Winter is a great time to look for animal tracks! Start inside where we’ll see some furs and bones that represent the animals who live at the park.  Then we’ll head out on a winter hike where we will look for signs of these animals.  In honor of the day, we’ll even talk about groundhogs! Dress for the weather, rain or shine. All ages. Please preregister, (248) 625-7280.

Mammals are remarkable!  Enjoy a presentation and hands-on study of the five vertebrate families, including skins and skulls of each. Bring a white or light-colored t-shirt to make an animal track stamp T-shirt. Then go on an outdoor trail hike to search for signs of animals in different habitats. Dress for the weather, rain or shine.  Please preregister, (248) 625-7280.

In these chilly winter months, everyone needs some pampering!  Enjoy a relaxing afternoon making some of our favorite spa essentials like bath bombs, hand scrub and lip balm, as well as exploring the science behind each of them.  Ages 9 and up. Please preregister, (248) 625-7280.

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the trees and grasses?  Why, minerals of course! But where do minerals come from, and how do they become the building blocks for the hills and valleys that span the country?  We will start indoors to see minerals firsthand and learn about where they are formed, then we’ll explore how landforms are created.  We’ll finish the day with a short hike to look for some of these landforms that can be spotted in Indian Spring Metropark.  Dress for the weather. All ages. Please preregister, (248) 625-7280.

March is Maple Sugaring month! This program gives interested families a chance to learn even more about maple trees and how their sap is turned into food products for people.  Investigate what causes the sap to run in the trees during an interactive presentation, and the tools people use to collect the sap.  You’ll learn what a spile is and make one of your own!  We’ll also make decorative colorful maple leaves to take home. And be sure to buy some real maple syrup before you leave. All ages. Please preregister, (248) 625-7280.

It’s the authentic tree-to-table, “1950’s backyard-style” maple sugaring experience! This tour takes place during the week, specifically for families who home school. Learn about the maple resources in our area and the history of their use.  Then take a guided walk through our Maple-Beech forest, a.k.a. the “Sugar Bush”, to learn how to identify a maple tree in the winter, see one tapped, taste the sap if it’s flowing, and watch the liquid as it boils down.  Complete your tour with a sample of French toast sticks and real maple syrup around the fireplace when you return to the building. Don’t leave without buying a bottle of Michigan maple syrup. Dress for the weather. All ages. Please preregister, (248) 625-7280.

Come experience everyone’s favorite sticky sweet treat from the trees in a way like no place else.  Maple sugaring is everywhere in Michigan in March.  But at the Environmental Discovery Center we explore the science and technology of this breakfast staple with fun hands-on experiments and demonstrations. Witness a demonstration of how the water moves from the “ground floor” to the top of a mature maple.  Explore the science behind sugar solutions like syrup, watch a viscosity race, test your sweet tooth on different kinds of sugar, and find out what the water cycle and surface tension have to do with your pancakes. Once you’ve enjoyed the experiments, take a journey out to the woods to see the tapped maples and the sugar making in progress.  Be sure to purchase some Michigan maple syrup before you go! Dress for the weather. Trails may be muddy or icy, boots are recommended. This will be an open house style event, enjoy all activities at your own pace. All ages. Please preregister, (248) 625-7280.