Community Calendar

Stop in to the KIA during Arts Fair for a hands on art activity! We will provide the supplies to create your own Gelli Plate printed sneaker. Experiment with colorways inspired by objects featured in Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks!

Future Now: Virtual Sneakers to Cutting-Edge Kicks is co-organized by the American Federation of Arts and the Bata Shoe Museum, and curated by Elizabeth Semmelhack, Director and Senior Curator of the Bata Shoe Museum.

Please note that this event will not be livestreamed or posted on YouTube.

Prairie Wildflower Walk
Travel our Emma Pitcher Prairie to learn about Michigan’s beautiful native prairie flowers, and leave with a better understanding of the beautiful ecosystems that once covered our continent.

Meet: Visitor Center front desk

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

Audience: All ages

Date: Saturday, June 6 from 2:00 – 3:00PM

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).

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!

June 13– Goodbye Spring, Hello Summer by Kenard Pak
July 18– Cicada Symphony by Sue Fliess
August 8– The Wild by Yuval Zommer

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

Summer is here! Celebrate the celestial turn of the seasons with the powerful drumming of Carolyn Koeble, and build a deeper connection with the natural world through the power of sound.

Saturday, June 13, 11:30AM – 12:30PM
Fee: Non-members $15, Members $12
Please Register >
Audience: All ages
Meet: Amphitheatre (Coopers Glen Auditorium if inclement weather)

There’s life all around us, finding niches and resources to survive in every corner. We’ll hike through one of our trails and talk about what makes a habitat, which habitats we have here, and how we can encourage healthy habitats in our own homes and neighborhoods!

Meet: Visitor center front desk
Fee: Included in regular KNC admission; KNC Members free!
Audience: All ages & families

Join us for an extraordinary day of connection and rejuvenation as we celebrate the longest day of the year in Downtown Coldwater. The Summer Solstice Festival is a first-of-its-kind local collaboration bringing together the region’s premier wellness brands and top-tier instructors for a full day of holistic experiences—completely free to the public.

Held in honor of the International Day of Yoga, the festival features powerful movement sessions, a special Father’s Day "Dad & Me" workshop, and a curated Holistic Marketplace. Browse local art from Bethany Johnston, handcrafted soaps from Syd’s Suds, and sustainable designs from Cozy Designs by Kait. Enjoy authentic Thai cuisine from Kra-Tib and fresh-pressed juices from Abundant Rock. Whether you are a seasoned mover or stepping onto the mat for the first time, this festival is designed for all ages, all bodies, and all skill levels.

Event Highlights
Summer Solstice Salutations: Celebrate the peak of summer with a powerful flow under the sun.
Father’s Day Workshop: A dedicated session designed for dads and kids to bond through movement and mindfulness.
Holistic Marketplace: Explore a curated street market featuring local artisans, organic skincare, and sustainable apparel.
Learn Your Way: From high-energy sessions to gentle mobility, we offer various styles to fit your personal schedule and needs.
Prizes & Giveaways: Attend sessions for your chance to win high-value wellness bundles, including annual studio memberships and premium gear.

Fuel Your Flow: Food & Refreshments
Kra-Tib Thai & Isaan Cuisine: Authentic, vibrant flavors available 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM. @kratibthaifood
Abundant Rock: Refreshing teas and fresh-pressed juices by Megan Laser. @abundantrockyoga
Kona Ice Truck: A cool treat for the whole family, featuring dye-free and sugar-free options. @konaice

The Holistic Marketplace
Browse our curated vendors and partners. New additions are being added to our sanctuary daily:
Bethany Johnston: Featured Local Artist. @drbug0310
Syd’s Suds & Soaps: Handcrafted wellness by Sydney Braden. @syds.suds.soaps
Earthy Alice: Holistic goods by Heather. Earthy Alice on Facebook
Cozy Designs by Kait: Sustainable style by Kaitlyn Weiss. @cozydesignsbykait
Nourish Massage & Health Coaching: With Megan Sparks. Nourish on Facebook
Revivify Metaphysicals: Curated metaphysical goods with Michael Fisher. Revivify on Facebook
The Wellness Hub: Featuring three collaborative booths with Renewed Wellness and Cindy Withrow. @renewed_wellness_ | Renew You To Wellness

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.

Meet: Auditorium inside the visitor center

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

Audience: All ages

Date: Thursday, June 25 from 6:00 – 9:00PM

Firefly Night Hike
Experience the magic of a prairie at dusk on our Firefly Night Hike! Stroll along the broad, winding trail through the prairie on a unique adventure that highlights the wonder of the natural world and shows why protecting our prairies can keep the sparkle in our summer nights, and stop by the amphitheater at 8:30 and 10:00 for a talk on these bioluminescent marvels.

Audience: All Ages

Meet: Emma Pitcher Prairie at KNC Camp

Date: Friday, June 26 from 8:00 – 11:00PM, entry one at 8:00, Entry two at 9:30

Fee: $15/Non-Member Adult, $8/Non-Member child. Registration required.