Take a mindful break this Earth Day at Nichols Arboretum - designed with University of Michigan students in mind, but open to all! Step away from your screen, your to-do list, and the rush of the day, and spend a little time outside. Drop in for casual, low-commitment activities designed to help you slow down and reconnect with nature, with creativity, and with each other. Whether you stay for ten minutes or an hour, this is an easy way to mark the day in a way that feels restorative, not rushed.
Open and free to all.
Schedule
9:00am - 10:00am: Mindful Movement
Join MRecreation for a refreshing yoga session underneath the trees. Bring your own yoga mat. When arriving at the Arb, follow the main path through the peony garden to the Oak Openings.
9:30am - 11:30am: My Earth Day at the Arb
Explore Heathdale during bird migration amid wildflower blooms! Share your reflections and capture your experiences with the communal disposable film cameras we provide. We’ll make an anonymous display of the reflections and photos, which you’ll be invited to view at a future date. Facilitated by Program on Intergroup Relations. When arriving at the Arb, stop in the Visitor Center for directions to Heathdale.
11:00am - 12:00pm: Awe in the Arb - Wild Canvas
Join CAPS counselors for an interactive session creating ephemeral art from nature. Meet at the Reader Center. Activity will take place at Fairy and Troll Hollow.
12:00pm - 1:00pm: Sustainability and our Campus
Join campus sustainability leaders for a guided hike, featuring their favorite areas of the Arb. Savor Earth Day together and celebrate UM’s commitment to sustainability goals. Meet at the Reader Center.
1:00pm - 2:00 pm: Take a Walk with Tom and the Trees
Join MBGNA Natural Areas Specialist Tom O’Dell for a walk amongst the trees. Learn about interesting trees in Arb and the history of how the UM community protects and supports their growth. Meet at the Reader Center.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Art in the Arb Pop Up - Buttons, Bookmarks and Butterflies
All afternoon, drop by for interactive art activities. Join artist My Proulx and create a button, bookmark, or butterfly inspired by your relationship with nature. My Proulx is a Flint-based photographer, artist, and workshop facilitator @PlainAirProjects who creates hands-on, project-based experiences that connect storytelling, identity, and creative expression. Through thoughtful prompts and mindfulness, she invites participants to reflect on space, place, and self while making something personal they can carry with them. In partnership with LSA Sustainability and Arts Initiative. Meet at the Reader Center.
2:00pm - 3:00pm: Nature Nurtures with Arb Caretakers Emma and Helen
Join MBGNA Caretakers for a guided hike exploring all the ways nature nourishes. Learn about fun ways to identify plants on this interactive guided walk. Meet at the Reader Center.
3:00pm - 4:00pm: Take a Walk with Tom and the Trees
Join MBGNA Natural Areas Specialist Tom O’Dell for a walk amongst the trees. Learn about interesting trees in Arb and the history of how the UM community protects and supports their growth. Meet at the Reader Center.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cords Distribution
The Excellence in Sustainability Honors Cord program is designed to recognize students who have gone above and beyond to advance their knowledge, skills, and practice of sustainability ethics while studying at U-M. Students who have met requirements and applied can pick up their Sustainability Honors Cords from the Reader Center.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Virtual scavenger Hunt
Embark on a self-guided exploration of the Arb through the app Scavify.
9:00 am - 4:00 pm Snacks and Stickers
Snacks provided by MDining are available in the Reader Center all day. Receive a complimentary MBGNA sticker for participating in Earth Day.
