A new nature center is in bloom in Midland County as organizers celebrate its groundbreaking.
Supporters spoke about how the Chippewa Nature Center’s new roots will give children a strong foundation in environmental education.
“Chippewa Nature Center offers programs to the community to connect people to nature,” said Jenn Kirst, the director of programs at Chippewa Nature Center.
That connection is growing stronger with the construction of a new Chippewa Nature Center. Organizers and supporters celebrated the groundbreaking to get updates on the project and see, with their own eyes, the much-needed facility.
“Also have had our programs grow tremendously over the last couple of decades. And we’re running out of space,” Kirst said.
She said the new nature center will be designed to serve day camp purposes and school and preschool programs.
It’s received two grants: a $10,000 grant from the Hemlock Semiconductor Donor-Advised fund and a $9,000 grant from SC Johnson. The Hemlock Semiconductor grant will be used for accessible picnic tables and the grant from SC Johnson will go directly toward construction efforts at the nature education center.
“This program is really going to, the building is going to provide a learning lab, a place to store equipment, a place for kids to be inside when it’s really cold or really wet, and a great launching off point for kids of the community and beyond the whole region to explore the natural world,” Kirst said.