Welcome to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Immerse Yourself in Nature
What's New at the Institute?
Membership
Of all the many things that matter at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, members matter most! Without their dedication, participation, and generosity, the Institute would not be what it is today. Nor could it be what it aspires to be in the future!
Apply for the 2026 Season!
The Creative Retreats at Batts Cottage are currently closed for the 2025 season. The Retreats will be available again starting in April 2026.
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 season.
Over the Creek and Through the Woods Trail Run
Sign up here!
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, for Environmental Education
Set on 850 acres in rural Barry County, Michigan, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute, a mix between an environmental education center, nature center and biological field station, provides visitors opportunities for education, recreation, research and exposure to a blend of diverse habitats including wetlands, forests, marshes, streams, lakes, and prairies.
News and Announcements
We Are Hiring!
Now Hiring: Community & Volunteer Program Manager
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is seeking a passionate and dynamic professional to lead our community programs and volunteer initiatives. This full-time role plays a key part in connecting people to nature, science, and stewardship by developing engaging educational programs and building a thriving volunteer community. If you’re excited about inspiring others, fostering meaningful connections, and supporting environmental education, we’d love to hear from you.
October and November Pierce Pickups
From apple cider pork chops to southern sweet potato pie, there's a little something for everyone on this month's edition of Pierce Pickups. Order your meals today!
Check Out our Fall Upcoming Events Flyer
Fall Upcoming Events Flyer
What's Happening at the Institute?
Event Details
Saturday, April 12 – Wednesday, October 1 Hike the trails to earn your stripes! Complete our 2025 trail blazers bingo card and
Event Details
Saturday, April 12 – Wednesday, October 1
Hike the trails to earn your stripes! Complete our 2025 trail blazers bingo card and collect your prize! All prizes will be available for pick-up at the visitor center front desk beginning Friday, August 1. Join the challenge and see if you have what it takes to be a Trail Master!
Free (self-guided on Pierce Cedar Creek Institute trails)
Time
April 12, 2025 12:01 am - October 1, 2025 11:59 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
25sep01aprChelsea Bivens' Art Exhibit(September 25) 9:00 am - (April 1) 5:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Chelsea Bivens is a local artist whose work is heavily influenced by her experiences living in this community. “Nature continuously fuels my creativity. I love
Event Details
Chelsea Bivens is a local artist whose work is heavily influenced by her experiences living in this community. “Nature continuously fuels my creativity. I love hiking the trails at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and the North Country Trail in the Yankee Springs area. I often come out of the woods with a sense of clarity, renewed inspiration, and an eagerness to get to my easel. I believe that every connection with nature is genuine and sacred. My work explores many different interactions with nature, hoping viewers find a piece that resonates with their own unique relationship with the natural world.”
“25% of sales will be donated to the Institute to further our mission: To inspire appreciation and stewardship of our environment.
Time
September 25, 2025 9:00 am - April 1, 2026 5:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
octBats of MichiganMonth Long Event (October)(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Take a “spook-tastic” hike to learn all about Michigan bats! These creatures of the night are critical to many Michigan habitats. Find your favorite bat
Event Details
Take a “spook-tastic” hike to learn all about Michigan bats! These creatures of the night are critical to many Michigan habitats. Find your favorite bat along the trail.
Free (self-guided on the green trail)
Time
Month Long Event (October)(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Join Jumper, a small spider on a big journey! This spider has some amazing adaptations that help her survive a day in the neighborhood.
Event Details
Join Jumper, a small spider on a big journey! This spider has some amazing adaptations that help her survive a day in the neighborhood.
Free (self-guided on the purple and green trails)
Time
Month Long Event (October)(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
First Thursday of the Month 10 – 11 am October 2
Event Details
First Thursday of the Month 10 – 11 am
October 2
November 6
Every season is outdoor season! Bring your little ones to explore nature through free play, activities, books, and more. This program is designed for children and their accompanying caregivers. Please plan to attend and engage with your child in this program.
Free (please register online)
Time
October 2, 2025 10:00 am - 11:00 am(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Adventure awaits!Sign up for the 2025 Over the Creek and Through the Woods trail run.Enjoy Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s stunning 850 acres
Event Details
Adventure awaits!
Sign up for the 2025 Over the Creek and Through the Woods trail run.
Enjoy Pierce Cedar Creek Institute’s stunning 850 acres and challenge yourself to run the 5K and 1-mile fun run to support our mission to inspire appreciation and stewardship of our environment.
Time
October 4, 2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
06oct4:00 pm6:00 pmPCCI Chess Club4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school and older are welcome to play chess in the Play Space. This is a self-guided chess club. We will have regular chess sets and the giant chess set available for players to use. This club is weather-dependent and will be canceled in the event of bad weather.
The Club will be located behind the Education Building at the giant chess set by The Playspace.
FREE
Time
October 6, 2025 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Meet local artist Chelsea Bivens and explore her vibrant collection of nature-inspired paintings on display at the Institute. Learn more about her creative process through
Event Details
Meet local artist Chelsea Bivens and explore her vibrant collection of nature-inspired paintings on display at the Institute. Learn more about her creative process through an in-person painting demonstration. Enjoy light refreshments and connect with fellow art and nature enthusiasts.
“25% of sales will be donated to the Institute to further our mission: To inspire appreciation and stewardship of our environment.
Free (please register online)
Time
October 10, 2025 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
9 – 10 am Recap of Past Year’s Program 10 am – Noon Water Quality Concerns and Threats to Lake Health
Event Details
9 – 10 am Recap of Past Year’s Program
10 am – Noon Water Quality Concerns and Threats to Lake Health
Join us in learning about lake health and water quality issues in Barry County. In 2025, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute worked with a group of volunteers and the statewide Michigan Clean Water Corps’ Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program (CLMP) to monitor lake health. We will recap the past year’s findings and discuss the program’s accomplishments, challenges, and future opportunities. Then, we will learn from experts about water quality issues facing Barry County lakes, such as a watchlist of invasive aquatic species, major health concerns, and aquatic plant management.
Free (please register online)
Time
October 11, 2025 9:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Second Monday of the Month NEW TIME! 8:30 – 10:30 am October 13
Event Details
Second Monday of the Month NEW TIME! 8:30 – 10:30 am
October 13
Join Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and the Barry County Bird Club for a social birding morning. Enjoy a beverage and chat with new and experienced birders. Then, hit the trails to look for some of Barry County’s very best birds! Please be prepared to hike up to one mile on uneven trails. We will have a limited number of binoculars to borrow. This program will occur rain or shine. In the event of inclement weather, we will offer a short informational session on birding topics.
Free (please register online)
Time
October 13, 2025 8:30 am - 10:30 am(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
13oct4:00 pm6:00 pmPCCI Chess Club4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school and older are welcome to play chess in the Play Space. This is a self-guided chess club. We will have regular chess sets and the giant chess set available for players to use. This club is weather-dependent and will be canceled in the event of bad weather.
The Club will be located behind the Education Building at the giant chess set by The Playspace.
FREE
Time
October 13, 2025 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Wednesday, October 15 Thursday, October 16 2 – 4 pmWant to be immersed in and enjoy
Event Details
Wednesday, October 15
Thursday, October 16
2 – 4 pm
Want to be immersed in and enjoy Michigan’s beautiful fall colors but not quite up to hiking the Institute’s trails? This is the “tour” for you! Explore the Institute’s property in our motorized, all-terrain vehicle with seatbelts, stopping along the way to observe and learn about Michigan’s forests and their fall colors. Please register for one date as the tour is the same each day. This tour is extremely limited, so reserve your spot today!
Members $7 | Non-Members $10
Time
October 15, 2025 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
16oct6:30 pm8:00 pmShinrin-Yoku After Dark!6:30 pm - 8:00 pm(GMT-04:00) Register Here!
Event Details
Join us for a special night under the stars! Certified Forest Therapy Guide Katie Venechuk will introduce us to the practice of Shinrin-yoku (also known
Event Details
Join us for a special night under the stars! Certified Forest Therapy Guide Katie Venechuk will introduce us to the practice of Shinrin-yoku (also known as “forest bathing”) as we explore the tranquility of the forests and meadows of Pierce Cedar Creek at night. Slow down and bask in the lanternlight as you cozy up with a blanket for this special nature experience! The Institute has partnered with In Your Element Wellness to offer a special, discounted rate for this program. This program will include a small snack. Please list any allergies when registering.
Member $22 | Non-Member $28
Time
October 16, 2025 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
The Institute is home to many trees. Learn about the various forest types, how to identify different tree species, and their individual contributions to the
Event Details
The Institute is home to many trees. Learn about the various forest types, how to identify different tree species, and their individual contributions to the kaleidoscope of fall colors. Please wear appropriate footwear to hike on rough terrain.
Members Free | Non-Members $8
Time
October 18, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
20oct4:00 pm6:00 pmPCCI Chess Club4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school and older are welcome to play chess in the Play Space. This is a self-guided chess club. We will have regular chess sets and the giant chess set available for players to use. This club is weather-dependent and will be canceled in the event of bad weather.
The Club will be located behind the Education Building at the giant chess set by The Playspace.
FREE
Time
October 20, 2025 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
21oct10:00 am12:00 pmNature Book Club 10:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-04:00) Register for Free Here!
Event Details
October focuses on The Nature of Oaks by David Tallamy. This inspiring non-fiction book talks about the importance of oak trees and how they bring
Event Details
October focuses on The Nature of Oaks by David Tallamy. This inspiring non-fiction book talks about the importance of oak trees and how they bring a hopeful future to our planet and help inspire the stewardship of the land.
Feel free to join us even if you have not read the book (and be inspired to read it). This club will be led by Institute staff and volunteers.
Free (please register online)
(Participants are required to obtain the books themselves. Many local libraries and bookstores carry these titles. If you can’t find a book, contact the institute for assistance!)
Time
October 21, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Farm-to-Table Dinner Series (Ages 18+) Wednesday, October 22 – Robin Mather, local author of “The Feast Nearby”Wednesday, November 19 – Growing
Event Details
Farm-to-Table Dinner Series (Ages 18+)
Wednesday, October 22 – Robin Mather, local author of “The Feast Nearby”
Wednesday, November 19 – Growing Our Local Food Community
Dinner 6 pm | $50
Program 7:15 – 8 pm | Free
Dessert and Conversation 8 – 8:30 pm | Free
Celebrate the flavors, farms, and food stories of Barry County! Enjoy a locally sourced farm-to-table dinner, followed by a free community program and dessert exploring why local food matters—for our economy, our environment, and our future. A true feast for both body and mind.
(Dinner reservations close two weeks before each program date—October 8 and November 5)
Time
October 22, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Dress up and join us for nature-inspired, Halloween fun on candlelit trails. Trick or treat along a short, quarter-mile trail. Afterwards, join us for snacks,
Event Details
Dress up and join us for nature-inspired, Halloween fun on candlelit trails. Trick or treat along a short, quarter-mile trail. Afterwards, join us for snacks, warm drinks, games, and crafts in the Visitor Center.
Saturday, October 25 6 – 8:30 pm (last entry to the trail at 7:50 pm)
Members $5 | Non-Members $8
Family $25 (please indicate the number of people in a family)
Time
October 25, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
27oct4:00 pm6:00 pmPCCI Chess Club4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school
Event Details
Test your skills or learn from local chess players. Whether you have played for years or have never played at all, players in middle school and older are welcome to play chess in the Play Space. This is a self-guided chess club. We will have regular chess sets and the giant chess set available for players to use. This club is weather-dependent and will be canceled in the event of bad weather.
The Club will be located behind the Education Building at the giant chess set by The Playspace.
FREE
Time
October 27, 2025 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
25sep01aprChelsea Bivens' Art Exhibit(September 25) 9:00 am - (April 1) 5:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Chelsea Bivens is a local artist whose work is heavily influenced by her experiences living in this community. “Nature continuously fuels my creativity. I love
Event Details
Chelsea Bivens is a local artist whose work is heavily influenced by her experiences living in this community. “Nature continuously fuels my creativity. I love hiking the trails at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and the North Country Trail in the Yankee Springs area. I often come out of the woods with a sense of clarity, renewed inspiration, and an eagerness to get to my easel. I believe that every connection with nature is genuine and sacred. My work explores many different interactions with nature, hoping viewers find a piece that resonates with their own unique relationship with the natural world.”
“25% of sales will be donated to the Institute to further our mission: To inspire appreciation and stewardship of our environment.
Time
September 25, 2025 9:00 am - April 1, 2026 5:00 pm(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
novWhose Track is That?Month Long Event (November)(GMT-04:00)
Event Details
Check out the tracks of our most frequent visitors! Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is home to many species of mammals. Can you follow their tracks?
Event Details
Check out the tracks of our most frequent visitors! Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is home to many species of mammals. Can you follow their tracks?
Free (self-guided on the green trail)
Time
Month Long Event (November)(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Many animals call the forest their home, but how do they learn to coexist? Some animals are awake during the day, and some are nocturnal.
Event Details
Many animals call the forest their home, but how do they learn to coexist? Some animals are awake during the day, and some are nocturnal. Compare these two groups of animals that live amongst the trees!
Free (self-guided on the purple and green trails)
Time
Month Long Event (November)(GMT-04:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
First Thursday of the Month 10 – 11 am November 6 Every season is
Event Details
First Thursday of the Month 10 – 11 am
November 6
Every season is outdoor season! Bring your little ones to explore nature through free play, activities, books, and more. This program is designed for children and their accompanying caregivers. Please plan to attend and engage with your child in this program.
Free (please register online)
Time
November 6, 2025 10:00 am - 11:00 am(GMT-05:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
09nov11:00 am3:00 pmHoliday Gift Show11:00 am - 3:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Event Details
The Institute’s annual Holiday Gift Show is the perfect place to find unique gifts! More than 25 local artists will have a range of items
Event Details
The Institute’s annual Holiday Gift Show is the perfect place to find unique gifts! More than 25 local artists will have a range of items for sale, and Institute members will receive 15% off their purchases in the gift shop. The Gift Show is free and open to the public.
Admission is Free
Time
November 9, 2025 11:00 am - 3:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Friday, November 14 Learn about science through the power of books! Join Hastings Public Library’s youth librarian and Institute employees
Event Details
Friday, November 14
Learn about science through the power of books! Join Hastings Public Library’s youth librarian and Institute employees as they share their favorite books, activities, and crafts with little learners. These programs will take place outdoors as weather permits. Please dress for the weather and the season!
FREE (no registration required)
Time
November 14, 2025 10:30 am - 11:15 am(GMT-05:00)
Location
Hastings Public Library
227 E State St, Hastings, MI 49058
Event Details
Live Owl Program with Outdoor Discovery Center 6 – 7 pm Optional Hike 7 – 8 pm
Event Details
Live Owl Program with Outdoor Discovery Center 6 – 7 pm
Optional Hike 7 – 8 pm
Join us for an owl-some evening of discovery and live owl fun! Explore the fascinating world of Michigan’s owls through an engaging program that offers close encounters with these nocturnal birds of prey. This experience will provide a unique opportunity to learn about owls’ adaptations, behaviors, and conservation, all while observing them up close.
Members $5 | Non-Members $8
Family $25 (please indicate the number of people in a family)
Time
November 14, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
18nov10:00 am12:00 pmNature Book Club10:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-05:00) Register for Free Here!
Event Details
November focuses on Life and Death of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan. This inspiring non-fiction book talks about the importance of the Great Lakes
Event Details
November focuses on Life and Death of the Great Lakes by Dan Egan. This inspiring non-fiction book talks about the importance of the Great Lakes and the presence they bring to a hopeful future for our planet, and about the impact they have on the communities and ecosystems around them.
Feel free to join us even if you have not read the book (and be inspired to read it). This club will be led by Institute staff and volunteers.
Free (please register online)
(Participants are required to obtain the books themselves. Many local libraries and bookstores carry these titles. If you can’t find a book, contact the institute for assistance!)
Time
November 18, 2025 10:00 am - 12:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
Farm-to-Table Dinner Series (Ages 18+) Wednesday, November 19 – Growing Our Local Food Community Dinner 6
Event Details
Farm-to-Table Dinner Series (Ages 18+)
Wednesday, November 19 – Growing Our Local Food Community
Dinner 6 pm | $50
Program 7:15 – 8 pm | Free
Dessert and Conversation 8 – 8:30 pm | Free
Celebrate the flavors, farms, and food stories of Barry County! Enjoy a locally sourced farm-to-table dinner, followed by a free community program and dessert exploring why local food matters—for our economy, our environment, and our future. A true feast for both body and mind.
(Dinner reservations close two weeks before each program date—October 8 and November 5)
Time
November 19, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:30 pm(GMT-05:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Event Details
6 – 6:50 pm or 7 – 7:50 pm An evening of holiday art and snack fun for families! Work on open-ended
Event Details
6 – 6:50 pm or 7 – 7:50 pm
An evening of holiday art and snack fun for families! Work on open-ended holiday art, ornaments, or gifts. Limited space available for each session. Please register for one session by Saturday, November 15 to reserve your spot!
Free (Please Register)
Time
November 21, 2025 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm(GMT-05:00)
Pierce Cedar Creek Institute
Environmental Education & Sustainable Land Management Initiatives
The Institute offers environmental education and sustainable land management programs to the community, instructing environmental stewards by communicating the core values of land conservancy, environmental responsibility and the pursuit of knowledge; provides scientific research grants and research partnerships with a consortium of area colleges and universities; and features over nine miles of hiking trails open to the public, free of charge, from dawn to dusk year-round.