Environmental Interpretive Center at University of Michigan-Dearborn

📆 Summer Solstice Walk this Friday evening, 8- 9:30 PM. FREE EVENT open to the public!

Get an "early start" on celebrating summer's arrival with your EIC friends. Sunset is scheduled for 9:13 Eastern Time; watch the sun set into the "notch in the trees," designed by the Ford's landscape artist Jens Jensen. Please register for the evening program. https://bit.ly/4owbqv8

This year's pollinator photo contest is open and accepting submissions. Visit our website to see the contest rules and a video of last year's highlights and the contest winners. https://bit.ly/49F5s5f
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1. Soft Landy by Ashley Hoy, 2025 Winner, Pollinators Up-Close
2. Lasioglossum on Blanketflower by Joseph Ferraro, 2025 Winner, Pollinator-Flower Interactions
3. Clearwing Hummingbird month on Milkweed_ Milan, MI by Dorrie Milan, 2025 finalist
4. Manigandan Sunderraj by Manigdan Photography, 2025 finalist

📢 Spread the word!📢 If you, or anyone you know are looking to round out their family's summer activity schedule, we've still got a couple of spaces in our Children's gardening program! Come learn how to grow delicious fresh veggies, gardening tips and tricks, and even a bit about the amazing creatures that make the soil their home! Ages 6-9, program fee is $50. More details at the link below!

https://umdearborn.edu/environmental-interpretive-center/education-programs/programs-ages-4-18/childrens-garden-program

Spring is a great time to brush up on how to handle encounters with wildlife on campus! There are a few animals we share our habitat with, here's a handy guide on what to do when you see them: https://bit.ly/4310mwf

White-tailed deer mothers will leave newborn fawns in a safe location on their own, returning after finding something to eat. The fawn is hidden from predators, and mom gets a moment to herself!

Photo by Grace Maves

This weekend, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of our Environmental Interpretive Center! Old friends reunited and reminisced, music and dance filled the building, and while it was stormy, we did find some birds, and mushrooms!

There was such tremendous support, from the University, educators, community partners, volunteers, and friends! We're proud to be here, stewarding and interpreting this unique, urban natural oasis. Here's to another 25!

Curated Nature
Since opening its doors in 2001, the EIC has showcased a collection of hand-carved wooden birds donated by George Boettner and Steve Yurmanovic. Because the collection includes more birds than can be displayed at one time, we are pleased to share the full digital collection as part of our 25th anniversary celebration. This project was made possible in collaboration with Digital Collections at U-M Ann Arbor.

For the full collection see https://quod.lib.umich.edu/u/umdeicbird/?fbclid=PARlRTSAR0Jn9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xMjQwMjQ1NzQyODc0MTQAAaevlXufrphrb4qsSI9AZ4aZW5Gnuk7L0wdAC3nnHst9iB1fzJQlm10LnMgJHA_aem_ZQJoR7dkkuaTzKHMb33RUg

This photo shows Maple Syrup boiled down in a slightly different method than what we use today!

Each spring the Environmental Interpretive Center at University of Michigan-Dearborn taps the maple trees on campus, making syrup. In this photo from the UM-Dearborn Newsletter Archives, a student stirs the sap at an outdoor stove.

(photo © Regents of the University of Michigan)

Our Living Classroom

Give your child a summer of discovery at the Environmental Interpretive Center! The EIC’s Nature Explorer programs invite children to learn through hands-on outdoor experiences in a beautiful natural setting. Participants will explore topics such as pond life, birds, insects, spiders, frogs, and turtles while building curiosity, confidence, and a deeper connection to nature.

Limited spots remain; don’t miss this unique summer experience! Share with friends and register today.

https://umdearborn.edu/environmental-interpretive-center/education-programs/programs-ages-4-18/nature-explorer-programs

Every day it seems like something new is blooming. The Verdant Burst has begun! The forest canopy is filling out, mornings are a cacophony of birdsong, and young animals are taking their first steps into the great big world! Get out there and take it all in.

They're in, just in time for our anniversary! Thanks to the DTE Energy Foundation, the EIC now has 2 trailhead signs, located at the entrances to the Interpretive Trails! Check them out next time you visit, and plan your next hike on one of the new loops!