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
May 2026
tai chi kalamazoo nature center

Tai Chi With Ed Kehoe

Saturday, May 2, 10-11 am Audience: Adults Meet: Glen Vista Gallery  Start your morning with a relaxing Tai Chi program ideal for participants of all skill levels. Tai Chi is a great way to relax, recenter, and connect yourself with your body. Bring clothes for gentle movement!  Fee: Members $12, Non-Members $15 Please register.   
02 May
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
nature journaling kalamazoo nature center

Nature Journaling

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 step outdoors (or view nature from a window) and tune in…
02 May
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
kalamazoo nature center river

Life in the Kalamazoo River 

Saturday, May 2, 2-3 pm  Audience: All Ages Meet: Visitor Center Lobby  The Kalamazoo river is a huge part of our ecosystem, shaping the land while providing valuable habitat to our native wildlife. We’ll hike out to take a closer look in the water, and learn about the history and inhabitants of our watershed.    Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free! Drop…
02 May
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Prescribed Fire Training Kalamazoo Nature Center

Prescribed Fire Refresher (RT-130) Training

Tuesday, May 5, 8:00AM-4:30PM The RT-130 Fire Refresher is required annually to maintain NWCG certifications (FFT2 and FFT1, etc.). This training is free to everyone. We will review past fire season lessons and conduct several hands-on group activities. This training will also include a fire shelter deployment and an optional pack test. All participants should wear comfortable clothes and running shoes/sneakers and bring a packed lunch. We will have extra gloves, helmets, and tools…
05 May
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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.…
05 May
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center

Birding the Kleinstuck Preserve

Wednesdays, May 6 & May 13, 8 am Meet: Maple Street YMCA parking area next to tennis courts, walk to Kleinstuck Preserve  Audience: Teens & Adults  Join KNC research staff John Brenneman as he performs his survey for spring migratory birds. Limited supply of Binoculars will be available to borrow. This program does not have a designated end-time;…
06 May
8:00 am
Kleinstuck Nature Preserve
1001 W Maple St, Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Swallowtail on thistle

Virtual Butterfly Monitor Training

KNC’s Michigan Butterfly Network (MiBN) welcomes you for a virtual butterfly monitor training. Butterflies are indicators of the quality and health of entire ecosystems, and monitoring their abundance is critical for informing conservation work. Anyone with an interest in butterflies can contribute to MiBN monitoring activities. Community scientists are integral to learning more about butterflies across the state of Michigan. This free…
07 May
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Silver Maples: Keep Moving with Dr. Spitsbergen 

Silver Maples: Keep Moving with Dr. Spitsbergen 

Thursday, May 7, 11 am – 1 pm  Audience: Geared for Adults 50+, but all are welcome  Our nervous systems are complex and dynamic, changing over our lifetimes as we grow and move.  Dr. Spitsbergen is a WMU scientist, and is part of a lab that studies the ways that movement and exercise have tangible effects on our…
07 May
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center

Homeschool: Explorations 

Homeschool families—come join the fun at the Kalamazoo Nature Center! Homeschool students can experience the excitement of a school field trip, complete with hands-on exploration and outdoor adventures.  This drop-off program is designed just for ages 5–9 and brings learning to life through nature-based activities. One month you might dig into our gravel pit while uncovering Michigan’s natural…
07 May
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Yellow-rumped Warbler

Birding with the Pros

Saturday, May 9 & Tuesday, May 12, 8-9:30 am Audience: Adults Meet: Sundial, Visitor Center Parking Lot  Join an expert birder for a guided morning hike. Listen and watch for spring migrants returning to Michigan and learn techniques to be a better birder.  All skill levels are welcome.  Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair…
09 May
8:00 am - 9:30 am
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…
09 May
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Salamander walk kalamazoo nature center

Salamander Walk 

Saturday, May 9, 2-3 pm  Audience: All Ages Meet: Visitor Center Lobby  Have you ever wondered what our slimy friends get up to in the leaf litter? Come learn about the salamanders and newts of Michigan, and take a look at some of the habitats these enigmatic critters call home.    Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free! Drop in program. 
09 May
2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
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

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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

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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

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firefly

Firefly Night Hike

June 27, 2026
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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 >