Mighty Naturalist Program; Bird Beaks
2025-01-31 09:30 - 10:45 (America/Detroit)
Bird Beaks Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
SOLD OUT — please call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to be put on the Wait List. Thank you for your interest.
Program Description: What is unique about birds, and what do their characteristics (feathers, feet, beak, color, etc.) tell us about their life? Enjoy story time, explore bird feathers, take a short birding walk to observe our local birds in action, then return indoors for hands-on ‘bird beak’ activity stations, and a make ‘n take craft.
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for an adult caregiver & infants. Additional children older than 5 years are charged the program fee.
Advanced Registration Required. Please register online (see below) or call 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registered participants who did not attend program and/or give minimum 24 hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.

Register Online

Mighty Naturalist Program; Tree-ific Seasons
2025-02-07 09:30 - 10:45
Tree-ific Seasons Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
SOLD OUT. Please call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to be added to the Wait List.
Program Description: Story time using our Tree-ific seasons wheel, a short walk to look for signs of winter. What are the trees doing, and what else is different this season? Where are the insects and flowers? Then, we’ll head indoors to craft seasonal tree art.
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for an adult caregiver & infants. Additional children older than 5 years are charged the program fee.
Advanced Registration Required. Please register online (see below) or call 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registered participants who did not attend program and/or give minimum 24 hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.

Register Online

Volunteer Training for Maple Sugaring School Programs
2025-02-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Volunteer Training
for Maple Sugaring School Programs

Volunteer Trail Leaders (new & returning) interested to teach and lead Maple Sugaring school field trips are invited to attend this informative half day training session. A review of the lesson plan, a walk into the sugar bush to tap maple trees and setting up equipment will get us ready for students (PS-5th grade) to learn the art and science of making maple syrup!
Our Maple Sugaring school program is offered to the Greater Jackson County area schools February 18 through March 20, 2025. Volunteers are also requested to help with Maple Madness weekend public program on March 15th. Maple Sugaring is one of Dahlem’s most popular programs for all ages.
If you’re interested, please RSVP to Naturalist Educator Carrie to reserve your seat by Feb. 10th (4:00 pm). Please call 517-782-3453 ext. 106 or email cbenham@dahlemcenter.org. New volunteers to Dahlem, please complete the easy online Volunteer Opportunities Form.
This is a great opportunity for retirees, and any adults and college students interested to work with children and have a love for nature are welcome to become volunteer trail leaders. Training will take place both in/outdoors. Please dress for the weather.

Mighty Naturalist Program; Where are the Night Animals
2025-02-14 09:30 - 10:45
Where are the Night Animals Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
SOLD OUT. Please call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to be added to the Wait List.
Program Description: While people dream of daytime things, the nighttime world awakens. Who are these nocturnal animals and what are they doing? Interactive story time, short outdoor trail walk seeking clues before we head into the classroom for crafts.
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for an adult caregiver & infants. Additional children older than 5 years are charged the program fee.
Advanced Registration Required. Please register online (see below) or call 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registered participants who did not attend program and/or give minimum 24 hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.

Register Online

Owl Prowl Program & Night Hike - February 27, 2025
2025-02-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
SOLD OUT. Please call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to be put on the wait list
Owl Prowl Night Hike will start at 6:00 pm Thursday, February 27th with a short indoor presentation to learn about the owl species that reside in Michigan, their adaptations, and then we’ll take a night hike on Dahlem’s quiet trails listening for owls and other night creatures. We will use an artificial device to call out to owls with anticipation that they answer back. In past, the Great Horned, Barred and Screech owls have replied. This is a fun night not to be missed.
The program is for adults.
Fee: $6 per Dahlem member; $10 per non-member. Advanced registration is required as spots are limited to 24 participants. Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to sign up and pay for your spot. Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 26th.
Cancellation Policy: we have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.
What to Bring; a small flashlight to carry in your coat pocket. Our goal is to use our night vision just as our nocturnal creatures do to venture through the night and let our other senses direct us on the trails. Try to wear dark colored, warm clothes that don’t make noise when you move.

My Prairie Restoration Journey presentation
2025-03-13 18:30 - 19:45
In this presentation, John Blair will bring you along on his journey to restore his land to original native prairie on his rural property in Brooklyn. He will also cover the restoration of his wooded savanna and how he is bringing three natural ponds back to life after being buried by farmers decades ago. Through John’s beautiful photos, you will get to see this wonderful transformation taking place, from hay fields back to lush native prairie habitat, much like what was originally there two hundred years ago!
Biography for John Blair
When John Blair retired from his automotive engineering job, he knew he would need something interesting to do with his time. He found it when he attended a presentation in the winter of 2012 by butterfly expert Brenda Dziedzic on making a butterfly garden with native plants as the focal point. John got busy that spring creating his own butterfly garden at his Westland home that over the next seven summers grew to over 5000 square feet in size with 130 species of native plants and 38 different species of butterfly visitors. In 2019, having filled all his available gardening space, John and his wife Sheri moved to a new home in rural Brooklyn, Michigan with about 9 acres of land that he is using to make even more butterfly and pollinator habitat through restoring large tracts of land to original prairie with native plants, creating a gigantic butterfly and pollinator habitat! John enjoys giving his inspirational talks and educational tours of his restoration to help others get started with their own pollinator habitats using native plants, which is something that means very much to him!
John’s garden has appeared in Fine Gardening magazine, Michigan Gardener, the Detroit Free Press and the Garden Answer YouTube channel. He has also authored articles for Michigan Gardener magazine on creating pollinator gardens. Over the last twelve years, John has given his “How to Make a Butterfly Garden” and “Prairie Restoration Journey” talks to county Master Gardener organizations, Michigan State University, Greenfield Village, numerous Michigan garden clubs, Church groups and Nature clubs throughout southeast and mid Michigan.

Please register to save your seat. This is a free program intended for adults.

Maple Madness Interpretive Tours - March 15, 2025
2025-03-15 10:00 - 14:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Maple Madness Interpretive Tours — Dahlem’s maple sugaring operation is small but an ideal site to demonstrate the science of collecting maple tree sap and making our favorite tasty maple syrup topping.
Sign up for an interpretive guided 1 1/4 hour tour at 10:00 am (sold out) or 12:30 pm (has 38 open spots) to learn about the history of sugaring, and learn through hands-on STEM activities; how to identify maple trees, drilling & tapping, the tree’s many jobs, and finally, see the sap being boiled down on the wood stove at our historic sugar shack, and where everyone gets to taste the sweet golden nectar of the sugar maple.
Fee: $6/Dahlem member; $8/non-member; $20 Member Family (same household) and $25 Non-member Family (same household). Advanced registration required. Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to sign up and pay for your spot.
Cancellation Policy: minimum 24 hour notice via phone call or email . If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.
The Dahlem Conservancy, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson 49201 just 15 minutes from downtown Jackson.

Mighty Naturalist Program; Maple Sugaring in the Forest - SOLD OUT!
2025-03-21 09:30 - 10:45
Maple Sugaring in the Forest Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: The maple sugaring season is a sign winter is ending and Spring is near. Hooray! After story time, we will take a walk through the sugar bush to see different methods to collect maple tree sap, look closely at baby leaves (buds), measure trees, try on a yoke, and deliver sap to our historic sugar shack. We’ll taste test maple sap and real maple syrup, too. Then, we’ll head indoors for a quick craft. This is the only time of year maple sugaring occurs. Don’t miss out!
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for an adult caregiver & infants. Additional children older than 5 years are charged the program fee.
Advanced Registration Required. Please register online (see below) or call 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registered participants who did not attend program and/or give minimum 24 hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.

Register Online

Mighty Naturalist Program; The Reason for a Flower
2025-03-28 09:30 - 10:45
SOLD OUT
The Reason for a Flower Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: After story time, we’ll take a short walk to find an assortment of seeds. Where do they come from and how do they get dispersed? Seeds and plants are food, and seeds are also next year’s plants. Today you will plant some seeds in a small pot and grow them at home.
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for an adult caregiver & infants. Additional children older than 5 years are charged the program fee.
Advanced Registration Required. Please register online (see below) or call 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registered participants who did not attend program and/or give minimum 24 hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.

Register Online

Night of the Amphibians (family-friendly) - April 4 SOLD OUT!
2025-04-04 18:30 - 20:30 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
April 4, 2025 Friday at 6:30 pm
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT
Please call the office to be added to the Wait List. Office 517-782-3453 ext. 101
What better way to welcome spring than to wade in the waters of our glacial pond in search of the season’s first choristers: Spring Peepers, Chorus frogs and Wood frogs. Maybe we’ll find a Leopard frog or American toad! This is a great evening event for families to learn about, catch and release frogs! Bring your wading boots and dress for the weather. The trail walk to the Glacial Pond is approximately one mile round trip.
Fee: $6/per Dahlem member; $8/per non-member …. Member Family $20, and Non-member Family $25 (Family resides in the same household)
Advanced registration is required. Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to sign up and pay for your spot. Registration deadline is April 3rd at 4:00 pm.
What to Bring: a flashlight to carry in your coat pocket. Our goal is to use our night vision just as our nocturnal creatures do to venture through the night and let our other senses direct us on the trails.
Rain Date: if we have inclement weather or the temperature is too cold on April 4th, the postpone date is Thursday, April 24th at 6:30 pm.
Cancellation Policy: we have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.

Woodcock Program & Night Walk (adult program) - April 11
2025-04-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
SOLD OUT. Please contact the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to be added to the Wait List. Thank you for your interest.
The Woodcock Program and Night Walk (adult program) will start at 7:00 pm with a short indoor presentation to learn about the woodcock that reside in Michigan, their adaptations, and then we’ll take a night walk to Dahlem’s quiet grasslands to watch and listen for woodcocks performing their seasonal mating ritual. This is a fun night not to be missed. Make it a ‘date night’ without kids.
Fee: $6/per Dahlem member; $8/per non-member. Advanced registration is required. Limited to 24 adult participants. Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to sign up and pay for your spot. Registration deadline is April 10th at 4:00 pm.
What to Bring: a small flashlight to carry in your coat pocket. Our goal is to use our night vision just as our nocturnal creatures do to venture through the night and let our other senses direct us on the trails.
Rain Date: if we have inclement weather, the postpone date TBD.
Cancellation Policy: we have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.

Earth Day Celebration 2025
2025-04-27 13:00 - 16:00
Earth Day Celebration is Sunday, April 27th from 1-4 pm, to promote environmental protection, encouraging people to keep a clean, healthy planet. Once again, Jackson County Conservation District (JCCD) is organizing a fun and educational afternoon to celebrate Earth Day 2025.
Come join us for JCCD’s Earth Day Celebration in the Park from 1-4 pm at Sparks Foundation County Park, by the urban fishing pond.
Local vendors will be on hand with kid-friendly activities to teach about the importance of Earth Day and conservation of our natural resources.
There will be free tree seedlings and plants, live animals, live music, face painting, kayaking (weather pending), and activities for all. A great day for family-fun!
Free event, open to the public. Additional Earth Day details available here.

Survival Myths: adult outdoor skills workshop
2025-05-17 10:00 - 12:00
Survival Myths and How to Not Die
Join wilderness survival skills instructor Rodney Cole at Dahlem on May 17, 2025 to learn techniques so you can be better prepared for a survival situation.
Having the knowledge and knowing the priorities can be lifesaving during an emergency. In this class you will learn skills and techniques to be better prepared for whatever Mother Nature, power outages, unrest, or other emergencies may throw at you. The knowledge you will learn will help you prioritize what to do if you are stranded in a snowstorm, lost on a hike, locked in at work, or facing multiple days without power.
Rodney Cole is an instructor of Wilderness Survival Skills and Bushcraft. As an Army Major and graduate of both Army Ranger School and Special Forces School, he has been placed into survival scenarios many times. Rodney will prepare you for what otherwise could be your most challenging days.
Come prepared to learn, take notes, ask questions, and participate in hands-on activities that will help make you a survivor of your next emergency.
Date: Saturday, May 17, 2025
Time: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The Survival Myths and How to Not Die workshop is for adults. This is an outdoor skills workshop and will be held outside and at the Dahlem pavilion. Please dress for the weather. The Dahlem Conservancy, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson 49201, just 15 minutes from downtown Jackson.
Advanced registration required. Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to sign up and pay for your spot.
Registration Fee: $8 per adult member, $10 per adult non-member.
Registration Deadline: May 15, 2025
Cancellation Policy: minimum 24 hour notice via phone call or email . If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.

Birds, Blooms & Butterflies Festival 2025
2025-08-09 09:00 - 15:00
Birds, Blooms & Butterflies Festival
Saturday, August 9, 2025 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
This is a FREE community event thanks to the generous support of our sponsors!
The Dahlem Conservancy is excited to announce the 17th Annual Birds, Blooms, and Butterflies Festival on Saturday, August 9, 2025. Environmental education organizations, presenters, and volunteers involvement will help strengthen our community’s appreciation for the natural world. Please join us, and many other organizations, for this fantastic family-friendly event!
The BBB Festival will include a wide variety of outdoor learning opportunities and activities for all ages. We are planning to offer a live birds program, Monarch & Zebra Swallowtail butterflies and caterpillars exhibit, environmental education programs (birds, blooms, butterflies, honeybees and pollinators, etc.), nature walks, native plants and bird seed sales, children’s crafts, live music, food vendors, and more. We’re looking forward to seeing you at this summer’s BBB Festival!

Presentations Schedule

10:00-10:45 — Benefits of protecting bird and pollinator habitats presented by Legacy Land Conservancy
Dutcher Classroom

11:00-12:00 — Live Birds of Prey presented by Michigan Avian Experience
Come see the American Bald Eagle, owl, and hawk!!
Dutcher Classroom

12:30-1:30 — musical performance by the Jacktown Ukes
Gathering Patio

1:45-2:30 —

Food Trucks — FFF Food Truck and On The Roll
Welcome Tent – pick up a schedule and map
Visit the following booths and vendors;
Bee Quiet Honey – selling products and/or giving away product samples
Dahlem’s Kids Activity Station
Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan – Girl Scout cookies and more
Jackson Audubon Society – live caterpillars and butterflies exhibit
Jackson County Conservation District
Jackson County Master Gardeners – kids craft, Q/A
Jackson School of the Arts
Kids N Stuff Children’s Museum – “A-MAZE-D” exhibit and activities
Kiwanis Club of Jackson
Legacy Land Conservancy
MDHHS-Environmental Health Bureau
Michigan Bluebird Society
Michigan DNR Wildlife Division
Nature Discovery – LIVE ANIMALS booth
The Perennial Connection LLC – plants for sale
Tie Dyes by Jen – tie dyed clothing, housewares, and jewelry
Upper Grand River Watershed Alliance
Sponsor Table – pick up information from our sponsors

>> VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES << – We need your help! Please complete the Volunteer Sign Up Form and we will contact you soon to discuss and confirm your interest and availability. Thank you so much for your support and talents. We look forward to having you join us for the festival. Volunteers are needed to set up tents, tables/chairs, welcome tent, help where needed, exhibit room host, parking lot attendants, take down at the end of the day, and etc.

Thank you for your generosity! This event is proudly presented by

Thank you for your generosity Event Sponsors

Billy White Roofing LLC, Community Choice Credit Union, Emmons Service Inc., Jackson College, Jackson Glass Works Inc., Michigan DNR Wildlife Division
Sponsorship levels are available! Please contact Kelly Lagow, Development Specialist for details.

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Booth space
Is your business or organization interested in joining the festivities? Registration closes August 5th.
Thank you for your interest to participate!

Volunteer Fall Training
2025-09-10 08:30 - 12:00
Volunteer Trail Leaders (new & returning) interested to lead Fall school field trips are invited to attend this informative morning training session on Wednesday, September 10th, 8:30 am to 12 noon at Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place. Training will take place both in/outdoors. To reserve your seat, please RSVP to Naturalist Educator Carrie Benham at email cbenham@dahlemcenter.org or call 517-782-3453 ext. 106.
New to volunteering at Dahlem or if you have updated contact information, please complete the online Volunteer Form
School programs are offered to preschool through elementary school classes. The fall programs for review include: Signs of Fall, Nature Prepares for Winter, Bird Beaks, Mini-beasts & Insects, Animal Homes and Habitats, and Aquatic Pond Studies.
This is a great opportunity for retirees, and any adults and college students interested to work with children and have a love for nature. Volunteering is a highly rewarding experience not to be missed!

Sign up here Volunteer Form

More than Morels - Sept. 24, 2025
2025-09-24 18:00 - 19:00
More than Morels with Chris Zurn

Join the Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem to learn all about Michigan mushrooms!

Chris Zurn, member of the Michigan Mushroom Hunters Club and MDARD certified expert mushroom identifier, will share mushroom identification tips and more about the fantastic fungi that are all around us. You’ll learn about mushroom safety and which harmful mushrooms you should be aware of. Chris will share his favorite mushrooms to harvest, what they can be used for, and will also talk about the ecological roles fungi play.

Date: Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

Forest Bathing Experience - Sept. 28
2025-09-28 14:30 - 16:30
Forest Bathing Experience with Dr. Lori Tate
Awaken your senses and join Dr. Lori Tate for a forest bathing experience at Dahlem!
The practice of forest bathing encourages you to connect with nature by taking in your surroundings through all of your senses. Fall is the perfect time to explore the forest and witness the seasonal changes through the splashes of color, smell of the leaves, and sounds of the birds.
Through this guided experience you will learn more about the practice of forest bathing, making observations with all of your senses, and the benefits of spending time in nature. You will also have the opportunity to head out on the trails to experience the benefits firsthand.
This is a family friendly experience; all ages and experience levels are welcome to participate.
Our forest bathing companion and guide, Dr. Lori Tate, is a spiritual director and teacher. Learn more about her work at SoulDig.org.
For additional information on the practice of forest bathing check out this article by Henry Ford Health: https://www.henryford.com/blog/2018/06/5-ways-forest-bathing-can-improve-your-health.

Date: Sunday, September 28
Time: 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI 49203

Space is limited. Pre-registration is required.
Members: $4 / Non-members: $6 (free for infants)
Please complete the registration below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 0 to reserve your spot.
Cancellation Policy: we have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.

USDA Conservation Practices and Programs for Landowners - Oct. 8, 2025
2025-10-08 18:00 - 19:00
USDA Conservation Practices and Programs for Landowners
For almost 100 years, the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has been working with private landowners to help promote healthy soil and water. With the motto of “helping people help the land,” they provide both technical and financial assistance to support voluntary conservation efforts across the county. Recently, Dahlem and NRCS have partnered to improve and restore local habitat. In this session, Jeff Lolkus will share the process and projects that are currently underway and resources available to landowners for conservation projects.
Jeff Lolkus has worked for the NRCS for 16 years, 9 of which have been in Jackson. He lives in southern Jackson County with his wife, daughter, dog, 2 cows, 2 goats, and 9 chickens.
Date: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

Increasing habitat for rare butterflies in MI - Nov. 5, 2025
2025-11-05 18:00 - 19:00
Increasing habitat for rare butterflies in Michigan
Many people are planting for pollinators in Michigan, which is wonderful for all of our bees and butterflies. However, there are some plants (and the butterflies that depend on them) that often get overlooked. In this talk we will cover a project at MSU that is looking to expand availability of local Michigan seed sources, as well as increasing the diversity in our plantings, so not all sites are using the same mixes. Come hear about how we are working with farmers to increase MI native seed production, as well as what plants to consider to support some of Michigan’s more rare pollinators.
Meghan Milbrath is an assistant professor in the Department of Entomology at Michigan State University, where she is the coordinator of the Michigan Pollinator Initiative. Her appointment is split between research and extension, and she works with beekeepers, land managers, and pesticide applicators to support pollinator health in the state. She also is a beekeeper and runs The Sand Hill Bee Farm in Jackson County.

Date: Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Location: Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

Explore the Night - Nov. 13, 2025
2025-11-13 18:00 - 20:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Let’s explore the night life as we quietly venture down the moonlit trails using our nocturnal senses. Remember, night is when many animals are most active. Who might we hear rustling nearby and calling out in the eerie silent night off in the distance? Do you have night vision, what color do you see, and what is that unique odor we smell? The cool fresh air feels energizing.
All participants are required to register in advance, and space is limited to 24 participants. Please dress for the weather, bring a small flashlight (red lens preferred) to carry in your pocket, and be ready to walk a one to two miles. Recommended for ages 12 and up. In the event of a rainy evening, tickets will be applied to a rescheduled date.

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Date: November 13, 2025 Thursday

Time: 6:00 pm
Price: Free for Members, $5 for Non-member, and $12 Non-Member Family
Maximum 24 people
Cancellation Policy: We have a 24 hour cancellation policy. If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.

Mighty Naturalist Program; Secrets of Winter
2025-12-05 09:30 - 10:45
Secrets of Winter Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: What happens outside in winter? Explore the cold and frosty forest, and search for clues on how critters survive winter. After story time, we’ll adventure outdoors to search for critter clues. How do they cope with winter’s worst weather? After a short visit outdoors we’ll head into the classroom for hands-on activities and craft time.
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for an adult caregiver & infants. Additional children older than 5 years are charged the program fee.
Advanced Registration Required. Please register online (see below) or call 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registered participants who did not attend program and/or give minimum 24-hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.

Register Online

Owl Prowl Program & Night Hike - January 16, 2026 THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
2026-01-16 18:00 - 20:30 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT!
Owl Prowl Night Hike will start at 6:00 pm Friday, January 16th with a short indoor presentation to learn about the owl species that reside in Michigan, their adaptations, and then we’ll take a night hike on Dahlem’s quiet trails listening for owls and other night creatures. We will use an artificial device to call out to owls with anticipation that they answer back. In past, the Great Horned, Barred and Screech owls have replied. This is a fun night not to be missed.
The program is for adults.
Fee: $6 per Dahlem member; $10 per non-member. Advanced registration is required as spots are limited to 24 participants. Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to sign up and pay for your spot. Registration deadline is Thursday, January 15th.
Cancellation Policy: we have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.
What to Bring; a small flashlight to carry in your coat pocket. Our goal is to use our night vision just as our nocturnal creatures do to venture through the night and let our other senses direct us on the trails. Try to wear dark colored, warm clothes that don’t make noise when you move.

Snow Tracks Guided Hike
2026-01-31 10:00 - 12:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Snow Tracks Guided Hike / Exhibit Room and Gift Shop Opening
Put your tracking skills to the test as we wander the snowy trails in search of fauna. Learn about the different tracks you may see here at the Dahlem Center, and how different animals survive the winter. We’ll start with a quick introduction in the Dutcher Room to discuss signs of animals we may see in the forest. The current backup date for this event is February 7th. I will update this posting leading up to the intended date, and if the weather seems like it will be more suitable on the 7th, I may change it. If neither day is very snowy, we may be searching for tracks in the mud! We’ll have fun no matter what. After the guided hike, the exhibit room and gift shop will be open until 4pm.
Date: January 31st, 2026
Time: 10am to 12pm
Where: The Dutcher Room to the trails
Cost: $5 for non-members / free for Dahlem members
Cancellations: We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. No-shows will be charged the full amount.
What to Bring: Make sure to dress in layers. January in Michigan can be very fickle, and you never know what the weather will be like. Wear shoes fit for walking. The hike may be anywhere from 1/2 mile to 1 1/2 miles depending on what we see and how often we stop.

Volunteer Training for Maple Sugaring School Programs
2026-02-18 12:30 - 16:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Volunteer Training
for Maple Sugaring School Programs

Volunteer Trail Leaders (new & returning) interested to teach and lead Maple Sugaring school field trips are invited to attend this informative half day training session. A review of the lesson plan, a walk into the sugar bush to tap maple trees and setting up equipment will get us ready for students (PS-5th grade) to learn the art and science of making maple syrup!
Our Maple Sugaring school program is offered to the Greater Jackson County area schools February 17 through March 26, 2026. Volunteers are also requested to help with Maple’s Sweet Story weekend public program on March 14th. Maple Sugaring is one of Dahlem’s unique programs for all ages.
If you’re interested, please RSVP to Naturalist Educator Carrie to reserve your seat by Feb. 17th (3:00 pm). Please call 517-782-3453 ext. 106 or email cbenham@dahlemcenter.org. New volunteers to Dahlem, please complete the easy online Volunteer Opportunities Form.
This is a great opportunity for retirees, and any adults and college students interested to work with children and have a love for nature are welcome to be volunteer trail leaders. Training will take place both in/outdoors. Please dress for the weather. Refreshments, hot cocoa and coffee will be provided.

Maple's Sweet Story - March 14, 2026
2026-03-14 10:00 - 13:30 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Maple’s Sweet Story — Dahlem’s maple sugaring operation is small but an ideal site to demonstrate the science of collecting maple tree sap and making our favorite tasty maple syrup topping.
Sign up for an interpretive guided 1 1/4 hour tour at 10:00 am (spots available, walk-ins welcome) or 12:30 pm (sold out) to learn about the history of sugaring, and learn through hands-on STEM activities; how to identify maple trees, drilling & tapping, the tree’s many jobs, and finally, see the sap being boiled down on the wood stove at our historic sugar shack, and where everyone gets to taste the sweet golden nectar of the sugar maple.
Fee: $6/Dahlem member; $8/non-member; $20 Member Family (same household) and $25 Non-member Family (same household). Advanced registration required. Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to sign up and pay for your spot.
Cancellation Policy: minimum 24 hour notice via phone call or email . If you don’t call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.
The Dahlem Conservancy, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson 49201 just 15 minutes from downtown Jackson.

Milky Way Madness - POSTPONED
2026-03-14 19:45 - 21:45 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Milky Way Madness, an Astrophotography and Telescopic Night Hike
POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE (you may call the office and cancel or you can hold onto your registration). Calling all astronomy lovers! Bring your cameras and your coats to explore the night sky from our wide-open prairie. Learn some basic astronomy and try to capture the Milky Way on camera! Don’t worry about bringing a telescope unless you want to. Ours will be set up and ready for you to explore the beautiful sky. Don’t worry if you’re not a photographer. You don’t have to be! Everything we’re doing is super basic and does not require special equipment. Many smartphones these days have an astrophotography setting, so you don’t even have to have a fancy camera. Because this hike is centered on being able to see the night sky in all its glory, this event is weather-dependent. As the date approaches, I will keep this page updated with any cancellations or date changes. If the sky is expected to be very cloudy the night of the program, expect the date to change.
This program is for anyone 16 years or older.
Date: POSTPONED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
Time: 7:45pm to 9:45pm
Where: The Dutcher Room to the trails
Cost: $8 for non-members / $5 for Dahlem Center members
Cancellations: We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. No-shows will be charged the full amount.
What to Bring: Dress in layers. You never know what Michigan weather is going to do, so be prepared to be bundled up in a coat and gloves, or dressed down in a t-shirt. Bring good walking shoes because this hike is about a 2 to 2 1/2 mile round-trip. If you have a tripod for either your phone or your camera, I highly suggest bringing it along. If you don’t have a tripod, be prepared to set your phone or camera up against something still, like a rock. Having a remote shutter definitely helps, but is not a requirement for the astrophotography portion.

Ice in the Universe with Dr. Rebecca Robinson - March 16
2026-03-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Dahlem is excited to be hosting Dr. Rebecca Robinson on Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m. to share her work and experience with Ice in the Universe in partnership with Jackson College.
Did you know that water ice exists far beyond Earth? Come learn about how scientists research Earth’s grand ice systems in Greenland and Iceland, then explore extra-terrestrial icy environments on other planets like Mars!
Ice in the Universe
Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd, Jackson MI
March 16, 2026
7 pm
Free for all to attend

Dr. Rebecca Robinson — Michigan-born, Norwegian transplant, and heliophysicist — studies the Sun’s atmosphere and serves as Outreach Lead for NASA’s Multi-slit Solar Explorer (MUSE) team. From serving as the resident astrophysicist at Badlands National Park, to drilling ice cores on glaciers in Iceland, to sailing the coast of Norway studying the Sun and aurora activity — Dr. Robinson brings extraordinary real-world experience. She has also worked with the SETI Institute in California and analyzes advanced computer simulations of the Sun’s magnetic field.

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Dr. Robinson is also presenting at Jackson College on Wednesday, March 18, about NASA’s upcoming MUSE mission.

Solar Physics, Space Weather, & NASA’s MUSE Mission – Join us for an exciting evening exploring the science of the Sun and the future of space discovery! Discover how solar physics shapes our understanding of space weather, learn about NASA’s upcoming MUSE mission, and explore how the Sun impacts Earth and beyond.

Date: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Time: 6pm-8pm
Where: Jackson College Central Campus
Bert Walker Hall, Room 144 – 145
2111 Emmons Road, Jackson, MI 49201

Light refreshments | Q & A following presentation. Stick around after for a tour and night-sky observing at the Astronomical Observatory (weather permitting). Free and open to students, employees and the community.
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Getting Started in Beekeeping
2026-03-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Getting Started in Beekeeping

Discover the secret of successful beekeepers by spending a year in the life of a bee (and beekeeper). Learn what you’ll need to get started, how to establish a colony and what will make you a sustainable beekeeper. Understand bee behavior and how modern beekeeping techniques are evolving so that you can help your bees thrive and be productive year after year.

Getting Started in Beekeeping is taught by advanced beekeepers John & Kim Haynes.

Date: March 21, 2026
Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Dahlem Center, Dutcher Classroom
Who: Beginner level course; open to ages 12+

Course fee: $25/member; $30/non-member

Advanced registration is required. Register to save your seat below!

Please note: We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. If you do not call to cancel and don’t show, you will be charged the full amount.

Registration is now closed.

Mighty Naturalist Program Series
2026-03-27 09:30 - 10:45
Programs are for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Fee per Program: $8 per child ($5 Dahlem member); free for an adult caregiver & infants. Additional children older than 5 years are charged the program fee.
Advanced Registration Required. Please register online (see below) or call 517-782-3453 ext. 101 to reserve your spot for you and your mighty naturalist(s). Payment due upon registration.
Cancellation Policy: Registered participants who did not attend program and/or give minimum 24-hour cancellation notice will not be refunded.
Share your love of nature with your young child(ren). We will explore and play with nature while developing critical early childhood skills and growing self-confidence. The Mighty Naturalist Programs are geared toward children 5 years and younger with an adult caregiver to learn about animals, winter survival, birds, tracks, and more. Each program offers a different theme and activities to give you and your mighty naturalist many program opportunities. Invite your friends to sign up, too.
Every program starts with story time in the exhibit room, followed by a short outdoor walk, and then hands-on activity-craft in the big Dutcher classroom. Please dress for the weather.
Here’s the Mighty Naturalist Program schedule;
1) December 5 — Secrets of Winter
2) December 19 — Super Squirrelly
3) January 9 — Nature’s Textures Art Class
4) January 16 — The Sleepy Owl (THIS SESSION IS FULL)
5) January 23 — Turtle, Turtle, Turtle
6) January 30 — Beaks! (THIS SESSION IS FULL)
7) February 6 – Where are the Night Animals? (THIS SESSION IS FULL)
8) February 13 — From Seed to Plant (THIS SESSION IS FULL)
9) March 6 — Maple-licious (THIS SESSION IS FULL)
10) March 27 (Spring Break) — Life Under a Log (5 SPOTS AVAIL)
Program descriptions are listed on the Mighty Naturalist Program Series page (listed under the Education Programs tab)

Register Online

CANCELLED - The Nature Notes - Signs of Spring
2026-03-28 09:00 - 11:00
CANCELLED – The Nature Notes – Signs of Spring
Come meet other nature lovers at the Dahlem Center and use the wilderness around you to inspire your pens. First, take a guided hike, then transfer nature to notebooks, focusing on spring’s signs. You can bring your own nature journals or utensils, journaling however you’d like, or you can use the utensils and packet provided by us! After the program, the exhibit room and gift shop will be open until 2pm.
This program is for anyone 7 years or older. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Date: March 28th, 2026
Time: 9am to 11am
Where: The trails and pavilion (Dutcher Room if it’s too cold to sit outside)
Cost: $8 for non-members / $5 for Dahlem Center members
Cancellations: We have a 24-hour cancellation policy. No-shows will be charged the full amount.
What to Bring: Bring good walking shoes. The hike will be between 1/2 and 1 1/2 miles, depending on how far the group would like to go to search for inspiration. You can bring your own nature journal or use the packet we provide. We will have utensils to use, but I’m sure yours are better! Bring a jacket, just in case. The hike will obviously be out in the elements, but the nature journaling will take place under our pavilion.
