If you enjoy regular visits to Heritage Park, become a trained bluebird monitor volunteer! Bluebird monitors get the opportunity to visit sensitive areas of the park, while gathering information from bird nesting boxes. The data is used by the national www.nestwatch.org monitoring program to help protect birds around the country. The Bluebird Monitor Training is virtual! You can become a trained monitor from home. Participants must complete the training in order to become a monitor. Link will be emailed out to registrants close to event date. Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87158951933

Heritage Park Nature Preschool at the Farmington Hills Nature Center is accepting registration for the 2024-2025 school year. The Nature Preschool is designed as HALF DAY nature-based school for ages 3-5. The M/W/F PM option will be designed as a Young Fives program for children ages 4-5. Children will spend the majority of their time outdoors, connecting with nature while experiencing research-based, age appropriate and meaningful curriculum. The per child, non-refundable pre-enrollment fee guarantees your spot, but your registration is NOT FINAL until you select your tuition payment option and all required forms are submitted. Parents will receive an email indicating the required forms, along with the Family Handbook. Parents will also get an email from ePACT requesting emergency contact information. The Nature Preschool will run approximately Sept-June with a quarterly or discounted annual tuition payment option. If you choose the 5-day option, you will need to add both the M/W/F & T/H classes to your cart. You will need to select AM or PM. The 2nd registration fee is waived at checkout. The Nature Preschool program is expected to fill quickly, but enrollment will be open throughout the year, as class capacities allow. If a class is full, we encourage you to add your child to the waitlist and we will contact about enrollment.
Please call the Nature Center if you have questions (248) 473-1870 or visit the Nature Preschool Website (copy & paste into browser): https://www.fhgov.com/naturepreschool

Enrich your child's natural curiosity and encourage outdoor exploration through this hands-on nature discovery program. Children explore a different nature theme each month. They will touch, smell, hear and see many aspects of the natural world! Earn a "badge" for each class you participate in! Earn 3 badges and get a nature prize! Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Please dress your child for the weather and exploring outdoors. This class is held entirely outdoors. This is a drop-off class.

Explore the skills needed to become a successful Volunteer Nature Guide The training will cover best practices in the field of Environmental Education and Interpretation, as well as hands-on activities related to programs offered at the Farmington Hills Nature Center. Participants will leave with helpful resources and a basic understanding of what it takes to interpret the natural world. Trainees will also have the opportunity to join the Volunteer Nature Guide team at the Nature Center. The training is designed for adults. Activities will take place indoors and outdoors. Please dress for the weather. All skill levels welcome! Pre-registration required.

Get to know the Nature Center education animals up close! Each week we will focus on exploring a different animal with a story, craft and time to introduce our animal friends. The program takes place indoors. Children must be accompanied by an adult. There is no charge for adults or children under 18 months.

Put on your pajamas and get cozy with Moon, the Nature Center rabbit! Together with Moon, we will read the bedtime story, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Brown. We will explore what makes rabbits unique, share healthy snacks that Moon loves to munch on and make a craft to take home. Pre-registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult. No charge for adults or children under 18 months, only children need to register.

Get ready for adventure and exploring nature after school with the Farmington Area Outdoor Xplorers Club! Discover all the fun ways you can still get outside and enjoy the spring season. Each week your child will experience new nature themes, from animal tracking, bird watching, snowshoeing, outdoor survival skills, and more! The F.O.X. Club will take place almost entirely outdoors. Dress for the weather! Don’t forget a snack and a water bottle. This is a drop-off program. No class on February 19th.

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a candle-lit hike through the trails of Heritage Park. We’ll start the evening by warming up around a campfire with gourmet s’mores. Then, share your love of nature as we discover the courtship and mating behaviors of native animals along a short & fun candle-lit stroll. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots.

Heritage Park and Heavner Canoe Rental have partnered to offer a snowshoe wilderness adventure! Join other winter enthusiasts as we explore the woods on snowshoes. Lesson provided and an additional charge for snowshoe rental. Special discounted rental fee of $5/pair for program participants or bring your own snowshoes. If no snow, we will walk the trails. Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots.

Celebrate Spring! Discover the basics of making maple syrup from your own Maple tree. Learn to identify and select a maple tree. Witness the ancient process of collecting the sap, then boiling it down to syrup around a cozy campfire. We will finish with a PURE maple syrup treat! Michigan maple syrup products & sugaring supplies will be exclusively available to participants for purchase. Dress for the weather. Register early, this program fills quickly! No charge for children under 2.

Avoid the hustle and bustle of Holiday shopping with this popular seasonal program! Create your own natural grapevine wreath using items found in nature! Materials will be provided along with a pre-shaped grapevine wreath. Experienced wreath-makers will be available to assist with tips and tricks throughout the workshop. Supplies are limited, but there will be a wide variety of beautiful and interesting items to choose from during each session. Pre-registration REQUIRED, spots fill quickly.

Enrich your child’s knowledge and connection with the natural world. A naturalist will lead hands-on memorable experiences outdoors with a different nature theme and STEM activities each week. Meet other homeschool families and supplement your at-home lessons. This is a drop-off program. Please make sure your child is dressed for the weather and exploring outdoors. The classes will be held entirely OUTSIDE, unless severe weather occurs, or a short indoor activity is planned. Pre-registration required. Space is very limited, and class will fill quickly. No class on February 20th.

Experience a guided hike through the trails of Heritage Park in search of owls and other nocturnal animals! Listen for owl calls and find out what makes these nocturnal creatures such expert hunters and survivalists. A great opportunity to enjoy the winter season! Please dress for the weather and wear sturdy boots. Register early, this program always fills quickly!

Experience the magic of the natural world with your Little Trekker! Children and adults will discover a new nature theme each week with story time, outdoor exploration, and nature-inspired art projects! Please dress for the weather and exploring the trails, as all this class takes place outdoors! Pre-registration required. The program will fill quickly. Space is VERY limited. An adult must stay with the child. Fee applies only to children. No class on January 20th & February 17th.

Allow your Young Explorer to experience the magic of the natural world! Children will explore a different nature theme each week as they hike and investigate along the trails of Heritage Park. Since this is a drop-off program, please send a snack and water bottle along with your child and dress them for the weather. We'll be outside rain or shine! Children must be potty trained. No class on February 21st.

Experience spring migration of birds back to Heritage Park. Discover the basics of birding from the tools you'll need to tips on how to find interesting birds. Dress for the outdoors.

Experience the magic and excitement of the woodcock bird's unique mating dance! Take a guided hike to the breeding grounds, where we will listen and search for these elusive birds. Please dress for the weather and exploring off trail. Participants can join the accessible "Wait + Watch" option from the trail head instead of the hike. Bring your own folding chair and meet in central parking lot.

Santa is making a special stop at Heritage Park! Families will get a chance to visit and get photos with Santa at our holiday display in the historic Red Barn in Heritage Park. Be sure to bring your smart phone or camera so we can capture the moment for you. Families can participate in activity stations, crafts, and games that celebrate white-tailed deer and the winter season. Warm up at the cozy campfire with hot coca. S'mores kits can be purchased for $1 each. Dress for winter weather. The event will be held rain, snow, or shine. Each family will have limited time with Santa. Register yourself and bring up to 5 people f your choice (adults & children). If you have more than 6 in your group, please register for more than 1 spot. Pre-registration required.

Enrich your child’s natural curiosity and encourage outdoor exploration through this hands-on nature discovery program. Children explore a different nature theme each month. They will touch, smell, hear, and see many aspects of the natural world! Earn a "badge" for each class you participate in! Earn 3 badges and get a nature prize. Pre-registration is required, as space is limited. Please dress your child for the weather and exploring outdoors. This class is held entirely outdoors. This is a drop-off class.