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!

  • 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
    Invasive Exotic Plant Control Crew - Summer 2026
    Category: Environment
    Position Available:Summer 2026Invasive Exotic Plant Control CrewStatus: Full time, temporary (seasonal)Application deadline: February 22 or open until filled Help with ecosystem restoration by removing invasive exotic plants so that a diversity of native species once again thrive.  Duties and Responsibilities:Control non-native plant species using physical and chemical means, with the goal of ...read more

    Contact

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

    Member Events

    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

    Snakes Alive! Discovering the Wonders of Snakes

    Saturday Feb 7, 2026
    Join CNC staff for this indoor live snake program. All are invited to get as close a look at the snakes as you feel comfortable! ...read more

    Family Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!

    Friday Feb 20, 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

    In Search of Snowy Owls - Register Today!

    Saturday Feb 21, 2026
    Join CNC staff as we look for Snowy Owls, Rough-legged Hawks, Horned Larks, Snow Buntings, and other wintering birds in Michigan's thumb. ...read more

    Nature Book Club: The Secret World of Weather

    Sunday Feb 22, 2026
    Join us for a book club chat and naturalist-led hike! February’s book is “The Secret World of Weather” by Tristan Gooley. Meet at the Visitor Center. ...read more

    Nature Play!

    Sunday Feb 22, 2026
    It’s time to play outdoors! ...read more

    Evening Snowshoe Hike - Register Today!

    Friday Feb 27, 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 Feb 28, 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

  • 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.