through October. Meetings begin at 11:30 a.m. and bring a brown bag lunch (coffee and tea are provided).
Nest Box Monitors
We are again looking for dedicated volunteers to monitor our bluebird nest boxes this year. This very important opportunity helps us to keep track of not only bluebirds, but also wrens, swallows, chickadees and other small birds that use these boxes. Please contact Naturalist Carrie Spencer.