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
Join Us for a Great Cause Benefiting Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education.
Save the Wildlife 5k
SEPTEMBER 21, 2019
Register Today!
All proceeds from the event will support the Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Programs at the Howell Nature Center.
Upcoming Events
- October 8, 2019 Little Critters Nature Preschool Program: FABULOUS FERRETS 10:00 am - 11:00 am
Learn about our flexible and funny ferret friend's with us!
Connect with your little critter through nature. Enjoy crafts, songs and stories about your favorite Howell Nature Center residents. Designed specifically for children 3-5 years. old.
$6 per child, limit of four children per adult, and one adult per child.- Start:
- October 8, 2019 at 10:00 am
- End:
- October 8, 2019 at 11:00 am
- October 26, 2019 Photography Workshop with Steve Gettle: Building an Image
Guided by award-winning wildlife photographer, Steve Gettle, you will have the opportunity to photograph a variety of birds of prey in their natural settings. Explore multiple photography stations, each strategically set up to compose the best photographs. One-hour session with Steve, followed by lunch & over two hours photographing birds of prey.
- Start:
- October 26, 2019 at 11:00 am
- End:
- October 26, 2019 at 4:00 pm
- October 26, 2019 (Saturday) Howl-O-Ween Event 4:00 - 7:00 pm
Dress up your little critter and join us for a HOWLing good time! This merry-not-so-scary event features trick-or-treating through the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park, childrens crafts, hayrides, cider and donuts, and more. Pre-event registration is required. Members: $5/adult & $10/child. General Ticket: $7/adult &$12/child.
- Start:
- October 26, 2019 at 4:00 pm
- End:
- October 26, 2019 at 7:00 pm
STAY CONNECTED
Check out this article to learn how you can help birds!
Why Birds Hit Windows—and How You Can Help Prevent It
For birds, glass windows are worse than invisible. By reflecting foliage or sky, they look like inviting places to fly into. And because the sheer number of windows is so great, their toll on birds is...It's never too early (or top late!) to learn how to identify birds. It's a great way to enjoy the outdoors!
Building Skills: The 4 Keys to Bird Identification
With more than 800 species of birds in the U.S. and Canada, it’s easy for a beginning bird watcher to feel overwhelmed by possibilities. Field guides seem crammed with similar-looking birds arranged...PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT.....The Howell Nature Center has received several inquiries regarding Eastern Equine Encephalitis. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has recommended Michigan residents take steps to protect themselves from mosquito bites, as there were reports of additional cases of EEE in southwest Michigan, two of which were fatal.
Although Livingston County has not been listed as an affected county, HNC is taking proactive steps to respond in an appropriate manner and communicate with our supporters and visitors.
For all day visitors and overnight guests, we recommend wearing bug spray, as well as long pants and clothes that cover skin as much as possible.
For all day and overnight group programs, we are canceling our Pond Study classes for the time being. We will also be providing alternate evening program options to any groups who wish to remain indoors after dusk.
We are also taking steps to provide bug spray to guests who are unable to bring their own. (based upon availability)
The Howell Nature Center provides fun and safe outdoor programming to our community, and will continue to monitor the situation and react accordingly. Please be advised.
Teachers: Check out this free wildlife curriculum from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources! Take your WILD experience to the next level by inviting our LIVE wildlife ambassadors into your classroom. Learn more at www.howellnaturecenter.orgReady to get wild in your classroom this year?
A variety of wildlife classroom curricula are available for elementary through high school educators. Curricula are developed to fit current state educational standards and are free of charge.
www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,4570,7-350-79135_79220_81142---,00.html?utm_campaign=wildlife%20classroom&...
This week we want to highlight Jrue Aikins, one of our amazing Nature Educators here at HNC! His favorite activities to do here consists of Campfires, Zip Lining, and chilling in a kayak in the middle of the lake. This is his first fall season with us, but has worked spring and summer seasons here as well. Your campers might recognize him from his hilarious skits and songs during summer camp campfires!
Thank you for always bringing energy and a positive attitude to every program you teach, Jrue!
Check out this amazing "super power" that barn owls have to catch their prey!
Barn owls reflect moonlight in order to stun their prey
Ecosystems that are bathed in light during the day change profoundly at night. As the sun fades from the land, nocturnal life emerges, with the barn owl (Tyto alba) among them. Barn owls are iconic no...Dragonflies have dramatic lives!
Female Dragonflies Fake Their Death To Avoid Males
Everyone has those nights when their significant other comes to bed and — for one reason or another — they decide to feign sleep to avoid talking or …doing other stuff.It was an epic day at the Howell Nature Center with our friends from Vail Resorts/Epic Promise Foundation and the team from Mt. Brighton! This amazing group of dedicated volunteers planted more than 50 trees/shrubs, laid down mulch, painted floors, cleaned storage sheds and animal carriers! Thank you for supporting our efforts to be faithful caretakers of each other and the world around us!
All of these beautiful plants are going to be planted in many of our wildlife enclosures tomorrow thanks to the Epic Promise Foundation and the team from Mt. Brighton, as part of their EpicPromise Week! They will also be doing a variety of other much needed tasks around the nature center. Thank you so much for donating your time!
Please note that many of your wildlife friends will be off exhibit in the morning while our volunteers are hard at work. We recommend starting your adventure at Alexandria's NatureScape, eating a picnic lunch, and then exploring the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park after 1pm when the animals will be back in their enclosures. Thank you, Epic Promise Foundation and Mt. Brighton! We are truly grateful!
Take your adventure with us to the next level with our new Explorer Packs, sponsored by Peak Manufacturing!
Free to borrow from the Welcome Center, these packs contain field guides, binoculars, magnifying glasses, and compasses for your little ones to use as they explore nature. These are REAL tools that naturalists use, and provide an authentic learning experience for children of all ages.
What will you discover?
