HURON COUNTY NATURE CENTER AT A GLANCE
Established on a tract of untouched land in Hume Township, Michigan, the Huron County Nature Center and Wilderness Arboretum was, in 1941, put under the care of the Huron County Women's Clubs. In 1991 the Huron County Nature Center, Inc. was formed with the mission of preserving the center for the enjoyment and education of the public. The Nature Center is open all year round, and admission is always free.
What is a Wilderness Arboretum? It is a place where plants, animals, insects, fungi - all things living or dead - are protected for scientific and educational purposes and for the preservation of the natural environment. The Nature Center's geography of alternating sand ridges and shallow swales is a haven not only for native Michigan species, but for Michigan nature lovers and environmentalists. Enjoy a refreshing walk along one of the well kept trails of the Nature Center.
UPCOMING EVENTS
PROGRAMS AND FESTIVALS:
Follow us on Facebook for program updates!
May 15th – Spring Mushroom Workshop – 10:30am – State Certified Mushroom Expert, Jennifer Turner, will guide you through the woods in search of morels, oysters and pheasant backs. We’ll learn where to find them and how to avoid their toxic look-a-likes!
May 30th (Sunday) – Lady’s Slipper Festival – 10:00am-4:00pm - Welcome spring at our annual festival honoring the native Pink Lady’s Slipper orchid! We’ll have music, art, food, local craft vendors, and kid-friendly activities. This family favorite event will also mark the Grand Opening of our new Wilderness Bike Trails!
June 12th – Open House Weekend - 9:00am -4:00pm - We have been busy bees this past year and want to welcome YOU to see the tremendous updates and new displays within our Welcome Center!
June 19th – Volunteer Information Session – 10:30am – Ever thought of giving back to your community by working with a non-profit? Are you passionate about nature, science, or bringing family-oriented activities to our area? We would love to have you join our crew! Come out and hear what is involved and how you can help the Huron County Nature Center!
June 26th – (9:30) Birding by Ear - Walk @ 9:30am, Presentation at 10:30am - Fan favorites Nature Discoveries will take us on a hike through the center listening to bird song, and then teach us how to identify those birds by their song.
July 3rd – Birds of Prey – 10:30am- An Independence Day tradition! Join us in welcoming back Wildlife Recovery and their group of rescued raptors. This is a very popular program so be prepared for a crowd.
July 10th – Caterpillar Rearing Workshop Our naturalist, Caitlin Stone-Webber, will instruct on caterpillar identification and care in this workshop. She will help you to ID the species, learn their needs, and talk about how your yard can become a haven for our transformative friends.
July 17th – Howell Nature Bus – 10:30am - The Howell Nature Center’s Spirit of Alexandria Nature Bus will be here at 11:00 with fun and interactive learning opportunities. Stick around to learn about nocturnal animals at noon at the Creatures of the Night program.
July 24th – Reptiles and Amphibians – 10:30am - Nature Discoveries returns with their live animal program and their long experience and extensive knowledge of these animals.
July 31st – Saving and Sharing Seeds – 10:30am - Ben Cohen of Small House Farms will give an energetic and informative presentation highlighting the importance of community seed sharing programs, and why planning, saving, and sharing seeds is essential to the cultivation of sustainable neighborhoods and healthy communities. Learn how to save heirloom seeds from your garden to enjoy a bountiful harvest for years to come!
August 7th – Milkweed and Monarchs – 10:30am – Join us as we explore monarchs, milkweed, and how our community helps monarchs migrate to Mexico. We will have activities, experiments and fun!
August 14th – Wetland Wonders – 10:30am - Naturalist Caitlin Stone-Webber will be talking about the importance of our local wetlands and the critters we can find there. Come to learn about these amazing ecosystems and meet some of the wonderful creatures!
August 21st – PaleoJoe – 10:30am - The Michigan Basin is rich in paleontological history. Award winning paleontologist, author and story-teller, PaleoJoe will be here to teach you about the incredible paleontological history Michigan has to offer. Hear stories about the varied creatures that once inhabited the ancient tropical seas that covered much of the Midwest.
October 9th – Fall Mushroom Workshop – Jennifer Turner will return in search of our fall favorites: the puffballs, chanterelles, and honey mushrooms, just to name a few. This workshop will go over identification and home preparation.
October 16th – Fall Color Highlight – A day dedicated to our fall colors. Come walk our trails to see the breathtaking change our trees undergo as they prepare for winter!
Family Adventure Nights -
June 16th, June 30th, July 14th, July 28th Naturalist Caitlin Stone-Webber will once again welcome families to the nature center for stories, trail walks, and hands-on projects! Make some memories and learn about the natural world together! Suggested donation of $5 per family.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
DONATE TO THE NATURE CENTER
As a volunteer-run nonprofit, the Nature Center relies on donations and grants to fund our operations.
You can help by making a financial contribution today. Thank you!
CONTACT
HURON COUNTY NATURE CENTER
Mailing address:
PO Box 462
Port Austin, MI 48467
989-551-8400
