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.

1st and 3rd Tuesday, January through March

1 – 2:30 pm

Tuesday, January 6 and 20

Tuesday, February 3 and 17

Tuesday, March 3 and 17

Join the team of hardcore winter stewards in removing invasive shrubs in the Institute’s prairies and woodlands. This group meets at 1 pm at the Maintenance Building.

Free – Sign up for this and other Stewardship Volunteer opportunities here.

1st Wednesday of each month at Hastings Public Library

4 – 5 pm 

Wednesday, January 7

Wednesday, February 4

Wednesday, March 4

Wednesday, April 1

Learn about science, technology, engineering, art, and math! Join Hastings Public Library’s youth librarian, MSU Extension, and Institute employees as they share their favorite books, activities, and crafts with young scientists in grades one through five. 

Free (please register online)

(Ages 6 and under with an adult)

Thursday, March 5 from 10 – 11 am 

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 be engaged with your child for this program.

Free (please register below)

Sunday, March 8

Brunch Seating at 11:15 am & 1:00 pm
Program from 12:15 to 1:00 pm

Brunches are back in full swing this spring!

Join us for a delightful seasonal brunch and a special program celebrating the season featuring Institute Executive Director Virginia Bolshakova, who will explore the intimate relationship between humans and bees.

Guests are also welcome to explore the Institute and view the current art exhibit by Chelsea Bivens.

Member Adults: $24; Children ages 6 – 12: $14 (plus tax)
Non-Member Adults: $30; Children ages 6 – 12: $18 (plus tax)
Children 5 and under are free

Program: 11:00 am to Noon
Lunch: Noon to 1:00 pm

Names shape how we understand the natural world — but they’re not as fixed as they seem, as recently seen with changes to bird names. Discover how and why scientific names change, from long-standing traditions in taxonomy to modern efforts to rename species. Through stories of discovery, debate, and evolving language, join Dr. Ellen Holste of EnviroSpeak and see how renaming nature reveals not only new science but also a changing society. 

Program and Lunch: Members $15 | Non-Members $21
Program only: Members Free | Non-Members $8

Please register by Friday, March 6 to reserve lunch.

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.

1st Wednesday of each month at Hastings Public Library

4 – 5 pm 

Wednesday, January 7

Wednesday, February 4

Wednesday, March 4

Wednesday, April 1

Learn about science, technology, engineering, art, and math! Join Hastings Public Library’s youth librarian, MSU Extension, and Institute employees as they share their favorite books, activities, and crafts with young scientists in grades one through five. 

Free (please register online)

(Ages 6 and under with an adult)

Thursday, April 2 from 10 – 11 am 

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 be engaged with your child for this program.

Free (please register below)

Sunday, April 12

Brunch seatings at 11:15 am & 1:00 pm
Program at 12:15 pm & 1:00 pm

Join us in celebrating nature! Delight in seasonal menu selections and enjoy a talk by Southwest Michigan Land Conservancy about their work and a new project right here in Barry County. Explore the Institute and enjoy the current exhibit by Chelsea Bivens.

You do not need to attend brunch to enjoy the free program.

Member Adults: $24; Children ages 6 – 12: $14 (plus tax)
Non-Member Adults: $30; Children ages 6 – 12: $18 (plus tax)
Children 5 and under are free

Monday, April 13 at 9:00 am

Join Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and your guides, Anne and Doug Klein, 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!

Important Information:
– Please be prepared to hike up to one mile on uneven trails
– We will have a limited number of binoculars available to borrow
– The program will occur rain or shine
– In the event of inclement weather, we will offer a shorter information session
on birding topics
– Please meet in the Education Building

Ages 15+, under 18 with an adult

10 am – Noon

Tuesday, April 21 – Land Marks: A Novel – by MaryAnn Lesert

Join us on the third Tuesday of the month for our nature book club! With a solid mix of fiction and nonfiction biographies, this book club is for readers who share a keen interest in the natural world. There is no commitment other than to enjoy reading and sharing books about nature.

Feel free to join us even if you have not read the book (and be inspired to read it). Participants are required to obtain the books themselves. Many local libraries and bookstores carry these titles.

This club will be led by institute staff and volunteers.

Free (please register online)