SEVEN PONDS NATURE CENTER
SUMMER PROGRAMS for 2024
Summer is the perfect time to visit the nature center and participate in our programs. Seven Ponds offers something for everyone, from preschoolers and families to adults and seniors. Mark your calendar for some programs, walks, and classes.
All programs require pre-registration. Space is limted.
Registration is now OPEN!
JUNE
A Walk in Paul’s Woods
Saturday, June 1st, 10:00 AM
Spend the morning relaxing your mind and body during a walk through our beautiful Paul’s Woods. We will explore the forest and see what there is to find.
Family Fun Day - Field Netting!
Sunday, June 2nd, 2:00 PM
Bring out your inner entomologist and come discover what kind of critters are living in our fields. We will use field nets and magnifying lenses to help us explore.
Evening Walk
Saturday, June 8th, 7:00 PM
Come experience nature in the evening. Some animals are settling down for the night, while some are just waking up, so let's see what we can find!
Invasive Species Work Day
Sunday, June 9th, 1:00 PM
Join our Land Steward for an afternoon of working on non-native invasive plants around the center. Bring your own work gloves and water. We will provide all necessary tools.
Celestial Skies Over Seven Ponds
Saturday, June 15th, 7:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Join Seven Ponds Astronomy Club for a night of Astronomy! The amateur astronomers of Seven Ponds will guide us through exciting celestial fun under the night skies. This event will happen rain or shine, and is free!
Earl's Prairie Walk
Sunday, June 16th, 2:00 PM
Spend the afternoon in our tallgrass prairie exploring the early bloomers like spiderwort, false indigo, and culver’s root.
Messy Mud Day!
Saturday, June 29th, 1:00 PM
Celebrate International Mud Day at Seven Ponds! We will get our mud on playing in the mud, making in the mud, and imagining with the mud. This will be a messy day of mud making!
JULY
Butterfly Count
Saturday, July 6th, 10:00 AM
Join us for our annual count for the North American Butterfly Association. Nets available for all participants. Fee: $3
Hop, Run, Fly…It's Jonathan Woods in July!
Sunday, July 7th, 1:00 PM
Let's explore Jonathan Woods in the summer. It's a great time to look for critters of all kinds. We'll meet at the nature center and carpool over. Space is limited.
Paddling the Ponds
Saturday, July 13, 10:00 AM
Explore the amazing waters found at Seven Ponds. Our connected lakes will give us plenty to enjoy! Come dressed for the weather. Minimum: 5 years old to ride and 10 years old to paddle. Space is limited, please register by Friday, July 12th.
The Log Life
Sunday, July 14, 2:00 PM
Life under a log is a tiny ecosystem with a whole world of activity. We will spend the afternoon exploring these incredible spaces.
Summer Bird Walk
Saturday, July 20th, 9:30 AM
Grab your binoculars and we’ll hit the trails for a morning of birding as we travel through forest, wetlands, and prairie. Loaner binoculars available.
Nature Storytime
Sunday, July 21st, 2:00 PM
Spend the afternoon with a naturalist as we read a nature-themed storybook and make a craft.
Prairie Meander
Saturday, July 27, 2:00 PM
New things are happening in the prairie! From new flowers blooming to new insects singing, we will discover it all!
Spidermania!
Sunday, July 28, 2:00 PM
Come learn about our eight-legged friends during this walk about Seven Ponds. We explore their amazing craftsmanship, their cute dances, and awesome hunting skills.
AUGUST
Summer Evening Paddle
Saturday, August 3rd, 7:00 PM
Let's hit the water and paddle the ponds for this naturalist-led canoe paddle. Dress for the weather. Minimum: 5 years old to ride and 10 years old to paddle. Space is limited, please register by Friday, August 2nd.
Invasive Species Work Day
Sunday, August 4th, 2:00 PM
Join our Land Steward for an afternoon of working on non-native invasive plants around the center. Bring your own work gloves and water. We will provide all necessary tools.
Butterflies and Blooms
Saturday, August 24, 10:00 AM
Let’s see what pollinators are out and about as we walk about the lakes and prairie. Be prepared to spend a relaxing morning among the flying jewels.
Eat your Yard!
Sunday, August 25, 2:00 PM
Did you know growing in and around your yard are many wild edibles? This afternoon we will search Seven Ponds for some common wild edibles that could be found in your yard.
Snake Search
Saturday, August 31st, 10:00 AM
We'll learn all about the snakes that call Michigan home and meet our resident snake! After that we'll hit the trail on a search for snakes.
Seven Ponds Nature Center Summer 2024 Bird Walks & Trips
This summer we will offer bird walks/trips in June, July, and August. Our bird walks/trips are open to birders of all skill and experience levels, and beginners are always welcome. Bring your binoculars, your enthusiasm, and be sure to dress for the weather. Bird walks are $3 for Seven Ponds members and $5 for non-members; bird trips are $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Pre-registration is required online, and bird walks/trips are limited to twelve (12) participants. Note the program description for starting time and meeting place. Please arrive on time and ready to go birding! Vortex Crossfire 8x42 loaner binoculars available upon request. Register by clicking on the program title.
JUNE BIRD TRIP - A Bird Drive on the Wild Side
Wednesday, June 12 - 7:30 AM (depart from Seven Ponds at 6:00 AM)
Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge - Wildlife Drive (Saginaw County)
Join us as we venture out on the 6.5-mile Wildlife Drive at Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge in Saginaw County. Shiawassee NWR is designated as a United States Important Bird Area for its global significance to migratory waterfowl. We'll meet at the refuge parking lot on Curtis Road, and from there we'll proceed slowly through the 6.5 miles Wildlife Drive, making numerous stops along the route. Birds we may encounter on this trip include herons, egrets, cranes, shorebirds, eagles, hawks, terns, resident songbirds, and more. We encourage carpooling for this trip to reduce the length of our caravan on the refuge. Cost of this field trip is $5 Seven Ponds members and $10 for non-members. Space is limited, please pre-register online. Dress for the weather, bring your binoculars, field guide, and pack snacks and a beverage.
JULY BIRD TRIP - An Evening at Nayanquing
RESCHEDULED: Wednesday, July 17 - 4:00 PM (depart from Seven Ponds at 2:00 PM)
Nayanquing Point Wildlife Management Area (Bay County)
Evening is a wonderful time to spend in the marshlands, and Nayanquing Point is one of the premier birding areas in Michigan. We'll caravan to northern Bay County, arriving at Nayanquing late afternoon to begin our birding adventure. We'll encounter ducks, geese, swans, herons, egrets, cranes, shorebirds, and songbirds - including one of Michigan's only populations of Yellow-headed Blackbirds. This trip will involve 2-3 miles of walking and will conclude with sunset on the tower overlooking the marsh, where we may see or hear American Bittern and Least Bittern. Cost of this field trip is $5 Seven Ponds members and $10 for non-members. Space is limited, please pre-register online. Dress for the weather, bring your binoculars, field guide, and pack snacks and a beverage.
AUGUST BIRD WALK - Seven Ponds Nature Center
Wednesday, August 28 - 7:30 AM
Seven Ponds Nature Center - main property
Let's take a late-summer walk at Seven Ponds and see what we can find. Typical birds we may see on this walk include Gray Catbirds, Eastern Towhee, Indigo Bunting, Eastern Kingbird, House Wren, and some resident warblers and vireos, plus the typical swallows, sparrows, chickadees, titmice, nuthatches, blackbirds, and woodpeckers. We'll get an early start, take a short break at the nature center, then continue our walk.