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.

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.

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)

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

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)

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)

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!)