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
December 2025
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 centers, 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…
02 Dec
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center

Homeschool: Explorations 

Homeschool: Explorations  Thursdays, November 6 & December 4, 1:30-3:30 pm 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 resources, and the next you could meet KNC’s amazing Animal Ambassadors up close! Each month offers a…
04 Dec
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
owl at night

Owls of Whitefish Point 

Owls of Whitefish Point  Thursday, December 4, 6:30 pm  Fee: Member $12, Non-Member $15. Please register.   Audience: All Ages Meet: Visitor Center Auditorium  Join Chris Neri and Nova Mackentley , renowned wildlife photographers and field biologists, for an engaging presentation on the Owls of Whitefish Point. As founders of the new non-profit Friends of Whitefish…
04 Dec
6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Buy Local Art & Gift Fair

Buy Local Art & Gift Fair

Saturday, December 6, 9 am – 4 pm  Free admission to the Fair and trails all day! KNC’s Buy Local Art & Gift Fair is back with 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!…
06 Dec
9:00 am - 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 centers, 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…
09 Dec
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
pine needles

Winter Tree ID: Nature Day Camp Series

Pre-K – Kindergarten (Ages 4-6): Half Day, 9 am – Noon Fee: $36 KNC members/$40 non-members Winter Tree ID Wednesday, December 10, 9 am – Noon Join us for a day of discovery as we explore trees in winter! Campers will learn how to spot different trees without their leaves through games, stories, crafts, and…
10 Dec
9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Pine tree in winter

Winter Tree ID: Nature Day Camp Series

Grades 1-5: Full Day, 9 am – 4 pm Fee: $54 KNC members/$60 non-members Winter Tree ID Wednesday, December 10, 9 am – 4 pm Even without their leaves, trees have amazing clues that tell us who they are! Campers will explore bark, buds, and branches to uncover the secrets of winter trees through hikes, games,…
10 Dec
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
KNC's animal care manager is looking at the turtle enclosure

Silver Maples: Behind the Curtain of Animal Care 

December 11, 11 am – 1 pm  Audience: Geared for Adults 50+, but all are welcome  Meet: Front desk at the Visitor Center Join one of our animal care experts for a talk on the value of ambassador animal programs, and go behind the scenes to see how we deliver our animals the highest quality…
11 Dec
11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center

Foraged Wreaths Class: Returning & Reskilling

Saturday, December 13, 10 –12:30 am  Audience: Adults Meet: Visitor Center Classroom  Celebrate the season by partaking in an ancient tradition: wreath making! Learn about the history of the art form and step into our winter wonderland to forage the perfect pieces for your winter decorations. We’ll go step by step so even beginner wreath-makers will leave…
13 Dec
10:00 am - 12:30 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Nature of Literacy

Story Corner 

Story Corner Saturdays, December 13, January 10, & February 14 at 10 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!  December 13- Goodbye Autumn,…
13 Dec
10:00 am - 11:00 am
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 centers, 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…
16 Dec
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Drum

Winter Solstice Drumming

Celebrate the darkest day of the year by getting warmed up with the powerful drumming of Carolyn Koeble and Dede Alder, connecting to the earth on one of the oldest holidays on our planet.    Fee: $12/KNC Members, $15/Non-Members  Audience: All ages  |  Meet: Visitor Center Auditorium 
20 Dec
10:00 am - 11:00 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

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
Learn More >

Tricks & Trails

Friday, October 31, 2025

Learn More >

Buy Local Art & Gift Fair

Buy Local Art & Gift Fair

December 6, 2025

Learn More >

Maple Sugaring

Maple Sugar Festival

Saturday, March 7, 2026

Learn More >

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 >