Saturday, March 30, 2013

Spring Break? Try a Nature Center!

Spring Break is upon us . . . a great activity if you're having a staycation might be to visit nature centers in the area! We did this over Christmas. I know if we visited now, our experience would be quite different as spring is quietly sneaking up on us. Here are previous reviews (except Bendix Woods) the boys and I did on area nature centers. Try one this week!
Bendix Woods

Bendix Woods Nature Center
Site entrance fee
10-7

Fernwood Botanical Gardens and Nature Preserve
Fee
From November through April, Fernwood is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00am to 5:00pm and Sunday from noon to 5:00pm.

Kalamazoo Nature Center
Fee
Mon-Sat 9-5
Sunday 1-5

Maple Wood Nature Center
Free
Wed 8:00 am - 4:00 pm, Sat  9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Sun 1:00 pm - 5:00pm(closed Sundays in July)

Pokagon State Park
Gate Entrance Fee, usually $5

Nature Center Hours: Weekdays 1pm to 5pm; Weekends 10am to 5pm


10:00am Saturday March 30 Hell’s Point Bound! Visit the highest point in the park along with other natural features on this 1 1⁄2 hour hike.
Meet the Interpreter at the Spring Shelter. (Parking is available above shelter if you’re driving from the Inn) FW 
2:00pm Promoting Native Plants in your Landscape. Special guest, Miranda Davies from the Merry Lea Environmental Center will share a PowerPoint comparing invasive and native plants and how we can secure the good ones and
improve our home landscapes. Following the indoor portion, we’ll head out into the field to see examples of each.
8:30am Sunday March 31 Easter Sunday Morning Stroll. See March 10 for program meeting details and then join us for an Easter Sunday
Morning appreciation of birds and other wonders of nature. FW
10:00am Saturday April 6 Vernal Pond Patrol. A nice walk down into the Nature Preserve and over much of Trail 6. We’ll search the
temporary spring ponds along the way for songs of frogs, salamanders, and other forms of life. We’ll be out for
about 1-1⁄2 hours. Meet at the Inn Main Entrance. Trails may be spongy. Come with proper footwear! FW 
2:00pm Spring Out for Spring Wooldands . Come to the Nature Center from where we’ll take off on a short 45
minute, or so, walk through nearby forests looking for early wildflowers and other new life for the new season! LL
8:30am Sunday April 7 Early Spring Bird Search. See March 10 Return of the Redwings for program details. FW


Potato Creek State Park
Gate Entrance Fee, usually $5
Tues-Fri 12-4 pm
Sat 9-5 pm
Sun 12-5 pm

SaturDAY, MARCH 30, 2013
10:30 a.m.
$$ EGG HUNT – The bunny will visit and leave treats for kids 12 and under. Come join in the search for these springtime treats. Hosted by the Friends of Potato Creek. $2 per child fee. MEET: BEACH
2:00 pm
UP IN SMOKE! PRESCRIBED BURNS – Hear a little about the planning of a prescribed prairie fire and then see some of the tools demonstrated (weather permitting).
MEET: NATURE CENTER AUDITORIUMSATURDAY, 

APRIL 6, 2013 10:00 a.m. JEWELS OF BLUE – Learn a little about bluebirds from this video as we enjoy them
during early spring. 45 minutes. MEET: NATURE CENTER AUDITORIUM 
2:00 p.m. REPTILE REVIEW - Come learn a little about our local reptiles and then meet one up
close and personal. 45 minutes. MEET: NATURE CENTER AUDITORIUM 
SUNDAY, APRIL 7, 2013
2:00 p.m. FEEDING TIME - Stop by the Nature Center to watch the animals being fed. 30 minutes. MEET: NATURE CENTER


Rieth Interpretive Center
Free
Tues-Thurs 10-3pm

Rum Village Nature Center
Free
Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30, Sunday 1:00-5:00
Sunday Programs

Woodlawn Nature Center
Open Play Wednesday, April 3rd, 10-2--Angry Birds, $2/child or free for members
Saturday and Sunday, 10-5pm Free