Join us for free, guided nature walks

Matthaei Botanical Gardens hosts free guided Wonder Walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays throughout the season, with occasional additional walks and special-topic programs offered on other days. Walk themes, times, and formats may vary.

Wonder Walks are designed for all ages to inspire curiosity and learning from each other through activities that encourage observation, exploration, and connection with nature. If we have a sizeable mixed-age group, we may split into two groups to deliver the same content at different engagement levels.

Wednesday walks begin at 5:00 pm. Sunday walks begin at 1:00 pm unless otherwise noted. We recommend gathering in the lobby at Matthaei Botanical Gardens about 10 minutes before the start.

Wednesday Walks

Wednesday walks typically begin at 5:00 PM. We recommend gathering at the front entrance steps of Matthaei Botanical Gardens at 4:50 PM. 

Sunday Walks

Sunday walks begin at 1:00 PM. We recommend gathering at the front entrance steps of Matthaei Botanical Gardens at 12:50 PM.

October

Wednesday, October 7, 5:00 PM: Bird Migration Behavior and Climate Change

Join Emily Elderbrook, a bird behavior biologist, on a walk to learn how climate change affects bird behavior in foraging and migration. 

Wednesday, October 28, 5:00 PM: Fall Color Focus

The world around us is changing color right before our eyes. Green gives way to yellow and red, and the contrast is simply stunning. Join experienced Docents and MBGNA staff for a relaxed guided walk on the trails and train your eye to notice different species of trees and shrubs by the colors they show in the fall. Afterward, create a color collage using a leaf-pounding technique to transfer natural pigments from leaves to paper.

Photos