Schedule

Michigan Botanical Club field trip - Summer Woodland Plants

Saturday, June 19, 2021 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Join us for a walk through the woods of the Hudsonville Nature Center in search of woodland pants. The trip will pass through both low floodplain and upland woodlands. We will be looking for woodland species that are identifiable at this time of year. Some will have bloomed, some should be blooming and some will not yet have bloomed. We will see the leaves of Jeffersonia, the Special Concern twinleaf named in honor of Thomas Jefferson. The specimen that put Ottawa County on the flora map for Jeffersonia came from this woods.

Prairie Flowers and Butterflies

Sunday, July 18, 2021 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
July is a great time to look for butterflies and take in the prairie as the warm season flowers and grasses begin their majestic showing. Flowers in bloom could be Leadplant, Gray-headed Coneflowers, Rosin Weed, Culver’s Root, Butterfly Milkweed and more. Long pants and shoes are highly recommended. This walk will be held on the Prairie Path and a trip into the Prairie itself to experience what it is like walking in tall grasses over your head. We will also view the prairie from the raised observation deck. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave.   Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather. Long pants and shoes or hiking boots are recommended for all walks.

Kids Scavenger Hunt

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 10:00 am to 12:00 pm
This scavenger hunt is for kids who must be accompanied by at least one adult per family or small group. You will be given a list and will be given an hour to find as many items on the list as you can. We will meet at the parking area at the end of New Holland and move to the prairie area before starting you hunt. Al items on the list will be able to be found from trails in the woods and prairie. Bring your phone as you may need to take pictures of some items on the list. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave. Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather.

Prairie Flowers & Ecology

Sunday, August 8, 2021 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
August is the peak of many prairie and summer wildflowers with the heat spurring them on. Four different Silphiums plus Sunflowers, Coneflowers, Goldenrods and more will be in bloom as well as grasses blooming and easier to identify. This walk will be held on the Prairie Path and a trip into the Prairie itself to experience what it is like walking in tall grasses over your head. We will also view the prairie from the raised observation deck. Long pants and shoes are highly recommended. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave.   Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather. Long pants and shoes or hiking boots are recommended for all walks.

Morning In The Prairie

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 9:00 am to 11:00 am
This is a time for kids to come and learn about the prairie and some of the plants that are found there. We will look at some colorful flowers, the tall grasses and hopefully see a few butterflies. This walk will be held on the Prairie Path and a trip into the Prairie itself to experience what it is like walking in tall grasses over your head. Kids should be accompanied by an adult and all participants should wear long pants and shoes. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave.   Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather.

Early Autumn and Trees

Sunday, September 19, 2021 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
At this time between the multitude of summer flowers and the colors of fall there is much to see and experience in the Nature Center. Come discover asters, goldenrods, late season prairie and edges flowers as well as look for nuts and berries that are edible and are good food for wildlife. We will also focus on trees and tree identification. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave.   Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather. Long pants and shoes or hiking boots are recommended for all walks.

Fall Nature Hike

Sunday, October 17, 2021 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Participants will walk the trails looking for and learning about, late season wildflowers, trees, berries and nuts, birds and any other natural features of interest as well as fall color found in the woods, openings, wetlands and prairie of the Nature Center. Kids will be encouraged to collect a few leaves of trees looked to see how many they can remember and identify at the end of the walk. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave.   Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather. Long pants and shoes or hiking boots are recommended for all walks.

Nature Hike

Sunday, November 7, 2021 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Early November is a time between fall color and the winter snows beginning. Winter resident birds have arrived and animals have slowed down and moved into their winter modes. With the leaves coming off of the trees this is a great time to look for bird nests and some signs of insect activity that may have been hidden by the leaves of summer. This is a general nature hike where we will look for birds and other items of interest and talk about what transitions are taking place in the woods and fields as winter approaches. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave.   Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather.

Night Hike & Owl Prowl

Saturday, November 20, 2021 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Join in on this night hike as we seek out calling owls in the woods. Great Horned Owls begin calling in early winter and should be able to be heard if they are in the Nature Center woods. But you can also come just to enjoy a quiet walk in the woods. The walk will begin from the parking area at the end of New Holland Ave., east of 32nd Ave.   Participants should for come prepared for the weather, as walks are held except in the event of threatening or severe weather.