Johnson Nature Center

Johnson Nature Center Johnson Nature Center is comprised of 40 acres of woods, fields, wetlands, and rolling hills. Nature-based summer camps are available as well.

Students and families participate in outdoor, experiential learning programs throughout the year. The trails are open to the public from 8am to dusk daily.

Stop by this Saturday, June 20 from noon-3pm to learn about how we can help our solitary bee friends. There are simple w...
06/17/2026

Stop by this Saturday, June 20 from noon-3pm to learn about how we can help our solitary bee friends. There are simple ways we can create a habitat in our own backyard and many ways to build a bee “house.”

Join us this weekend. No registration and no cost.

And there may just be a mini-craft involved to get you started!

The 2026 Johnson Nature Center and Bowers Farm staff are getting ready for a great summer! We are excited to welcome ca...
06/16/2026

The 2026 Johnson Nature Center and Bowers Farm staff are getting ready for a great summer! We are excited to welcome campers on Monday!

At the entrance to the Pine Loop, you’ll spot one of the Nature Center’s little mysteries.Visitors often ask us what thi...
05/30/2026

At the entrance to the Pine Loop, you’ll spot one of the Nature Center’s little mysteries.

Visitors often ask us what this old structure was used for - and honestly, we’re not entirely sure. Rumor has it a former owner built it from old telephone poles as a trail entrance for his family to enjoy, though it certainly sparks curiosity.

Have you noticed it on your walks? What do you think its story might be?

Have you seen this Michigan native pine? Its pine cones need fire to open, its needles grow in pairs, and young forests ...
05/29/2026

Have you seen this Michigan native pine?
Its pine cones need fire to open, its needles grow in pairs, and young forests of these trees provide the exclusive breeding habitat for the Kirtland’s Warbler in northern Lower Michigan.

Get your creativity ready for summer at the Nature Center Craft projects are coming soon - join us one Saturday each mon...
05/29/2026

Get your creativity ready for summer at the Nature Center
Craft projects are coming soon - join us one Saturday each month for hands-on fun inspired by nature. Stay tuned for details!

Meet the majestic Eastern White Pine Did you know it’s one of only 3 native pine species in Michigan - and the only one ...
05/27/2026

Meet the majestic Eastern White Pine
Did you know it’s one of only 3 native pine species in Michigan - and the only one with needles growing in clusters of five? Nature’s little high-five!

As the largest conifer in the northeastern U.S. and Michigan’s state tree, this towering giant has deep roots in both the landscape and culture. Known as Zhingwaak in Ojibwe, it also plays an important role in the ecosystem - especially for red squirrels, who love snacking on the seeds tucked inside its pine cones

Next time you spot one, take a closer look … can you count all five needles?

Enjoy a hike at the Nature Center after dark and learn about different nocturnal animals on May 29. Pre-registration re...
05/26/2026

Enjoy a hike at the Nature Center after dark and learn about different nocturnal animals on May 29. Pre-registration required.

Blackfin Cisco, Deepwater Cisco, and Shortnose Cisco. Several cisco fish species found in Michigan have been extirpated ...
05/15/2026

Blackfin Cisco, Deepwater Cisco, and Shortnose Cisco. Several cisco fish species found in Michigan have been extirpated since 1970. While over fishing certainly didn’t help, the final nail in the underwater coffin were invasive species introduced by humans. Parasitic sea lampreys would attach themselves to the defenseless ciscoes and extract their blood, while river herring and rainbow smelt ate any young ciscoes they found. These invasive species are merely trying to survive, but harmed the previous ecosystem.

Arctic grayling. This species isn’t extinct across the world. They are doing fine in Canada and Alaska, as well as parts...
05/15/2026

Arctic grayling. This species isn’t extinct across the world. They are doing fine in Canada and Alaska, as well as parts of the Missouri River. So why not here? There used to be a healthy population in the Great lakes, but habitat destruction, invasive species, and unchecked logging brought an end to their population. How does chopping down trees affect fish? The trees kept parts of the river shaded and cool, just as the grayling liked it. The trees also slowed down erosion, and prevented too many minerals from running into the water where it could get caught in the fish’s gills.

The heath hen was another once wide ranged bird. Some believe it was the first Thanksgiving bird, not the turkey. Huntin...
05/14/2026

The heath hen was another once wide ranged bird. Some believe it was the first Thanksgiving bird, not the turkey. Hunting certainly didn’t help, but domesticated cats also caught and killed these flightless birds. They went extinct in Michigan, and the rest of mainland U.S.A. by the 1840s with the rest surviving on the island of Martha's Vineyard, off Massachusetts. While humans tried to help restore their numbers, a fire in 1916 killed most of the adults and they were never able to recover. The last one was Booming Ben, and he died in 1932. While the heath hens were unable to be saved, they were the first bird species humans tried to rescue, and conservationists learned how to handle restoration efforts better.

Address

3325 Franklin Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI
48302

Telephone

+12483416485

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Johnson Nature Center posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Johnson Nature Center:

Shortcuts

Share

Category