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
Important Update About the
Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic
After much deliberation, we have made the tough decision to go on intake hold in our wildlife rehabilitation clinic. At this time we can only accept injured or orphaned fawns from Livingston County. This will allow us to focus on the care of the hundreds of patients already in our clinic, in addition to the 200 phone calls our Wildlife Helpline is receiving daily. Please know we are working diligently around the clock to care for the wild lives in our clinic, and we will re-open to intakes once we have stabilized. Thank you for understanding! To find another licensed rehabilitator, please click below.
LICENSED REHABILITATORS
Hiring Summer Camp Counselors Today!
Join us for a summer experience you’ll never forget!
LEARN MORE
UPCOMING EVENTS
STAY CONNECTED
Zeus, the bobcat, lives at the Howell Nature Center because he is unable to survive in the wild. He was kept illegally as a pet and had his front paws declawed. Because of this, he would not be able to defend himself in the wild from other predators and would have trouble catching prey. Now he must live the rest of his life in human care.![]()
![]()
In fact, most of our mammals are with us because people thought they would make good pets, only to find out later that they do not. 😬 ![]()
![]()
You can do your part to help wildlife by not spreading "cute" pictures/videos of wild animals as pets on social media. What those "adorable" posts don't show are how destructive, smelly, and dangerous wild animals can be. ![]()
![]()
🐶 Dogs and cats have been domesticated over thousands of years, with humans carefully selecting specific traits that make them good housemates. On the other hand, bobcats, foxes, coyotes, wolves, and other wild animals all have been naturally selected over millions of years to be amazing predators or elusive prey. They will not thrive in someone's home, even with a "big backyard." ![]()
![]()
Thank you for being a wildlife hero and helping spread the word!
🦋 For today's for Staff Member Monday, we are highlighting 𝗟𝗶𝘇𝘇𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘇, our 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 & 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝘀! 🦋![]()
![]()
Since beginning here as a seasonal educator four and a half years ago, Lizzy has made a great impact on the Howell Nature Center. Whatever recent interaction you've had with the Nature Center, chances are Lizzy was behind the scenes in some way!![]()
![]()
As Director of Community Engagement & Programs, Lizzy oversees all non-wildlife programming at HNC, including our summer camps, community events, school field trips, scouts, and retreat/partner groups. She also oversees our major fundraising campaigns such as Baby Shower Appeal and Back to Wildlife School. Lastly, Lizzy is responsible for the sharing of our story to the community through e-blasts, press releases, and social media.![]()
![]()
Lizzy has her Master of Arts in Teaching Biology, and has studied community-based conservation and youth programming abroad in Mexico, Paraguay, Kenya, and Namibia. Her passion lies in connecting children to nature, and giving them the skills and courage they need to protect it.🌿![]()
![]()
Lizzy has played a crucial role in the flourishing of HNC these past few years. However, her journey is taking her down a new path. Lizzy has accepted a new challenge by joining the Shelby Township Parks and Recreation Department to lead the Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center! 🌻 Lizzy, we are very excited for you!![]()
![]()
"I’ve loved my time at the Howell Nature Center and believe it to be a truly magical place with a deeply loving community. While I’m excited for my upcoming adventure, a piece of me will always remain at the Howell Nature Center, and I plan to continue being a part of it as a volunteer."![]()
![]()
Lizzy, thank you for everything you have done to help the Howell Nature Center thrive! 🦋 You have truly made a mark on the HNC and the community. We wish you nothing but the best on your next chapter! 📖
Now hiring for Nature / Outdoor Educators for the 2021-2022 school season! ![]()
![]()
We are looking for passionate educators to facilitate our environmental and adventure education programs! Get paid to be outside, connecting students of all ages to the natural world. ![]()
![]()
This seasonal position has flexible hours. Join Team Nature today--apply at hnc.campbrainstaff.com/
Our Be Wild 5K & Wild Mile Run/Walk fundraiser is happening on Saturday, September 18th, at 10:00am! Your friend invites you to RUN the *whole* race... how do you respond? Show us with a reaction to this post 🙂![]()
![]()
Don't worry--if you're not a runner, you are welcomed to walk the entire race at your own pace. Prefer to sleep in? Purchase a limited edition t-shirt and just tell people you ran a race instead 🤫 In the end, regardless of how much you love (or hate) to run, what matters most is raising funds for wildlife in need! ![]()
![]()
Register today and/or buy a limited-edition shirt at bit.ly/BeWild5K2021
Enjoy this fun fact about turkey vultures from North Cascades National Park!![]()
![]()
We love these unique birds that play a critical role in our ecosystem as nature’s “clean-up” crew! (Even if they wouldn’t make good party guests…)It's hot out there...and unlike many of us, the park's turkey vultures don't cool off by jumping in a mountain lake.![]()
![]()
Because they don’t swim or sweat, turkey vultures urinate on their legs to beat the heat. As the fluid evaporates, it cools the blood in their feet and lowers their overall body temperature. Bonus: the high acidity in the urine also has the benefit of killing bacteria they may have picked up from feasting on carrion.![]()
![]()
Anyone else have any weird ways you try and stay cool on a hot summer day?![]()
![]()
#FunFactFriday #WeirdFacts #Birds
Cool off this weekend by splashing around in Alexandria's NatureScape!![]()
![]()
We are open daily from 10am - 5pm, with admission only $6 per adult and $4 per child. Infants 2 and under, as well as HNC members, are FREE!
Thanks for the shoutout,Visit Livingston County, MI! We love this picture of kiddos enjoying Alexandria’s NatureScape!Adventure awaits you in the Brighton-Howell Area. Have you visited the Howell Nature Center yet?![]()
![]()
Learn more here: bit.ly/2DA8nwP![]()
(📸: @awatkins4msu)
🌻 It's Staff Member Monday! 🌻![]()
![]()
Today we are highlighting Jenna Kopp! Jenna was first a Wild Wonders intern in 2018. After her internship ended, she moved on to pursue more internships at the World Bird Sanctuary, where she worked with raptors! Jenna decided to return to the Nature Center in April 2021, ready to use her new knowledge and experience. She is now one of our Wildlife Education Specialists!![]()
![]()
In this role, Jenna teaches many programs with our animal ambassadors both on and offsite. This involves educating various age groups about the importance of conservation, as well as teaching them about the different types of animals we have. 🦅![]()
![]()
Jenna loves working at HNC because she gets to share her passion with others through education. "My favorite moments often involve watching a kid's face light up as I show them an owl or hawk for the first time. I care so deeply for these animals that they are like family, and watching a spark ignite in someone to be passionate about protecting them is amazing. I love to inspire others to see how incredible these animals are, and how it’s so important that we protect them." 🦉![]()
![]()
Jenna has a Bachelor of Science in Biology. In her free time, she enjoys martial arts, photography, hiking, bird watching, and kayaking.![]()
![]()
Thank you for bringing your passion to the Howell Nature Center, Jenna! 🌻
🌿 Coming up this weekend 🌿![]()
![]()
🔹𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀: 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 | 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟬𝘁𝗵 | 𝟳:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 - 𝟵:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺🔹![]()
Meet the creatures that come out at night! Some of our wildlife ambassadors will help teach you all about the adaptations nocturnal animals have for life in the dark during a one hour presentation, then take a night hike with our wildlife experts through our Wildlife Park to check out what our night owls (and mammals) are up to! You'll also hit some of our wooded trails to look for other nocturnal creatures.![]()
Register here: conta.cc/3h2KEtb![]()
![]()
🔹𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗭𝗶𝗽 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 | 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟭𝘀𝘁 | 𝟭𝟬:𝟬𝟬𝗮𝗺 - 𝟮:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺🔹![]()
Soar through the sky on our thrilling zip line! Stretching 500ft across and 20ft high off the ground, our zipline passes over a glacially formed pond which attracts many wildlife.![]()
Register here: conta.cc/3qARZ6o![]()
![]()
🔹𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗗𝗮𝘆 | 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟯𝟭𝘀𝘁 |𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 - 𝟮:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺🔹![]()
Join us for a Saturday of family FUN! One of our wildlife experts will lead a tour of our wildlife park. You'll learn about the unique personalities and traits of the animals in our care, and watch our zookeepers give some of the animals enrichment (tasty treats and toys). All of this is included in your daily admission pass. Walk-ins welcome!![]()
Register here: conta.cc/3kmReNc
