Matthaei Botanical Gardens is hosting free guided nature walks on select Wednesdays. These walks are FREE, no registration is required.
MBG 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.
Cancelations will be posted on this page.
| Wednesday, September 13, 2023 | 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm | Late summer flowers – Late summer flowers supply much needed nectar and seeds for animals. Join us to explore the beautiful golds and purples of late summer. |
| Wednesday, September 20, 2023 | 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm | Autumn Equinox – The Autumn Equinox marks the time of year where the sun’s rays hit the earth equally in the Northern and Southern hemispheres. It’s also a great time to find due West and due East. Join a walk to celebrate the equinox and Fall’s evening light. |
| October theme: Time for change. As fall progresses the Earth gives signals that it’s time to migrate, time to change behavior and appearance! This month we explore changes in nature with the fall season. |
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| Wednesday, October 4, 2023 | 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm | Time to fly! Fall migration is eagerly anticipated by birders and other nature lovers. How do birds, butterflies and other creatures know when to start moving south? What triggers migration and where are they headed? Look for cues and clues that signal migration. |
| Sunday, October 8, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | Fall color change – As the daylight hours are fewer and the nighttime temperatures dip, plants start to show signs of change and preparation for winter. Color change is one of those signs. Look for splashes of fall color and explore the why and how of color change. |
| Wednesday, October 18, 2023 | 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm | Fall color change – As the daylight hours are fewer and the nighttime temperatures dip, plants start to show signs of change and preparation for winter. Color change is one of those signs. Look for splashes of fall color and explore the why and how of color change. |
| November theme: Chilling out. November brings much colder temperatures, leaves are off the trees and only those hardly birds and mammals are out and about. This month we explore the ways that animals and plants chill out for the winter, go into dormancy or find a cozy spot to spend their time. |
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| Wednesday, November 1, 2023 | 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm | Preparing for dormancy – The word dormancy originally meant to be in a resting position or to sleep. By November, many of the plants and animals in SE Michigan are entering a dormancy stage. Take a hike and look for evidence that plants have started their dormant phase and learn how this resting stage prepares them for spring growth. |
| Sunday, November 5, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
Preparing for dormancy. The word dormancy originally meant to be in a resting position or to sleep. By November, many of the plants and animals in SE Michigan are entering a dormancy stage. Take a hike and look for evidence that plants have started their dormant phase and learn how this resting stage prepares them for spring growth. |
| Wednesday, November 15, 2023 | 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm |
Searching for food in the dormant season – Birds, mice, rabbits, foxes, and coyotes are still active outdoors in November, but where do they get their food? Take a hike and look for evidence of animal foraging and learn how food webs work. |
| Sunday, November 19, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm |
Searching for food in the dormant season – Birds, mice, rabbits, foxes, and coyotes are still active outdoors in November, but where do they get their food? Take a hike and look for evidence of animal foraging and learn how food webs work. |
December – Winter sets in. December marks the time when winter begins, yet surprising it also marks the time in late December when the daylight hours begin to grow. Many ancient stories taught people about the season of winter. As the weather permits, we’ll take a hike to explore the Winter evening sky and the stars and we’ll explore how the Earth cools and settles in for a long winter night.
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| Wednesday, November 6, 2023 | 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm | |
| Sunday, December 10, 2023 | 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm | |