As we get the first warm days of what Michiganders call “False Spring” you might feel a pull to head outside. You don’t have to wait until the last mounds of snow melt into the inevitable mess of mud to enjoy what Midland’s outdoors offers. Both
Little Forks Conservancy and
Chippewa Nature Center have plenty of things for you to do.
Nature Craft Club
Bi-monthly on the third Thursday, 6-7:30 p.m.
Little Forks Conservancy hosts Nature Craft Club, a bi-monthly series blending creativity and sustainability. Each session features a unique crafting activity inspired by nature or made with recycled materials. Participants can develop new skills, learn about the environment, and explore their artistic side.
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Pi Day Hike
March 14, 3:14 p.m.
Celebrate Pi Day with a hike at Riverview Natural Area, hosted by Little Forks Conservancy. The hike begins at 3:14 p.m., with attendees meeting at Riverview’s gravel parking lot before heading out. Trail maps are available at
online.
No registration is required. For more information, contact Lily at lkelsey@littleforks.org or call 989-835-4885, ext. 105.
Vernal Pool Exploration
March 18, 10 a.m.
Discover the "coral reefs" of Michigan's forests during this all-ages event at Riverview Natural Area. Hosted by Little Forks Conservancy, attendees will explore vernal pools and the diverse life within them.
The event lasts about 90 minutes and involves a one-mile hike through wet and muddy conditions. No registration is required.
Afternoon at the Sugar House
Saturdays and Sundays in March (except March 15) | Chippewa Nature Center
Experience the magic of maple syrup season during this drop-in program at Chippewa Nature Center. Visitors can peek into buckets on tapped trees, watch steam rise in the sugarhouse, and learn how maple sap transforms into syrup. Meet at the Sugarhouse.
Visits are free for all ages but anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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Maple Syrup Day
March 15, 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Enjoy food and festivities at Maple Syrup Day at Chippewa Nature Center. The event features crafts, activities and demonstrations celebrating the maple syrup season.
Admission is free for children and CNC members; nonmember adults are $7. Tickets are available at the door where both cash and credit are accepted.
Meal
reservations provide timed seating, while festival activities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. It is advisable to purchase meal tickets in advance, although tickets will be available at the event if space permits.
History Hike
March 25, 2025, 10-11:30 a.m.
Explore the natural resources that shaped the region during a guided hike with CNC's historical interpreter. Learn how nature influenced history and settlement in the area. Meet at the Visitor Center.
The hike is free and meant for ages 15+. Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
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