Coming Up Next

Whether it’s an annual event like Maple Sugar Festival, a special exhibit at the Visitor Center, or a hike with the Preschool Explorers, there’s something for everyone at KNC. You may register in advance or at the KNC Visitor Center or Welcome Station when you arrive for a number of programs. In some cases, such as workshops like Returning & Reskilling, registration is required so we can plan for materials.

Monthly Weekly Daily List
April 2026
nature journaling kalamazoo nature center

Nature Journaling

Saturdays, April 4 & May 2, 10-11:30 am  Audience: Teens & Adults   Immerse yourself in the art of slowing down, looking closely, and connecting more deeply with the natural world. These nature journaling workshops are designed for anyone—who wants to cultivate a mindful, creative practice that blends observation, writing, and sketching.  These workshops invite you to…
04 Apr
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Beech Maple Spring

Eco Art in the Anthropocene

Find the frontier of art and nature with WMU’s IDEAS Collaboratory (InterDisciplinary Experimentations in Art and Science).   IDEAS students will be presenting a unique project drawn from explorations of the Nature Center, weaving together scientific and artistic principles to create a wholly new mixed media experience tied to the land here at KNC.   This collaboration is one you…
04 Apr
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
young children walking in forest on a nature program

Preschool Explorers

Come dressed to explore the outdoors while developing early childhood readiness skills. Each week participants will enjoy a nature inspired program based on a monthly theme with a story, a movement activity and a craft. Learn more about this popular program and register here > Fee: $8/Member child, $10/Non-Member child, 1 adult included in price.…
07 Apr
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
silver maples save woods lake

Silver Maples: Saving Woods Lake

Silver Maples: Saving Woods Lake Invisible Salt and Urban Dead Seas  April 9, 11 am – 1 pm  Audience: Geared for Adults 50+, but all are welcome  Road salt deicers are widely used in the U.S. and around the world to make roads safer for winter driving. However, the application of road salt may have…
09 Apr
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Nature of Literacy

Story Corner 

Story Corner Saturdays, February 14, March 14, April 11, & May 9, 10-11 am  Join us once a month for a picture book story time featuring a selection of nature-themed books perfect for little explorers. We’ll follow our book with a gentle hike if weather permits, so be sure to bundle up!  February 14- Moon…
11 Apr
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Spring foraging scavenger hunt kalamazoo nature center

Spring Salads Foraging Scavenger Hunt  

Saturday, April 11, 11 am – 1 pm  Audience: All Ages Meet: Arboretum Register in advance or pay at the Welcome Station before the program.  Join the hunt to forage spring edibles and make your own salad! This interactive outdoor experience combines the joy of nature with the happiness of a nutritious meal, perfect for…
11 Apr
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Clark the Map Turtle

Behind the Scenes: Turtles

Saturday, April 11, 12:30-1:15 pm  Audience: All Ages  Take a look behind the curtain of our animal care department and learn all about the many turtles in our care. See how we maintain the highest standard of care for our animals, and get a chance to ask our animal care manager your most burning critter questions. This program directly supports our animal care department! …
11 Apr
12:30 pm - 1:15 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center

Partner Program: Walking Through Grief 

Walking Through Grief Sunday, March 8, April 12, & May 10, 2-3:30 pm Fee: Free, drop in program Meet: Main KNC Parking Lot   Partner program with Centrica Care: Walkers of all fitness levels are invited to make connections with others and grow through grief at this monthly social support walking group. Learn more at centricacare.org/calendar. 
12 Apr
2:00 pm - 3:30 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
young children walking in forest on a nature program

Preschool Explorers

Come dressed to explore the outdoors while developing early childhood readiness skills. Each week participants will enjoy a nature inspired program based on a monthly theme with a story, a movement activity and a craft. Learn more about this popular program and register here > Fee: $8/Member child, $10/Non-Member child, 1 adult included in price.…
14 Apr
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Woodcock

Woodcock Walk

Woodcock Walks  Tuesday, April 14 & Thursday, April 16, 8-9 pm  Audience: All Ages Meet: KNC’s Willard Rose Prairie on North Westnedge Avenue Join us for a short stroll into the Willard Rose Prairie to glimpse the male woodcock as it performs its amazing twilight aerial display to impress the females.     Fee: Member $12, Non-Member $15; Please register. 
14 Apr
8:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Golf cart tours kalamazoo nature center

Golf Cart Tours 

Thursday, April 16 & Tuesday, May 21, 10-11 am & Noon-1 pm  Audience: Adults  Enjoy KNC at a whole new speed! Hop on the golf cart as we take a binocular tour of some of our most beautiful habitats. Binoculars will be provided.    Fee: Member $12, Non-Member $15. Please register.    
16 Apr
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
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Registration is now open for:

kid running in fall

Raptor Run 5K & Kids Run

Saturday, October 18, 2025
Registration required

Learn More >

Tricks & Trails

Friday, October 31, 2025

Learn More >

Sponsor an Event!

Whether your business operates locally, nationally, or globally, a sponsorship places you in front of our 5,600+ membership base and the greater Kalamazoo community. Read more >

Save the date for these annual events:

Raptor Run 5K & Kids Run

October 18, 2025
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Tricks & Trails

Friday, October 31, 2025

Learn More >

Buy Local Art & Gift Fair

Buy Local Art & Gift Fair

December 6, 2025

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Maple Sugaring

Maple Sugar Festival

Saturday, March 7, 2026

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Earth Day Celebration

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Learn More >

firefly

Firefly Night Hike

June 27, 2026
Learn More >

Terry Todd International Speaker Series

Terry Todd was an avid nature lover and longtime supporter of the Kalamazoo Nature Center and many other community organizations. She was an advocate for education and believed that people of all ages should never stop learning. The Terry Todd International Speaker Series was created by her family as a memorial to her and in recognition of her commitment to these ideals. This endowment fund invites dynamic individuals in the fields of nature and the environment to Kalamazoo to share their knowledge and passion with the community Terry loved.

Read more about upcoming and past Series events >