Join us for free, guided nature walks

Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays and Sundays.  These walks are FREE, no registration is required. Wonder Walks are designed for all ages to inspire curiosity and learning from each other through activities that model curiosity and honor nature. If we have a sizeable mixed-age group, we may separate into two sets to offer the same content at different levels of engagement.

Wednesday walks begin at 5:30 pm.  Sunday walks begin at 1:00 pm. We recommend gathering inside the lobby of Matthaei Botanical Gardens about 10 minutes before the start.

April

April is Earth Month — a time to celebrate and connect with the planet we all call home. As life stirs and blooms around us, let’s take a closer look at the land, water, and sky that sustain us. What lessons can we learn from Mother Earth this season?

Sunday, April 6: Ecosystems & Food Webs - Birds and Bugs Learn how birds, bugs and native plants are inextrincably linked 

Wednesday, April 9: Ecosystems & Food Webs - Birds and Bugs Learn how birds, bugs and native plants are inextrincably linked 

Sunday, April 13: Common threads hike- what has your ecosystem done for you lately? Explore the concept of Ecosystem services; what can we do to show gratitude for what the Earth gives us? 

Wednesday, April 23: Who's singing in the woods and fields? Join us for a guided evening walk to listen for the sounds of spring and the return of early migrating birds.   A limited supply of binoculars will be available. 

Sunday, April 27: Who's singing in the woods and fields? Join us for a guided evening walk to listen for the sounds of spring and the return of early migrating birds.   A limited supply of binoculars will be available. 

May

May is a season of change and discovery! From trees unfurling fresh leaves to delicate spring ephemerals racing to bloom, nature is on the move. Join us on the trails to explore these fleeting wonders, search for vibrant wildflowers, and peer into ponds for tadpoles making their grand debut.

Sunday, May 4: Leafing Out Have you ever wondered how a tree can go from bare to buds to fully leafed out when spring arrives? Explore the mystery of 'leafing out' on a guided walk of the trails.  

Wednesday, May 14: Ephmerals of Spring  May is the perfect month to hunt for spring ephemerals, plants that take advantage of sunny openings in the woods, sprout and bloom before the trees fully leaf out.  Let's hunt for Spring beauty, Marsh marigold, and more on the trails.  

Sunday, May 18: Ephmerals of Spring May is the perfect month to hunt for spring ephemerals, plants that take advantage of sunny openings in the woods, sprout and bloom before the trees fully leaf out.  Let's hunt for Spring beauty, Marsh marigold, and more on the trails.  

Wednesday, May 28: Tadpole Trek It's time to hunt for tadpoles and frogs. Let's explore ponds & wetlands to look for tadpoles and frogs! Learn about the lifecycle of some of our common frogs and toads.