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Spring Woodland Wildflower Photography Workshop RESCHEDULED
NOW ON MAY 10th
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School Programs Assistant Training
12:30-3pm
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School Programs Assistant Training 12:30-3pm
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Kalamazoo Nature Center Public Programs April & May 2008
April 2008 Public Programs
*Fees: Unless otherwise noted (*) programs are Free to Members
and included with regular KNC admission to Non-members.
**Location: All programs begin in the Interpretive Center,
unless otherwise noted (**)
Signs of Spring Hike
Sunday, April 6 at 2 pm
Outdoor trail walk with activities
Join naturalist, Kara Haas, on a relaxing hike in search of signs of spring. Will you find skunk cabbage peaking out of the banks of Trout Run? Come along and find out!
2008 Nature Up Close Spring Break Camps
Register online or call 269-381-1574 ext. 0
Ages 4-5
Spring is in the Air: A Season for the Birds
Thursday, April 10, 2008 • 9am - 12 noon • Code: SBC4
Let's go outside and observe this wonderful season. We will share the wonder of the bird world with your child through stories, games and art. Fees: $20 member; $25 non-member
Spring Fed: Ponds & Frogs
Friday, April 11, 2008 • 9am - 12 noon • Code: SBC5
Spring is the season when frogs make the pond sing! If you like frogs and find ponds fascinating, you should hop to this camp. We will share the wonder of frogs and their habitats through stories, games and art. Fees: $20 member; $25 non-member
Ages 6-8
Spring Wonders
Monday, April 7, 2008 • 9am - 5pm • Code: SBC1
As the earth warms with the spring season, all sorts of living things make their wonders known. We will explore birds, amphibians as well as the forest and opnd habitats they call home. Fees: $40 member; $45 non-member
Dr. Batts' Field Guide to the Spring Season
Tuesday, April 8, 2008 • 9am - 5pm • Code: SBC2
This camp is based on the popular Spiderwick Chronicles book series. It is a camp... IN WHICH, campers explore the quarry and the grove. Bring your imagination as we create a field guide of the world areound you and go in search of what is missing. Join the adventures of Simon, Jared and Mallory to see a real ironwood tree. Grab one of our butterfly nets and maybe you'll catch a sprite, but when you cross the bridge over the stream, watch out for trolls. Fees: $40 member; $45 non-member
Swamp Thing
Wednesday, April 9, 2008 • 9am - 5pm • Code: SBC3
Swamp thing, you make my heart sing. We will explore all the wetlands to see how the spring thaw awakens the frogs and other animals that call these habitats home. Have your boodts ready as we observe swamp things in their mushy squishy world. Fees: $40 member; $45 non-member
WildOnes Field Trip: Vernal Ponds & Wetlands at KNC
Saturday, April 26 from 10 -1 pm
** Delano Homestead Parking Lot t at 555 E Ave.
*Fee: Free to KNC and WildOnes Members; Non-members – regular KNC admission
Spring Break Family Programs
H.I.K.E. Have an Inspiring KNC Experience
Get outside and enjoy Spring Break with your family. Each day this week we’ll walk a different trail and explore a new part of KNC property. The hikes will get longer and slightly more difficult as the week progresses. Join us for one or all of the hikes. Join Hiking Spree and earn this year’s medallion by the end of the week. (more details on Hiking Spree at www.NatureCenter.org) Please wear sturdy shoes and bring water.
HIKE: Habitat Haven
Monday, April 7 at 11 am
Outdoor trail walk, accessible (strollers, too!) An easy .6 mile.
Story Corner
Tuesday, April 8 from 10-11am
Indoor, Young children and their adults
Grab a carpet square and actively listen to stories about our natural world. Everyone will get involved with hand rhymes, sound effects, puppets or maybe a visit from an animal!
HIKE: Beech Maple and River Walk
Tuesday, April 8 at 1 pm
Outdoor trail walk a moderate 1 mile loop.
HIKE: Fern Valley
Wednesday, April 9 at 11 am
Outdoor trail walk a difficult ¾ mile loop.
Birds of Prey
Wednesday, April 9 at 3 pm
Indoor, live animals and audience participation
What is life like at the top of the food chain for our feathered friends? Hawks, owls and falcons are perfectly designed hunters. Live birds will make an appearance during the program to teach us about their amazing adaptations.
HIKE: Raptor Ridge and Cooper’s Overlook
Thursday, April 10 at 11 am
Outdoor trail walk a difficult and steep half mile climb.
HIKE: Bluebird Trail
Friday, April 11 at 11 am
Outdoor trail walk a moderate but lengthy 4 mile loop. Our newest trail!
Birds & Blossoms Festival begins!
April 12-May18
Join us in celebrating spring! For the duration of the Birds & Blossoms Festival there will be lots of extra programs highlighting the return of migratory birds to Michigan and the growth of our spring wildflowers. The grounds will also be open early, Sunrise Hours (see page ? for details), come on out and take a hike! There is something for everyone to enjoy!
Spring Woodland Wildflower Photography Workshop
Saturday, April 12 from 9 am – 3 pm (rain date: Sunday, April 13)
*Fee: $45/member, $60/non-member
Registration and payment required by Wednesday, April 9: (269) 381-1574 ext. 0
Hands on class/trip geared toward beginners
Join local Nature Photographers Dave & Josh Haas for the next in the series of Nature Photography Workshops. This round the focus is on Spring Woodland Wildflowers on-site at the Kalamazoo Nature Center. Learn not only how to respectfully enjoy these delicate flowers but also how to take inspiring photographs home with you. Dave & Josh's work can be seen throughout Southwest Michigan at numerous Art Shows as well as on-line at www.glancesatnature.com.
New program for children age 0-5!
Small Wonders: Flower Power
Saturday, April 12 OR Tuesday, April 15 from 9:30-11:30 am
*Fee: Members $2/child, Non-Members $3/child, Free for Adults (no admission fee for program participants)
Explore nature with your child! Interactive nature stations are set-up to encourage learning with your child, including time outdoors (weather permitting). No registration is required; just drop in! Children must be under age 5 and accompanied by an adult.
Wildflower Walk
Saturday, April 12 from 2-3 p.m.
**Meet: DeLano Homestead Parking Lot, 555 E Ave.
Outdoor walk for adults and older children
Join Kara Haas for a leisurely stroll through the Pioneer Woods. The Beech-Maple forest is the perfect habitat for spring wildflowers. We will be looking for the early bloomers: Bloodroot, Dutchman’s Breeches, Hepatica and Wood Anemone. Learn tips for identification and the folklore that surrounds their unique names.
Wonderful Wildflowers
Sunday, April 13 at 2 pm
Outdoor trail walk with activities
Spring wildflowers have many tricks up their sleeves or should we say leaves?! Enjoy the beauty of the forest as we discover the tricky game of pollination and how to avoid being eaten by hungry forest dwellers.
Birding with the Stars
Mondays, April 14, 21 and 28 and May 5 and 12 from 8 – 9:30 a.m.
**Meet: Interpretive Center parking lot
Outdoor birding walks for adults
Want to learn birding techniques from the professional birders in our community? Join us for a guided morning bird hike where each week we will catch glimpses of different spring migrants returning to bountiful Michigan. Each professional birder will share their passion for birding and pass along a few tips along the way. Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Please bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them.
April 14: Russ Schipper, Audubon Society of Kalamazoo
Returning species: Chipping Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Brown Thrasher
April 21: John Brenneman, Research Biologist, Kalamazoo Nature Center
In search of: House Wren, Barn Swallow, White-throated Sparrow
April 28: Sarah Reding, V.P. of Conservation Stewardship, Kalamazoo Nature Center
In search of: Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo
May 5: Josh Haas, local birder and photographer, Glances at Nature
In search of: Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Gray Catbird, Wood Thrush, Veery, Swainson’s Thrush, Black-throated Green Warbler
May 12: Brian Nelson, Research Biologist, Kalamazoo Nature Center
In search of: Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Scarlet Tananger, Red-eyed Vireo, American Redstart
Birding Road Trip: CalhounCounty
Friday, April 18 from 6:30am – 2:30pm
*Fee: Members - $25; Non-Members - $35
Registration and payment required by Friday, April 11: (269) 381-1574 ext. 0
**Meet: Interpretive Center Parking Lot
Adults and older children interested in bird watching
Ray Adams, KNC's research director will lead this trip to search out grassland birds, wetland birds and neotropical migrants at Baker Sanctuary and around Calhoun County. Bring binoculars, a field guide and money to purchase lunch. Transportation and an expert birding guide are included in the fee!
In Search of Woodcock
Friday, April 18 AND Tuesday, April 22, 7:30-9:00 pm – Evening Program!
**Meet: Interpretive Center Parking Lot
*Fee: Members-free; Non-members-$4/adult, $3/senior, $2/children
Outdoor, exploratory program for adults and older children
Woodcock are a type of bird with a stunning aerial display used by the males to impress the females each spring. We will venture to the edge of open fields to catch a glimpse of these amazing birds. Bring your binoculars; you won’t want to miss anything! Please meet us in the main parking lot, but we may travel by caravan to the best viewing location elsewhere on KNC property.
Marsh Birds By Car
Friday, April 18, 7:00 – 9:00pm
Meet at KNC parking lot to carpool to Sheriff’s Marsh in Ross Township.
Put on your listening ears as we venture to Sheriff’s Marsh, a wonderful, large, private marsh that boasts both Virginia and Sora Rails and a host of spring frogs. About the size of the American Robin, the rails will be found slinking around in the marshes and although difficult to see, they will surely be heard!
Birding the Klienstuck Preserve…Our Cities Stopover for Spring Migrant Birds!
Location: Kleinstuck Preserve at Chevy Chase Entrance
Weds. April 30, May 7, 14, 21
Guide Fee: Members: Free Non-members: $4.00
Join our KNC staff birders as they record the colorful, spring migrants who stop over in this city woods. Many of these birds fly from far away places in Central and South America to take advantage of this area. Come learn to identify and see the many colorful and interesting birds who us Kleinstuck in the spring! Some Binoculars are available for loan.
Earth Day Celebration – April 19, 2008
Learn the history…take action!
Free Admission Day at KNC
9:30-10:30 Garlic Mustard Pull – volunteers needed!
9-5 Trails and Interpretive Center Open
9-5 Kalamazoo Astronomical Society: Astronomy Day
10-4 Community Information Tables
10-4 KNC Volunteer Fair
11-12 Cooking w/ Garlic Mustard: a demonstration of our cookbook recipes by a local chef
11:30-12:30 Wildflower Walk
1-2 Peace, Justice, Care of the Earth: The History of Earth Day – local author, Robert M. Weir
2-3 Book Signing w/ Robert M. Weir
3-5 Meet the Artist - Steven Kimm reception
3:30-4:30 Wildflower Walk
Need lunch? Lucky’s will be on hand selling sandwiches, etc.
Live Birds of Prey appearances throughout the day
In celebration of Earth Day there is no admission charge! This year we will “Learn the History” of Earth Day with a special presentation by Robert M. Weir, a local author, with an important message and an intriguing story. And we will help you”Take Action”. We have invited local groups of all kinds from across our community to bring information to KNC. Find out what these groups are doing, everything from community gardens to encouraging healthy lifestyles and planting native species. We hope that you will learn something new about our community and find a way to make our world a better place by taking action! Bring a friend and join us in celebrating Earth Day!
Green Living Series: Wind Energy
Sunday, April 20 at 2 pm
Indoor lecture
Speaker: Dr. John Patten, Western Michigan University, Manufacturing Engineering Professor
Learn about clean, green wind energy while Dr. Patten talks about the wind turbine installed last summer at the Parkview Campus of WMU.
Yoga at the Nature Center
Wednesdays, April 23- May 28 from 6-7:30 pm
*Fee: Members $50, Non-Members $60
Pre-registration and payment required by Monday, April 21 (269) 381-1574 ext.0
Ages 14+, all skill levels welcome
Join certified yoga instructor Anna Hess for a relaxing and rejuvenating evening of yoga. Anna has taught yoga in our community for the past 10 years. We are happy she will bring her unique style of Iyengar based yoga to the beauty of the Glen Vista Gallery. Please bring your own mat and props.
Birding Road Trip: Whitefish Point
Friday, April 25 - Sunday, April 27
*Fee: Members - $240; Non-Members - $275 (includes membership)
Registration and payment required by Friday, April 18: (269) 381-1574 ext. 0
**Meet: Interpretive Center Parking Lot
Adults and older children interested in bird watching
Join KNC Naturalists on a road trip to Whitefish Point for Spring Fling Weekend. Spring Fling at Whitefish offers many events including owl banding viewing, birding hikes, migrant Raptor & Waterfowl counting, and much more! On our last day enjoy walks through Tahquamenon Falls State Park ending with lunch at the Brewery on site! Lodging will be in two bedroom cabins on the shore of Lake Superior’s Whitefish Bay. Price includes transportation, meals, lodging and expert naturalists every step of the way.
Wild Ones Outdoor hike
Saturday, April 26, 2008 10am-1pm
Join Steve and Dan Keto as they lead you through the history of the Delano property. Learn about the how the land was used over the last 150 years. We will explore a variety of ponds (some vernal), fens, marshes and riparian areas that weave their way through a beech-maple forest that hug the slopes of an Esker. Bring a picnic lunch for a wonderful spring foray. This time of year is great for spring ephemeral wildflowers in this part of the nature center property. Botanizers be ready for fun.
Leave No Trace
Sunday, April 27 at 2 pm
Outdoor hike for families and adults
Enjoy spring by getting out on the trails by yourself, with your spouse or your whole family. Need some inspiration?! Find out about our Hiking Spree program, a great motivator to hike trails at KNC with built in incentives. Attend this program to learn the ethics of Leave No Trace from Nathanael Dickey, a trained LNT educator. As a hiking spree participant this guided hike will count as one step toward your 2008 medallion!
Boomers and Beyond: Wonderful Wildflowers
Tuesday, April 29, 11 am - 12:30 pm
Adults, ages 55+, Interactive, Outdoor, Social
Enjoy the beautiful display of spring wildflowers that blanket the forest floor. We’ll take a leisurely stroll and learn how to identify these lovelies. Bring your lunch and a friend!
Birding the Klienstuck Preserve…Our Cities Stopover for Spring Migrant Birds!
Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, 14, 21 from 7:30 – 8:30 am
*Guide Fee: Members Free, Non-Members $4
**Location: Kleinstuck Preserve at Chevy Chase Entrance
Join our KNC staff birders as they record the colorful, spring migrants who stop over in this city woods. Many of these birds fly from far away places in Central and South America to take advantage of this area. Come learn to identify and see the many colorful and interesting birds who visit Kleinstuck in the spring! Please bring binoculars or borrow one of ours!
Jr. Audubon Club of Kalamazoo
Jr. Audubon Club of Kalamazoo is a partnership with Kalamazoo Nature Center, Audubon Society of Kalamazoo and Pierce Cedar Creek Institute. We meet once a month and each month we will focus on a different aspect of the exciting world of birds.
Fee: Yearly Dues - $15 for the first child and $10.00 for each additional child per year
Pre-Registration required at (269) 381-1574 ext 0
Audience: Yearlong club geared toward families with children ages 8 – 16
Club membership will include a Jr. Audubon club membership badge, binder filled with interesting bird facts, Peterson’s Bird Field Guide, Michigan bird checklist and tons of fun bird related goodies throughout the year. So grab your family and join us for a year of feathered fun!
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| Kalamazoo Nature Center |
| 7000 N Westnedge Ave | Kalamazoo, MI 49009 |
| Phone (269) 381-1574 | Fax (269) 381-2557 |
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