Come discover your natural world in April & May at the Eddy Discovery Center

Eddy Discovery Center is located at Bush Road near Chelsea.

submitted by Kathy Claflin, Waterloo Natural History Association Program Coordinator

Public programs for April 2023 at the Waterloo Recreation Area are sponsored by the Waterloo Natural History Association. Programs are presented at the Eddy Discovery Center, located at 17030 Bush Rd, in the Waterloo Recreation Area, 10 minutes north of Sharon Township. To reach the Discovery Center, take M52 north through Chelsea, turn left on Sibley Road and follow the signs. Advanced registration is required for all programs. To register, call the Discovery Center at (734) 475-3170. Spaces are limited.  Programs are $2 per person or $5 per family with State Recreation Passport. WNHA members are admitted free.

Come and meet the many fascinating and little-known creatures that live in our spring ponds at STRANGE CREATURES OF THE SPRING POND from 2 to 3pm, Sunday, April 16. You can expect to see everything from delicate fairy shrimp to ferocious diving beetles. No boots required, as we will be viewing these in our special “pour-a-ponds” outside on the deck. Cost: $2/person or $5/family.

WHY PEAS NEED BEES will take place from 2 to 3pm, Sunday, April 23. Join Becky Green, Beekeeper and Certified Pollinator Champion, to learn about pollinators. Becky will explain what exactly pollination is and why it is so important to all of us. She will introduce you to our pollinators and discuss what challenges they are facing. You will take home some ideas of what you can do to help pollinators, including instructions on how you can build a Bee Hotel for the wild bees in your neighborhood. Becky will also have some of her local honey available for sale.

Find out what happens after the sun goes down in NATURE’S NIGHTLIFE! Taking place from 2 to 3pm, Sunday, April 30, this will be an exciting exploration into the world of nocturnal animals. Leslie Science Center will bring live animals, such as bats, owls, and arachnids, to show you why these creatures choose to work in the dark and how they are adapted for life at night. Program limited to 50 participants.

Here is your opportunity to learn about the wildflowers popping up in our local forests right now. Join us for an INTRODUCTION TO SPRING WILDFLOWERS: 2 – 4pm, Saturday, May 6. After a short program indoors where you will find out why these plants produce flowers in the spring, Robert Ayotte will lead a walk along the Discovery Center trails to see what is currently budding and blooming. Hand lenses will be useful. Cost: $2/person or $5/family. Program limited to 20 participants.  

SPRING FLORA OF WATERLOO: 2 – 4pm, Sunday, May 7. Forest ecologist Robert Ayotte will lead wildflower enthusiasts on a hike to view the spring blooms found on herbs and trees along the Discovery Center trails. Previous knowledge of flowering plants will be useful. Bring your loupe! Cost: $2/person or $5/family. Program limited to 20 participants.  

Join us for the entertaining, hands-on program A WORLD OF ANIMALS, 2 – 3pm, Sunday, May 21.  The event is presented by Brendan Finerty from Jackson’s Wild World Zoo. You will get a close-up look at a wide variety of live animals from around the globe — from the hottest desert to the deepest jungles to the highest mountains. Cost: $2/person or $5/family.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.