Community Calendar

KNC holds the distinct privilege of working alongside two of the only three people in Michigan who are permitted to band Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. These small but mighty birds can tell an incredible story that leads researchers to better understand the species so that they can be properly protected. Banding and documenting body condition data contributes to the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s story. For three days this fall, you can observe this process as part of our annual bird banding research with the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory banding team. A rare and incredible experience to see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds up close. We’d love to share this special project with you!

We have Bird Banding Up Close happening daily (except on Saturdays) all fall long!

All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab.

Friday, August 28, 2026

Friday, September 4, 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

Weather permitting

Time: 8 -10 am

Meet: KNC’s Bird Banding Barn

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free!

Audience: All ages

Recipe for abundance is a grassroots community-building organization that organzies free community parties to encourage mutual aid between neighbors through music, art, & food.

This free live music event provided by local artists will also include community art, a community swap, free food, yoga, dance, bike servicing, a fermentation workshop, and more. All of which is provided for free!

Raptor Piñata Making
We love working with our birds of prey, and they need a lot of enrichment to keep their brains active. Help us keep our birds occupied by making bird piñatas!

Hiding food in shreddable containers is a great enrichment for our raptors, and it’s great to have unique exciting piñatas for them to destroy. Create a fun new toy for our birds and learn about the ways we keep our predators engaged and happy.

Saturday, September 5, 2026, 10 am-12 pm

Meet: Classroom inside the Visitor Center. This is a drop-in program.

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free!

Audience: All ages

Please join us the first Saturday of each month at 9 AM (barring special events or bad weather which will be announced on our Facebook page), for "Beginning Birding Walks," led by experienced birders from the Audubon Society of Kalamazoo. This event is free and open to the public. Meet at the second parking lot at Wolf Lake State Fish Hatchery in Mattawan, just off SR 43. All skill levels are welcome.

We will enjoy nature while typically identifying 20-40 species of birds, plus butterflies, frogs, etc. Over 200 bird species have been sighted at Wolf Lake, which offers a variety of habitats and easy walking trails. Annual highlights include colorful songbirds like orioles, warblers, tanagers, hawks and eagles, kingfishers, Great Blue and Green Herons, and over 20 species of waterfowl. Eastern Bluebirds can be found year-round! Children accompanying adults are welcome. The focus is on birding fundamentals, and extra binoculars are always available. The walk typically takes about 2 hours (but feel free to arrive late or leave early).

Conrad Kaufman

“A Collection of Regional Landscapes”
on view in KNC’s Glen Vista Gallery
September 1 – November 26
Reception Sunday, September 6, 2-4 pm

Self-described “regionalist landscaper” Conrad Kaufman has been observing and painting the area for nearly 30 years. Kaufman said his new collection on view at KNC is acrylic on canvas and represents a “collection of haunts” that he frequents, including the Nature Center, River Oaks, Gull Prairie Preserve, the Chipman Preserve and an area between Glendale and Bangor. Over the previous few months, Kaufman has focused on painting scenes from the Nature Center.

Free admission to reception

Jigsaw Puzzle Night
Do you fancy yourself a jigsaw genius? Gather a team of puzzle Picassos for another Jigsaw Puzzle Night! Teams will have 2 hours to complete a 550 piece puzzle from our collection, with the fastest team winning a prize. Just here to take your time? No worries! All teams will take home their puzzle, and you can always take it slow with provided snacks and drinks.

While we have many puzzles, if you have your eye on something special, all puzzles will be first come first served!

Limit 5 members per group.

Thursday, September 10, 2026, from 6:00 – 9:00PM

Meet: Auditorium inside the visitor center

Fee: $50 per group ($40 member) Please register >

Audience: All ages

KNC holds the distinct privilege of working alongside two of the only three people in Michigan who are permitted to band Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. These small but mighty birds can tell an incredible story that leads researchers to better understand the species so that they can be properly protected. Banding and documenting body condition data contributes to the Ruby-throated Hummingbird’s story. For three days this fall, you can observe this process as part of our annual bird banding research with the Kalamazoo Valley Bird Observatory banding team. A rare and incredible experience to see Ruby-throated Hummingbirds up close. We’d love to share this special project with you!

We have Bird Banding Up Close happening daily (except on Saturdays) all fall long!

All banding, marking, and sampling is being conducted under a federally authorized Bird Banding Permit issued by the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Lab.

Friday, August 28, 2026

Friday, September 4, 2026

Friday, September 11, 2026

Weather permitting

Time: 8 -10 am

Meet: KNC’s Bird Banding Barn

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free!

Audience: All ages

Saturday Story Time

Join us once a month for a picture book story time, featuring a selection of nature-themed books perfect for little explorers. We’ll follow our book with a gentle hike if weather permits, so be sure to bundle up! 

September 12, 2026- Goodbye Summer, Hello Autumn by Kenard Pak

October 10, 2026- What Makes a Bird? by Megan Pomper and Maia Hoekstra

November 15, 2026- A Stone Sat Still by Brendan Wenzel

Meet: Clubhouse inside the Visitor Center

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free!

Audience: Families with young children

Time: 10:00 – 11:00AM

Naturalist Exploration Hour
KNC’s team of naturalists are coming to you with a new series of guided hikes, talks, and explorations! Each month one of our naturalists will be leading an experience on one of their passions and sharing that with you. As our naturalists debut their programs, we’ll be announcing them on social media.

Expect fresh faces, new ideas, and an exciting new kind of weekend exploration at KNC!

Saturdays, September 12, October 10, and November 14, 10-11am

Meet: Visitor Center front desk

Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free!

Audience: All ages

Fall Foraging
Join KNC staff to learn some foraging basics of fall. Grab your basket and enjoy finding the edible treasures around us on a guided hike. Dress for the weather as this program will be entirely outdoors.

Registration is recommended as these popular programs often reach capacity; drop-ins welcome if space is available.

Please click on each date to register:

Thursday, September 17, 2026, 5-6:30 pm >

Saturday September 19, 2026, 10-11:30 am >

Meet: Visitor Center Main Parking Lot Sundial
Fee: KNC Members $16/Non-Members $20
Audience: All Ages