Here at the Howell Nature Center, our mission is that through mutual love and respect, we teach people to be faithful caretakers of one another and the world around us. With 230 acres, we offer numerous programs so you can find the activity that best suits you and your family to once again connect to nature.
CHOOSE YOUR PATH
Wildlife Rehabilitation
Saving Michigan’s Wildlife
Day & Overnight Camps
Connecting Kids
with Nature
Experiential Education
A Wild Adventure
On or Offsite
Community & Retreats
An Exploration of
Science & Self
Woody the Woodchuck’s
21st Groundhog Day Prediction
FEBRUARY 2, 2020 | 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Will we see six more weeks of winter or an early spring? Join Woody the Woodchuck at the Howell Nature Center where he will make his prediction. Festivities begin at 8:00 a.m. with a costume contest for the kiddos dressed in their best winter or spring costumes. Registration for the costume contest is 7:30 – 7:45 a.m. and the contest will begin promptly at 8:00 a.m. Woody’s prediction will take place at 8:30 a.m. with a free continental breakfast to follow (while supplies last).
UPCOMING EVENTS
STAY CONNECTED
This week's "Person of the Week" is one of the most amazing volunteers at the Howell Nature Center, Terry Lawton. Terry has volunteered for us since 2004 in a variety of roles.
He is currently an HNC Board Member, Facilities Committee Member, Wild Wonderful Night Committee Member and Wildlife Clinic Volunteer.
This amazing man drove to Chicago, IL over the weekend to transfer "MJ" Fox to the Cosley Zoo. "MJ" was kept as a pet and neutered, which altered his behavior and ability to survive in the wild.
Keeping wild animals as pets is not recommended. In some cases illegal, as most people are not able to meet their needs behaviorally, nutritionally or medically.
Terry we LOVE you!!! Thank you so much for all you do!
Barney, 20
eastern box turtle 🐢
Made dinner for two--ate both 🍓🍓. Looking for that turtle-y awesome someone to dig in the mud with. Swipe ➡️ if you think we're an ex-shell-ent match! 💕
(What else do you think Barney's dating profile should say?)
#dollypartonchallenge #sillysunday
Calling all #teachers: Don't miss out on the Michigan Nature Association's field trip grant! The next application deadline is Friday, February 28 for 2020 Spring Trips.
MNA offers $500 grants for field trips to natural areas like the Howell Nature Center. These grants are intended to assist K - 12 teachers in developing fun, educational, and hands-on field trips for teaching students about the natural environment. Funds can be used to cover bus transportation, program and entry fees, and/or educational supplies for field trips.
Wondering how to work nature education into your school curriculum? Our Program Manager, Lizzy Teachout, who specializes in place- and inquiry-based learning outdoors, would love to answer your questions: elizabeths@howellnaturecenter.org
michigannature.org
The Michigan Nature Association is a nonprofit conservation organization workingCamp Wonder Summer Camp is just around the corner and we thought we would ask some of our campers why they came to camp. Here's what they said.
Registation Open Now.
hnc.campbrainregistration.com/
We are WILD about wildflowers! Print out this free practical guide and make family road trips even more fun this summer!
Finally, A Practical Guide for Roadside Wildflower Viewing
prairieecologist.com
If you’re a fan of wildflowers, I’m sure you’ve noticed the same thing I have – all the field guides out there have one massive flaw. They’re designed for people who a...Mange, a skin condition caused by mites, is a common cause of mammal intakes at our Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic. We recently received a young red fox, found in a resident's garage, who was in the beginning stages of mange. Mange causes fur loss, and during winter months animals with mange are at risk of dying due to cold exposure. Luckily he was found before he had lost all of his fur and is responding well to treatment. We were also able to treat him for internal parasites, which were putting additional stress on his body and preventing nutrients from being properly absorbed.
If you find an animal that you suspect has mange (or any other injury or illness) please don’t hesitate to call our Wildlife Helpline at (517)548-5530. Thank you for supporting our efforts on behalf of Wildlife!
In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day......
The environmental movement and all who benefit from it also owe a debt to King.
When he stood on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to deliver those resolute words on August 28, 1963, there were few national safeguards to protect our air, water, wildlife and lands. Our government was not organized to stop polluters from putting our health and resources at risk.
Environmentalists watched as King's movement moved the conscience of the nation and pressed Congress to enact the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act and other landmark legislation aimed at making racial equality the law of the land.
Taking a page out of that playbook, and inspired by the legislative progress King helped to achieve, early environmentalists began advocating for the protections.
The result was the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, and most foundational of all, the National Environmental Policy Act. It makes environmental considerations mandatory for major actions undertaken or permitted by the federal government and guarantees that public environmental concerns will be heard.
We are forever grateful!
Did you have fun playing in the snow this weekend? Our critters also enjoyed a winter wonderland thanks to their caretakers! Kiki, our Wildlife Clinic Assistant Coordinator, made snow-creatures for some of her patients. This squirrel, who came in as a baby and couldn't be released in time before winter, didn't hesitate in checking out this snowsquirrel (made with love)!
This icy weather has us dreaming about summer sunshine. Learn all about our exciting Camp Wonder summer camp program at bit.ly/CampWonder2020. Register now for the best possible pricing!
Happy #SillySunday! Can you come up with a funny or silly caption for this picture of a baby eastern screech owl from the rehabilitation clinic?
While rather comedic looking, the mirror actually plays a very important role! We did not want this little owl to "imprint" on humans. Imprinting is a form of learning in which an animal gains its sense of species identification. Birds do not automatically know what they are when they hatch – they visually imprint on their parents during a critical period of development. If young birds imprint on humans, they will identify with humans for life, which is a harmful, irreversible process. Learn more about imprinting here: www.wildlifecenter.org/human-imprinting-birds-and-importance-surrogacy
HNC Supporters, we are closed today due to weather conditions. Wildlife staff will be on site to feed and care for the animals. Thank you for understanding. Stay safe everyone.
