Insect Safari
Summertime is insect time! Insects can be found everywhere - in the air, on plants, on the ground, and under the ground. See if you can observe a bee close-by on a flower, or a beetle resting on a plant, or a caterpillar munching a leaf. Meet at the temporary Visitor Center to borrow collecting equipment, and begin our journey to the arboretum and fields.

F10-24 Local Family Kayak Trip
Here's an opportunity to get your kids or grandkids out to enjoy a trip kayaking down the Chippewa River. CNC's Kyle Bagnall will spend time teaching the basic skills of paddling kayaks and will help everyone navigate down the river. The kayaks used are excellent for beginners and are quite stable and fairly easy to learn how to paddle. Paddling a kayak gives you a totally different perspective on the landscape and the rivers around you. Throughout the trip you'll have a chance to learn how rivers work, discover some of the rarely seen critters of this aquatic environment and learn how to safely avoid common hazards on a river.

Sensational Summer Days - Forest Fun
Add a special element to your visit this summer by exploring Sensational Summer Days! This indoor program includes a variety of self-guided, hands-on exploration stations. Experiments, fun facts, crafts and scavenger hunts are just a few of the types of activities you'll find. The activities change weekly, so feel free to come back again and again!

Preschool Story Hour: Are You a Dragonfly?
Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story and may include songs, art, rhymes and other age-appropriate activities.

Wildlife Walk
A twilight hike in August is likely to net us a variety of nocturnal noisemakers such as katydids and tree crickets, as well as a variety of "bigger game" such as bats, deer, and coyotes. Join CNC Senior Naturalist Janea Little for this guided walk to look for wildlife and to learn to use our eyes as night goggles.

Preschool Story Hour: Are You a Dragonfly?
Come spend an hour learning about nature! The hour will include a story and may include songs, art, rhymes and other age-appropriate activities.

Short-N-Sweet Bird Walk
Two hours should be plenty of time to find a variety of birds at CNC, though with many of them in a molting phase, some may be pretty tough to identify! Beginner and experienced birders are all welcome to join CNC Senior Naturalist Janea Little for this casual walk along CNC's trails to look and listen for resident birds and for early migrants, as well.

Homestead Sunday
Take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy a peaceful afternoon at the Homestead Farm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand at our log cabin and one-room schoolhouse to answer your questions, give tours of the farm and teach lessons from long ago. Kids of all ages can help with chores, play traditional games and visit the farm animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 30 - September 5.

Biking the Chippewa Trail
Bring your bike to the Chippewa Trailhead by the Nature Center's Visitor Center and join Phil Stephens for an evening pedal along this non-motorized pathway. Together we'll wind our way along the paved trail stopping for views of the Wetlands Area, ancient sand dune and a variety of other unique stops. Participants should be able to bike approximately 8 miles at a leisurely pace and are responsible for supplying their own bicycle, helmet, water and snacks.

Sensational Summer Days - Michigan's Precious Few
Add a special element to your visit this summer by exploring Sensational Summer Days! This indoor program includes a variety of self-guided, hands-on exploration stations. Experiments, fun facts, crafts, and scavenger hunts are just a few of the types of activities you'll find. The activities change weekly, so feel free to come back again and again!

Early Bird Hike
Birding gets challenging in mid-summer, when many of the birds we see are juveniles, or adults in post-breeding plumage. Join Naturalist Janea Little for this guided walk along CNC trails to look and listen for these challenging birds -- even sparrows! Loaners binoculars are available.

F10-25 Adventures for Women: Kayaking the Chippewa River
No waterfalls or rapids to worry about, but in mid-August, there will be plenty of rocks and shallow, sandy bottoms to maneuver around when kayaking the Chippewa River! Join CNC Senior Naturalist Janea Little for this pleasant float trip from CNC's Chippewa Cabin (near Meridian Road) to just below the confluence of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers. As always with CNC's float trips, the trip might have to be canceled if the weather or water conditions are too poor.

Wee Stroll
This program is designed for parents to take a guided walk with their child, learn about the outdoors and learn ways to introduce children to the natural world around them.

Dipping in the Pond
There is a tremendous amount of activity beneath the surface of the pond. Join CNC Educator Jackie Kelly as we use dippers and nets to discover what is living underwater. We'll find out the difference between a pond and lake. Then we will explore the pond. Please dress for the weather.

Homestead Sunday
Take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy a peaceful afternoon at the Homestead Farm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand at our log cabin and one-room schoolhouse to answer your questions, give tours of the farm and teach lessons from long ago. Kids of all ages can help with chores, play traditional games and visit the farm animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 30 - September 5.

F10-26 Local Kayak Trip
Join Kyle Bagnall on a quiet kayak trip down the Chippewa River. This relaxing trip is a great way to see resident wildlife such as Bald Eagles, turtles and muskrats and discover local history from a new point of view. If weather or water conditions are not favorable, this trip will be canceled (determined the afternoon of the trip at CNC's discretion) and participants will be refunded.

Sensational Summer Days - A Spider's World
Add a special element to your visit this summer by exploring Sensational Summer Days! This indoor program includes a variety of self-guided, hands-on exploration stations. Experiments, fun facts, crafts, and scavenger hunts are just a few of the types of activities you'll find. The activities change weekly, so feel free to come back again and again!

W10-16 Youth Fly Fishing Workshop
Learn the basics of fly fishing and gain a better understanding of aquatic ecology from local experts! John Johnson (FFF certified fly casting instructor with 40+ years of fly fishing experience) and other Trout Unlimited members will provide you with an introduction to fly fishing equipment and flies, demonstrate and provide hands on fly-casting and in stream techniques and provide you with notes that can be used for later review and practice. Fishing gear will be provided or you can bring your own so that the instructors can give you input on your equipment. You can bring waders or wear old shorts and shoes or borrow a pair of waders from CNC. Fishing licenses (age dependent) and sunglasses are also required (for sun and eye protection from incoming flies!). Parent or grandparent participation is encouraged! (no extra fee). Please bring a sack lunch.

Exploring Ponds at the Wetlands Area
There is a tremendous amount of activity beneath the surface of the pond. Join CNC Educator Jeanne Henderson as we use dippers and nets to discover what is living underwater. We'll find out the difference between a pond and lake. Then we will explore the pond. Please dress for the weather.

Homestead Sunday
Take a break from your busy schedule and enjoy a peaceful afternoon at the Homestead Farm. Staff and volunteers will be on hand at our log cabin and one-room schoolhouse to answer your questions, give tours of the farm and teach lessons from long ago. Kids of all ages can help with chores, play traditional games and visit the farm animals. The Homestead and Schoolhouse are open Sundays, May 30 - September 5.

Full Moon Stroll
If the weather cooperates and grants us clear skies, the full moon will light up the trails enough to walk without using flashlights! Join Senior Naturalist Janea Little for this casual walk by the light of the full moon. In these evening hours, we'll also watch for wildlife, such as deer, beaver and maybe even a skunk, and listen to the symphony of tree crickets, lacewings and katydids. Please wear dark clothing, and bring a flashlight in case our night eyes aren't perfected.

Exploring Little Forks Conservancy's Riverview Property
We have teamed up with Little Forks Conservancy to offer a hike on their beautiful Riverview Natural Area property. Karen Breternitz will be the guide as we explore Riverview's north trails. This will be a slow and easy 1.5 mile hike. You can meet Elan at the Little Forks Conservancy's office at 105 Post Street or Karen at Chippewa Nature Center's Visitor Center, whichever is more convenient for you and we will caravan to the property.

Plant Prowl
Come and explore the trails with CNC Naturalist Karen Breternitz. We'll see a variety of trees and shrubs - not to mention the incredible variety of plants along the trails. We will also talk about fungi, lichens, ferns and whatever else we find.