The Interpretive Center is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. The preserve itself contains almost 4 miles of hiking trails, is open dawn to dusk, and is free to the public. Blandford Nature Center is always a great place to visit.
If you’re interested in a more structured group visit, however, they have several pre-planned group tour ideas for spring and summer. You can pick from the following:
Spring Field Trips – April 14 – June 5 2009
Signs of Spring (Grades PreK-K)
As life awakens from its winter nap, many discoveries await the youthful eye. Students will make these discoveries through a series of hands-on activities, looking specifically at the life cycles of trees and frogs. We’ll also hike the trail and identify wildflowers.
Birds of a Feather (Grades 1-2)
Birds are some of the most fascinating and observable animals. As their songs of spring begin, students will discover bird behaviors, nesting techniques, and how to identify the characteristics and basic needs of our feathered friends. We will visit forest, field, and wetland communities, and have a special visit from one of our resident raptors.
Wonderful Wetlands (Grades 3-5)
Explore the wonders of wetlands as we look at these unique communities. Creative activities review the water cycle and distribution of water on Earth. Then students venture out on a hike to investigate the plants and animals living in Blandford’s wetlands and ponds. Life cycles, adaptations and changing landscapes are discussed during the walk.
Producers, Consumers, Decomposers (Grades 3-5)
The sun provides the energy all life needs on our planet. Discover how this energy travels through the ecosystem by the work of producers, herbivores, omnivores, carnivores and decomposers. Students will examine the concepts of food chains and webs through hands-on lessons and trail hikes on their way to understanding how life interacts on our unique planet.
Summer 2009 – June 16 – August 13 (Summer programs are limited to Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.)
Birds of a Feather (Grades 1-6)
What makes a bird a bird? This hands-on program looks at the various characteristics of birds, including feathers, nests, songs, beaks, and feet, to understand these unique flying vertebrates. Two to three live birds will be included in the presentation. For older students this program will also focus on adaptations.
Vertebrates on Review (Grades 2-6)
How are reptiles similar to birds? What makes a mammal a mammal or a fish a fish? This program defines vertebrates and compares the differences and similarities of the five vertebrate groups in a fun way. Live animals, mounts and educational props provide a hands-on review of the five vertebrate groups.
Ecosystem Energy (Grades 3-6)
From the sun to a soaring hawk, energy flows through an ecosystem as food. Students will get an interactive look at photosynthesis, predator/prey relationships and the role people play in their environment. Live examples of an herbivore, omnivore, and carnivore will emphasize food chain relationships.
To schedule a field trip, contact Blandford by email, telephone (616.735.6240) or fax (616.735.6255). If emailing, you must specify Field Trip in the subject line for prompt processing.
When making a request, please include:
- group/organization name and contact person
- mailing address and telephone number
- 1st choice date and time and group size (60 max)
- 2nd choice date and time
- program requested
Blandford can schedule morning and afternoon field trips, starting between the hours of 9:00 am and 10:30 am or 12:30 pm and 1:30 pm.
- Cost for field trips is $3.00 per student. Teachers and chaperones are free within a 1:5 ratio. Extra chaperones pay the $3.00 fee. Minimum program fee is $50.00
- Field Trips are 90 minutes. To ensure a complete program, the program must start promptly on time.
- There is no lunchroom at Blandford Nature Center but an outside picnic area is available, weather permitting.
, the history of the fight to preserve Heritage Hill before seeing these beautiful homes.