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Chippewa Nature Center
Categories
Non-Profits
Hours:
8-5 Mon-Sat, 12-5 Sun and most holidays, 19 miles of trails open dawn-to-dark daily, free admission
Driving Directions:
https://www.chippewanaturecenter.org/location
About Us
Chippewa Nature Center is a non-profit organization in Midland, MI whose mission is to connect all people with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. Enjoy free admission to the Visitor Center, located at 400 S Badour Rd, open 8 am-5 pm Monday-Saturday and 12-5 pm Sunday and most holidays (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, New Years Eve and New Years Day), and 19 miles of trails open dawn-to-dark 365 days a year. Learn more at www.chippewanaturecenter.org.
Images
Events
Forest Therapy Golf Cart Tour: Reawakening and Growth - Register Today!
- Connect with nature through a gentle and mindful guided golf cart ride.
- Tuesday May 19, 2026
Forest Therapy Walk: Reawakening and Growth - Register Today!
- Connect with nature through a gentle and mindful walk.
- Tuesday May 19, 2026
Eco Kids Club: Traveling Turtles
- Stop by the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum for an afternoon of fun and activities all about nature! Each month we will explore different topics.
- Wednesday May 20, 2026
Nature Story Hour
- Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season.
- Thursday May 21, 2026
Mindfulness in Nature: Catalpa
- Embrace the opportunity to mindfully connect with the forest each month. Through guided experiences, participants will come to know CNC throughout the seasons.
- Thursday May 21, 2026
Bird Walk
- Spring migration is underway with new birds arriving every day! CNC’s variety of habitats support over 200 bird species.
- Friday May 22, 2026
Native Plants and Garden Exploration
- Enjoy a casual evening hike exploring the gardens and trails at CNC to discover and learn about native plants for your garden. Meet at the Visitor Center. FREE
- Wednesday May 27, 2026
Spring Wildflowers by Golf Cart - Register Today!
- Spring woodland wildflowers bloom quickly on the forest floor before the tree leaves open. Learn to identify wildflowers and their role within an ecosystem.
- Thursday May 28, 2026
Bird Walk
- Spring migration is underway with new birds arriving every day! CNC’s variety of habitats support over 200 bird species.
- Friday May 29, 2026
Native Plant Sale Member Presale
- CNC members get the first chance to purchase wildflowers, shrubs and trees that are native to Michigan. Learn the importance of using native plants in your yard
- Friday May 29, 2026
Native Plant Sale - Public Sale
- Here's your chance to purchase wildflowers, shrubs, and trees that are native to Michigan. Learn the importance of using native plants in your yard.
- Saturday May 30, 2026
Full Moon Stroll
- Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special.
- Saturday May 30, 2026
Upper Chippewa River Kayak
- Spend an evening paddling down the Chippewa River with a naturalist as you look for turtles, fish, herons, hawks and eagles. After meeting at the Visitor Center
- Tuesday Jun 2, 2026
Walk Midland
- Come get fit for free!
- Wednesday Jun 3, 2026
Bird Banding
- See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research.
- Thursday Jun 4, 2026
Nature Story Hour
- Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season.
- Thursday Jun 4, 2026
Turtle Tagging Golf Cart Tour - Register Today!
- CNC is monitoring the turtles that live on the property. You’re invited to join the Turtle Team as they check traps.
- Thursday Jun 4, 2026
Homestead Sunday: Get to Know the Homestead
- With spring in the air, a visit to the Homestead Farm will connect you to our local natural resources and rich history.
- Sunday Jun 7, 2026
Yoga with the Seasons - Register Today!
- Join us for a monthly yoga session at CNC! Come and connect as we flow through poses synced with the season's rhythm.
- Sunday Jun 7, 2026
Members-only Voyageur Canoe Trip - Register Today!
- Enjoy an evening on the Tittabawassee River in a 29-foot Voyageur canoe. During the trip, we’ll explore the natural and cultural resources of the area.
- Tuesday Jun 9, 2026
Walk Midland
- Come get fit for free!
- Wednesday Jun 10, 2026
Archaeological Investigations at Chippewa Nature Center
- This program will give a description of the sites that have been excavated at CNC since 1966 as well as the Oxbow Archaeologists' current excavations.
- Wednesday Jun 10, 2026
Wee Stroll
- Children and their caregiver(s) are invited to join us for a staff-led walk, learn about the outdoors and learn ways to introduce children to the natural world
- Friday Jun 12, 2026
Weekend Land Maintenance Volunteer Group
- Meets the 2nd Saturday of the month Feb-Nov • 10 am-12 pm Join a group of volunteers to help maintain trails and outdoor public spaces. Activities vary.
- Saturday Jun 13, 2026
Homestead Sunday: Meet the Farm Animals
- Farm animals are an essential part of life on the farm. Greet the sheep as you enter the homestead.
- Sunday Jun 14, 2026
Firefly Frenzy
- Firefly FrenzyMeet an Interpretive Naturalist at the end of Homestead Road at the Lanigan Pavilion to learn about our native fireflies and watch them light up.
- Tuesday Jun 16, 2026
Bird Banding
- See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research.
- Wednesday Jun 17, 2026
Family Yoga - Register Today!
- Slow down, step outside, and reconnect. This family yoga class offers a peaceful and playful way to experience nature together
- Wednesday Jun 17, 2026
Eco Kids Club: Mastodons & Mammoths
- Stop by the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum for an afternoon of fun and activities all about nature! Each month we will explore different topics.
- Wednesday Jun 17, 2026
Walk Midland
- Come get fit for free!
- Wednesday Jun 17, 2026
Nature Story Hour
- Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season.
- Thursday Jun 18, 2026
Mindfulness in Nature: Summer Solstice Plants
- Embrace the opportunity to mindfully connect with the forest each month. Through guided experiences, participants will come to know CNC throughout the seasons.
- Thursday Jun 18, 2026
Shelter Building
- Put your building skills to work while creating a debris shelter.
- Friday Jun 19, 2026
Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Pick up a scavenger hunt list at the Visitor Center. During your visit, take pictures of the items on the list. Email your photos to CNC to enter a drawing.
- Saturday Jun 20, 2026
Homestead Sunday: Simple Machines
- How did farmers get their chores done on the farm? Stop by and learn how simple machines helped them to complete their many tasks.
- Sunday Jun 21, 2026
Forest Therapy Walk: Summer Solstice, Light and Gratitude - Register Today!
- Connect with nature through a gentle and mindful walk. Forest Therapy is inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin Yoku, or Forest Bathing.
- Monday Jun 22, 2026
Wander and Wonder Hike
- Explore a section of the nature center’s trails at a leisurely pace, taking time to notice the small and interesting things!
- Tuesday Jun 23, 2026
Yoga at the Wetlands - Register Today!
- Join us for yoga at the nature center's Wetlands Area! Come and connect as we flow through poses synced with the season's rhythm.
- Wednesday Jun 24, 2026
Summer Wildflowers Golf Cart Tour - Register Today!
- Blooming summer wildflowers put on a show with a variety of colors, flower structures, heights and patterns.
- Wednesday Jun 24, 2026
Walk Midland
- Come get fit for free!
- Wednesday Jun 24, 2026
Investigating Insects
- Meet an Interpretive Naturalist at the end of Homestead Road at the Lanigan Pavilion to learn about what makes insects special.
- Thursday Jun 25, 2026
Bird Banding
- See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research.
- Saturday Jun 27, 2026
Homestead Sunday: Bees and Pollinators
- Discover the different pollinators that visit the gardens on the farm and learn how to help them flourish. Visit the nearby hives and learn about honeybees.
- Sunday Jun 28, 2026
Full Moon Stroll
- Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special.
- Sunday Jun 28, 2026
Intro to Birding for Kids
- Learn the basics of bird watching including how to use binoculars and basic bird identification.
- Tuesday Jun 30, 2026
Lower Chippewa River Kayak
- Join a CNC naturalist for a relaxing 3-mile paddle from CNC’s launch on the Homestead Road down the Chippewa River to the Tridge in Downtown Midland.
- Tuesday Jun 30, 2026
Walk Midland
- Come get fit for free!
- Wednesday Jul 1, 2026
Bird Banding
- See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research.
- Thursday Jul 2, 2026
Nature Story Hour
- Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season.
- Thursday Jul 2, 2026
Members-Only 4th of July Celebration
- Join us for a members-only 4th of July celebration with crafts, activity stations, a photo station and a scavenger hunt!
- Saturday Jul 4, 2026
Homestead Sunday: Leisure Activities and Games
- All work and no play would certainly be dull! Farm life was always busy but, on some occasions, there was an opportunity for fun and games.
- Sunday Jul 5, 2026
Upper Chippewa River Kayak - Register Today!
- Spend an evening paddling down the Chippewa River with a naturalist as you look for turtles, fish, herons, hawks and eagles.
- Monday Jul 6, 2026
Wander and Wonder Hike
- Explore a section of the nature center’s trails at a leisurely pace, taking time to notice the small and interesting things!
- Tuesday Jul 7, 2026
Fairy House Building
- Hear a story about garden fairies before building them a house for your yard. We will take a short hike to collect materials for our houses before assembling.
- Wednesday Jul 8, 2026
Walk Midland
- Come get fit for free!
- Wednesday Jul 8, 2026
Turtle Tagging Golf Cart Tour - Register Today!
- CNC is monitoring the turtles that live on the property. You’re invited to join the Turtle Team as they check traps.
- Thursday Jul 9, 2026
Wee Stroll
- Children and their caregiver(s) are invited to join us for a staff-led walk, learn about the outdoors and learn ways to introduce children to the natural world
- Friday Jul 10, 2026
Bird Banding
- See resident and migratory birds up close, as birds are caught in mist nets and banded for research.
- Saturday Jul 11, 2026
Butterfly Count - Register Today!
- Come be a part of the 38th Annual Butterfly Count! New and experienced butterfly enthusiasts are invited to spend a few hours or the entire day searching CNC.
- Saturday Jul 11, 2026
Weekend Land Maintenance Volunteer Group
- Meets the 2nd Saturday of the month Feb-Nov • 10 am-12 pm Join a group of volunteers to help maintain trails and outdoor public spaces. Activities vary.
- Saturday Jul 11, 2026
Homestead Sunday: Fiber, Folk Arts and Textiles
- Join us at the Homestead and try your hand at carding or spinning wool, learn how fleece is processed into yarn and maybe create your own!
- Sunday Jul 12, 2026
Yoga with the Seasons - Register Today!
- Join us for a monthly yoga session at CNC! Come and connect as we flow through poses synced with the season's rhythm.
- Sunday Jul 12, 2026
Lower Chippewa River Kayak - Register Today!
- Join a CNC naturalist for a relaxing 3-mile paddle from CNC’s launch on the Homestead Road down the Chippewa River to the Tridge in Downtown Midland.
- Tuesday Jul 14, 2026
Yoga at the Wetlands - Register Today!
- Join us for yoga at the nature center's Wetlands Area! Come and connect as we flow through poses synced with the season's rhythm.
- Wednesday Jul 15, 2026
Eco Kids Club: Wonderful Wildflowers
- Stop by the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum for an afternoon of fun and activities all about nature! Each month we will explore different topics.
- Wednesday Jul 15, 2026
Walk Midland
- Come get fit for free!
- Wednesday Jul 15, 2026
Nature Story Hour
- Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season.
- Thursday Jul 16, 2026
Mindfulness in Nature: Elderberry
- Embrace the opportunity to mindfully connect with the forest each month. Through guided experiences, participants will come to know CNC throughout the seasons.
- Thursday Jul 16, 2026
