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Special Trailside Features
The Seven Ponds are seven small glacial lakes which are connected by streams and channels. The lakes are steep-sided and several are over thirty feet deep. The nature center is named after this beautiful lake system. The lakes are reached by taking one of the trails leading downhill from the Interpretive Building.
The Teaching Platform is a large dock on the shore of Treetop Pond. It is a good place to begin a visit.
The A-Frame Bridge crosses the channel between Treetop and Little Ponds. The bridge is a great place to observe birds and other wildlife. It also provides an excellent view of the nature center's wetlands.
Big Pond Observation Platform overlooks the largest of the Seven Ponds and provides the best view of ducks and geese on this large lake.
Paul's Woods is a mature forest of sugar maple, oak, hickory, and beech. It is home to woodland wildflowers, ferns, and a variety of animals, especially birds.
Miller Pond Boardwalk winds along the shore and provides access to interesting swamp forest habitat. A small platform on the north end overlooks a beaver lodge that is frequently active.
Earl's Prairie is a reconstruction of a rare Michigan plant community and features many native wildflowers. This nine-acre area is especially showy during summer and early fall when plants are blooming.
The North-80 is an eighty acre area located across the road from the nature center's entrance. A network of trails takes hikers through fields, thickets, and forest. Map posts are located at each junction of the trail system to aid navigation. These trails are popular with cross-country skiers.
Waterfowl Pond is located in the North-80 and is an excellent place to view many forms of wildlife, including ducks, herons, muskrat, and beaver.
The Butterfly Garden is located in the driveway circle. Its plants provide nectar for butterflies and other insects, and serve as hosts for butterfly larvae.
The Herb Garden is located in the driveway circle. This garden displays plants used by our forebearers for food, medicine, potpourri, and dyes.
The Woodland Wildflower Garden contains a nice variety of spring woodland wildflowers and ferns. The garden is located below the Interpretive Building.
For information on the center's Jonathan Woods Preserve go to the Jonathan Woods page.
Guidelines for the Trails
Seven Ponds Nature Center is a very special place. It is a nature sanctuary, providing habitat for a variety of living things. All plants and animals are protected. The nature center also serves as a peaceful retreat for its visitors. Here, a person can get away from some of the problems of our increasingly complex world, even if for only a little while. As you travel the nature center's trails today, please remember:
- Stay on the trails. Leaving the trail injures plants, disturbs animals, and destroys animal homes.
- Walk slowly and quietly. You will increase your chances of observing animals and noticing wildflowers and other features.
- Picking or collecting plants is prohibited. Leave everything where you found it for other visitors to enjoy.
- Supervise children at all times.
- Leave the nature center better than you found it. Pick up litter and return it to the building or your car for disposal.
- Pets, horses, smoking, bikes, and motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trails.
- There is no picnicking along the trails. Picnic tables are located adjacent to the nature center parking lot.
- Hunting, fishing, or trapping is not allowed.
- Leave only footprints, take only photographs and memories.
- Return often. Each season has its own beauty, each moment is unique.
