Branching Out - April 2024

Events

April Events

You, Me, and the Trees - Every Friday @ 10am (Ages 2-3)

Sunday Stroll - Sunday, April 7th @ 3:30pm (all ages)

Prescribed Burn - Wednesday, April 10th @ 11:15am (open for viewing only)

Whimsical Woodlands - A JNC Earth Day Festival - Sunday, April 21st @ 10am (All ages)

Craft Series - Wind Chime - Saturday, April 27th @ 1pm (Ages 5+)

May Events

Diverse Learners - Saturday, May 4th @ 9am (Ages 2-16)

Sunday Stroll - Sunday, May 5th @ 3:30pm (all ages)

You, Me, and the Trees - Every Friday @ 10am (Ages 2-3)

Constellations Night Hike - Saturday, May 11th @ 9:30pm (ages 7+)

Hoppin' Fun Frog Walk - Saturday, May 18th @ 2pm (All ages)

Craft Series - Nature's Tie Dyes - Saturday, May 25th @ 1pm (Ages 5+)

- - - - - - Diverse Learners Day - - - - - -

Volunteering

Whether you're passionate about nature, love spreading joy, or just want to lend a helping hand, we have a role for you!

Sign up to be part of our upcoming community events or if you're looking for project hours for your Master Gardener certification, we are a registered site ready to support you!

April 8th & 22nd

@ 8:30am (meet in front of the main building)

Current project list:

- monitoring past native plantings

- removing aggressive invasive plants

- identifying and tagging natives

- adding native beds

- protecting newly planted trees/shrubs

Whimsical Woodlands Volunteer Sign-up

MSU Master Gardener Volunteer Central

"You were born into the world to know that you're a student and you're here to learn and to walk on (the Land). When we talk about Land, Land is part of who we are. It's a mixture of our blood, our past, our current and our future. We carry our ancestors in us, and they're around us. As you all do."

- Mary Lyons, (Elder, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe)

Terrain of Thought

Naturalist Notes: April Showers Bring May... Awkward Weather Romances!

Yes we're challenging the common phrase and proposing that "Atmosphere" would make an excellent name for the next trending dating platform. Read more to see what's up!

Creature Feature: Earth, Sea, and Sky

No this is not a new, eco-centric band, these are just a few of our favorite creatures from up high to down low.

Plant Rant: Rooting for Conservation and Appreciation

In celebration of Earth Day, we honor Michigan's diverse plant life, showcasing five iconic species and emphasizing the need for conservation efforts amid threats like habitat loss and invasive species.

StoryWalk

Have you checked out our StoryWalk? Every month there is a new, nature-inspired story displayed along Fox-ridge Trail. The adventure begins in front of the peregrine falcon inclosure and ends at the Sugarbush. This is made possible by our supportive and growing partnership with the Bloomfield Township Library. The book for April will be Âmî Osâwâpikones (Dear Dandelion) by S. J. Okemow.

Early Childhood

Give to Fulfill the Vision of an Outdoor Classroom

You, Me, & the Trees

Fridays, March 1 - April 26

Time: 10-11:30a

Ages 2-3 with parent or guardian

Discover nature's myriad educational benefits! Toddlers aged 2-3, accompanied by a parent or guardian, can immerse themselves in nature's marvels, engaging in sensory-rich experiences and unique learning opportunities. Sessions offer guided hikes paired with activities like storytelling, crafting, thematic pursuits, and exploration of the natural world!

You, Me, & the Trees Registration

Summer Camp

Spots for ages 6-13 are still available for the 2024 summer season!! Reserve yours here before they're gone!

From Camp Coordinator Michelle: It's with mixed emotions that I share that I will be bidding farewell to Camp and BHS to embark on a new career path in nursing. I've spent the greater part of 8 years with BHS and it's been a true pleasure to grow alongside the Camp program. I've had countless memories and wildly unique experiences that I will always cherish. I am excited for Camp to continue to thrive! During this transition, please direct all questions regarding Camp to bowersfarm@bloomfield.org.

Wild Ones North Oakland Chapter

Wild Ones invites guests to attend their free public presentations held on the third Wednesday every month at the Johnson Nature Center. BECOME A MEMBER for access to yard tours showcasing various garden styles, "how-to" sessions for native plant care, and plant/seed sales and exchanges.

April Public Presentation:

Gardening for Biological Conservation and Connected Communities

Speaker: Mary Jamieson

Wednesday, April 17th

Time: 7-8:30p

Location: Johnson Nature Center

Michelle,

While we're sad to see you go, we're incredibly grateful for the years of hard work, creativity, and inspiration you've brought to this role. Wishing you all the best on your next adventure!

- The NC Staff

Become a Member or Donate to the Johnson Nature Center

Want More Nature?

We also offer:

>>>>> scout and small group programs

>>>>> birthday parties

Need a Change of Scenery?

Check out our sister site Bowers School Farm

>>>>> Community Classes (dates vary depending on interest)

Bowers School Farm and Johnson Nature Center sit on Land that was made by warm shallow seas and slow-moving glacial formations, with the most recent glaciers receding 14,000 years ago. This is the ancestral Land, Anishinaabewaki, of the Indigenous Peoples of the Ojibway/Ojibwa/Ojibwe, Odawa/Ottawa, and Potawatomi/Bodéwadmi, the Anishinabek. This Land remains the contemporary dwelling of the Anishinabek.

Symbol writing for the Anishinabek county, Anishinaabewaki.

The Johnson Nature Center sits on a forty-acre site and offers visitors a myriad of visual pleasures and learning opportunities. The visitor center is open 10 am - 4 pm on the first Sunday of every month and the remaining Saturdays. The trails are open every day

from 8 am until dusk.

Johnson Nature Center | 3325 Franklin Road, Bloomfield Twp, MI 48302

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