• Chippewa Nature Center

    Chippewa Nature Center

    Categories

    Non-Profits

    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

    Gallery Image 2019-CNC-Trail-Map-for-web.jpg

    Events

    Night Hike
    • As winter nears, the landscape is changing. Join an Interpretive Naturalist for an evening on the trails enjoying the transition of the seasons.
    • Tuesday Dec 9, 2025
    Nature Connections: Winter Solstice Plants
    • Embrace the opportunity to know various natural environments in a new way. Monthly programs focus on specific species of trees, shrubs, or flowers.
    • Thursday Dec 11, 2025
    Nature Story Hour
    • Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season.
    • Thursday Dec 18, 2025
    Winter Solstice Celebration
    • For centuries, people have gathered with family and friends to recognize the longest night of the year and to celebrate the return of longer days to come.
    • Saturday Dec 20, 2025
    Nature Play!
    • Whether we’re making pies in the mud kitchen, building forts, constructing rivers, lounging in hammocks or creating nature art, this hour of play is engaging!
    • Sunday Dec 21, 2025
    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 Jan 3, 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 Jan 4, 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.
    • 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
    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