SEVEN PONDS NATURE CENTER
FALL PROGRAMS for 2026
Fall is the perfect time to visit the nature center and participate in our programs. Seven Ponds offers something for everyone, from preschoolers and families to adults and seniors. Mark your calendar for some programs, walks, and classes.
All programs require pre-registration. Space is limited.
Registration is now open for all fall programs.
SEPTEMBER
Saturday, September, 12, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Join us for a day of celebration at Seven Ponds for the entire family! Open to all visitors and members for a full day of fun, adventure and discovery!
Saturday, September 19, 10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Join our Land Steward for an afternoon of working on non-native invasive plants around the center. Bring your own work gloves and water. We will provide all necessary tools. Cost: $20.
Saturday, September 19, 1:00 pm
Come learn about the secret lives of insects! We’ll have an indoor presentation about the amazing diversity of insects. Then, we’ll use our insect detective skills to take a hike to search for clues.
Saturday, September 26, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
From roly-polies and worms to beetles and slugs, there’s a whole world just out of sight. Join a naturalist as we flip over logs to see what we’ll find! This program is best for children 3-6 years old and their adults.
Sunday, September 27th, 10:00am
Join our Land Steward for an afternoon of working on nonnative invasive plants around the center. Bring your own water bottle. We will provide all necessary tools. No fee.
OCTOBER
The Enchanted Woodland
Saturday, October 3, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Two Sessions)
A fun and educational (but not scary) experience for kids ages 4 and up with their adults. Two sessions available for sign up.
Yoga at the Ponds
Thursdays, October 8, 15, 22, 29, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Unwind, rejuvenate and relax with Cat Minolli and the ‘Peaceful Moon’ series. These classes are designed for newcomers and beginning yoga students and/or those who wish to become re-acquainted with the practice. Participants will experience the mind-body-spirit connection while learning basic yoga poses in a serene environment. You don't have to be able to touch your toes or twist into a pretzel to participate, however, many postures are done from a seated or prone position on the floor. Participants should wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or a blanket. Pillows, additional blankets, and any other "creature comforts" are also welcome. Fee is $15.00 per session or $50.00 for the 4-week series. REGISTRATION REQUIRED. NO DROP-INS. Minimum of four participants to run the class. Registered participants will be notified and receive a refund if the class is canceled due to low registration. Click on the date of each session you wish to register for.
Saturday, October 10, 2:00 pm
Fungi come in a spectacular variety of shapes, colors, textures, and sizes! Join a naturalist for a walk to see how many kinds we can find.
Saturday, October 17, 2:00 pm
Join a naturalist-led canoe paddle! It is the perfect time to enjoy the changing fall colors and wildlife. Minimum: 5 years old to ride and 10 years old to paddle. Space is limited.
Saturday, October 24, 1:00 pm
Bring the beauty of the season home by creating a garland out of preserved fall foliage! All supplies provided. Cost: members - $10, non-members - $12.
Sunset Paddle on Ponds (Members Only)
Saturday, October 24, 4:30 pm
Watching the sunset from the trail is beautiful, but watching it from the water is magical. We’ll take in all the sights and sounds of autumn during this relaxed naturalist-led paddle.
Minimum: 5 years old to ride and 10 years old to paddle. Space is limited.
Sunday, October 25, 2:00 pm
The cool, crisp days of autumn are upon us. Take a walk through Jonathan Woods with one of our naturalists and explore the fall flora and fauna. We’ll meet at the nature center and carpool over to Jonathan Woods. This program is for participants over the age of 10. Space is limited.
NOVEMBER
Saturday, November 7, 2:00 pm
You’ve likely seen or even made a sun print out of cyanotype paper before. But did you know that you can also make a sun print called an anthotype using natural materials? Learn about the process and create your own prints to take home in this naturalist-led program.
Cost: members - $5, non-members - $7.
Sunday, November 8, 2:00 pm
Help us build up a seed collection to use around the property! Participants will hike around the trails with our Land Steward to identify, collect, and label native plant seeds. No previous experience required. All tools will be provided. Bring your own water bottle. No fee.
Saturday, November 14, 1:00 pm
Want to add gorgeous, low-maintenance native wildflowers and grasses to your yard? Follow our naturalist on a walk in Earl’s Prairie to collect unique local seeds that butterflies and other pollinators will love! Two small paper collection bags provided per person; bring your own additional collection containers if desired.
Saturday, November 21, 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Learn how to create your own nature themed junk journal! Junk journaling is a fun, creative outlet, similar to scrapbooking and nature journaling. All supplies provided. Cost: members - $15, non-members - $17
Nature Center Interpretive Building Closure
Thursday and Friday, November 26-27
The Interpretive Building will be closed so the staff can enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. As always, Seven Ponds Members may enjoy the trails dawn to dusk.
LITTLE HELPERS OF SEVEN PONDS
Join us for this new volunteer opportunity! Participants aged 3-5 years old and their caregivers will help out with an age-appropriate volunteer project around the nature center, read a story, play a game, and get to meet other families with the same love of nature! These are free monthly programs, sign up for just one or all three!
These programs are designed for children 3-5 years old with their caregiver. We ask that you make other arrangements for siblings that do not fall within this age range.
Tuesday, September 8, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Our plants need your help! We’ll pull some “weeds” out to give our plants some room to grow and keep our gardens looking beautiful. Volunteers will also enjoy a garden themed story and game.
Tuesday, October 13, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
It’s seed season! We’ll take a little hike to collect some different seeds. Volunteers will also enjoy a seed themed story and game.
Tuesday, November 10, 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Let’s get our hands dirty! We’ll plant some of the seeds we collected around the nature center, cover them up, and give them some water and kind words to get them growing. Volunteers will also enjoy a plant themed story and game.
FALL 2026 BIRD WALKS
This fall we will offer two bird walks and one bird trip on Saturday and Sunday mornings, one for each month from September through November. Seven Ponds bird walks are open to birders of all skill and experience levels, and beginners are always welcome. Bring your binoculars, your enthusiasm, and be sure to dress for the weather. These bird walks are $3 for Seven Ponds members, and $5 for non-members, unless otherwise noted. Pre-registration is required, and bird walks are limited to ten (10) participants. Please note the start times below and arrive on time and ready to bird! We have Vortex 8x42 binoculars available for loan upon request.
Polly Ann Trail Out of Downtown Oxford
Sunday, September 13, 8:00 am
We’ll meet at the Polly Ann Trail parking lot on Pleasant Street, right in the heart of Downtown Oxford. This portion of the trail will lead us along a forested path, through wetlands, and to Powell Lake. We’ll be on the lookout for warblers, raptors, and ducks.
Lakeville Swamp Nature Sanctuary
Saturday, October 13, 8:00 am
This beautiful property is owned by the Michigan Nature Association in northern Oakland County and will take us through a high quality wetland. We’ll search for the usual year-round suspects and any migratory species still hanging around.
Saturday, November 21, 8:00 am
It's getting chilly outside! Bundle up for one last 2026 bird walk along the trails at Seven Ponds. We’ll start with a look at our feeders before heading out to see how many species we can get in one morning!
