Message from the CEO
I am so excited to be the new CEO of the Howell Nature Center because it is such a magical, one-of-a-kind place! I’ve learned quickly that there is truly no other organization that does all the amazing things we do. All our achievements over the last 40 years, including the tens-of-thousands of injured or orphaned wildlife that we have rescued, have all been made possible by the support of our community. I am excited to expand on the relationships we have built with individuals and families over these many years.

I invite you to join us for our Membership Open House on Saturday, August 25, from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, where we will reveal our brand new Membership Program and the many benefits it has for you or your family. During this event, there will be an array of activities like open zip lining, swimming, kayaking, fishing and live animal meet and greets at no cost to you. I hope to see you there!
John “JC” Carlson, CEO
AUGUST 2018 EVENTS
August 15, 2018 | 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
In Your Backyard – Resolving Conflict and Creating Habitats. Getting along with the neighbors can be tough. Join wildlife experts to learn how wildlife conflicts can start, how you can avoid them, and what ways you can build a better relationship with wildlife by creating nature havens in your neighborhood. Stick around afterward for a guided, after-hours tour of our Wild Wonders Wildlife Park! $15 per person; pre-registration required.
August 18, 2018 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
ZIP-a-dee-do-da-Day!
Have a ZIP-a-dee-do-da Day on our Glacier Valley Eco Zip Tour. Fly through the trees on seven different zip lines, spanning ponds and valleys created by the glaciers thousands of years ago! Pre-registration is required.
August 18, 2018 | 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Join our Wildlife Park Coordinator as she feeds and cares for many of our permanent animal residents, including the sandhill cranes, bobcat, gray foxes and more! This interactive guide runs approximately two hours and is recommended for individuals 5 years and older. $8 per adult; $6 per child.
August 25, 2018 | 10:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Join us for a day of FREE activities fun for the whole family! Make a splash at our waterfront, swimming in the lake or taking a daring leap off the AquaToy. Fly through the sky with zip lining, meet WILD critter friends up close and personal, and explore Alexandria’s NatureScape. Learn about all of the benefits that a Howell Nature Center membership has to offer! All memberships will be offered at a special reduced rate during this event, and this event only.
SEPTEMBER SNEAK PEEK
September 11, 2018 | 10:00 am & 11:30 pm
Little Critters: Rocky the Peregrine Falcon
A special program for nature lovers ages 3-5. Children will enjoy nature-themed craft activities, stories, songs and playtime, plus a LIVE animal appearance! Join us in September to find out how and why Peregrine Falcons and other fast animals have a need for speed! $6 per child, children must be accompanied by an adult. Limit of 4 children per adult. 
September 15, 2018 | 9:00 am – 12:00 pm
Our moderately challenging outdoor course winds through 230 acres of wooded nature trails and access roads. All proceeds benefit the Howell Nature Center Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education programs, including the 4,000+ injured and orphaned animals helped each year.
“Tails” from the Clinic
Emma, our resident barred owl, has been taken out of Wild Wonders Wildlife Park temporarily… but for a good reason! Emma is helping teach two orphaned barred owlets how to hunt before their release this summer. She is a great surrogate mom for these little ones and has settled right into caring for them.
Membership Corner
At the Howell Nature Center (HNC), we rely on the generosity of the community to help ensure that our education, wildlife and camp programs continue to thrive. Show your support by becoming an official member of the HNC family. Membership levels vary but all include:

  • Year-round admission to HNC facilities
  • Advanced registration for events and programs
  • Discounts on gift shop and public events
  • Free admission or discounts at 180+ other nature centers

Interested? Give us a call today at (517) 546-0249!
Volunteer Spotlight
Helen Singer has been a volunteer in our Wildlife Rehabilitation Clinic every Friday since 2008. For 10 years, Helen has been working hard at keeping the Clinic tidy and lending her special carpentry skills to maintain or build rehabilitation cages and pens. She can repair just about anything! In 2011, she joined our Maintenance staff part time but never gave up her volunteer duties on Fridays. Her other special talent is helping to plant and maintain our beautiful gardens throughout the summer. Helen says that her work in the Rehab Clinic is “always interesting and she loves the challenge…especially trying to out-fox the foxes and other clever wildlife!”

We are always in need of more generous and passionate volunteers, even if it’s just doing laundry! If you are interested in volunteering at the Howell Nature Center, please complete this volunteer application and e-mail it to us at [email protected] or mail it to/drop it off at: 1005 Triangle Lake Road, Howell, MI 48843.