Join MBA 
  • Attractions
  • Entertainment, Recreation
400 S. Badour Rd.
Midland, MI 48640-8661
(989) 631-0830
Hours:
Visitor Center open 8-5 Mon-Sat and 12-5 Sun and select holidays. 19 miles of trails open daily.

  • About

    Chippewa Nature Center offers 1,500 acres for exploration, 19 miles of trails, Nature Preschool, Nature Day Camp, programs year-round, canoe/kayak launches, a free Visitor Center and more!

  • News

    Chippewa Nature Center to host Nature Art Show & Sale
    Release Date: December 02, 2025

    Jobs

    Nature Day Camp Counselor
    Category: Sports and Recreation
    Inspire children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, create a miniature homestead village in the woods or learn how to paddle on a river.  Job Summary: Join a team of creative, energetic professionals who work together to connect children with nature through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. CNC is in ...read more

    Contact

    info@chippewanaturecenter.org
    Phone:(989) 631-0830
    Nature Day Camp Adventure Trip Leader
    Category: Sports and Recreation
    Position Available:Nature Day Camp Adventure Trip LeaderStatus: Full time, seasonal Application Deadline: January 30, 2026   Inspire children’s love of the outdoors by leading adventure trips into Michigan’s wilderness, including backpacking the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, navigating the Big Manistee River by canoe and exploring the sand dunes of the Manitou Islands.  Job Summary: Join a ...read more

    Contact

    info@chippewanaturecenter.org
    Phone:(989) 631-0830
    Nature Day Camp Early Childhood Counselor
    Category: Sports and Recreation
    Position Available:Nature Day Camp Early Childhood CounselorStatus: Full time, Seasonal Application Deadline: January 30, 2026   Inspire young children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, climb on fallen logs in the woods or make-believe with mud pies all while playing in the great outdoors.  Job Summary: Join a team of ...read more

    Contact

    info@chippewanaturecenter.org
    Phone:(989) 631-0830
    Nature Day Camp Junior Counselor
    Category: Sports and Recreation
    Position Available:Nature Day Camp Junior CounselorStatus: Full time, SeasonalApplication Deadline: January 30, 2026   Inspire children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, create a miniature homestead village in the woods or learn how to paddle on a river.  Job Summary: Join a team of creative, energetic professionals who ...read more

    Contact

    info@chippewanaturecenter.org
    Phone:(989) 631-0830
    Nature Day Camp Volunteer Crew Leader
    Category: Sports and Recreation
    Position Available:Nature Day Camp Volunteer Crew LeaderStatus: Full time, SeasonalApplication Deadline: January 30, 2026   Inspire children to build a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world as you help them to catch frogs at the pond, create a miniature homestead village in the woods or learn how to paddle on a river.  Job Summary: Seeking crew leaders, ages 16 years and older, ...read more

    Contact

    info@chippewanaturecenter.org
    Phone:(989) 631-0830
    Seasonal Gardener
    Category: Environment
    Position Available:Seasonal Gardener Status: Part Time, SeasonalApplication deadline: Open until filled Join a team of passionate, professional naturalists who seek to help people make meaningful connections with the natural world. Through beautiful wildflowers, heirloom vegetables, and hands-on raised beds, the seasonal gardener will help connect people of all ages with nature through soil, ...read more

    Contact

    info@chippewanaturecenter.org
    Phone:(989) 631-0830
    Historical Interpreter Intern
    Category: Education
    Position Available:Historical Interpreter InternStatus: Part Time, SeasonalApplication deadline: Open until filled Join a staff of creative, energetic professionals who work together to help connect people with nature and history through educational, recreational and cultural experiences. Through historic farm tasks, demonstrations, and hands-on interpretation, the Historical Interpreter Intern ...read more

    Contact

    info@chippewanaturecenter.org
    Phone:(989) 631-0830

    Member Events

    Nature Art Show & Sale Member Presale

    Friday Dec 5, 2025
    CNC members are invited to the Nature Art Show & Sale Presale with live music and refreshments. ...read more

    Nature Art Show & Sale Public Welcome

    Saturday Dec 6, 2025
    Nature photography, painting and woodcarving are just a few of the many types of artwork that will be on display and for sale. ...read more

    A Homestead Holiday

    Sunday Dec 7, 2025
    The sound of sleigh bells and the scent of peppermint and warm spices will bring thoughts of the holidays to mind. ...read more

    Nature Play!

    Sunday Dec 7, 2025
    It’s time to play outdoors! ...read more

    Night Hike

    Tuesday Dec 9, 2025
    As winter nears, the landscape is changing. Join an Interpretive Naturalist for an evening on the trails enjoying the transition of the seasons. ...read more

    Nature Connections: Winter Solstice Plants

    Thursday Dec 11, 2025
    Embrace the opportunity to know various natural environments in a new way. Monthly programs focus on specific species of trees, shrubs, or flowers. ...read more

    Nature Story Hour

    Thursday Dec 18, 2025
    Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season. ...read more

    Winter Solstice Celebration

    Saturday Dec 20, 2025
    For centuries, people have gathered with family and friends to recognize the longest night of the year and to celebrate the return of longer days to come. ...read more

    Nature Play!

    Sunday Dec 21, 2025
    It’s time to play outdoors! ...read more

    Full Moon Stroll

    Saturday Jan 3, 2026
    Join an Interpretive Naturalist for a hike to enjoy this month’s full moon. Learn how the tradition of naming moons began and what makes each month special. ...read more

    Yoga with the Seasons - Register Today!

    Sunday Jan 4, 2026
    Join us for a monthly yoga session at CNC! Come and connect as we flow through poses synced with the season's rhythm. ...read more

    Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!

    Thursday Jan 8, 2026
    Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. ...read more

    Snowshoe Sampler

    Saturday Jan 10, 2026
    Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try (self-guided), do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. ...read more

    Winter Survival: Nature STEM Challenge!

    Sunday Jan 11, 2026
    STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) is a natural fit for the outdoors. You’ve heard of makerspace, now it’s time to visit NatureSpace! ...read more

    Nature Play!

    Sunday Jan 11, 2026
    It’s time to play outdoors! Come make some new friends as you enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Caregivers must remain with children during program. ...read more

    Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!

    Wednesday Jan 14, 2026
    Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. ...read more

    Nature Story Hour

    Thursday Jan 15, 2026
    Come discover the magic of nature through stories, hands-on activities and art with unique themes to match the season. ...read more

    Nature Connections: Birch Trees

    Thursday Jan 15, 2026
    Embrace the opportunity to know the forest in a new way by focusing on a different feature of the landscape each month. ...read more

    Nature Play!

    Sunday Jan 18, 2026
    It’s time to play outdoors! Come make some new friends as you enjoy an afternoon outdoors. Caregivers must remain with children during program. ...read more

    Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!

    Tuesday Jan 20, 2026
    Come discover the beauty of a winter night! We will look for signs of animals, study tree silhouettes and enjoy the winter sky. Bring a headlamp or flashlight. ...read more

    Eco Kids Club: Science of Snow

    Wednesday Jan 21, 2026
    Stop by the Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum for an afternoon of fun and activities all about nature! Each month we will explore different topics. ...read more

    A Quiet Winter’s Night: Campfire under the Stars

    Thursday Jan 22, 2026
    Crisp winter nights offer a perfect opportunity to watch the stars dance and listen for the calls of owls. Join us around a fire at the Homestead Farm. ...read more

    Buds, Bark and Branches: Winter Tree ID

    Saturday Jan 24, 2026
    Learn to identify trees in winter by their bark, branches and buds. ...read more

    Live Birds of Prey

    Saturday Jan 24, 2026
    Look deep into the eyes of a barred owl, learn about the mysterious sounds of the night and find out how an American kestrel guards its prey. ...read more

    Live Birds of Prey

    Saturday Jan 24, 2026
    Look deep into the eyes of a barred owl, learn about the mysterious sounds of the night and find out how an American kestrel guards its prey. ...read more

    Nature Book Club: The Invention of Nature

    Sunday Jan 25, 2026
    Join us for a book club chat and naturalist-led hike! January’s book is “The Invention of Nature: Alexander von Humboldt's New World” by Andrea Wulf. ...read more

    Snowshoe Sampler

    Sunday Jan 25, 2026
    Drop by any time to give CNC’s snowshoes a try (self-guided), do a winter scavenger hunt or warm up by a campfire. ...read more

    Family Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!

    Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
    Bring the whole family for an evening of exploration on snowshoes - no experience needed! We will search high and low for signs of animals as we explore. ...read more

    Searching for Snow! Winter Snowshoe Adventure - Register Today!

    Saturday Jan 31, 2026
    Using snowshoes, explore the winter wilderness of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula! Led by Camp Director Steve Frisbee and Adventure Trip Leader Emily Osborne. ...read more

  • Whom to Contact

    • Ms. Jenn Kirts
      Director of Programs
      Phone: (989) 631-0830
      Send an Email

  • Directions

    From downtown Midland, take Poseyville Rd to St Charles (name changes to Pine River). Follow ~3 miles, turn right at Badour Rd. From M20, take Homer to Prairie. From Freeland, take Ashby to Badour.