Mondays, 5 pm
Fee: $10/member, $12/non-member

Email: evasicek@naturecenter.org to register

Nature and mindfulness go hand-in-hand, and bring moments of peace and quiet reflection. Join us each Monday in August as we embrace mindfulness practices in the natural world. These programs are geared for adults. We are happy to offer childcare for these hour long programs for children ages 3 and up; please indicate your need for childcare in your email.

Monday, August 17:

Join special guest Diane Melvin. An avid meditator and nature enthusiast, Diane Melvin is passionate about helping folks experience mindfulness in the natural world. With a master's degree in environmental studies, Diane is a former naturalist at KNC. As the religious education director at the People’s Church, Diane has led mindfulness and meditation classes with a variety of age groups. She loves getting people out into nature and helping them to connect with that still and centered place that exists within each of us. 

Mindfulness is simply paying attention in the present moment with awareness and compassion Though simple to understand, it can be challenging to do. Join us as we gather outside for a meaningful hour of mindfulness immersed in nature. Through a variety of guided prompts and activities, we will experience opportunities to deepen our awareness of and connection with nature and ourselves. As we sink down through the layers of thoughts, we can mindfully experience the sensations of deep presence and the freedom that can occur here. Hopefully we’ll emerge from this experience with greater wholeness and peace that we can bring into our daily lives.

Tuesdays, 10 am
FREE with admission, but registration is required

Explore and play with nature as our teacher while developing critical early childhood skills. Geared toward children 5 years and under with an adult. Come dressed to explore outdoors!

REGISTER BELOW FOR EACH WEEK:

August 11 program: REGISTER HERE by August 9.

August 18 program: REGISTER HERE by August 16.

August 25 program: REGISTER HERE by August 23.

Thursdays at 5 pm 
Fee: $10/member, $12/non-member

Experience the world through the eyes of a naturalist! Have you ever wondered how to ID a tree using a dichotomous key? Or how to determine the health of a stream by looking at the organisms that live there? Join us on Thursdays as we learn how to engage with different facets of the natural world using hands-on activities! 

REGISTER FOR EACH WEEK BELOW:

August 6  |  Tree ID & Dichotomous Key - This program is cancelled.

August 13  |  Rocks to soil - Michigan geology - Email evasicek@naturecenter.org by August 11 to register.

August 20  |  Prairies & powerful pollinators  Email evasicek@naturecenter.org by August 18 to register.

August 27  |  Stream ecology & macroinvertebrates  Email evasicek@naturecenter.org by August 26 to register.

This program has been cancelled.

Chipman Preserve is a 228-acre natural area managed by the Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy. This preserve consists of rolling savanna, forest, and grassland habitats and is home to a variety of wildlife species including some state-listed plants.

Directions: Chipman Preserve is in the 8000 block of East Main St., 3 miles east of Sprinkle Rd. between 30th and 33rd Streets in Comstock Township (Galesburg). The preserve entrance is on the north side of the street. 

Fee: $60/member, $75/non-member

Email evasicek@naturecenter.org to register by August 19.

Experience the beauty of the Kalamazoo River! KNC will provide equipment and a short tutorial on canoe safety before heading out on the water. We will canoe a 6-mile stretch of the river from Verburg Park to D Avenue. Participants sharing a canoe must be from the same household and physical distancing will be in place along the river. Space is limited and in the case of inclement weather, this program will be cancelled. Meet: Verburg Park, Kalamazoo River Valley Trail, Kalamazoo, MI 49007  

Saturday, August 22, 9 am - 11 am

Fee: $50/member, $60/non-member

Email: evasicek@naturecenter.org to register by August 20.

Experience the rush of soaring through the summer foliage as you zoom through the treetops on our 4-line zip tour! ! Staff will guide you through a short educational program and a safety orientation. Must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds, wear closed-toed shoes, and be 12 years and up to participate. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, August 23, 2-3 pm

Fee: $10/member, $12/non-member

Email: evasicek@naturecenter.org to register by August 21.

Birds of prey are truly incredible animals with powerful adaptations for survival! Come learn about these awe-inspiring birds and meet a few of KNC’s resident bird of prey ambassadors. This program will be held in our beautiful amphitheater and will be engaging for the whole family! Seating will be designated according to physical distancing guidelines.  In the case of inclement weather, this program will be cancelled. Meet: KNC Camp Barn

Friday, August 28, 5:00 – 7:00pm

Fee: $50/member, $60/non-member
Email: evasicek@naturecenter.org to register by August 26.

Experience the rush of soaring through the summer foliage as you zoom through the treetops on our 4-line zip tour! ! Staff will guide you through a short educational program and a safety orientation. Must weigh between 100 and 250 pounds, wear closed-toed shoes, and be 12 years and up to participate. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, August 30⋅2:00 – 4:00pm

Description:Fee: $20/Beeswax Kit
Email evasicek@naturecenter.org to register by August 21.

Tune in for a live Zoom program and learn to make your own set of reusable beeswax wraps! We’ll walk you through the steps to create your wraps in real-time, and will provide supply kits, including pre-cut fabric (2 circles and 1 rectangle), beeswax beads, and parchment paper) for you to pick up at the Visitor Center in advance of the workshop. You will need a standard iron with a high/cotton setting