SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION OPENS!

MARCH 14, 10 AM

For kids who love to explore, investigate, reflect, and play in nature, there’s no better place than Fernwood! Our summer day camps offer a beautiful and safe environment for children to enhance their connection to the natural world, while broadening their understanding of the role they play within it.

MARVELOUS MAPLE SUGARING

MARCH 21, 1-4 PM

Class Details:

Learn all about the sweet world of maple tree tapping with local expert, Dane Rasmussen from Possum Glen Farmsted. Dane has been collecting and processing maple syrup for over 10 seasons. In this 3-hour program, he’ll share everything you need to know about historic and modern maple sugaring methods, tree identification/biology, and how to set up a tapping system in your own backyard. Attendees will enjoy a brief hike, a syrup-processing demonstration by the fire, and free syrup tasting!

Suggested Audience: Adults and children 9+

Cost: $30 ($24 Fernwood members)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

All are welcome to attend! More details coming soon.

SPRING BREAK SERVICE LEARNING

MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM

High school students can earn 12 hours of service by donating their time to Fernwood. Students will learn conservation techniques for lawn maintenance, invasive species management, and best practices to support local wildlife. The program will include yard work in the garden and preserve, hiking to search for early-spring wildflowers, and learning about Fernwood’s Eastern Bluebird program. 

Audience: High school students and young adults
Registration Deadline: March 27

SPRING BREAK SERVICE LEARNING

MARCH 31 - APRIL 1, 10:30 AM - 4:30 PM

High school students can earn 12 hours of service by donating their time to Fernwood. Students will learn conservation techniques for lawn maintenance, invasive species management, and best practices to support local wildlife. The program will include yard work in the garden and preserve, hiking to search for early-spring wildflowers, and learning about Fernwood’s Eastern Bluebird program. 

Audience: High school students and young adults
Registration Deadline: March 27

Grab your passports–the third annual Herbal Spring Symposium is going international! Join us for a day of botanical adventure, as we explore the herbs and spices of Indian, Italian, and Mexican cuisine. Three local chefs will inspire us with their personal tales and share how they use herbs and spices to honor their culinary heritage. Plus, we’ll take a deep dive into the International Herb of the Year: Turmeric. Come experience a wonderful array of worldly flavors and leave with the knowledge and understanding to continue exploring in your own kitchen!

FEATURED SPEAKERS:

Thirjani Kantareddy - KT ‘s Rasoi Indian Cuisine 

Steve Zieverink - Emma Hearth & Market

Olivia Benitez - Sabroso Mexican Food

Elaine Fletcher-Janzen - Herb Society of America, Michiana Unit

FEATURED PRESENTATIONS:

ADMISSION INCLUDES:

• Morning refreshments

• 4 herbal education sessions

• An herb-forward lunch provided by The Grateful Pie Company at Fernwood

• Herb seedling sale

• Herbal Market and exhibitor hall

• Tours of the Fernwood Herb and Sensory Garden

Audience: Teens-adults 

Location: The Sims Education Center 

Cost: $80 ($64 members) - Please register by April 8

EARTH MONTH CELEBRATION:

RIVERSIDE & ROADSIDE CLEANUP

APRIL 18, 10-11:30 AM

Celebrate Earth Month by making a difference in the health and beauty of our local waterways and roadsides. Volunteers will meet at the Visitors Center and be assigned cleanup locations across Fernwood’s 105-acre property.

Volunteers receive free admission plus free drinks and snacks!

EARTH MONTH CELEBRATION - EPHEMERAL FAVORITES: NATIVE WILDFLOWER WALK

APRIL 18, 12:30-1:30 PM

Planting and protecting native species is one of the most important actions you can take to ensure the health of our local ecosystem. Fernwood is a wonderland of native ephemeral wildflowers! Discover their beauty and bounty in this engaging tour. You’ll learn how to locate and identify numerous species, where to acquire native plants and seeds, and tips on how to incorporate them into your own home landscape.

Audience: All ages

Cost: Free with admission

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

NATURE'S STEWARDS VOLUNTEER DAY 

BIRD HABITAT REBUILD 

April 18 , 1 - 3 PM  

Join us in creating a garden for our feathered friends! We will be planting native forbs and shrubs to provide food and a perfect habitat for the birds we cherish. The garden will be located just outside the fauna wing at the education center. Once completed, this project will enhance bird watching opportunities!

Sign up today to help us create a healthy habitat for birds and a beautiful garden for all to enjoy. People of all ages are welcome to participate.

Additionally, join us each month for a different conservation project focused on habitat restoration or invasive species removal.

Audience: All ages welcome
Registration Deadline: April 16

EARTH MONTH CELEBRATION - YOUTH CHALK ART CONTEST

APRIL 18, 2-4:30 PM

Express yourself and share all the ways you care for the earth by registering for Fernwood’s Earth Month Youth Chalk Art Contest! Each participant will be entered in a raffle for the chance to win a Fernwood Family Membership!

This year’s theme: “A Bird’s-Eye View!”

Age group: Grades K-12

What we’ll provide: Participants will be assigned a 4x4’ area to create their design along Fernwood’s paved garden paths. They may choose from a selection of chalk colors, sponges, and paint brushes from our materials table (please, no outside materials).

Prize:

One lucky raffle winner will receive a year-long Fernwood Family Membership. This membership admits four people to Fernwood, and two people at more than 450 participating botanical gardens and natural areas, plus a 20% discount Fernwood classes and programs.

The raffle winner will be announced at 4:30 pm (winner is not required to be present).

Cost: Free with garden admission

In the event of rain, the contest will take place inside the Sims Education Center, where participants will be offered floor space to create their designs.

Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is encouraged to secure a space!

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION - NOTEWORTHY TREES TOUR

APRIL 25, 1-2 PM

Join us for an interpretive walking tour where you’ll learn all about Fernwood’s incredible array of tree species, plus how to select and care for trees in your own backyard. 

Audience: All ages

Cost: Free with admission

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

ARBOR DAY CELEBRATION - CEREMONIAL TREE PLANTING

APRIL 25, 2:30-3:30 PM

Trees and forests are the number one nature-based solution for reversing the negative effects of our changing climate. Each year, Fernwood invites visitors to participate in a special tree planting ceremony to celebrate these life-sustaining wonders of nature. Help make a difference while picking up tips on how to successfully add trees to your own home landscape.

Audience: All ages

Cost: Free with admission

Walk-ins are welcome, but please let us know you’re planning to join us by registering.

WORLD MIGRATORY BIRD DAY HIKE

MAY 9, 8-10 AM

World Migratory Bird Day is celebrated on the second Saturday in May each year as migratory birds journey to their spring nesting sites. Join us for a guided hike through our nature preserve to observe and identify the birds that make Fernwood their seasonal home. General visitors are also encouraged to visit the Sims Education Center bird viewing windows throughout the day to get an up close look at our feathered friends. Binoculars and identification guides provided!

Audience: All ages welcome

Location: Meet at the Visitors Center

Cost: Free with admission

Registration is encouraged. Walk-ins may be accepted, only if space is available. 

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

TREE RING PRINTS

MAY 30, 1-3PM

Celebrate the opening of Fernwood’s new Stumpery garden with this unique nature printing class that captures the inner beauty of trees! You’ll learn how to process and prep tree trunk sections for inking and create a series of prints to take home. We’ll also take a look at tree anatomy and discover the important habitat and nutrient cycling roles stumps and fallen branches play in our local forest ecosystems.

Suggested Audience: Teens-Adults

Cost: $35 ($28 members) - Please register by May 28

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen. 

PRIDE MONTH - TEA HIKE

JUNE 6, 1-2 PM

Join Fernwood this Pride month as we celebrate the importance and beauty of diversity in our communities and in our environment! Meet new friends and enjoy a selection of iced herbal teas after hitting the trails for a guided interpretive hike focusing on the incredible biodiversity of Fernwood’s unique property. All are welcome!

Why tea? Fernwood’s tea “hike” is a spin on tea dances. Popular in the late 1800s, traditional tea dances were social gatherings that coincided with afternoon tea time and took place in the garden. In the 1950s, New York City’s gay community brought new meaning to tea dances in response to being banned from bars and being served alcohol. Tea dances were organized outside of the city and provided attendees with safe outdoor spaces where they could enjoy drinks, music, and meet others.

Audience: All ages welcome

Location: Meet at the Visitors Center front desk

Cost: Free with admission

Registration is encouraged. Walk-ins may be accepted, only if space is available. 

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

SOLSTICE HERB WALK & MAKE-AND-TAKE

JUNE 20, 12-1:30 PM

Bask in the beauty and abundance of the longest day of the year with herbalist, Carly Pinto, as your guide! You’ll explore Fernwood’s grounds and learn how to identify and responsibly harvest a bounty of medicinal herbs that thrive in the heat of the summer. Participants will forage a selection of botanicals to work with and find out how to utilize the power of the sun to create their own potent solar remedies! Please bring something to write with, appropriate shoes for varied terrain hiking, plenty of water and sun protection.

About the Instructor:

Carly Pinto is a holistic nutritionist, herbalist, community educator, and committed life-long learner. She holds a Masters degree in holistic nutrition from a naturopathic university, and has continued education in traditional western herbalism, functional medicine, and other traditional medical systems.

Suggested Audience: Teens-Adults

Cost: $65 ($52 members) - Please register by June 17

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

All are welcome to attend! More details coming soon.

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

BATurday Night Live!

JULY 11, 8-10 PM

Whether you find them frightening or charming, there’s no doubting the important role that bats play in our local ecosystems. In this special evening program, bat expert, Maarten Vonhof, will delve into the biology and conservation of this often misunderstood mammal. Enjoy a bat-themed dessert as you learn all about resident Michigan bats and actions you can take to help support their populations. Participants will also experience firsthand how scientists study bats, as they venture into the nature preserve, using bat detectors and mist nets in hopes of getting a closer look.

About the Instructor:

Maarten Vonhof is a professor of Biological Sciences and Environment, Geography, and Sustainability at Western Michigan University. He has been studying the ecology and conservation of bats for 32 years.

Suggested Audience: Kids (ages 7-12) - Adult

Cost: $25 ($20 members), $12 kids (ages 7-12)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

INTRO TO NATURE JOURNALING

JULY 12, 1-3 PM

Capture the beauty of the natural world with an art form that’s creative, meditative, and portable. In this class, you’ll learn a variety of approaches to recording your observations and experiment with scale, style, and artistic mediums. Participants will each receive their own practice journal to document and reflect on different natural elements and locations around the garden.

Suggested Audience: Teens-Adult

Cost: $35 ($28 members)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

TALLGRASS PRAIRIE TOUR

AUGUST 22, 1-2:30 PM

All across North America, prairie habitat is under continuous threat due to anthropogenic development. These rare and fragmented ecosystems, rich in biodiversity, provide vital homes to numerous native species of birds, insects, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians.

 Join us as we explore the beauty and diversity of Fernwood’s own tallgrass prairie. You’ll learn all about the prairie’s establishment, the incredible adaptations of our native prairie plants, how to identify and manage invasive plant species, and the history of prairies in North America.

Please dress accordingly – long sleeves, long pants, closed-toed shoes, long socks, hats, gloves, and sunscreen. Please bring a water bottle and snacks if needed.

Suggested Audience: All ages welcome

Location: Meet at The Visitors Center front desk

Cost: $15 ($12 members)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

PICKLING WITH PATSY

AUGUST 29, 1-2:30 PM

Discover the delicious world of pickled vegetables with pickling pro, Patsy Wyman. In this class you’ll learn all about canning techniques and the fermentation process and leave with tasty new recipes to try at home. There will be a demonstration followed by a tasting of a variety of pickled items such as, sweet & sour red onions, pickled roast peppers, and spicy pickle chips.

About the Instructor:

Patsy Wyman grew up on a farm in central Michigan where pickling, canning, freezing, drying, and fermenting foods was practically a way of life. Her many years of experience as a chef and culinary instructor helped broaden her exposure to new tastes while giving her the opportunity to continue experimenting with food preservation techniques.

Suggested Audience: Teens-Adults

Cost: $25 ($20 members) - Please register by August 27

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

FALL FLORA BOTANY WALK

SEPTEMBER 12, 10 AM-12 PM

Experience Fernwood’s nature preserve through the eyes of a plant botanist! During this immersive hike, Scott Wagner, of Michigan Natural Features Inventory, will provide an in-depth look at the flora of our diverse forest communities, discussing ferns, woody plants, and wildflowers of late summer/early fall.

Participants are likely to see: Goldie’s woodfern (Dryopteris goldieana), maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), spice-bush (Lindera benzoin), paw-paw (Asimina triloba), Ohio buckeye (Aesculus glabra), swamp goldenrod (Solidago patula), white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima), swamp thistle (Cirsium muticum), swamp betony (Pedicularis lanceolata), purple-stemmed angelica (Angelica atropurpurea), tall bellflower (Campanulastrum americanum), and great blue lobelia (Lobelia siphilitica).

About Scott Wagner:

Scott is a botanist with Michigan Natural Features Inventory. He holds a PhD in Plant Biology from Michigan State University. He is from Buchanan and grew up visiting Fernwood.

Suggested Audience: Teens-Adults

Cost: $20 ($16 members)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

MUSHROOM EXPLORATION!

SEPTEMBER 19, 1-3PM

Join Dr. Henry Van T. Cotter for an introduction to mushrooms, their identification, and ecology! After a brief overview, attendees will venture into the gardens and nature preserve to search for mushrooms and collect samples for further examination. The session will end with a display of the specimens gathered, including a discussion of their taxonomy, ecology, and utility as food or mycomedicinals. Many mushrooms fruit in the late summer/early fall. So, weather willing, there should be an abundance of different species to discover!

Participants are encouraged to bring:

• Wild mushroom samples collected from their home property

• A basket to hold samples collected at Fernwood

• Weather appropriate shoes and clothing

• Water, sunscreen, and insect repellent

About Dr. Henry Van T. Cotter:

Van’s friends and family know well that a hike with him means delving off the path to search for fungi. His love for mushrooms is infectious (case in point: this year he helped his 3- and 5-year-old next door neighbors inoculate maple logs with lion’s mane mushroom spawn). Van’s passionate interest in fungi began when he was assistant manager on a fruit tree farm in Michigan watching beautiful cherries succumb to fungal brown rot. Between stints on the fruit farm, he took Introductory Mycology at the University of New Hampshire and his future path studying and working with fungi was set.  For his graduate degrees he studied beech bark disease in New England and then boletes (friends of the forest) in Nepal under a Fulbright Grant receiving a Ph.D. from Virginia Tech. After a career in crop protection research, he has been active as a mycological volunteer including helping catalog the wealth of valuable fungal type collections in the NCU Herbarium, investigating equine fungal infections, and documenting the fungal biodiversity of Michigan’s Nature Sanctuaries. Through the USAID Farmer-to-Farmer program, he assisted mushroom farmers from around the world. He is looking forward to showing you more about the world of mushrooms.

Suggested Audience: Teens-Adults

Cost: $35 ($28 members)

*To receive your member discount, please be sure to sign-in by clicking the button in the upper right-hand corner of the registration screen.

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

Fernwood members and visitors can bring their four-legged friends to Fernwood Dog Days starting in May. On select Saturday mornings, pets are welcome to join a walk through the garden and nature preserve. We ask that all dog lovers planning to walk at Fernwood take a moment to review the guidelines and note our “Dog-Free Areas” before their arrival.

All Dog Day participants must exit the garden by 11 am. 

Fernwood Members: Early entry begins at 9 am for members only. Dogs and their owners get free admission with an active membership. 

Visitors: Open 10 - 11 am. Standard general admission pricing and $5 per dog.

CANINE AND OWNER POLICIES

To make this a fun and safe experience for all garden guests, please adhere to the following agreements while visiting Fernwood: 

• Dogs must be supervised and leashed at all times while on site (which includes the parking lot). Guests with unattended or off-leash dogs will be asked to leave the garden immediately.

• All dogs must be socialized and have current vaccinations and registrations.

• For the safety of both your dog and the natural environment, please stick to established paved and dirt paths, routes, and trails. This helps protect all forms of life - both plants and animals. 

• By participating in Dog Days, owners assume full responsibility for their dog’s or dogs’ behavior.

• Please leave the garden as you found it! Clean up after your dog and use designated outdoor trash receptacles throughout the garden. Bags are available at the Visitor Center upon entry.

DOG-FREE AREAS

• Natural springs, ponds, and water features

• Fernwood Café

• Fern Conservatory

• Manicured garden beds 

• Gift Shop

PET POLICY

Please remember that dogs will only be admitted to Fernwood on designated days and times. They are not allowed in the garden outside designated dog-walking hours. Service animals are welcome. Emotional support animals are not allowed.

2026 DOG DAYS DATES

May 16

May 30

June 13

June 27

July 11

July 25

August 8

August 22

September 5

September 19

October 3

October 17

October 31

All are welcome to attend! More details coming soon.