Come out for a peaceful stroll through a tallgrass prairie in full glory or settle down on a boardwalk and admire the ever changing colors of autumn trees reflecting on shimmering water. Join one of our naturalists for a woodland walk or paddle the lakes with other "curious canoers." You are sure to enjoy learning new nature lore and sharing your interest with other enthusiasts. The admission is $3.00 per person (free to members) unless otherwise specified.
August
Golf Cart Tours
Saturday, August 23, 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.
Physically impaired nature lovers can join our naturalist for
a tour on a golf cart. We will visit several natural communities
as we discover the beauty of Seven Ponds. Pre-registration is
required. Limit 3 on each tour. Fee: $3.00 (members free).
Summer Wildflowers
Sunday, August 24, 2:00 p.m.
We will start in the prairie and weave our way through the woods
to discover wildflowers that bloom at this time of year.
Cultural History of Seven Ponds
Sunday, August 31, 2:00 p.m.
Let us turn back the clock and visit days-gone-by around the land
that we now call Seven Ponds Nature Center. Starting from 1848
through today, learn some of the history of several families who
made this land their home.
September
Labor Day Holiday
Monday, September 1
Building open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., come on out for a walk.
Fall Wildflower Walk
Sunday, September 7, 2:00 p.m.
Beautiful asters and goldenrods will make up the bulk of the wildflowers we encounter on this early fall walk.
Heritage Harvest Days
Saturday & Sunday, September 13 & 14,
11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
Look for additional information on this annual festival see our flyer here.
SPNC Bird Club: Fall Bird Walk
Tuesday, September 16, 7:00 p.m.
Our first birding club program after the summer break will be an evening bird walk around Seven Ponds. Fall migration is on, and flocks of warblers, sparrows, and other birds are moving through our area. We will look for these birds, and listen for owls calling as evening progresses.
Fall Bird Walk 1
Wednesday, September 17, 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 flocks of other fall migrants. Bring binoculars and your field guide. Fee: $3.00 (no charge for members).
Prairie Wander
Sunday, September 21, 2:00 p.m.
Let's wander through the prairie one last time to peek at what is blooming before this beautiful area rests for the winter.
Brownie Eco-Explorer Try-it
Saturday, September 27,
Session 1: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Session 2: 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Brownies will discover the natural world through hands-on activities and observation. They will also learn how to help keep our planet healthy. The brownies will fulfill all their requirements for this try-it in the 2 hours. Limit 40 brownies per session. Fee: $4.00 per person. No charge for leaders. Please call to pre-register 810-796-3200.
Invasive Plant Workday 1
Sunday, September 28, 1:00 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.
Hiking Club: Ortonville Recreation Area
Monday, September 29, 5:00 p.m.
Medium difficulty with hills. 2-3 miles. Directions: M-24 to Pratt Road west. Turn left (south) onto Hadley Road. Turn right (west) on Fox Lake Road. Parking lot is on the north side of Fox Lake Road. Outhouse only. State park or temporary parking permit required. Call for details and to sign-up!
October
Curious Canoers
Saturday, October 4, 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 age of six years old. Fee: $5.00 ($3.00 members).
Autumn Wee Readers
Saturday, October 4, 10:00 a.m.
Kathy Cole will be reading one of her favorite books. The story will be followed with a walk and a craft. Please call to pre-register 810-796-3200. Fee: $4.00 for adult and child (members free).
Jonathan Woods Walk
Sunday, October 5, 2:00 p.m.
What a splendid time for an afternoon stroll amidst the changing colors of autumn. Learn why we are treated to fall's bounty of color with a walk through the woods.
Invasive Plant Workday 2
Sunday, October 12, 1:00 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.
Fall Bird Walk 2
Wednesday, October 15, 8:00 a.m.
Our second fall bird walk will take us in search of white-throated and white-crowned sparrows, rusty blackbirds, and orange-crowned warblers. Bring binoculars and your field guide. Fee: $3.00 (members no charge).
Christmas for the Birds
Saturday & Sunday, October 18 & 19, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.
This year's "birdseed weekend" will again feature a number of activities related to watching, feeding, and enjoying the birds. 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, CDs, puppets, and more. There will also be a bake sale put on by the Stingers. Additional information will be sent to members in October.
SPNC Bird Club: The Results of Breeding Bird Atlas II
Tuesday, October 21, 7:00 p.m.
Many Birding Club members participated in Breeding Bird Atlas II. Tonight, Ray Adams of Kalamazoo Nature Center will give us an overview of the atlas results. We will find out which bird species are doing well in Michigan, which ones have declined in recent years, and more about the breeding birds of Lapeer County and adjacent areas. Ray Adams served as Coordinator for BBA1 and BBA2 and always has a great deal of information to share about Michigan birds.
A Fall Night Hike
Friday, October 24, 7:00 p.m.
This will be an enjoyable walk for young and old to discover the natural world at night. We will see or hear who is going "bump" in the night, and reveal that the night world isn't as spooky as we think. Please call to pre-register 810-796-3200.
Weblos Forester Badge Day
Saturday, October 25, Session 1: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Session 2: 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Webelos will fulfill their requirements for this two hour badge by learning about forestry. Fee: $4.00 per person. Leaders free. Please call to pre-register 810-796-3200.
Prairie Seed Collecting
Sunday, October 26, 1:00 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).
November
Winter Animal Strategies
Sunday, November 2, 2:00 p.m.
Discover how many of the animals which live at Seven Ponds cope with the tremendous stress of getting through a Michigan winter.
Invasive Plant Workday 3
Sunday, November 9, 1:00 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.
Natural Wreath Workshop
Saturday, November 15, 10:00 a.m.
Put together a beautiful grape vine wreath using nature's bounty. As you create your wreath we will discuss how the plants we'll be using were used for food, clothing, and other needs. Limited to 8 participants, age 12 and up. Fee: $12.00 (members $10.00) Pre-register for this workshop by calling 810-796-3200.
SPNC Bird Club: From Avocets to Yellowlegs
Tuesday, November 18, 7:00 p.m.
Many Birding Club members are planning trips to Florida, Texas, or other southern coastal locations for the winter. Tonight we will view the DVD Shorebirds: A Guide to Shorebirds of Eastern North America. The DVD provides portraits of 38 species of shorebirds which can be expected during visits to shoreline areas. It features close-up photography and plenty of tips for identifying members of this group of birds. We can all use work on our shorebird identification skills!
Clouds and other Weather Forecasters
Sunday, November 16, 2:00 p.m.
What in the world did folks do before the weather channel? Let's look at signs in nature that can give a glimpse of things to come, along with some old wives tales used long ago.
Girl Scout Wildlife Badge Day
Saturday, November 22, Session 1: 10:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, Session 2: 2:00-4:00 p.m.
Juniors will fulfill their requirements for this badge by learning about Michigan wildlife. Fee: $4.00 per person. Leaders free. Please call to pre-register 810-796-3200.
Thanksgiving Holiday
Thursday & Friday, November 27 & 28
The nature center will be closed on these two days, members are welcome to walk the trails.
Winter Beginnings
Sunday, November 30, 2:00 p.m.
Come to Seven Ponds to try and burn off some of the extra calories from Thanksgiving dinner as we quickly hike the trails, and talk about how animals are trying to store extra calories.