Register online for Nature Center programs 

Connect with the natural world through exciting indoor and outdoor nature programs, interactive displays, captive animal exhibits and educational and health and wellness opportunities at Red Oaks Nature Center in Madison Heights or Wint Nature Center within Independence Oaks County Park in Clarkston.

The nature centers offer programs for families, adults, children, school groups, homeschool students, scout groups and more. A wide variety of programs open to the public are offered seasonally. Programs for scouting organizations, including Daisies, Brownies, Junior Girl Scouts, Lions, Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos, are available by appointment. Wild Birthday Parties at Red Oaks and Wint nature centers focus on nature themes and are available for children ages 4-12. Both centers are linked to trail systems that invite visitors to explore the outdoors, including a storybook trail at Red Oaks Nature Center and a sensory trail at Wint Nature Center.

Red Oaks and Wint nature centers have American Sign Language interpreters available during specific programs as noted on the Nature Education Program Schedule. Please call Red Oaks Nature Center at 248-585-0100 or Wint Nature Center at 248-625-6473 for more information.

In addition, Braille is included on the animal displays at Red Oaks Nature Center.

• Fall and Winter Nature Education Program Schedule
• Wellness in the Parks Program Schedule
• Homeschool Curriculum Flyer
• Preschool Nature Programs Flyer
• Wild Birthday Parties
• Nature Coloring Pages

Holiday Hours

Both Red Oaks and Wint nature centers will be closed on the following days:

• Thursday, Nov. 28
• Friday, Nov. 29
• Tuesday, Dec. 24
• Wednesday, Dec. 25
• Tuesday, Dec. 31
• Wednesday, Jan. 1

Early Childhood Hour Out (ECHO) at Wint Nature Center 

Parents, grandparents, nannies and caregivers: Bring your little ones to Wint Nature Center for a caregiver-guided hour of activities, fun and friendship with local families from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Thursdays.

• Participate in a caregiver-led activity provided by nature center staff
• Enjoy coffee, tea and conversation with other caregivers
• Strengthen community connections –conversation for adults; social interaction for babies, toddlers and young children
• Optional activities may take place outside, dress for the weather

This program is free and no preregistration is necessary. Caregivers must supervise children at all times. Siblings are welcome. Call 248-625-6473 for more information.

• Printable Early Childhood Hour Out (ECHO) Flyer

Field Trips and Outreach Programs

Programs are available by appointment year-round for a nominal fee to school and youth groups, preschoolers, homeschoolers, scouts, seniors, church organizations and more. Traveling outreach programs include nature presentations, nature tables and virtual take and learn field trips. StarLab, an inflatable planetarium, is offered as a program at the nature centers or as an outreach experience.

• Nature Center Field Trips Flyer
• Virtual Take and Learn Field Trips
• StarLab

Restoration Project

In late winter 2024, Natural Resources Management staff and contractors began a habitat restoration project in the northern section of the Red Oaks Nature Preserve trails. The project is focused on removing non-native, invasive species such as autumn olive and common buckthorn. 

The Natural Resources team has spent many years inventorying the current natural communities on-site and developing management strategies to increase both plant and wildlife diversity and population numbers.

This project is the first step in a long process that will include additional invasive species management, native seeding, potential tree planting and ongoing maintenance of restoration efforts. Bird habitat and food sources are an important part of this process, and the future of both migratory and resident birds was essential to planning. 

Professor Doug Tallamy, chair of entomology and wildlife ecology at the University of Delaware and author of Bringing Nature Home, provided the team with some of the scientific background on this project. His research showed “that alien ornamentals support 29 times less biodiversity than do native ornamentals. Our studies have shown that even modest increases in the native plant cover on suburban properties significantly increase the number and species of breeding birds, including birds of conservation concern.”

• Winter Invasives Flyer

Additional information

• Red Oaks Nature Center
• Wint Nature Center
• Red Oaks Nature Center Trail Map
• Independence Oaks County Park Trail Map