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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
Jobs
Nature Day Camp Counselor
Category: Sports and RecreationInspire children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, create a miniature homestead village in the woods or learn how to paddle on a river. Job Summary: Join a team of creative, energetic professionals who work together to connect children with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. CNC is in ...read moreNature Day Camp Adventure Trip Leader
Category: Sports and RecreationPosition Available:Nature Day Camp Adventure Trip LeaderStatus: Full time, seasonal Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 Inspire children’s love of the outdoors by leading adventure trips into Michigan’s wilderness, including backpacking the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, navigating the Big Manistee River by canoe and exploring the sand dunes of the Manitou Islands. Job Summary: Join a ...read moreNature Day Camp Early Childhood Counselor
Category: Sports and RecreationPosition Available:Nature Day Camp Early Childhood CounselorStatus: Full time, Seasonal Application Deadline: January 30, 2026 Inspire young children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, climb on fallen logs in the woods or make-believe with mud pies all while playing in the great outdoors. Job Summary: Join a team of ...read moreNature Day Camp Junior Counselor
Category: Sports and RecreationPosition Available:Nature Day Camp Junior CounselorStatus: Full time, SeasonalApplication Deadline: January 30, 2026 Inspire children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, create a miniature homestead village in the woods or learn how to paddle on a river. Job Summary: Join a team of creative, energetic professionals who ...read moreNature Day Camp Volunteer Crew Leader
Category: Sports and RecreationPosition Available:Nature Day Camp Volunteer Crew LeaderStatus: Full time, SeasonalApplication Deadline: January 30, 2026 Inspire children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, create a miniature homestead village in the woods or learn how to paddle on a river. Job Summary: Seeking crew leaders, ages 16 years and older, ...read moreSeasonal Gardener
Category: EnvironmentPosition Available:Seasonal Gardener Status: Part Time, SeasonalApplication deadline: Open until filled Join a team of passionate, professional naturalists who seek to help people make meaningful connections with the natural world. Through beautiful wildflowers, heirloom vegetables, and hands-on raised beds, the seasonal gardener will help connect people of all ages with nature through soil, ...read moreHistorical Interpreter Intern
Category: EducationPosition Available:Historical Interpreter InternStatus: Part Time, SeasonalApplication deadline: Open until filled Join a staff of creative, energetic professionals who work together to help connect people with nature and history through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. Through historic farm tasks, demonstrations, and hands-on interpretation, the Historical Interpreter Intern ...read moreEvents
Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
- Thursday Jan 8, 2026
Snowshoe Sampler
- Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try (self-guided), do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire.
- Saturday Jan 10, 2026
Winter Survival: Nature STEM Challenge!
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a natural fit for the outdoors. You’ve heard of makerspace, now it’s time to visit NatureSpace!
- Sunday Jan 11, 2026
Nature Play!
- It’s time to play outdoors! Come make some new friends as you enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Caregivers must remain with children during program.
- Sunday Jan 11, 2026
Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
- Wednesday Jan 14, 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 Jan 15, 2026
Nature Connections: Birch Trees
- Embrace the opportunity to know the forest in a new way by focusing on a different feature of the landscape each month.
- Thursday Jan 15, 2026
Nature Play!
- It’s time to play outdoors! Come make some new friends as you enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Caregivers must remain with children during program.
- Sunday Jan 18, 2026
Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
- Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
Eco Kids Club: Science of Snow
- 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 Jan 21, 2026
A Quiet Winter’s Night: Campfire under the Stars
- Crisp winter nights offer a perfect opportunity to watch the stars dance and listen for the calls of owls. Join us around a fire at the Homestead Farm.
- Thursday Jan 22, 2026
Buds, Bark and Branches: Winter Tree ID
- Learn to identify trees in winter by their bark, branches and buds.
- Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Live Birds of Prey
- Look deep into the eyes of a barred owl, learn about the mysterious sounds of the night and find out how an American kestrel guards its prey.
- Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Live Birds of Prey
- Look deep into the eyes of a barred owl, learn about the mysterious sounds of the night and find out how an American kestrel guards its prey.
- Saturday Jan 24, 2026
Nature Book Club: The Invention of Nature
- Join us for a book club chat and naturalist-led hike! January’s book is “The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World” by Andrea Wulf.
- Sunday Jan 25, 2026
Snowshoe Sampler
- Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try (self-guided), do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire.
- Sunday Jan 25, 2026
Family Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Bring the whole family for an evening of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed!
- Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Searching for Snow! Winter Snowshoe Adventure - Register Today!
- Using snowshoes, explore the winter wilderness of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula! Led by Camp Director Steve Frisbee and Adventure Trip Leader Emily Osborne.
- Saturday Jan 31, 2026
Basket Weaving Workshop - Register Today!
- Using a solid wood base and reed, each participant will weave an oval shaped basket while learning basic basket making techniques. All materials provided.
- Sunday Feb 1, 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 Feb 1, 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 Feb 1, 2026
Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
- Wednesday Feb 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 Feb 5, 2026
Snakes Alive! Discovering the Wonders of Snakes
- Join CNC staff for this indoor live snake program. All are invited to get as close a look at the snakes as you feel comfortable!
- Saturday Feb 7, 2026
Snakes Alive! Discovering the Wonders of Snakes
- . Join CNC staff for this indoor live snake program. All are invited to get as close a look at the snakes as you feel comfortable!
- Saturday Feb 7, 2026
Snowshoe Sampler
- Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try (self-guided), do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire.
- Sunday Feb 8, 2026
Nature Connections: Ash Tree
- Embrace the opportunity to know the forest in a new way by focusing on a different feature of the landscape each month.
- Tuesday Feb 10, 2026
Wetlands Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Enjoy a crisp evening exploring CNC's Wetlands Area in winter. Meet CNC staff at the Wetlands Area parking lot. Pre-register and reserve snowshoes
- Thursday Feb 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 Feb 14, 2026
Natural Resource Use by Indigenous People
- Ojibwas lived seasonally near the Pine River for hundreds of years. Join CNC's Historical Interpreter on this gentle hike along CNC trails.
- Sunday Feb 15, 2026
Nature Play!
- It’s time to play outdoors!
- Sunday Feb 15, 2026
Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
- Tuesday Feb 17, 2026
CNC Annual Meeting: Celebrating 60 Years
- Join CNC staff and board for our annual business meeting and a celebration of 60 years of connecting people with nature!
- Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Eco Kids Club: Mammal Mysteries
- Stop by the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum for an afternoon of fun and activities all about nature!
- Wednesday Feb 18, 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 Feb 19, 2026
Stories by the Fire
- Drop by the Homestead and enjoy an evening relaxing by the campfire and listening to tales of winters past. FREE | All ages welcome, under 18 w/adult
- Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Family Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Bring the whole family for an evening of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed! We will search high and low for signs of animals as we explore.
- Friday Feb 20, 2026
In Search of Snowy Owls - Register Today!
- Join CNC staff as we look for Snowy Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and other wintering birds in Michigan's thumb.
- Saturday Feb 21, 2026
Nature Book Club: The Secret World of Weather
- Join us for a book club chat and naturalist-led hike! February’s book is “The Secret World of Weather” by Tristan Gooley. Meet at the Visitor Center.
- Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Nature Play!
- It’s time to play outdoors!
- Sunday Feb 22, 2026
Members-Only Live Reptile and Amphibian Experience - Register Today!
- CNC members can spend the evening with a CNC Naturalist learning more about the reptile and amphibian ambassador animals including their role at CNC.
- Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!
- Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight.
- Friday Feb 27, 2026
Snowshoe Sampler
- Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try (self-guided), do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire.
- Saturday Feb 28, 2026
