Schedule of Events:
Grand Opening of Up in the Air: Birds Navigating the Anthropocene
Free guided tours at 10:30am, 11:30am, and 12:30pm. Located in Visitor Center Exhibits Hall.
Visit KNC’s first original exhibit all about birds! This exhibit explores the challenges birds face in an environment altered by human activity and how KNC’s biological research contributes to our understanding of how they are responding to those challenges. Read more …
Meet the Artist 10:30am-3pm
This exhibit features beautiful original bird illustrations by local artist, Olivia Mendoza. Prints and cards will be available for purchase and Olivia will be signing prints, answering questions, and sharing her stunning work at the KNC gift shop located on the upper level of the Visitors’ Center.
Bird Banding and Bird Friendly Coffee
8-10:30 am Free prepared coffee, bags of beans for sale. Located at Banding Barn near KNC Camp.
Participate in bird banding with members of KNC’s Biological Research team. Enjoy the taste of shade grown coffee from Ron’s Beans and learn about the positive impact responsibly sourced coffee has on migratory bird populations.
Children’s Winged Parade and Dance
Wing-building and face painting at the Camp Barn starts at 8:30 am. Located in KNC Camp Barn.
Parade from Camp to the Arboretum 10:30am (program lasts 15 minutes)
Dance Workshop with Wellspring Dance 10:45 (program lasts 30 minutes)
Join Nature’s Way Preschool teachers for wing-crafting and face painting. Children can strut their stuff in the Migratory Parade around KNC’s arboretum. The parade will end with a dance workshop inspired by flight hosted by Wellspring Dance Academy.
Artist booths 10:30am-3pm. Located in Arboretum
Shop local for bird inspired arts and crafts with artists located around the Arboretum lawn.
Migratory Music, presented by the Connecting Chords Music Festival
1-3pm. Located multiple locations around Arboretum.
Experience live music from local artists! As part of its annual Connecting Chords Music Festival, the Michigan Festival of Sacred Music is bringing back some Festival favorites. Musicians will include:
• Samuel Nalangira – World musician, percussionist, and dancer (Camp Amphitheater)
• Hazeltree – Celtic and Americana songs on traditional acoustic instruments (Hummingbird Butterfly Garden)
• Birdseed Salesmen – Gypsy jazz (Arboretum Amphitheater)
• Norse Code – David and Karin Code sharing Scandinavian traditional folk music (Roaming)
Food Trucks 10:30am-3pm
Camzie’s Pizza, PWJ Creole Kitchen, Incredible Kettle
Lecture Series
Learn from local experts and activists who are working to understand and protect the birds around us. Located in Visitor Center’s Coopers Glen Auditorium
Dr. Sharon Gill on Soundscapes and Changing Environments
11:00am -noon. Free event. Registration required here >
Dr. Gail Walter on Kalamazoo’s Bird Friendly Treaty
12:30-1:30pm. Free event. Registration required here >
Meg Heft, KNC’s Animal Care Manager on KNC’s Animal Ambassador program
2-3pm. Free Event. Registration required here >
Bird of Prey Demonstrations
11:15 am – 12:30 pm. Located in Arboretum
Enjoy appearances from KNC’s Animal Ambassador birds of prey. KNC staff will share their stories and interesting information about their species. Meet: Arboretum Amphitheater
Flying Things Workshop
12-1pm. Located in Camp Barn. Materials fee: Member $12 Non-member $15 (Ages 7 and older) Registration required here >
Build kites, paper airplanes, and other flying toys. Meet: Camp Barn
Fairy Houses
12-1pm. Located in Camp Barn. Materials fee: Member $12 Non-member $15 (Ages 5 and older) Registration required here >
Create a fairy house inspired by bird nests and other examples of nature’s architecture. Meet: Camp Barn
Birding with Audubon Society of Kalamazoo (ASK) and KNC Staff 1-2pm. Begins at Camp Barn.
Hit the trails with seasoned birders from ASK and KNC to get tips on spotting and identifying birds.
Prairie Hike 2-2:45pm. Begins at Camp Barn.
Join this guided hike to explore the role of the prairie in supporting migratory species including birds and monarchs.
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