Photo Walks by TNS Photo Club

Saturdays, Sep 7, Oct 5, Nov 2, 8-10 am

Ages: All

TNS Member: Free, Non-Member: $2 (No refunds)

Guided hikes through the SNC. Meet in the parking lot by 8 am. Bring your camera. Dress for the weather.

Click here to register for Sep 7

Click here to register for Oct 5

Click here to register for Nov 2

Introduction to Native Plants & Natural Landscaping

Sat, Sep 7, 9-10 am
Ages: 12-Adult
TNS Member: $4, Non-Member: $5
Angela Nelson, Horticulturist at East Michigan Native Plants, LLC, will hold a workshop before the Native Plant Sale to assist you in making your native plant selections! The workshop will provide an introduction to native plants and natural landscaping concepts, discuss environmental and planning considerations, and delve into maintenance techniques, as well as take a look at some of Michigan’s most valuable wildflower and grass species.
Click here to register

Native Plant Sale

Sat, Sep 7, 10:30 am-2:30 pm
Fall is a GREAT time to plant!! Butterflies, bees, and birds will flock to your landscape with the addition of some of Michigan’s most-loved native plant species! Angela Nelson from East Michigan Native Plants, LLC, will be bringing over 80 species of Michigan native perennial wildflowers and grasses for you to select from. Bring your pictures and plans for personal help and advice with your selections! Native Plant species information can be found at: eastmichnatives.com. The pre-order sale is now closed. Plants will be available for purchase on the day of the sale.

Little Acorns

Tues, Sep 24, 11 am – 12 pm & Sat, Oct 26, 11 am – 12 pm
Ages: 2-4
TNS Member: $4, Non-Member: $6
Let your child explore the sights and sounds of nature through outdoor activities. This program will take place outside, except in the event of inclement weather. You may choose to bring children in strollers or sleds that are sturdy enough for a wood chipped trail. The adult partner is free and must accompany the child throughout the program.
Click here to register for Tues, Sep 24, 11 am – 12 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Oct 26, 11 am – 12 pm

Owl Encounters

Sat, Sep 7, 4 – 5 pm, Fri, Sep 27, 6 – 7 pm, Sat, Oct 5, 11 am – 12 pm, Fri, Oct 11, 5 – 6 pm & Sat & Nov 9, 3 – 4 pm
Ages: 5-Adult
Fee: $5
Join us on one of these tours to visit the rehabilitated owls that call the Stage Nature Center home. This tour gives you a chance to learn more about the different owl species, reasons why they each live in captivity, explore their different personalities, and get your owl questions answered. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Space is limited. Registrations may fill before the day of the program.
Click here to register for Sat, Sep 7, 4 – 5 pm
Click here to register for Fri, Sep 27, 6 – 7 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Oct 5, 11 am – 12 pm
Click here to register for Fri, Oct 11, 5 – 6 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Nov 9, 3 – 4 pm

Walk with a Naturalist

Sat, Oct 19, 2 – 3 pm & Sat, Nov 9, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Ages: 3-Adult
Fee: $3 (No refunds for this program)
Take a relaxing walk on the SNC trails through various natural communities. Get answers to your nature questions. Pre-register online. Adults should remain with their children. Each person participating should enroll and pay the fee.
Click here to register for Sat, Oct 19, 2 – 3 pm
Click here to register for Sat, Nov 9, 10:30 – 11:30 am

Knee-high Naturalists

10-11:30 am
Ages: 2-4
TNS Member: $12, Non-Member: $15
Children with a free adult partner, can attend one or more of the following programs. Each session includes a nature story, hike, activities, craft, and a snack.
Under a Log: Let’s hike through the woods and find out what lives under a log in September.
CANCELLED Click here to register for Under a Log on Thur, Sep 19
Click here to register for Under a Log on Fri, Sep 20
Squirrels: Learn what squirrels are doing to get ready for winter in October.
Click here to register for Squirrels on Thur, Oct 17
Click here to register for Squirrels on Fri, Oct 18
Turkeys: Turkeys are not only good to eat, but also fun to learn about. Find out how terrific turkeys are in November.
Click here to register for Turkeys on Thur, Nov 14
Click here to register for Turkeys on Fri, Nov 15

Nature Explorers: Fall Colors

Sat, Oct 12, 1:30 – 3 pm
Ages: All (best for 5 & up)
TNS Member: $5, Non-Member: $7
Enjoy some screen-free time while exploring the natural world! Together we will participate in hands-on, outdoor experiences to investigate different nature-related topics. In October, we will explore the reason for the beautiful fall colors. We will hike the trails, enjoy the changing leaves, discuss how plants are preparing for winter, and make a simple craft. Adults must register and remain with their children.
Click here to register

Monarch Madness

Sat, Sep 14, 10-11 am or 11:30 am-12:30 pm
Ages: 6-Adult
TNS Member: $6, Non-Member: $8
The monarch butterflies of North America travel up to 3,000 miles during their unique two-way migration every year. September is when many of Michigan’s monarchs are beginning their journey to Mexico. We will tag and release live monarchs to further research about this fascinating butterfly. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Fees apply to all participants.
Click here to register for 10am
Click here to register for 11:30am

Homeschool Nature Classes

Ages: 5-10
TNS Member: $7/child, Non-Member: $9/child
For homeschool children and a free parent partner. Participants should dress for the weather.
Harvest Time – Wed, Sep 11, 10 am-12 pm: Come and enjoy harvest time as we make real apple cider using our cider press! We will learn about the fall harvest at farms and in nature. We will take a close look at apples, use the press, go on a beautiful fall hike, and sample some pasteurized cider.
Click here to register

Pumpkin Science – Wed, Oct 9, 10 am-12 pm: We will observe and explore pumpkins with some interactive science experiments. Do they float? How far does one roll? We will determine which parts of a pumpkin have the most density, compare pumpkin weights, make some pumpkin catapults and much more. Come dressed to get messy!
Pumpkin Science has been CANCELLED

Kitchen Chemistry – Wed, Nov 13, 10 am-12 pm: Children will dive-in “hands first” to amazing science projects that incorporate STEM educational practices. They will learn the secret formulas to mixtures like slime, putty, moon sand, and more. Do not miss out on the chance to discover simple yet startling science phenomena.
Click here to register

Fall Clean Up Day

Sat, Sep 28, 9 am – 12 pm
Ages: 14-Adult
Fee: Free
We are seeking volunteers to help us preserve our native flora by eradicating invasive non-native plants. We will also work to improve the nature trails and clean up the grounds. Work gloves, old clothes, and “old fashioned elbow grease” are recommended. Bring a kneeling pad, if desired. Check the website, www.stagenaturecenter.org, or call 248.688.9703 for more information.
Click here to register

Owl Prowl – Meet a Live Owl

Sat, Nov 16, 4:30 – 6:30 pm
Ages: 5-Adult
TNS Member: $10, Non-Member: $12
Have you heard the trill and whinny of the Eastern Screech-Owl or the deep, soft hoot of the Great Horned Owl? On each Prowl, we will immerse ourselves into the nighttime world of the owl and discover what makes them so unique. We will first meet one of our resident owls up close and personal. Then we will prowl the trails to listen and look for these elusive raptors that call the grounds of the Stage Nature Center home. Be sure to dress for the weather. This is a family program; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Each person participating must enroll and pay the fee.
Click here to register

Trick or Treat Among the Trees – A Parent and Child Autumn Adventure

TNS Member: $12/child, Non-Member: $15/child
Sun, Oct 27
Halloween doesn’t have to be ghastly and frightening; it can be a fun and friendly outdoor celebration! Put on your costume and come out to hike the self-guided woodland trail. Children will learn some secrets of the forest, receive treats, meet costumed characters and much more. Dress for the weather! For children with an adult. The free adult partner must accompany children throughout the program. Families will hike the trail on their own and not with a guided group. Please attend at your assigned start time.
Click here to register for 1:30 pm
Click here to register for 2:00 pm
Click here to register for 2:30 pm
Click here to register for 3:00 pm

Herb Walk

Sat, Sep 14, 2 – 4 pm
Ages: All
TNS Member: $12, Non-Member: $15, Under 10 yrs: Free
Herbalist Lea Pfeifer will take you on a walk to explore edible and medicinal plants found on the SNC grounds. She will give tips on how to identify the plants and ways they can be useful to people. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Each person participating must enroll and pay the fee.
Click here to register

Critter Encounter

Sat, Nov 2, 10:30 – 11:30 am
Ages: 5 – Adult
Fee: $5
Join us to meet some of the animal ambassadors that call the Stage Nature Center home. You will learn more about the different species and get your questions answered. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Space is limited. Registrations may fill before the day of the program.
Click here to register

Story Time at Stage

Saturdays, Sep 21, Oct 19 & Nov 16, 10 am
Ages: Recommended for ages 2-6
Fee: $2/child
Come join a naturalist and enjoy a nature-themed story time and craft. Program will run approximately 30 minutes to an hour. The adult partner is free and must accompany the child throughout the program.
Click here to register for Sep 21
Click here to register for Oct 19
Click here to register for Nov 16

Scout It Out: Girl Scouts

Fee: $11/scout
Scouts: come and complete your nature-related badge or achievement! All or most requirements are met; however, the badge itself is not included. Register as an individual scout, den, pack or troop. Please dress for the weather. Leaders or chaperones are free and need to remain with their scouts. Program is subject to cancellation if minimum attendance requirements are not met.

Junior GS: Geocacher on Sat, Oct 12, 9 am-12 pm
Rescheduled for Nov. 16, 1-4 pm. Registration link to be announced soon.

Brownie GS: Home Scientist on Sat, Dec 7, 9:30 am-12 pm
Click here to register

Daisy GS: Clover Petal on Sat, May 17, 10 am-12 pm
Click here to register

Scout It Out: Cub Scouts

Fee: $11/scout
Scouts: come and complete your nature-related badge or achievement! All or most requirements are met; however, the badge itself is not included. Register as an individual scout, den, pack or troop. Please dress for the weather. Leaders or chaperones are free and need to remain with their scouts. Program is subject to cancellation if minimum attendance requirements are not met.

Bears: Fur, Feathers and Ferns on Sat, Nov 16, 9:30 am-12 pm
Click here to register

Webelos: Into the Wild on Sat, Feb 8, 9:30 am-12 pm
Click here to register

Wolf: Digging in the Past on Sat, Apr 26, 9:30 am-12 pm
Click here to register

Tiger: My Tiger Jungle on Sat, May 17, 2 pm-4 pm
Click here to register