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
The event "Summer Send Off - Aquamania!" is no longer active.
- 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 27, 2019 Photography Workshop with Steve Gettle: Images that Communicate
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 27, 2019 at 11:00 am
- End:
- October 27, 2019 at 4:00 pm
STAY CONNECTED
This #SillySunday is brought to you by Zeus' side eye after being asked to step on a scale. Can you think of a funny caption for this picture?
(📸 by Katelyn L.)
We're making a SPLASH at the waterfront today during Aquamania. There's still time to join in on the fun! The event runs until 3pm--see you soon!
We too want to get in on the gender reveal craze! If you have visited the Howell Nature Center this summer, you may have noticed a baby crow living with Eddie in our Wild Wonders Wildlife Park.
We were waiting to name it until its blood-work returned with the results of its gender, which we are excited to reveal in our video! (Please pardon baby crow's appearance as she is molting: going through a stage where she loses old feathers to grow new ones).
We need YOUR help in naming it! Its caretakers have chosen 3 name options, and we need the help of the community to make the final decision. Pick your favorite name and vote in the comments below! The name with the most votes by Sunday at midnight wins!
1. Miss Chiff: Pronounced like mischief, since crows are incredibly clever and this can get them a reputation for being up to shenanigans.
2. Morrigan: The ancient Irish goddess of war and fate who encouraged deeds of courage in warriors who was portrayed as a shape-shifter transforming into a crow.
3. Corva: A name derived from the name for the family of songbirds, or Passerines, that crows are members of.
We are excited to announce that we have a couple new arrivals moving in to the Wild Wonders Wildlife Park soon! The two furry (*hint hint*) friends are traveling to us from the Detroit Zoo. Stay tuned for their official introduction within the next few weeks!
Very important information from our friends at Skywatch Bird Rescue. Please leave wildlife rehab to trained, licensed professionals. People often do more harm than good to critters in need!Sharing the important message again.
We have received so many birds this year for care that could have been saved from their injuries IF ONLY the finders did not drip water into their open mouth, especially when it comes to baby birds. Take a look at this photo, do you see the hole right behind the bird's tongue? That is called the Glottis. It's the entrance of the birds trachea/airway and it leads directly to his lungs. Birds' anatomy are different than mammals. If you drip water into a bird's gaping (open) mouth - like when you find a baby bird and they open their mouths- you can kill it. The water goes down their airway and into their lungs. Birds can't cough to expel the water so it gives them a deadly bacterial infection and they can't get enough oxygen with each breath they take, and die slowly. The aspiration in many cases are fatal. We see birds with minor injuries that end up dying because the finders meant well by dripping water into their open mouths. An uninformed act of kindness that kills them. When you find a bird you have to reach out to a licensed rehabilitator/facility right away. It's not only the law but it's the best thing to do to help the bird. Wild bird rehab takes permitting and special training & knowledge. If it's an adult bird that is awake/alert and standing up, walking around and can support its own body weight, you can offer a shallow pan of water. Leave the bird alone and if it's thirsty it may drink the water on its own. Their Glottis closes when they swallow to drink water on their own. When a found bird opens it's mouth it is usually an automotive response or a fear response, and you will do more damage than good by dripping water into the mouth. Licensed and trained rehabilitators hydrate dehydrated birds subcutaneously (under the skin) and/or by inserting a thin tube down their Esophageal tract way past the glottis into their crop or sometimes even further into their stomach to deposit a small amount of proper hydration fluids frequently. Dehydrated birds are not hydrated by pouring water into their mouths.
Please remember this very important rule when you find an injured or orphaned bird.
If you found this post informative please share and like our page.
#sharetheknowledge
#dontdripwater
Thanks for the shout-out, Visit Livingston County, MI! We love butterflies of all types, including social!Become a social butterfly at Howell Nature Center🦋
📸: @namastesniksnak on Instagram
We want to take a moment and highlight Beth Baumgartner, our Wildlife Education Coordinator. You have probably seen one of Beth's wildlife presentations, which are always both educational AND entertaining. She may (or may not *wink wink*) have been the Easter Bunny at past breakfast events. Beth also coordinated our Junior Zookeeper specialty camp weeks, where campers stepped into the role of zookeepers and worked closely with our wildlife staff and wild critters. We are lucky to have her on the team!
It's #SillySunday! Can you think of a silly caption for this picture of Yeti, who was caught mid-rouse?
Rousing is the action of a bird erecting its feathers and then shaking them. This can be part of grooming, as well as a sign of a relaxed and content bird.
(📸 by Steph B.)
Alvin, the flying squirrel, highly recommends packing a picnic lunch and enjoying a family day out in nature in this beautiful weather! 🍓🥜🥕🥝 We are open until 5pm today (and everyday) so come out and see all of your animals friends! General admission is only $6 per adult and $4 per child; children 2 and under & HNC members are free! As a nonprofit, your admission will go toward caring for all of your favorite critters under our care. See you soon! #HealGrowBeWild
