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September
Sunday, September 5, 2:00 p.m.
Join us for a look at, asters and goldenrods, beautiful fall wildflowers that fill the prairie and fields.
Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 6
Building open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., come on out for a walk.
Dipping in the Ponds
Saturday, September 11, 2:00 p.m.
Bring your family out and use the nature center’s pond nets to discover the fascinating underwater world of the pond.
Squirrels of Seven Ponds
Sunday, September 12, 2:00 p.m.
These curious and acrobatic critters have many “talents” to help them survive on land and tree. During this walk we will learn all about squirrels.
Heritage Harvest Days
Saturday & Sunday,
September 18 & 19, 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Look for additional information on this annual festival click here.
Fall Bird Walk #1
Wednesday, September 22, 8:00 a.m.
Our weekday bird walks continue this fall. During this first session we will be on the lookout for fall warblers passing through on their way south, as well as other migrants, such as vireos, thrushes, and sparrows. Bring binoculars and your field guide. Fee: $5.00 (members $3.00).
Invasive Plant Workday #1
Sunday, September 26, 2:00 p.m.
We will be working on non-native, invasive plants invading the nature center. This is a great chance to earn community service or master gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves.
October
Curious Canoers of Seven PondsSaturday, October 2, 10:00 a.m.
Fall colors will reflect our way through the water as we travel by canoe this fine day. What a great way to spend time looking at the natural world. Use your canoe or one of ours and pre-register for this event at 810-796-3200. Limited to eight canoes. Minimum passenger age of five years old – minimum paddler age of 10 years. Fee: $5.00 ($3.00 members).
“Hairs,” Tendrils, and Suction Cups
Sunday, October 3, 2:00 p.m.
Vines have amazing adaptations which enable them to reach to the sun. Let’s wander in search of these often misunderstood plants.
Fall Bird Walk #2
Wednesday, October 6, 8:00 a.m.
Our second fall bird walk will take us in search of white-throated and white-crowned sparrows, rusty blackbirds, kinglets, orange-crowned warblers, and other migrants. Bring binoculars and your field guide. Fee: $5.00 (members $3.00).
Paddle the Ponds at Sunset
Friday, October 8, 6:00 p.m.
Expect the unexpected as the sun descends and critters start moving. We may even be treated to a lovely sunset! Use your canoe or one of ours and pre-register for this event at 810-796-3200. Limited to eight canoes. Minimum passenger age of five years old – minimum paddler age of 10 years. Fee: $5.00 ($3.00 members).
Autumn Wee Readers
Saturday, October 9, 10:00 a.m.
Marianna Fitzgerald will be reading one of her favorite books. The story will be followed with a walk and craft. Please call to pre-register (810) 796-3200. Fee: $4.00 for adult and child (members free).
Junior Girl Scouts Badge Day – Earth Connections
Saturday, October 9, Session 1: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or Session 2: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Jr. Girl Scouts will complete this badge by becoming ecologists for the day. They will learn about plant and animal adaptations, how people use the natural world, and what is being done to protect our world. Fee: $4.00 per person. Leaders are free. Please call to pre-register 810-796-3200.
Invasive Plant Workday #2
Sunday, October 10, 2:00 p.m.
We will be working on non-native, invasive shrubs invading the nature center. This is a great chance to earn community service or master gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves.
Birdseed Saturday
Saturday, October 16, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
This one day event will feature a number of activities related to watching, feeding, and enjoying the birds. There will be several presenters throughout the day including Joe Rogers with his birds of prey. The Rookery Bookstore will have an excellent variety of birdseed and bird feeders, as well as a great selection of nature related gifts including books, DVDs, CD’s, puppets, and more. There will also be a bake sale put on by the Stingers. Additional information will be sent to members in October.
Jonathan Woods Walk
Sunday, October 17, 2:00 p.m.
Let’s check out the heron rookery now that the young have left, while we learn why we are treated to fall’s bounty of color. We will carpool from the center’s building to explore our satellite property.
Fall Bird Walk #3
Wednesday, October 20, 8:00 a.m.
Our final fall bird walk will take us in search of red-breasted nuthatch, ruby-crowned and golden-crowned kinglets, dark-eyed junco, Lincoln’s sparrow, purple finch, and other species. Bring binoculars and your field guide. Fee: $5.00 (members $3.00).
Fall Color on the Lakes
Sunday, October 24, 2:00 p.m.
This is a lovely time of year to explore the trails around the lakes. The color of the trees reflecting on the water adds to the splendor of our sanctuary.
Seven Ponds Sketchers
Saturday, October 30, 10:00 a.m.
Fall is a lovely time to pick up your pencil and sketchbook and wander the trails with a naturalist. This program is open to teens and adults with an interest in nature sketching. Fee: $3.00 (members free).
Howl-o-ween Walk
Sunday, October 31, 2:00 p.m.
Let’s learn about the creatures that howl in the night. Beware! This might make you less afraid of the dark.
November
Wednesday & Thursday, November 3 & 4, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Come out and help the nature center staff as we work on non-native, invasive shrubs invading the nature center. This is a great chance to earn community service or master gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves.
Owl Moon and other Campfire Tales
November 5, 6:00 p.m.
Bring out the family for some old-fashioned fun around a campfire while we learn about owls. We will also see if we can call any of these mysterious night birds to us. Marshmallows included! Pre-registration required. Limit 15, ages 5 and up. Fee: $3 per adult/ $1.00 per child (members free).
Boy Scout Merit Badge: Tracking
Saturday, November 6, 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
This is a 2010 Historical Merit Badge marking 100 years of Boy Scouts. Originally called “stalking,” this badge teaches how to track wildlife. Scouts should bring a camera. Fee: $4.00 per person. Leaders free. Please call to pre-register (810) 796-3200.
Prairie Seed Collecting
Sunday, November 7, 2:00 p.m.
During this afternoon activity, we’ll share information about planting a prairie, recognizing prairie plants at the seed stage, and how to collect prairie seed. Participants will have an opportunity to collect prairie seed for their own use. Bring some paper bags and a bucket if you plan to collect seed. Fee: $3.00 (members free).
Handmade Natural Ornaments Workshop
Saturday, November 13, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Learn to make stunning ornaments for your holiday decorating using nature’s bounty. You will learn how to identify, preserve, and decorate dried flowers and seed heads for use all winter. Each participant will take home at least one dozen ornaments. Bring your lunch, scissors, garden gloves, and a tray or box top to safely transport your treasures home. Pre-register for this adult workshop as enrollment is limited to 10 participants ages 12 and up. Fee: $10.00 (members $7.00).
The Rut is On
Sunday, November 14, 2:00 p.m.
As deer hunters head for the woods to harvest deer, join a naturalist for a different kind of hunting experience to learn the life cycle and ecology of these majestic creatures.
Invasive Plant Workday #3
Sunday, November 21, 2:00 p.m.
We will work on non-native, invasive plants invading the nature center. This is a great chance to earn community service or master gardener hours. Bring your own work gloves.
Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday, November 25 and Friday, November 26
The nature center will be closed on these two days; members are welcome to walk the trails.
Hibernating Habitats
Sunday, November 28, 2:00 p.m.
Loose bark, ant hills, and rock piles are just a few of the special places which keep animals alive through the cold months. Discover which critters use what unusual places to “hole up” for winter.