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
Garlic Mustard Games

Garlic Mustard Games

Calling all Competitors! Welcome to the Garlic Mustard Games!  As KNC’s Conservation Stewardship staff work year-round to care for and protect KNC’s high-quality natural areas, managing invasive species is a top priority. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) are two common invasive species that plague Michigan’s native habitats. These prolific plants spread widely and…
24 Apr
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Garlic Mustard Games

Garlic Mustard Games

Calling all Competitors! Welcome to the Garlic Mustard Games!  As KNC’s Conservation Stewardship staff work year-round to care for and protect KNC’s high-quality natural areas, managing invasive species is a top priority. Garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and dame’s rocket (Hesperis matronalis) are two common invasive species that plague Michigan’s native habitats. These prolific plants spread widely and…
25 Apr
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Victoria beauty workshop kalamazoo nature center

Victorian Beauty Workshop 

April 25, 10-11 am  Audience: Adults & Teens Meet: Visitor Center Classroom  Step back to the Victorian era and learn about the natural dyes and creams that we relied on for generations. Take a walk in the shoes of the Victorians to create cosmetics the traditional way, and get a look into the lives and recipes of those before…
25 Apr
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
discover KNC guided hike

Discover KNC Guided Hike

Discover KNC Guided Hikes  Saturdays, February 28, April 25 and May 23, 2-3 pm  Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free! Drop-in program. Audience: All Ages  Explore KNC on a guided hike through some of our favorite areas. Each month will feature a different trail, taking you through our greatest hits and best…
25 Apr
2:00 pm - 3:00 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.…
28 Apr
10:00 am - 11:00 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
May 2026
nature journaling kalamazoo nature center

Nature Journaling

Saturday, 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 step outdoors (or…
02 May
10:00 am - 11:30 am
Kalamazoo Nature Center
Kalamazoo Nature Center
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
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
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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

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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 >