SEVEN PONDS NATURE CENTER
SUMMER PROGRAMS for 2026
Summer brings warm, sultry air and a plethora of flora to the landscape, making it the perfect time to visit Seven Ponds Nature Center. Seven Ponds offers something for everyone, from preschoolers and families to adults and seniors. Mark your calendar for some programs, walks, and classes.
Most programs require preregistration. Space is limited.
Click the program title for the registration link.
Programs are $3.00 for members and $5 for non-members unless otherwise noted.
JUNE
Sunday, June 7, 2:00 PM
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. This program is open to families, and there is no fee.
Friday, June 12, 9:00 PM
Come experience a whole new side of Seven Ponds! Even if you’re familiar with Seven Ponds during the day, it’s entirely different once night falls. We’ll let our eyes adjust to the darkness and go on a hike, enjoy the stars, and maybe see some nocturnal creatures! This program is for ages 10 and older.
Saturday, June 13, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Do you love gardening and supporting wildlife? This program is for you! We’ll start with an indoor overview presentation all about Michigan’s native plants. Then, we’ll take a short stroll along our Demonstration Garden to apply what we learned, and lastly, we’ll send you home with your own native plant plug! This program is for ages 13 and older.
Cost: Members: $8, Non-members: $10
From Wasteland to Wonder (Virtual Presentation for SPNC Members Only)
Wednesday, June 17, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Learn with ecologist and author, Basil Camu, about how everyday sub/urban spaces can become powerful engines for biodiversity, climate resilience, and human well-being. With practical examples and big-picture systems thinking, he invites audiences to trade control for relationship, efficiency for ecology, and abstraction for action, revealing how small, ordinary decisions can help heal the living systems we depend on.
This virtual presentation is a special treat for SPNC members. An email with the meeting link will be sent to those registered.
Cost: No charge for SPNC members.
Sunday, June 21, 2:00 PM
It's turtle time around the ponds! Let’s meet some of our ambassador animals and then take a walk on the trails to learn about the turtles that call Seven Ponds home.
Thursday, June 25, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
This summer, we are introducing a nature-themed junk journal club at Seven Ponds, led by local junk journal artist Jayme Fields. Whether you’ve been junk journaling for years or have never heard of it, this is a great chance to be creative, spend time in nature, and meet new people!
As a participant, you will learn how to use recycled materials, art supplies, and simple crafting techniques to create additions to your junk journals. Each meeting will challenge your creativity and encourage mindfulness through collage, drawing, light writing prompts, and mixed-media art. No expensive art supplies or special skills are required. If you can glue paper and write, you can junk journal!
Meetings are free of charge unless otherwise noted to cover materials. More details for each meeting will be released closer to the date. Please register ahead of time.
Saturday, June 27, 2:00 PM
Did you know that many invasive plants are also delicious? Learn with a naturalist how to identify and use edible invasive plants, taste some foraged treats, and harvest some invasive wild edibles to take home! (If planning to take home any plants, please bring your own containers/bags) This program is for ages 10 yrs and older.
Naturalist Office Hours: Lawn Desert to Wildlife Oasis
Sunday, June 28, variable 1/2 hour time slots
Naturalist Office Hours is your chance to schedule a one-on-one consultation with a naturalist. The theme this season is “Lawn Desert to Wildlife Oasis.” One of our naturalists will answer your questions about native plants, landscaping with native plants, species recommendations, and habitat management. Bring your plant/yard/habitat pictures, questions, and ideas! Choose from one of four appointment time slots: 10:00-10:30am, 11:00-11:30am, 1:00-1:30pm, or 2:00-2:30pm.
Cost: Members: $10, Non-members: $12
JULY
Saturday, July 11, 10:00 AM
Join us for our annual count for the North American Butterfly Association. Nets available for all participants. Fee is $3 for participants, and is a family-friendly program!
Saturday, July 18, 2:00 PM
Who doesn’t love bugs? Come along on an insect adventure as we search for butterflies, moths, and more! Nets provided.
Saturday, July 25, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Join us for a nature-themed storytime and craft. This is the perfect way to spend the morning with your little ones! This program is for preschool age kids 3 -5 years old.
Sunday, July 26, 10:00 AM
Let’s make a cute, cozy home for your local toads! We’ll decorate terracotta pots to create a toad abode that you can put in your garden or green space. Then, while our toad abodes are drying, we’ll meet our American Toad of Critter Corner and search for toads outside!
Thursday, July 30, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
See June program for description. Meetings are free of charge unless otherwise noted to cover materials. More details for each meeting will be released closer to the date. Please register ahead of time.
AUGUST
Snake Search
Sunday, August 2, 2:00 PM
We'll learn all about the snakes that call Michigan home and meet our resident snake! After that we'll hit the trail on a search for snakes.
Wetland Plant Paddle
Sunday, November 10, 2:00 PM
Would you like to learn how to identify wetland and aquatic plants? Join a naturalist for a morning canoe paddle as we explore the edges and islands of our kettle lakes. Be prepared for adventure! We will be getting in and out of our canoes, walking on uneven terrain, and getting our feet wet. Canoes, paddles, and life jackets are provided. This program is open to those age 18 years and older. Space is limited.
Evening Canoe Paddle
Saturday, August 15, 6:00 PM
Come along on a naturalist-led canoe paddle! We’ll journey on a peaceful paddle watching for fish, turtles, birds, and more. Minimum: 5 years old to ride and 10 years old to paddle. Space is limited.
Pond Dipping Day
Sunday, August 23, 1:00 - 3:00 PM
Let’s explore what little critters live in the waters of Seven Ponds! We’ll use nets, buckets, and field guides to aid in our discovery. A family fun event!
Thursday, August 27, 5:00 - 6:30 PM
See June program for description. Meetings are free of charge unless otherwise noted to cover materials. More details for each meeting will be released closer to the date. Please register ahead of time.
Nature at Night (SPNC Member’s Only)
Saturday, August 29, 8:00 PM
Join one of our naturalists for a member’s only look at what happens around the nature center when the sun goes down! We’ll talk about nighttime critters, constellation stories, and end with s’mores around the campfire. Cost: $5.00 per person.
Invasive Species Work Day
Sunday, August 30, 2:00 AM
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.
SUMMER 2026 BIRD WALKS
This summer we will offer three bird walks on Saturday mornings, one for each month from June through August. 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. Click on a title to register.
Ponds and Prairies of Lapeer
Saturday, June 20, 8:00 AM (Meet at Chatfield Charter Public School parking lot)
This multi-use trail system is managed by the City of Lapeer Pars & Rec. Department, in partnership with the Friends of Oakdale Trails volunteer group. The trail winds through the heart of Lapeer, with parking located at Chatfield School. We’ll traverse the trails in search of waterfowl, warblers, and more.
Cranberry Lake Park
Saturday, July 18, 8:00 AM (Meet at the park parking lot)
An Oakland County Hotspot that has it all. A stroll through the trails will take us through forests, fields, and to the western edge of Cranberry Lake. We’ll try to beat the heat as we look and listen for the bird species that call the park home.
Seven Ponds Nature Center
Saturday, August 1, 8:00 AM
Late summer is a beautiful time to take a bird walk right here at Seven Ponds! We’ll visit the prairie in full bloom, walk the edges of our glacial lakes, and wander through forests in search of our feathered friends.
