Forest Mosaic

Now open in KNC’s Exhibits Hall

The Kalamazoo Nature Center’s exhibit, Forest Mosaic: How Forests Transform and Sustain, is currently open, offering visitors an in-depth exploration of the vital role forests play in our world. This exhibit allows guests to discover the complex web of interactions among plants, animals, fungi, and microorganisms that make up the forests of Southwest Michigan.

Interactive displays engage visitors in various ways, including a touch-sensitive map that helps them locate different forest biomes along the KNC trails. Old-school view-masters offer an intimate look at ecological succession and forest changes over time, while manipulatives give younger visitors the chance to explore the relationships that form forest ecosystems.

As they explore, visitors learn firsthand how forests recycle nutrients, regulate water, and influence climate. They also gain insight into the impact of human actions, such as the spread of invasive species and conservation efforts across Southwest Michigan. The exhibit highlights the inspiring work of KNC’s Conservation Stewardship team and their sugarbush project to emphasize key concepts in forest conservation.

Forest Mosaic is engaging an estimated 18,000 visitors, including students from Kalamazoo County schools who visit on field trips. The exhibit also plays a role in large public events like Maple Sugar Fest and offers workshops for area teachers to help them integrate exhibit content into their classrooms. By visiting Forest Mosaic, guests deepen their understanding of forest ecosystems and consider their role in supporting forest health and sustainability.

On view now in the Glen Vista Gallery:

Kalamazoo Woodturners & Woodworkers

Arts at KNC

Buy Local Art & Gift FairSaturday, December 6, 2025 9 am – 4 pm  Free admission to the Fair and trails all day!

KNC’s Buy Local Art & Gift Fair is a celebration of local artists featuring unique booths from top local artisans. The quality and variety of work, friendly artists, and festive atmosphere have made this an annual tradition you don’t want to miss! KNC Members also get invited to the popular Jingle Mingle the evening prior to the art fair.

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Art Drawn From Nature:
Kirk Newman Art School at the Kalamazoo Nature Center

KNC is collaborating with the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts to offer classes at KNC this spring. Explore the beauty of the trails, spring blossoms, trees, animals, and scenery through a range of nature-inspired art courses.
Please note, registration for these programs is through the KIA. KNC and KIA Members receive a discount! Pre-arrival information will be shared with enrollees before each course starts.

Learn more about the classes at KNC below.

Drawing Michigan Wildlife Workshop: Birds at KNC
Saturday, May 10, 9 am – 4 pm
Fee: $100/KNC or KIA Members, $120/Non-Members

Learn to draw wild birds at the beautiful Kalamazoo Nature Center. Drawing from both live and preserved specimens, acquire skills for field sketching to fully-rendered animal studies. Please bring drawing pads and graphite pencils as well as lunch and drinking water.

Befriending Death: Cycles of Life and Death in Nature
Wednesdays, April 9 – May 21, 6:30-9 pm

Fee: $205/KNC or KIA Members, $225/Non-Members
Meet: Stryker Nature Preserve

The intention of this class is to understand ourselves in nature. To connect with cycles and seasons of life and death. We all have our personal and shared experiences of grief. Death of a loved one, climate anxiety, illness, and personal/social transitions being just a few examples. In this class, we will engage in group discussions, writings, nature journeying in order to create nature-based art around death and grief. It is the intention that students will leave this class with less fear of death and a deepened sense of our place in nature and community in these challenging times.