The County Press

Change is happening this spring at Seven Ponds Nature Center


Birds like the Eastern towhee can be seen and heard during spring on the grounds of the sprawling Seven Ponds Nature Center in Dryden Township. Right, on Herp Day (April 20) a salamander count will be conducted at Jonathan Woods where bluespotted salamanders can be found.

Birds like the Eastern towhee can be seen and heard during spring on the grounds of the sprawling Seven Ponds Nature Center in Dryden Township. Right, on Herp Day (April 20) a salamander count will be conducted at Jonathan Woods where bluespotted salamanders can be found.

DRYDEN — Spring is in the air, and with it comes many changes at Seven Ponds Nature Center, 3854 Crawford Rd., in Dryden Township.

The snow has melted, the ice is off the ponds, skunk cabbage is blooming, bluebirds are singing, Sandhill cranes are bellowing out their rattle calls, chorus frogs are…chorusing. Naturalists have already even seen butterflies, garter snakes and painted turtles.

Change is also taking place at Seven Ponds in terms of how the center does business. A completely new website is in the works, which will allow members and participants to renew their memberships online, to register for programs and events online, and to make donations online. No longer will people have to call the nature center during its open hours to register for a program. No longer will people have to write a check and mail an envelope to renew their membership.

Programs and activities

 

 

The fee for most of the following programs is the regular admission fee ($ 3 for adults, no charge for children 12 and under, no charge for members), unless otherwise noted. Additional information can be found on the nature center’s website, www.sevenponds.org.

For more information, call 810-796-3200.

• Morning Paddle at the Ponds: Saturday, April 6 at 8 a.m.

Early morning is one of the best times to view wildlife on the lakes. Dress for the weather. Fee: $5 per person ($3 for members). Minimum: 5 years old to ride, 10 years old to paddle. Call center to register.

• Self-Care in Nature Series: Homemade Body Care is Saturday, April 6 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Join Jan Burns, member of Seven Ponds’ The Friends of Herbs, as she teaches us how to use herbs to make your own body care products. Recipes will be provided, along with a handout of the subjects covered in class. She will also demonstrate how to make lip balm. Fee: $15 per person ($13 per member). Everyone will take home a tube of lip balm. Class is limited to 20 participants. Call ahead to register.

• Self-Care in Nature Series: Soap Making for Beginners will be on Saturday, April 13 from 1-4 p.m.

In this class, participants will learn how to create homemade natural soaps from scratch, using traditional oil blends and a lye solution. All supplies will be furnished. Participants will leave the class with their own soap making kit, along with the knowledge of how to make soap easily and safely at home. Fee: $55 ($50 for members). Class is limited to 10 participants. Pre-register by April 3.

• Walking in Spring: Sunday, April 15 at 3 p.m.

What does an awakened Earth hold? Join a Naturalist on an interpretive walk around the ponds.

• Herp Day: Saturday, April 20 will celebrate Michigan’s reptiles and amphibians. A live reptile and amphibian presentation will be at 1 p.m.

A Salamander Count will be conducted at Jonathan Woods at 3 p.m., while a singing frog and toad survey will be taken at 5 p.m.

• Land Stewardship Help Day: Sunday, April 21 at 2 p.m.

Come help volunteers manage Seven Ponds property as they control non-native invasive plants. Every little bit helps to stop the spread of these invaders. This is also a great opportunity for master gardener hours or for community service. Bring gloves and a water bottle. There will be treats when work is done.

• Yoga at the Ponds: Wednesday, April 3-April 24, 6-7 p.m.

The “Peaceful Moon” series is designed for newcomers and beginning yoga students and/ or those who wish to become re-acquainted with the practice. Drop-in fee is $10; call the center at 810-796-3200 to register.