94 Kalamazoo Nature Center 

wildlife viewing  |  directions and facility information

Photo: © Chuck Dirken

Mature beech-maple forest, wetlands, ponds, streams, open fields, river, and restored prairie all can be found in this educational nature center just north of downtown Kalamazoo. Originally preserved to prevent gravel mining in the beech-maple forest, this site now boasts an extensive interpretive center, human environments (historical) area, arboretum, trail network, and butterfly/hummingbird garden.

Wildlife Viewing

A nice variety of songbirds and small mammals can be seen at the interpretive center viewing window year-round. While you’re there, ask for trail maps and some of the other excellent educational materials available. Be sure to take advantage of the other interpretive facilities and programs within the center as well. When you’re finished inside the center, walk the Habitat Haven Trail to the pond and along the Trout Run stream for excellent probability of viewing frogs, turtles, and aquatic insects. Painted turtles often can be seen sunning themselves on logs in the water. The quiet, stealthy hiker also has a fair-to-good chance of seeing muskrats and snakes. The Beech-Maple Trail winds among massive beech and maple trees that stand as monuments to a bygone era. The River Vista Trail offers excellent opportunities to view bluebirds, and ends at a beautiful overlook of the Kalamazoo River Valley. During fall migration, you may see large kettles (groups or “flocks”) of hawks soaring above the river valley. See how many you can count and identify. See the link to hiking trails below for more information on the excellent grid of trails that criss-cross the area.

The tiger swallowtail and other
butterflies are common throughout
the Nature Center during summer.
Photo: © Mark Cassino

In the center of the grounds (before you get to the interpretive center) you can walk through the butterfly/hummingbird garden and arboretum to become familiar with many varieties of plants, shrubs, and trees. The colors here in spring and summer are spectacular. Also view the many colorful critters that are attracted to the blossoms. Butterfly viewing is excellent.

  
The Butterfly/Hummingbird Garden and arboretum in the center of the Nature Center provide
beautiful explosions of color in spring and summer. Photo: © Chuck Dirken