Dahlem

Betty's Spring Workbee 2024
2024-05-04 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Detroit) | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
It is the perfect time of the year to address any maintenance that is necessary for spring and summer. This year’s Betty’s Spring Work Bee is on Saturday May 4th, 2024 from 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Volunteers, please join us for a short meet and greet, then assignments are given out at the start of the day at 9:00 AM. After the work is done we will have a complimentary Thank You picnic lunch! The staff will provide a lite-lunch and refreshments for all volunteers participating this day!
** Please complete the form below so we know how many volunteers to anticipate and provide lunch for **

What will I be doing at the Workbee?
Assignments are given out at the start of the day at 9:00 AM. If you have an interest in something particular, let us know! Our goal is to utilize a volunteer’s individual strengths as much as possible. Here are some areas we plan to tackle:

Clear out invasive plants along the trails
Pulling invasive garlic mustard plants (easy to pull by hand)
Place wood chips on the Natural Playscape and other areas of need
Weeding around the buildings and flower gardens
Wash windows, bird feeders, and outdoor signage
Wash Maple Sugaring equipment

We welcome you to bring your own personal equipment such as rakes, shovels, garden shears, loppers, and other tools that would help assist the process.
Remember to; dress for the weather, bring your work gloves and a bottle of water!

Feel free to contact the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 0 should you have questions or concerns. Thank you kindly!

Dust to Dust: A Presentation and Conversation on Natural Burial
2024-05-15 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Dust to Dust: A Presentation and Conversation on Natural Burial
A community education event hosted by Tony Mayotte and Jeremiah Commons
When: Wednesday May 15, 6-7PM
Where: The Dahlem Conservancy (7117 S. Jackson Rd. Jackson, MI 49201)
What: Tony Mayotte will give a presentation on natural burial with Q&A and conversation to follow. Snacks and light refreshments provided.
Signing up is not necessary (feel free to just show up!) but taking 10 seconds to put your name and email in this registration form helps us plan for space and food!
Dahlem Talk Poster
Questions: info@jeremiahcommons.com

Summer Songs: An Outdoor Concert
2024-06-12 19:00 - 20:00 | MI
FREE Concert – No RSVP or tickets needed! – Bring your own chair or blanket!
Join the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Dahlem for a FREE outdoor concert performance!
Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and sit under the trees or out in the grass and listen to a selection of summer songs performed by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra string quartet.
The performance will be held outdoors at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center pavilion, 7117 South Jackson Road, at 7 p.m.
Please feel free to arrive early and enjoy a walk on the trails, play at the nature playscape, or stop by the exhibit room and gift shop.

*Note: Due to the concert being outdoors, if there is inclement weather the performance will be postponed to June 26. Please follow JSO and Dahlem on social media for performance updates.

Summer Songs: An Outdoor Concert - July 10
2024-07-10 19:00 - 20:30 | MI
Due to weather conditions, tonight’s concert has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon.
Stay safe and stay tuned!

FREE Concert – No RSVP or tickets needed! – Bring your own chair or blanket!
Join the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Dahlem for a FREE outdoor concert performance!

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and sit under the trees or out in the grass and listen to a selection of summer songs performed by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra brass quintet.

The performance will be held outdoors at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center pavilion, 7117 South Jackson Road, at 7 p.m.

Please feel free to arrive early and enjoy a walk on the trails, play at the nature playscape, or stop by the exhibit room and gift shop.

*Note: Due to the concert being outdoors, if there is inclement weather the performance will be postponed. Please follow JSO and Dahlem on social media for performance updates.

Harmony Gardeners; a free concert for all ages.
2024-07-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Cancelled due to the rain.
Join us for a fun-filled evening of music at the Dahlem Center’s pavilion! Intended for all ages – Family Friendly! Please bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blanket to enjoy an outdoor concert featuring The Harmony Gardeners. The event is completely free and open to the public, so be sure to invite your friends and neighbors. This is a wonderful concert for the entire family!
Come early to take a trail walk, let the kids explore the playscape, and/or visit the gift shop!

Birds, Blooms & Butterflies Festival
2024-08-10 09:00 - 15:00 | MI
Birds, Blooms & Butterflies Festival is Saturday, August 10, 2024, 9:00 am-3:00 pm

Presented by Michigan Automotive Compressor Inc. and Dawn Foods

This is a FREE community event thanks to the generous support of our sponsors!
The Dahlem Conservancy is excited to announce the 16th Annual Birds, Blooms, and Butterflies Festival this summer 2024. 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. Programs will be held in the large Dutcher Classroom

10:00-10:45 — Birds Blooms Butterflies: Invasive Species That Impact Them presentation by
Shikha Signh, JLW CISMA. Come learn about what pollinator species are and why they are important to the
ecosystem. We will also discuss some of the invasive species found in the area, and how they might negatively
impact our pollinator species.

11:00-12:00 — Live Birds of Prey presented by Michigan Avian Experience
Come see the American Bald Eagle!!

12:30-1:15 — Why We Need Pollinators and They Need Us presentation by Becky Green, Becky’s Birds
and Bees. Learn how pollinators help feed us all, and what we can do to protect them.

1:30-2:30 — Solar Energy presented by Ken Zebarah, Harvest Solar

Food Trucks — FFF Food Truck, Mexibillies, and Kona Ice
K105.3 Radio Station will be onsite during the morning hours
Welcome Tent – pick up a schedule and map
Visit the following booths and vendors;
Bee Quiet Honey – selling honey products and maple syrup
Dahlem’s Kids Activity Station
Golden Wings Photography – selling products
Jackson Audubon Society – caterpillars and butterflies exhibit
Jackson County Conservation District
Jackson County Master Gardeners – kids craft, Q/A
Jackson County Health Department
Jackson District Library
JLW CISMA – booth and presentation on invasive plant species
Kids ‘N’ Stuff – learn about mushrooms and kids craft
Lions Club Jackson Eyeopeners
MSUFCU – sponsor booth
Michigan Bluebird Society – education, selling items
Michigan DNR
Nature Discovery – LIVE ANIMALS booth
Sponsor Table – pick up information from our sponsors
The Perennial Connection LLC – plant sales
Upper Grand River Watershed Alliance
Williamson’s Water and Woods
Windy Rock Farm & Nursery – plant sales

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, parking lot attendants, take down at the end of the day, and etc.

THANK YOU to Our Event Sponsors for Your Support!

Sponsorship levels are available! Please contact Kelly Lagow, Development Specialist for details.

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Is your business or organization interested in joining the festivities? Registration for a booth space is CLOSED. Thank you

Aug. 12 - Harmony Gardeners; a free concert for all ages.
2024-08-12 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Join us for a fun-filled evening of music at the Dahlem Center’s pavilion! Intended for all ages – Family Friendly!
Please bring your own lawn chairs or picnic blanket to enjoy an outdoor concert featuring The Harmony Gardeners.
This is a wonderful free concert for the entire family!
Come early to take a trail walk, let the kids explore the playscape, and/or visit the gift shop!

Summer Songs: An Outdoor Concert - August 21
2024-08-21 19:00 - 20:00 | MI
FREE Concert – No RSVP or tickets needed! – Bring your own chair or blanket!
Join the Jackson Symphony Orchestra and Dahlem for a FREE outdoor concert performance!

Bring your own lawn chair or blanket and sit under the trees or out in the grass and listen to a selection of summer songs performed by the Jackson Symphony Orchestra brass quintet.

The performance will be held outdoors at the Dahlem Environmental Education Center pavilion, 7117 South Jackson Road, at 7 p.m.

Please feel free to arrive early and enjoy a walk on the trails, play at the nature playscape, or stop by the exhibit room and gift shop.

*Due to the concert being outdoors, please follow JSO and Dahlem on social media for performance updates if there is inclement weather.

How to Make a Butterfly Garden
2024-08-28 19:00 - 20:00 | MI
John Blair will bring you along on this journey to create magnificent pollinator gardens on his rural property in Brooklyn, Michigan. He will also share all of the important design elements needed for you to create your own successful butterfly garden including plant selection, use of native plants, preparation and selection of your site and various other important steps that will bring butterflies and other pollinators to your garden!
Biography
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. 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. 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
which he is using to make even more butterfly and pollinator gardens as well as restoring large tracts of land to original prairie with native plants. John enjoys giving his inspirational talks to help others get started with their own butterfly gardens and creating more habitat for pollinators. In addition, John gives educational garden and prairie tours each summer and hosted over 500 visitors from sixteen different clubs and organizations last year!
John’s garden has appeared in Fine Gardening magazine, Michigan Gardener, the Detroit Free Press and the Garden Answer YouTube channel. John has also authored articles on butterfly gardening for Michigan Gardener magazine. Over the last twelve years, John has given his “How to Make a Butterfly Garden” and Prairie Restoration 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.

Invasive Species Impacts and New Invasive Species
2024-09-05 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Invasive Species Impacts and New Species to be On the Lookout For – with Shikha Singh
Join us to discuss the negative impacts related to invasive species, learn about some species to keep an eye out for, and steps to prevent their spread to new areas.
Shikha Singh is the coordinator for the JLW CISMA (Jackson Lenawee Washtenaw Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area). She has a BSc. in Biology from University of Western Ontario, and her master’s and PhD at Michigan State University from the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife. She has been working on Great Lakes environmental issues for the 19+ years in the fields of water conservation and invasion biology. She works to assist residents and partners in identifying invasive species, providing management information, and how to prevent their spread to new areas. She also gives talks on strategies to increase accessibility and participation related to natural resources outreach and education. Outside of work, Shikha also enjoys nature photography, cooking and playing soccer.
Presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd.
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Get a discount if you register for all five programs in the series – $20 total per adult for all five programs! Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Lecture Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

The Ins and Outs of Recycling
2024-09-11 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
The Ins and Outs of Recycling – with Steve Nobel
Recycling is an important step in reducing waste that goes to landfills and protecting our environment. Join us to learn about what happens to your recycling and some of the quirks of recycling. Find out what those chasing arrows mean and the new recycling symbol system. You’ll also find out what you need to know about recycling batteries!
Steve Noble is a Jackson County resident and operates Recycling Jackson. He is employed by the state of Michigan and is a recycling specialist focusing on electronics and battery recycling. Recycling Jackson is a small non-profit organization that focuses on recycling hard to recycle items such as bulbs, batteries, electronics, Styrofoam, paint and standard recyclables.
Presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd.
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Get a discount if you register for all five programs in the series – $20 total per adult for all five programs! Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Lecture Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

Gardening for Pollinators
2024-09-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Gardening for Pollinators – with Vince Ste. Marie
Gardening for Pollinators – What are the alterNATIVES? Preferential planting of native plants to support local pollinators and ecosystems has been heavily promoted. Is it all hype or is there compelling evidence that native butterflies, bees, and birds prefer, and benefit more, from native versus non-native landscape plants? Inspired in part by Doug Tallamy’s Bringing Nature Home, this presentation will set forth in an easy-to-understand manner, multiple lines of published scientific evidence documenting the significant impact our landscape choices have on local ecosystem health, especially on butterfly and bird populations.
Vince Ste. Marie and his family own Windy Rock Farm and Nursery in Manchester, MI, and were chemical-free beekeepers for ten years. In 2016 they opened an on-farm retail specialty nursery offering primarily Michigan native flowering trees, flowering shrubs, and perennial wildflowers of benefit to pollinators. They are open to the public, helping homeowners and small-scale landscapers readily access native plants for pollinator gardens, rain gardens, and other small-scale native landscape projects. They have hosted numerous Michigan Master Gardener and Michigan Garden Club meetings, field trips, tours, and educational days at their farm-nursery. Vince has been an invited speaker on pollinators and pollinator gardening at many gardening and beekeeping related conferences, club meetings, and community educational events.
Presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd.
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Get a discount if you register for all five programs in the series – $20 total per adult for all five programs! Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Lecture Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

Urban Landscaping with Natives
2024-10-02 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Urban Landscaping with Natives – with Vern Stephens
Join Vern Stephens, of Designs by Nature, to learn more about how you can use native plants in your urban landscaping projects.
Designs By Nature is a greenhouse in Laingsburg Michigan that grows only native plants of Michigan Genotypes.
Presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd.
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Get a discount if you register for all five programs in the series – $20 total per adult for all five programs! Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Lecture Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

Night Hike - October 3rd
2024-10-03 18:30 - 20:30 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Night hikes are pretty common for stargazing, but what if it’s a cloudy night? Don’t worry — there’s plenty to do in any kind of weather — as long as it’s dark! Let’s explore and use our night senses as the world around us awakens for night life. Who might we hear rustling nearby and calling out in the eerie silent night in the distance? Do you have night vision, what color is that, and why do pirates wear eye patches?

Registration is required, and is limited to 25 participants. Please dress for the weather, bring a small flashlight to carry in your pocket, and be ready to walk a couple miles. Recommended for ages 12 and up. In the event of a rainy day, tickets will be applied to a rescheduled date.

Date: October 3, 2024
Time: 6:30 pm
Price: Free for Dahlem Members, $5 for non-member person, and $12 non-Member Family
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.

Registration Required due to limited space

Betty's Fall Workbee for Dahlem - Oct. 5, 2024
2024-10-05 09:00 - 13:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Betty Dahlem Desbiens is an ever faithful supporter of the John and Mary Dahlem Environmental Education Center, named for her parents. In honor of Betty’s dedication to Dahlem please join us at our fall workbee! It is the perfect time of the year to address any maintenance that is necessary after a busy summer.
Betty’s Fall Workbee for Dahlem will be held Saturday, October 5th, 2024 from 9 AM – 1 PM
Volunteers please arrive at 8:50 AM to sign in. Assignments are given out at the start of the day at 9:00 AM. After the work is done we will provide a lite lunch for all volunteers participating on this day. Thank you for lending a helping hand!
** Please complete the form below so we know how many volunteers to anticipate and provide lunch for **

What will I be doing at Betty’s Workbee?
Assignments are given out at the start of the day at 9:00 AM. If you have an interest in something particular, let us know! Our goal is to utilize a volunteer’s individual strengths as much as possible. Here are some areas we plan to tackle:

Clear out invasive plants in designated light-workout stations along the Nature For All Trail
Remove invasive plants… many areas throughout the arboretum
Place woodchips on the Natural Playscape
Weeding around the buildings
Put the gardens to bed for the winter
Wash windows and indoor walls (hallway and restrooms)
Wash bird feeders

We welcome you to bring your own personal equipment such as rakes, garden shears, shovels, and other tools that would help assist the process. Friendly reminder; to dress for the weather, bring your work gloves and a full bottle of water! Most participants will be working outdoors. THANK YOU for your consideration and support for Jackson’s Nature Place.
Feel free to contact the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 0 should you have questions or concerns. Thank you!

Journey into Michigan's Old Growth Forests
2024-10-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Journey into Michigan’s Old Growth Forests: How to discover, embrace, and preserve them – with Leona Addie
Leona Addie works as the Great Lakes Regional Manager for the Old-Growth Forest Network, a national nonprofit focused on protecting, celebrating and sharing experiences in our nation’s oldest forests. For this presentation, we’ll learn to identify features of old-growth forests, where to find them, discuss their importance to the community and water, and how to help protect them.
Presentation begins at 6 p.m. at the Dahlem Center, 7117 South Jackson Rd.
Reserve your seat – Registration fee: $5 per adult. Get a discount if you register for all five programs in the series – $20 total per adult for all five programs! Registration form below.
This adult program is part of the Conservation Lecture Series presented by Jackson Conservation District and Dahlem Conservancy.

Volunteer to Carve Pumpkins
2024-10-24 10:00 - 2024-10-25 15:00 | MI
Volunteers are needed to help carve about 230 beautiful pumpkins to line the Goblin Walks event trail route. Pumpkins are generously donated and some purchased at a discounted price. Please bring your carving tools and creativity.
Your Choice is to; 1) gut pumpkins, 2) carve pre-gutted pumpkins, or 3) do the whole job from start to finish. 4) We are also requesting help placing carved pumpkins along the Goblin Walks trail route. Every volunteer is valuable and every job is important to complete!
Pumpkin seeds are available to take home. Bring your own zip-loc bag or container.
Depending on the weather, carving pumpkins will be in the Dutcher classroom or outside. Most likely, we will be indoors.
Please register to let us know to save a seat for you on Oct 24 and/or Oct 25 and approx. time you plan to be at Dahlem. This helps us with set up plans to best accommodate everyone attending. The sessions are open to come and go to fit your schedule.
Thank you, Volunteers!!
We greatly appreciate your generous community support!!

Goblin Walks 2024
2024-10-25 18:00 - 2024-10-26 21:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
Two Nights
October 25, Friday 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
October 26, Saturday 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Fee per person: $9/member, $12/non-member (free for infants)
Pre-Registration required to attend our annual Goblin Walks event. Every 15 minutes a group of twenty five people head down the trail to enjoy an evening autumn color tour, a 1/2 mile trail walk meeting larger than life critters performing entertaining educational skits. The program is about one hour in length. Photo opportunities, refreshments (cider & donuts!), and visit the gift shop. Feel free to dress in costume and be ready for the weather! The event operates rain or shine. It’s great fun for the whole family!! This event does not handout candy.
REGISTRATION REQUIRED for Dahlem members and non-members, so don’t wait – choice slots fill fast. Please arrive 10 minutes before your tour walk to allow time to sign in.
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.
Thank You to our generous event sponsors

Registration begins in early September!

Join our Boo Crew – Volunteers Make it Happen and We Need Your Assistance!
Volunteer opportunities for this great event are available. To volunteer, contact Carrie at 517-782-3453 ext. 106 or email cbenham@dahlemcenter.org.

Cast members are needed for the fun skits on Oct. 25 evening and Oct. 26 evening. We have the skits and costumes. Give it a try! It’s so much fun, you’ll be glad you joined the cast.
Oct 24 Thursday 9:00am-3:00pm — set up the pavilion and other areas, and decorate trails
Oct 24 Thursday 10:00am-3:00pm — pumpkin carving. We supply the pumpkins, you provide the creativity. Please register online for event Volunteer to Carve Pumpkins
Oct 25 Friday 10:00am-3:00pm — pumpkin carving, place carved pumpkins on the trail route. Please register online for event Volunteer to Carve Pumpkins
Oct 25 and/or Oct 26 (pick a day for a 3-hour commitment) — parking lot attendant, registration table, greeter, bonfire, floater
Oct 25 and/or Oct 26 (pick a day for a 2-hour commitment) — Costumed Trail Guide

Incredible Animals: The Birds - Nov. 10
2024-11-10 14:00 - 15:30 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
This program was previously scheduled for Sept. 28 and has been rescheduled for Nov. 10.
Incredible Animals: The Birds
Are you ready to experience birds in action and learn more about these incredible animals? During this interactive program, you will have the unique opportunity to meet and interact with live birds!
Join us Sunday, November 10 at 2 p.m. to get an intimate look at the world of birds!
Dr. Craig Perdue will share insights into how and why birds behave in ways unique to them. The birds are trained but will be presented with a brand new setting – join us to see what they will do! This program will showcase the diversity of nature of birds – both between types of birds on their family tree and among individuals of the same species. Throughout the course of the program, participants will have the opportunity to see four different birds! The program is highly interactive and we hope you will join us and be inspired to preserve wild birds and their habitats!
Learn more about Dr. Perdue and his work at https://shadowspeak.org/
The program will be from 2 – 3:30 p.m. and is for ages 7 years and older.
Seating is limited, please register to reserve your spot!
Advanced registration is required: $6 for members, $8 for nonmembers; Member Family $20, non-member family $25 (family resides in the same household).
Complete the registration form below or call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 0 to sign up and pay for 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.

Explore the Night - Nov. 14, 2024
2024-11-14 18:00 - 20:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
The event is a ‘go’ tonight. It is not raining at Dahlem. Please dress for the weather.
Night hikes are pretty common for stargazing, but what if it’s a cloudy night? Don’t worry — there’s plenty to do in any kind of weather — as long as it’s dark! Let’s explore and use our night senses as the world around us awakens for night life. Who might we hear rustling nearby and calling out in the eerie silent night in the distance? Do you have night vision, what color is that, did you smell something, and the cool air refreshes our cheeks.
All participants are required to register in advance, and space is limited to 25 participants. Please dress for the weather, bring a small flashlight to carry in your pocket, and be ready to walk a couple 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 14, 2024 Thursday

Time: 6:00 pm
Price: Free for Members, $5 for Non-member, and $12 Non-Member Family
Maximum 25 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.

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration
2024-11-22 15:00 - 17:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
We are excited to invite you to Dahlem’s Volunteer Celebration on November 22nd from 3:00-5:00 PM. We would like to thank you for your incredible efforts and dedication throughout the year. Please drop in for an afternoon of great company and a sweet treat as we celebrate everything you’ve helped us achieve!
Please let us know if you can attend by emailing Kelly at klagow@dahlemcenter.org or calling 517-782-3453, ext. 104.
We hope to see you there!
Warm regards,
The Dahlem Team

Mighty Naturalist Program; How Animals Survive Winter
2024-12-13 09:30 - 10:45 | MI
How Animals Survive Winter Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: What are some actions nature takes and why to survive winter? After story time, we’ll explore and learn about hibernation, migration and adaptation. Monarchs fly to Mexico, Groundhog goes to bed, and Weasel changes his wardrobe! Find out how other animals cope with winter’s worst weather. We will spend a short time outdoors seeking clues before heading 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

Meteor Shower Night Hike - Dec. 13, 2024
2024-12-13 20:30 - 22:30 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
*This event is now SOLD OUT!*
Join fellow stargazers and night explorers for an evening trek to witness one of nature’s most spectacular light shows!
We’ll start with a brief presentation about meteor showers, then hike through the forest to a pristine prairie viewing spot where we can watch the Geminid meteor shower away from city lights. Even if clouds obscure the meteors, discover the fascinating adaptations of your night vision and experience the rich sensory landscape that emerges after sunset.
All participants are required to register in advance, and space is limited to 25 participants. Please dress for the weather, bring a small flashlight to carry in your pocket, and be ready to walk a couple miles. Recommended for ages 16 and up.
Meteor shower viewing is very weather-dependent. In the event of cloudy skies, we will still enjoy a winter night hike. If we must cancel due to inclement weather, tickets will be applied to a rescheduled evening.

Date: December 13, 2024 – Friday

Time: 8:30 pm
Price: Free for Members, $5 for Non-member, and $12 Non-Member Family
Maximum 25 people. – SOLD OUT
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; The Busy Tree House
2024-12-20 09:30 - 10:45 | MI
The Busy Tree House Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: Nature is full of hidden clues about the animals that live there. You may not know where to look or what to look for but animal clues are everywhere. You’ll learn how to spot and identify common clues that animals live in or near forest trees. We’ll read a story, see an assortment of animal furs and homes, go on a short outdoor adventure, and then 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; Nature's Textures Art Class
2025-01-03 09:30 - 10:45 | MI
Nature’s Textures Art Class Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: The morning starts with a story about textures and seeing-feeling different items followed by a short hike to collect natural items to use back in the classroom for experimenting with paints and crayons to discover the simple and fascinating designs. This class offers time for creativity and exploration. Plan to use paint, crayons, and help clean up messes.
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.
Class limit: maximum 20 children
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 Sleepy Owl
2025-01-10 09:30 - 10:45 | MI
The Sleepy Owl Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: Mysterious and beautiful, owls can be found all over the world but their silent flight and low population mean that spotting one is extra special. After story time and discussion about owls, learn some of their calls, take a short walk in the forest looking for homey tree holes, then we’ll head indoors for a fun owl 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

Owl Prowl Program & Night Hike - January 10, 2025
2025-01-10 18:00 - 20:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
The January 10th Owl Prowl event is FULL. There is another Owl Prowl scheduled for January 24th, there are still openings for that date.
Owl Prowl Night Hike will start at 6:00 pm Friday, January 10th 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 9th.
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.

Mighty Naturalist Program; Turtle Mania (meet live turtles!)
2025-01-17 09:30 - 10:45 | MI
Turtle Mania (meet live turtles!) Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
SOLD OUT. If you would like to be placed on the Wait List, please call the office at 517-782-3453 ext. 101. Thank you
Program Description: Have you ever wondered about turtles? How many kinds there are, why they have shells, where they live and what they eat? Let’s find out together as we meet our live turtles! Afterwards, make ‘n take a turtle 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.

Register Online

Mighty Naturalist Program; Animal Feet and Tracks
2025-01-24 09:30 - 10:45 | MI
Animal Feet and Tracks Program is for ages 1-5 years old attending with an adult caregiver.
Program Description: How animals make tracks can tell us what they are, what they’re doing and where they’re headed. We’ll start the morning reading a story, then go on a hunt to see where animal tracks take us; across a trail and up a tree, along the stream, or maybe to a protected home hidden under trees? Indoors we will use rubber tracks to create our own tracks and stories.
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 24, 2025
2025-01-24 18:00 - 20:00 | Dahlem, Jackson’s Nature Place, 7117 S. Jackson Rd., Jackson, MI, 49201, United States
THIS EVENT IS FULL. PLEASE CALL OR EMAIL TO BE PUT ON THE WAITING LIST IN CASE OF CANCELLATIONS (517-782-3453 ext. 101 or dbigham@dahlemcenter.org)
POSTPONED to January 31st, Friday 6 pm. A notice was sent vias email regarding the change in date to everyone who preregistered. Our apologies for any inconvenience. We look forward to seeing you on the 31st January.
Owl Prowl Night Hike will start at 6:00 pm Friday, January 24th 31st 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 23rd.
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.
