Pierce Cedar Creek Institute

Pierce Cedar Creek Institute Set on 850 acres in Southwest Michigan, Pierce Cedar Creek Institute provides visitors with unique experiences and beautiful moments in nature.

Our trails are open dawn to dusk! https://www.cedarcreekinstitute.org/ The Institute's Visitor Center is open to the public Monday – Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. The Education Building is open for programs only. Institute trails are open daily, dawn to dusk. The Institute is a mix between a nature center and a biological field station, offers programs to serve the community, while also building partnershi

ps with area colleges and universities to serve their faculty and students. Whether you come to take a class, explore the trails, attend an event, or participate in research, your experience at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute will be a rewarding one. Please be aware WiFi and cell service can be spotty in this area. Please check our web site for driving directions if you are a first-time visitor to the Institute. cedarcreekinstitute.org or (269) 721-4190.

06/12/2026

Weaving Natural Materials with Matt Eldred. We had a great first Wilderness Class last night at the Institute. If you’re curious to see what it is about, check out the highlights. Five more opportunities to learn with Matt this summer at PCCI. Learn along with us!

🐦 Did you know some birds can solve puzzles, use tools, and even recognize human faces?Join us for the Cedar Creek Book ...
06/11/2026

🐦 Did you know some birds can solve puzzles, use tools, and even recognize human faces?

Join us for the Cedar Creek Book Club as we discuss **The Genius of Birds** by Jennifer Ackerman.

📅 Tuesday, June 16
⏰ 10 am – Noon

This welcoming book club is perfect for anyone with an interest in nature, wildlife, and lifelong learning. There's no commitment required, and even if you haven't finished—or started—the book, you're still invited to join the discussion.

Come connect with fellow readers, share ideas, and be inspired to explore the natural world in new ways.

Free to attend! Please register at https://tinyurl.com/PCCIBookClubJune

Thank You, Science Sara! 🌿 After 12 years of dedicated service, Dr. Sara Syswerda will be transitioning from Pierce Ceda...
06/11/2026

Thank You, Science Sara! 🌿

After 12 years of dedicated service, Dr. Sara Syswerda will be transitioning from Pierce Cedar Creek Institute to begin a new chapter as an elementary teacher at Central Elementary School.

Over the past decade, Sara has helped shape and strengthen environmental education at the Institute, inspiring thousands of students, teachers, and families through hands-on learning experiences that connect people with nature. Her leadership in the ScienceStrong program has been instrumental in developing school partnerships, advancing science education initiatives, expanding curriculum opportunities, and fostering a love of learning and stewardship throughout our community.

From field trips and classroom programs to teacher support and curriculum development, Sara's work has left a lasting impact on both the Institute and the many young people she has served. We look forward to future opportunities for collaborations and to the many students we may continue to share.

While we will miss her as a member of the PCCI team, we are excited that she will continue inspiring the next generation of learners in the classroom. We know her students at Central Elementary will benefit greatly from her passion, knowledge, and commitment to education.

Please join us in thanking Sara for her many contributions to Pierce Cedar Creek Institute and wishing her all the best in this exciting new adventure!

💚 Thank you, Sara!

🏕️ Imagine finding yourself in the wilderness with no food or clean water.Would you know what to do?On June 18, join loc...
06/10/2026

🏕️ Imagine finding yourself in the wilderness with no food or clean water.

Would you know what to do?

On June 18, join local survival instructor Matt Eldred for an engaging, hands-on class focused on two of the most important survival priorities: water and calories.

Participants will learn:
💧 How to locate and collect water
🔥 Ways to purify water for drinking
🌱 Techniques for sourcing calories in nature
🪤 How to construct a wilderness figure-four trap

Best of all, you'll leave with your completed trap and the confidence to put these skills into practice.

REGISTRATION IS DUE JUNE 11! Take your outdoor skills to the next level! https://tinyurl.com/PCCIWilderness

06/10/2026

🎉 We're turning 25! 🎉

Join us as we celebrate 25 years of environmental education, conservation, and community at our 25th Birthday Bash!

📅 Saturday, June 20
⏰ 11 am – 2 pm

Enjoy:
🍦 Mooville Ice Cream
🧁 Cupcakes
🌭 Hot Dogs
🍉 Watermelon

This free community celebration is our way of saying thank you to everyone who has supported our mission over the past 25 years.

A special thank you to our Corporate Partners for helping make this celebration possible:
Flexfab, Douglas A. & Margaret E. DeCamp Foundation, Morgan Stanley, Highpoint Community Bank, and Commercial Bank.

Registration is free but requested. We hope to celebrate with you!

Please register here: www.tinyurl.com/PCCI25thBday

🌿 Summer Series—Lunch & Learn 🌿Take a break, enjoy a delicious lunch, and spend an afternoon learning about an issue tha...
06/09/2026

🌿 Summer Series—Lunch & Learn 🌿

Take a break, enjoy a delicious lunch, and spend an afternoon learning about an issue that affects all of us who enjoy our local landscapes and natural areas.

On June 12, join Sara Rahn and April Savickas from the Barry Conservation District for an informative update on invasive species in our region.

Whether you're a gardener, birder, nature enthusiast, or simply curious about the world around you, this program offers valuable insights and plenty of opportunities to learn from local experts.

🥪 Lunch: Noon–1 pm
🌱 Program: 1–1:45 pm

Gather with friends, enjoy the beauty of the Institute, and leave with a greater understanding of the natural communities we all cherish.

Please register online at tinyurl.com/PCCILunchandLearnJune12

🔥 The adventure begins June 11! 🔥Have you ever wanted to learn wilderness survival skills from an expert? Now is your ch...
06/08/2026

🔥 The adventure begins June 11! 🔥

Have you ever wanted to learn wilderness survival skills from an expert? Now is your chance!

Join local survivalist instructor , featured on a popular television series, for the first class in our new Introduction to Wilderness Survival and Bushcraft series at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute.

Our first session, Introduction to Weaving with Natural Materials, will teach participants how to create beautiful and functional items using materials found in nature. Craft a basket, container, or decorative wilderness wreath and take home your finished creation!

But that's just the beginning...

🌿 Learn to identify useful plants, trees, and fungi
💧 Discover how to find and purify water in the wild
🔥 Master the art of friction fire
🏕️ Build wilderness shelters
🪓 Learn axe, hatchet, and knife safety and maintenance
🪤 Construct survival traps and other practical bushcraft tools

Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, camper, hiker, homesteader, or simply curious about learning new skills, this hands-on series is designed for all experience levels.

📅 Thursdays, June & July
⏰ 6–8 pm
👥 Enrollment limited to 15 participants
✅ Register for one class or the entire series at https://tinyurl.com/PCCIWilderness

Spaces are limited, so register early and start your wilderness adventure with us!

06/08/2026

🐦 Rise and shine with the birds! 🐦

Join us on Tuesday, June 9, from 8:30–9:30 am for a social morning of birding with local guides Anne and Doug Klein.

Whether you're a seasoned birder or just curious about the feathered friends around us, this is a great opportunity to connect with fellow nature lovers, enjoy a morning beverage, and explore the trails in search of some of Barry County's best birds.

✔ Free to attend
✔ No registration required
✔ Limited binoculars available to borrow

Please be prepared to hike up to one mile on uneven trails. This program will take place rain or shine.

Meet in the Education Building and start your day with nature!

06/08/2026

🦅🇺🇸 A symbol of freedom. A conservation success story. A celebration 250 years in the making.

Join Pierce Cedar Creek Institute on July 24 for Spirit of the Eagle, a special event celebrating both 250 Years of America and 25 Years of Pierce Cedar Creek Institute!

Hear from Dr. Carl Palazzolo, DVM, as he shares the remarkable story of the Bald Eagle's rehabilitation in Michigan and discusses his latest book. Then experience the awe and wonder of seeing a live eagle presented by Michigan Avian Experience!

This unforgettable event honors the resilience, strength, and spirit that the Bald Eagle represents—while celebrating 25 years of conservation, education, and community at Pierce Cedar Creek Institute.

🦅 Live Eagle Presentation
📖 Author Talk with Dr. Carl Palazzolo
🥪 Optional Lunch
🎉 Special 25th Anniversary Event

Come celebrate our nation's history, Michigan's wildlife success story, and the Institute's 25 years of inspiring connections to nature.

Reserve your spot today! Register at tinyurl.com/PCCISpiritoftheEagle

Address

701 W Cloverdale Road
Hastings, MI
49058

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12697214190

Website

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