Lake Erie Metropark

The Marshlands Museum has over two thousand items in its collection.  Guided by an interpreter, this program gives visitors a chance to investigate in detail some of the rarely seen items from the backroom.  If you have ever wondered what we have, now is your chance! Please pre-register, (734) 379-5020.

Donuts, coffee and a nature walk.  What a great way to start your weekend! Join us! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Take a leisurely walk along the boardwalks overlooking our marshes as we search for critters scaly, slimy, furred and feathered. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Enjoy this fun program while discovering what makes the Red-winged Blackbird such a welcomed sight (and sound) each spring. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020. Time: 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Take a look back over 12,000 years and learn about Mega Fauna of the Pleistocene Era. Join us to explore several species native to Michigan during the last ice age, whose decedents can still be seen to this day. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

We will be focusing on our furry friends that call the marshes around Lake Erie Metropark, “home.” From the sneaky weasels to the magnificent muskrat, discover the world of mammals in the marsh. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Stop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and learn about owls, owl pellets, and get your very own owl pellet dissection kit. Our staff will help you work through the pellet to discover what the owl had for lunch, and we will attempt to put the skeleton of the animal back together.

Looking for signs of spring? Let’s hit the trail together and see what clues we can discover that prove spring has sprung. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Step inside nature’s arena and get an in depth look at the adaptations that make animals well suited for survival. We’ll explore how these traits combined with skill make them fierce competitors. Join us as we discover nature’s warriors! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Don’t let your camera scare you – take it off automatic and make a picture, don’t just take a picture.  Join us as we investigate photography basics including aperture, shutter speed and some easy composition strategies.  Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Donuts, coffee and a nature walk.  What a great way to start your weekend! Join us! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Bog-sucker and Timberdoodle are just some of the names that refer to the quirky little bird known as the American Woodcock. Join us for a quick indoor overview of the Woodcock, followed by a trip outdoors to witness the calls and dance of the male. Wear waterproof shoes…they are called “bog-suckers” after all. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Join U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) Fish Biologist, Justin Chiotti, for an in-depth look at what the USFWS is doing in the Lake St. Clair - Detroit River corridor in an attempt to restore the Lake Sturgeon to its former numbers. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

New to birding? We’ll help get you started by going over tips and tricks for using binoculars and identifying birds outside. Then let’s hit the trail for some birding! Bringing your own binoculars is encouraged, but we have a few if needed. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Have you ever been a victim of an animal who: dug up your yard, smelled up your house, or went through your trash? While all these things are annoying, each and every pesky critter has its place in our ecosystem. Join us to learn what makes these annoying animals so important to you. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020. Time: 10 a.m. & 2 p.m.

Donuts, coffee and a nature walk.  What a great way to start your weekend! Join us! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Join us as we talk about common neighborhood birds and how to attract them to your yard! We’ll also go for walk to observe and identify them on the trails. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

What mother doesn't love flowers? Treat your mom to a guided hike at Lake Erie Metropark as we learn the stories, myths and strange facts behind some of our most beautiful spring wildflowers. This program is free for moms! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

There are a lot of frogs out there and it’s time to get to know them – really know them. Join us for a fun and educational look at the creatures of “frogdom” including identification, calling, tadpoles, and an outdoor frog “hunt.” Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Everybody loves a photo contest so now is your chance to show your stuff. Winners will have their images hung in the observation room. After the judging, we’ll investigate some photographic strategies.   For details on how to participate in the contest, contact the Marshlands Museum. Everybody is welcome, even if you didn’t submit anything. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Wildflowers aren’t just for show. Sure, they look good, but there is more to them than meets the eye.  Join us as we take a closer look at some of nature’s gems and discover some of the ways they make our lives better. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Stop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and learn about owls, owl pellets, and get your very own owl pellet dissection kit. Our staff will help you work through the pellet to discover what the owl had for lunch, and we will attempt to put the skeleton of the animal back together.

Donuts, coffee and a nature walk.  What a great way to start your weekend! Join us! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Get an up-close look at some of our local frogs, toads, snakes and turtles. Learn what makes them so unique and where these critters might be hiding in the marsh. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

A lot of nature’s creatures have been given a bad reputation but they’re not as bad as they seem! Many of them are beneficial to both the environment and humans. Join us as we reveal the redeeming qualities of the creatures we love to hate. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Fun for the whole family, this program consists of a short hike to gather our “paintbrushes.” You don’t always need a trip to the store to make great art. Join us as we explore how to make simple yet fun paintings, with natural elements sourced from Lake Erie Metropark nature trails. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

The “Stars and Bars” is not the only flag that has flown over southeast Michigan.  Join us as we take a deeper look at Old Glory and investigate other flags that have flown over our region.  Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Animal kingdom dads don’t all have the same jobs.  Join us as we honor nature’s fathers and investigate their lifestyles. Just who might earn that title of Father of the Year?  Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Experience nature in a whole new way by journaling the things you see, hear and experience. We will be hitting the trail for some immersive experiences; while discovering fun, new ways of recording our memories. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Take a leisurely walk along the boardwalks overlooking our marshes as we search for critters scaly, slimy, furred, and feathered. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Hundreds of plants and animals call Lake Erie Metropark home. Did you know that, for some, this park is one of the few places in the state of Michigan it can found? Join us as we explore the life histories of these often and not-often seen plants and animals. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

The Marshlands Museum has over two thousand items in its collection.  Guided by an interpreter, this program series gives visitors a chance to investigate in detail some of the rarely seen items from the backroom.  If you have ever wondered what we have, now is your chance to find out! Please pre-register, (734) 379-5020.

Learn how to identify native Michigan tree species, how they grow and their different physical aspects. Join us to better understand how all trees have their place in our ecosystem. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Donuts, coffee and a nature walk.  What a great way to start your weekend! Join us! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

They eat mosquitoes, fly better than helicopters, and even migrate for the winter. Welcome to the world of dragonflies!  Join us for a closer look at these fascinating insects. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Stop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and learn about owls, owl pellets, and get your very own owl pellet dissection kit. Our staff will help you work through the pellet to discover what the owl had for lunch, and we will attempt to put the skeleton of the animal back together.

Kick-off the B.A.M Festival with the MICRO-Marathon. A .262 mile (that’s a little over a ¼ mile) walk/run. All participants that register before June 15th will receive a MICRO-Marathon t-shirt; and all participants 21 years and older are eligible for a special post-race prize. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020

Join us for our second annual B.A.M. Festival celebrating the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. Check out vehicles from the Prohibition Era (1920’s and 30’s), enjoy local food trucks, and those 21 and older can visit the beer tasting tent featuring Michigan craft beers. This year, we are also adding a classic car show as well!

Detectives needed! Put your identification skills to the test and help us investigate different sites along the trails in the park. We’ll look for clues and gather evidence to determine what animal was present at each site! Join us as we identify our findings during this fun-filled, forensic program! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

These often misunderstood and overlooked creatures are some of the most unique and beautiful around. Join us as we learn a bit about them, then we will set up some lights and bait and see who pays us a visit! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Some of the most iconic moments in world history have been documented in photographs.  Join us as we study some of those incredible images in more detail.  Why are they so powerful? How did they do it?  Everybody is welcome.  Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

The American Lotus is one of the rarest flowers in the state of Michigan but you wouldn’t know by visiting the shorelines of Lake Erie Metropark! We’ll take a short walk to the shoreline where we’ll investigate the biology and history of this wonderful flower. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Donuts, coffee and a nature walk.  What a great way to start your weekend! Join us! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

Let’s take a short hike out to our modified tallgrass prairie to discover plants like Big Bluestem, Tall Coreopsis and more. Learn what makes prairie plants so unique, how fire plays an important role in keeping it healthy, and the history of prairies in southeast Michigan. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

The War of 1812 is one of America’s lesser known conflicts.  However, its impact on global history is tremendous.  Join us as we look at the who, how, and investigate why we care. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

It’s a rodent, it’s a bird, IT’S A BAT! Learn what makes bats special and understand misconceptions surrounding these creatures of the night. Join us for a program and guided hike, as we explore and try to observe one of Michigan’s most interesting animals. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

From their life on the leaf of a Milkweed, to their nearly 3,000-mile migration to Mexico, we will investigate the awesome life cycle of the beautiful Monarch butterfly. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Escape the dog-days-of-summer by enjoying a guided summer evening hike through the marsh. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Summer Discovery Cruises offer anyone interested in exploring Lake Erie, the Detroit River and Lake St. Clair the opportunity to get out on the water for an educational experience. Cruisers can learn about many aspects of the lakes, from lighthouses, shipwrecks, bootleggers, history and culture of the region to fish, ecology, restoration, wind, waves and water — and much more, depending on the cruise theme. Reserve your spot at www.discoverycruises.org.

In the not-so-distant past, Osprey were approaching extinction in North America. Now, they can be found throughout southeast Michigan. Join us as we check out the Osprey up close and personal. We’ll conclude with a short drive through the park with hopes of finding a few. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

The Marshlands Museum has over two thousand items in its collection.  Guided by an interpreter, this program series gives visitors a chance to investigate in detail some of the rarely seen items from the backroom.  If you have ever wondered what we have, now is your chance to find out! Please pre-register, (734) 379-5020.

Like it or not, spiders are everywhere. But don’t fear – we are prepared to set the record straight.  Join us as we take a casual stroll to investigate these important but misunderstood critters.  Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Take a leisurely walk along the boardwalks overlooking our marshes as we search for critters scaly, slimy, furred and feathered. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Join us for raptor identification made simple. We will begin the day in the Marshlands Museum looking at some easy ways to get you on the right track when it comes to identifying birds of prey in flight. Next, we will head out on a hike to the Detroit River Hawk Watch site in hopes of spotting some of these majestic, migratory birds and to test your newly learned skills. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Donuts, coffee and a nature walk.  What a great way to start your weekend! Join us! Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Raptors are getting ready to make the move back down south, but the flight isn’t an easy one. We’ll discover how their bodies are strong enough to travel these long distances! After, we’ll head to the boat launch to see the raptors flying over the park. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.

Stop in anytime between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and learn about owls, owl pellets, and get your very own owl pellet dissection kit. Our staff will help you work through the pellet to discover what the owl had for lunch, and we will attempt to put the skeleton of the animal back together.

Hawkfest is a two-day event for the whole family focusing on birds of prey (eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls) and the annual fall hawk migration over Lake Erie Metropark. This year, we will be celebrating our 30th year of Hawkfest! Join us for a great weekend of games, crafts, guest speakers and fun. Live birds of prey will be on hand all weekend!

Join us as we kick-off a great weekend of celebrating the annual fall hawk migration. The Kick-off will feature hors d' oeuvres, a silent auction, a cash bar and a live birds of prey demonstration. This event includes a weekend pass to HAWKFEST too. Preregistration required, 734-379-5020.

Hawkfest is a two-day event for the whole family focusing on birds of prey (eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls) and the annual fall hawk migration over Lake Erie Metropark. This year, we will be celebrating our 30th year of Hawkfest! Join us for a great weekend of games, crafts, guest speakers and fun. Live birds of prey will be on hand all weekend!

Let’s learn a bit about the Bald Eagle and the Golden Eagle, two raptors that can be seen in and around Lake Erie Metropark. After, we’ll head to the boat launch to see the raptors flying over the park. Please preregister, (734) 379-5020.