Enjoy Homestead Sundays, bird banding, kayaking at Chippewa Nature Center this summer

Summer is here. If you’re looking for unique ways to enjoy the warm months outdoors, looking for some educational opportunities for your kids, or both — Chippewa Nature Center has an entire summer lineup of events and programs for residents to enjoy. 

Michelle Fournier is the school and public program director at Chippewa Nature Center (CNC), leading school fieldtrips and helping organize and coordinate events throughout the year. 

Although she plans events and programming all months of the year, as the center is open year-round, Fournier says one of the events that only happens in the summer is Homestead Sundays. 

“On Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m., it is a chance for the public to experience our Homestead Farm and see the buildings. We have a late 1800s Homestead Farm, a school house, and buildings associated like barns, that are only open during that program,” Fournier says.

“This is a free drop-in program for all ages, great for families looking for something to do. You can come anytime between 1 and 5, and those activities will be going. People like taking pictures down there, and some people bring snacks and have a picnic.”

Homestead Sundays offer visitors a chance to connect with the past, visit with livestock, explore buildings and gardens, and participate in hands-on activities. Each Sunday has a different theme. Homestead Sundays runs from June 1 through August 24. 

Another summertime activity that Fournier says is unique is Bird Banding. 

“During the warm months, May through September, we have different opportunities to connect the public with scientists doing research on birds. Scientists put up nets, capture the birds in the nets, and bring them back for the public to see up close these amazing birds, their colors, bill shapes, and different wing structures."

"Scientists are holding the birds, weighing the birds, and taking all these measurements so we can potentially learn more about these species. There will also be a CNC staff member interpreting what birds you’re seeing, and any kind of cool nature tidbits about the species we find.”

Bird Banding is another free drop-in program from 8 a.m. to noon on some Wednesdays and Saturdays from now until August. There’s also a special event, Hanging out with the Hummingbirds, where visitors can see Ruby Throated Hummingbirds up close and personal at their feeders during their annual summer visit to Michigan. Following the outdoor banding program, an expert will provide a discussion and Q&A on these unique birds. 

If you’re looking to get a bit of exercise and enjoy Mother Nature at the same time, the CNC also hosts a few different paddling excursions throughout the summer. 

“Most of our trips are kayaking trips on the Chippewa River, we do an Upper Stretch, which is six river miles, and a Lower Stretch that’s three river miles,” Fournier says. “Those are pre-registered events for 15+ for a fee. We also do trips on Saginaw Bay by Voyageur Canoe, a 29-foot replica fur trade canoe. It fits up to 14 people, which is cool. That’s also a pre-registered event for a fee.”

Those looking to try out the Voyager Canoe for a test-run can visit with CNC staff for a demo during River Days Festival, the first Saturday of August. Also during that time, folks can sign up to help clean up the River too, lending a hand in caring for the region’s natural resources. 

Fournier enjoys working at the center each month of the year, being able to witness and enjoy many different animal species throughout the seasons. 

“There are different benefits to every single season,” she says. “During the summer months, I love the river. It’s great to be on it and in it. I also love some of the wildlife and plants we see, like blooming wildflowers and turtles basking on logs.” 

There is no admission cost to Chippewa Nature Center, which is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. The CNC has 2,000 acres and 19 miles of trails to explore.