Chippewa Nature Center

Our Mission

"Chippewa Nature Center is a non-profit organization whose mission is to facilitate the enjoyment and understanding of our natural and cultural resources as relevant to the Saginaw Valley's ecosystems, to promote environmental awareness and foster responsible stewardship."

History of Chippewa Nature Center

Chippewa Nature Center is a private nature center, open to the public year-round. Its mission is to help people enjoy and learn about the environment, as well as to inspire and teach them how to be responsible stewards of the land, water and air.

In 1963, Midland Nature Club President Howard Garrett appointed a study committee to explore the possibility of establishing a nature center in Midland. As a result, in June 1964, Eugene Kenaga approached Herbert "Ted" Doan, Secretary of the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation about establishing the center. The Dow Foundation owned 198 acres of land at the confluence of the Pine and Chippewa Rivers and the Midland Nature Club Committee asked that the land be reserved for a nature center, independent of Midland Nature Club. The Dow Foundation gave their final okay from Dorothy Arbury on November 21, 1965.They leased the land to Chippewa Nature Center until 1975 when they gave that parcel, along with 8 other leased properties to Chippewa Nature Center.

Today Chippewa Nature Center is one of the largest private non-profit natures in the United States. The Board of Directors oversees policies, while staff conducts the day-to-day operations. Staff offer hundreds of programs each year, from canoe trips down local rivers to nature hikes throughout Michigan to craft programs for kids. They are available to answer your questions about nature and history, or just help you decide which trail to take. Our programs include dozens of options for school and scout group leaders, as well as a summer Nature Day Camp for kids.

Through the years CNC has grown from its original 198 acres parcel and staff of dedicated volunteers in 1966 to include over 1,200 acres, 40 staff members and hundreds of volunteers. Over 50,000 people visit CNC every year, including 20,000 school kids and 700 Nature Day Campers.

It's only through the dedication and vision of the Center's founders that it is able today to achieve it mission of helping people enjoy and learn about the environment, as well as to inspire and teach them how to be responsible stewards of the land, water and air.

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