Membership - Kalamazoo Nature Center

Membership at the Kalamazoo Nature Center

KNC membership gives you access to our Visitor Center, trails, exhibits, programs, and events with free admission for one year. In turn, your membership supports KNC’s award-winning education, research, and conservation programs. Join over 6,000 members from 2,000+ households by joining today!

Get FREE admission to the Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and Kellogg Bird Sanctuary and Manor House during the month of October with your Membership to any participating organization. Details at swmimemberexchange.com

Please note, any GIFT MEMBERSHIPS purchased before December 18, 2023 will be processed and mailed that same week. Any purchases made on or after will be processed and mailed the first week of the New Year. Make sure to stop at the VS Desk for your note card to give during the holidays!

We have a new Membership account system!

Each user will need to create their login account for the new system, please click “account login” below and follow the prompts on the screen to create your KNC Online Account.

Account Login

Questions on creating an account or receiving Member discounts?

Watch the quick video here >
or email

Each membership includes one year of the following benefits:

Free admission, including to special events like Maple Sugar Festival
Quarterly newsletter (Nature Center News)
and KNC’s regular eNewsletter
10% discount at the Trailhead Gifts & Books gift shop
Reduced program fees
Voting privileges at the annual members’ meeting
Reciprocal membership to over 120 nature centers in the US and Canada.
Invitations to members-only events including Member’s Night and Jingle Mingle
Free admission in the month of October to participating area organizations through the Southwest Michigan Cultural Membership Exchange.

Supporting Memberships

Individual - $60

Individual membership for one named adult

Additional benefits: Plus One included – Free admission for one unnamed guest per visit (Member must accompany guest)

Purchase or renew an Individual Membership Here >

Discounts:

55 & Over: Enter OVER55 during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent memberships.

Military Discount: Enter MILITARY during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent memberships. Must be able to provide valid military or veteran ID if needed.

Student (Age 16 through college): Enter STUDENT during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, or Household memberships. Must be able to provide valid student ID if needed.

Financial Assistance: Free Household Membership with proof of financial assistance (i.e. SNAP, WIC, etc.). Please fill out the Financial Assistance application. Upon acceptance, you will receive your membership in the mail within 2-3 weeks.

Couple - $75

Couple Membership for two named adults
Additional benefits: Plus One included – Free admission for one unnamed guest per visit (Member must accompany guest)

Purchase or renew a Couple Membership here >

Discounts:55 & Over: Enter OVER55 during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent memberships.

Student (Age 16 through college): Enter STUDENT during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, or Household memberships. Must be able to provide valid student ID if needed.

Household - $85

Household membership for ALL adults and children living at the same address, only 2 named adults carry cards.
Additional benefits:
• Plus One included – Free admission for one unnamed guest per visit (Member must accompany guest)
• Early registration and member’s rates for camp programs

Purchase or renew a Household membership here >

Discounts:55 & Over: Enter OVER55 during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent memberships.

Student (Age 16 through college): Enter STUDENT during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, or Household memberships. Must be able to provide valid student ID if needed.

Grandparent - $85

Grandparent membership for up to two named grandparents sharing a single address and all grandchildren under the age of 18
Additional benefits:
• Plus One included – Free admission for one unnamed guest per visit (Member must accompany guest)
• Early registration and member’s rates for camp programs

Purchase or renew a Grandparent membership here >

Discounts:55 & Over: Enter OVER55 during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent memberships.

Student (Age 16 through college): Enter STUDENT during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, or Household memberships. Must be able to provide valid student ID if needed.

Household/Grandparent Combo - $150

Household/Grandparent Combo for all adults and children sharing a single address and one set of Grandparents.
Additional benefits:
• Plus One included – Free admission for one unnamed guest per visit (Member must accompany guest)
• Early registration and member rates for camp programs

Purchase or renew a Household/Grandparent Combo here >

Discounts: Financial Assistance: Free Household Membership with proof of financial assistance (i.e. SNAP, WIC, etc.). Please fill out the Financial Assistance application. Upon acceptance, you will receive your membership in the mail within 2-3 weeks.

Patron Memberships

Spicebush - $125

Spicebush membership is available for all adults and children sharing a single address

Additional benefits:

“Plus One” included
Early registration/member rates for camp programs
Thank you gift
Exclusive invitations to programs throughout the year
Recognition in Annual Report

Purchase or renew a Spicebush membership here >

Redbud - $250

Redbud membership is available for all adults and children sharing a single address

Additional benefits:

“Plus Two” included
Early registration/member rates for camp programs
Thank you gift
Exclusive program invitations throughout the year
Recognition in Annual Report
10% facility rental discount

Purchase or renew a Redbud membership here >

Dogwood - $500

Dogwood membership is available for ALL adults and children living at the same address.

Additional benefits:

“Plus Two” included
Early registration/member rates for camp programs
Thank you gift
Exclusive program invitations throughout the year
Recognition in Annual Report
10% facility rental discount
One individual membership to give away

Purchase or renew a Dogwood membership here >

Beech: Lifetime Membership - $2000

Become a life member of the Kalamazoo Nature Center! Beech Leaf Lifetime membership is available for lifetime for one or two named adult purchaser(s). Free admission for children under 18 years old while sharing their residence

Additional benefits:

“Plus Three” included
Early registration/member rates for camp programs
Thank you gift
Exclusive program invitations throughout the year
Recognition in Annual Report
20% facility rental discount
One individual membership to give away
Recognition on Beech Lifetime member sign at the KNC Visitor Center
Cooper’s Glen Legacy (CGL) semi-annual mailings and invitations to CGL semi-annual events

To purchase a Lifetime Membership, please contact 269-381-1574 x 17 or email.

Special Membership Levels

Photographer Free admission for one named adult photographer for one year, up to eight clients may accompany the photographer during a visit

Non-Profit Offered to service non-profit organizations and is not intended for public or private schools or organizations that service school children

Thank you to the following Member Organizations!

Heritage Community of Kalamazoo

With a culture of hospitality that delights and surprises residents, staff, families and guests, Heritage Community of Kalamazoo will become an in-demand destination that challenges stereotypes and transforms the way people think about senior living. www.heritagecommunity.com

Community Living Options

We assist individuals in achieving their life goals by building relationships through quality services in supportive environments. www.communitylivingoptions.org

The Bureau of Services for Blind Persons Training Center

The Michigan Bureau of Services for Blind Persons (BSBP) believes in the capacity of people who are blind or visually impaired to achieve employment and independence. BSBP provides training and services that empower people to achieve their individual goals. www.michigan.gov/leo/bureaus-agencies/bureau-of-services-for-blind-persons

Membership Discounts

Membership discounts are available for Supporting levels only, Patron and Special membership levels do not qualify. The discounts can be applied during online registration, at KNC’s Guest Services Desk or the Welcome Station.

To apply the discount when purchasing online, after “add to cart”, you are brought to a separate checkout page. Enter the corresponding discount code and click apply to receive your membership discount.

NEW Auto-Renewal Membership:
Enter AUTORENEW during checkout to receive a 10% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent membership.

55 & Over: Enter OVER55 during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent membership.

Military Discount: Enter MILITARY during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, Household, or Grandparent membership. Must be able to provide valid military or veteran ID if needed.

Student (Age 16 through college): Enter STUDENT during checkout to receive 15% off. Valid on Individual, Couple, or Household membership. Must be able to provide valid student ID if needed.

Financial Assistance: Free Membership with proof of financial assistance (i.e. SNAP, WIC, etc.) including verification of certificate information, and/or a valid driver’s license.

Memberships are for those living together at one address only. Please note, children 3 and under get into KNC for free admission.

Please fill out the Financial Assistance application. Upon acceptance, you will receive your membership in the mail within 2-3 weeks.

Plus One” add on to membership: $20 The “Plus One” option allows named members to bring one unnamed guest per visit free of charge. Guest must be accompanied by a named member. “Plus One” is automatically included with several membership levels. It can also be added to many membership levels. “Plus One” guests are not eligible for any membership benefits.

A friendly reminder about “Plus One” use and special events: As always, KNC is pleased to extend stated benefits to its valued Members. This includes the Plus One (or greater) benefit for guests to visit with a named Member. This applies broadly to day admissions, with the exception of special events such as Maple Sugar Festival.

Questions about Membership? Please contact (269) 381-1574 ext. 32 or email