UPCOMING PROGRAMS
Evening Paddle on the St. Joseph River
Join us for a beautiful evening paddling the peaceful water of the St. Joseph River. We will launch from Shamrock Park and paddle downstream to Jasper Dairy DNR boat launch in Berrien Springs. Bring water, and a packed lunch. We will stop along the river and eat on the way. Sarett naturalists will guide the way looking for birds, turtles, and other wildlife! Meet at Sarett.
Kayak , paddle, PFD, and transportation included.
Member: $25
Non-member: $30
Call (269) 927-4832 to register.
Have your own equipment? Not a problem, just let us know when you sign-up. Members: $10, Non-members: $15
Fall Online Auction
The Fall Online Auction is back! SUpport the nature center by bidding on items such as unique experiences, handmade items by local artists, nature goods, dining, and more! Bid anytime between 9:00 AM on Saturday, September 12 and 9:00 PM on Saturday, September 19. Once the auction closes, an email will be sent to you letting you know if you won. Auction items may be picked up at the nature center starting on Sunday, September 20. Check back here for the auction link!
Lavender Adventurers: Social Hike
Join us at Sarett for a morning of easy-paced, moderate hiking to spend time with your friends and make some new ones out on the trails! This outdoors group is partnered with Outcenter Southwest Michigan for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. No registration necessary. Members/FREE, Non-members/ $5.
Annual Fall Dinner and Auction
Join us for an evening of good food, friendship, and fun!
4:00 pm - Drinks with charcuterie appetizers. / Silent Auction opens.
5:00 pm - Dinner begins, includes food from Bit of Swiss, Bread+Bar, Grand Mere Inn, The Mason Jar Café, Papa Vino’s, Tosi’s and more. / Silent Auction continues.
6:00 pm - Presentation by Nate Fuller with oral auction. / Silent Auction closes.
Get tickets HERE.
Silver Foxes: Hovering Hunters
Join Sarett naturalist, Kevin Barrera, for a presentation on nesting American Kestrels at Sarett. Silver Fox programs are designed for people 55 & older. This group meets once a month. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members/ FREE, Non-Members/ $5.
Hawk Watch at Warren Dunes
Join Sarett Nature Center for a Hawk Watch Hike to the top of Mt. Randall at Warren Dunes State Park! September marks the peak of the raptors' southerly migration and our close proximity to the lake is advantageous. Raptors prefer not to cross water meaning the birds follow the shoreline, concentrating them right over the dunes for spectacular viewing. We will meet at the nature center at 10:00 AM for a ride, or you can meet the group directly at the Mt. Randall trailhead at 10:30 AM.
Please note that a Michigan State Park Recreation Passport is required if you choose to drive separately.
This event includes a strenuous hike up a steep sand dune, so be sure to bring binoculars, water, and comfortable hiking shoes!
Please call 269-927-4832 to register.
Members/ $8, Non-Members/ $10.
Wetland Wildflower Walk
Join us for a wildflower hike through our lowlands. Naturalists will discuss ID tips, pollinators and enjoy the beauty of late season flowers. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members & children/ FREE, Non-Members/ $5.
Monthly Stewardship - Seed Collecting
Join us for an afternoon to collect seeds from various plants in the prairie and take home a few for your own use too. No sign up is necessary.
Lavender Adventurers: Social Hike
Join us at Warren Woods State Park (Elm Valley Rd, Three Oaks, MI 49128) for a morning of easy-paced hiking to spend time with your friends and make some new ones out on the trails! This outdoors group is partnered with the OutCenter of Southwest Michigan for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. No registration is necessary. Members/FREE, Non-Members/$5.
Tree Hike
Join a Sarett naturalist in learning about tree identification on this autumn hike. We will look at many different trees native to MI that can be found on Sarett property. We will also study branching, bark, leaves and winter buds. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members & children/FREE, Non-Members/$5.
Fall Flight
Join a Sarett Naturalist for a guided birding hike around the loop at Floral Lane in Warren Dunes State Park! We will meet at the nature center at 8:00 AM and plan on arriving at the park around 8:30 AM. As we enter late October, migration is still in full swing; tricky fall warblers are moving through the area, and we will be right in the peak window for spotting Harris's Sparrow—North America’s largest sparrow! As an added benefit, the stunning fall colors enter their peak during the last two weeks of October, making for a beautiful backdrop. Floral Lane can be quite wet, consider wearing boots and bring your binoculars for this scenic autumn trek. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members/$8, Non-Members/ $10.
Fall Color on the Voyageur Canoe
Join us for an unique opportunity to experience fall color by way of a 35-foot voyageur canoe. Set out on a guided paddling adventure down the Kalamazoo River through the Allegan State Game Area, searching for wildlife and celebrating the peak fall colors. Hear stories of the Voyageurs who paddled these canoes during Michigan’s fur trade era. Seating is limited; anyone under the age of 18 must have an adult present. All ages are required to wear a life jacket. There is a limited option to ride in the middle of the canoe without paddling. Ages: 8 and up.
What to expect: This program is entirely outdoors. The canoe is guided by two experienced naturalists. Entering and exiting the canoe requires stepping down into the canoe, over seats and back out. The on-water portion of the trip takes about 2.5 hours.
Restrooms are extremely limited. Dress warm and dress in layers. Pack plenty of snacks, drinks and a lunch.
Member/ $15, Non-Member/$20, Children/ $5. Please call (269) 927-4832 to secure your spot in the canoe.
Silver Foxes: Spiders
A Sarett naturalist will discuss biology, diversity, and cultural importance of spiders. Silver Fox programs are designed for people 55 & older who like to be active and learn something new. This group meets once a month. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Member/FREE, Non- member/$5.
Sarett's Spooky Halloween
A spooky adventure will be had by all ages as you take a stroll through the trails and visit some spooky crafts, game stations, and other fun activities. Visit the scary trail if you want a fright!
Tickets should be purchased in advance to participate in this Halloween event. $6.00/ person age 2 and older.
Member ticket sales start October 1 at 10:00 AM.
Non-member ticket sales begin October 8 at 10:00 AM.
Tickets are sold online, so check back here on the 1st or 8th!
Monthly Stewardship Volunteer Day
Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn identification of key native & invasive species as well as learn the importance of native plant ecosystems. Please wear sturdy shoes, weather appropriate clothing, & bring water. No registration necessary.
Fall Ukrainian Egg Class
Come learn the art of egg dyeing known as pysanky, or Ukrainian Eggs. We will follow a pattern for a winter scene in preparation for the holidays. Participants will be able to complete one egg. The eggs will be available the following weekend after Sarett naturalists have sealed the designs. This program is for adults only. Space is limited. Please call 269-927-4832 to register. Member/ $20, Non-member/ $25. One program starts at 10 AM and one program starts at 1:30 PM for this popular class.
Fall Ukrainian Egg Class
Come learn the art of egg dyeing known as pysanky, or Ukrainian Eggs. We will follow a pattern for a winter scene in preparation for the holidays. Participants will be able to complete one egg. The eggs will be available the following weekend after Sarett naturalists have sealed the designs. This program is for adults only. Space is limited. Please call 269-927-4832 to register. Member/ $20, Non-member/ $25. One class starts at 10:00 AM and the other is at 1:30 PM
Trivia Night!
Join us for an evening of “FUNraising” and test your knowledge on a variety of categories!
Buy a table for $100 (up to 10 people/table)
Feel free to bring snacks to share with your tablemates
We will have a cash bar for pop, water, beer, and wine
Sign-up by either calling (269) 927-4832 or visit our online store (link available soon!)
Trivia Night is for adults only
Doors open at 6:00 PM and trivia begins at 7:00
Silver Foxes: Turkey and Game Birds
The status of Michigan’s turkey and game birds will be examined. Silver Fox programs are designed for people 55 & older who like to be active and learn something new. This group meets once a month. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members/FREE, Non-members/$5.
Vulture Appreciation Day
Visit Sarett to learn about the importance of vultures - a major part of nature’s cleanup crew - in the world. Watch an informative slideshow (running on a loop) and grab some takehome activity sheets!
Free with admission.
Our Wild Neighbors
Discover the amazing wild animals that share our local habitats! This animal program explores native species found right here in our region, highlighting the unique roles they play in the ecosystem and the habitats where they thrive.
Members & Children: Free
Non-members: $5
Registration is not necessary.
Family Night
Cling to the last moments of summer with an evening filled with night time activities. We will set live traps for moths and nocturnal bugs, call for owls, and conduct exciting night-time science experiments. Weather permitting, we will set up a viewing telescope on the treetop walkway for stargazing. If it’s too cloudy to sky watch, we will have a campfire and tell stories of wildlife encounters from summers past. Please call 269-927-4832 to register. Members/ $10, Non-members/ $12, Children/ $5.
Silver Foxes: St. Joseph River History
The St. Joseph River flows through Michigan and Indiana. At approximately 210 miles long, it’s the third largest watershed draining to Lake Michigan. The St. Joseph River has historical significance, having been a trade route for Native Americans and early settlers. Today, many recreational opportunities are available like fishing, boating and wildlife viewing. Join us for an educational exploration into the natural history of one of our great local natural resources. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Member/FREE, Non-member/$5
Family Festival!
• Free Butterfly House Entrance • Crafts • Face Painting • Scavenger Hunt •Wagon Rides • Animal Shows • and much more!
Members: $8/Adult, $3/child, $20/family
Non-Members: $10/Adult, $5/child, $25/family
Geocaching Berrien County
Hop in the van and join Sarett naturalists on a county wide scavenger hunt, looking for some of the more interesting geocaches in our area! Use of the geocaching app is recommended, but Sarett can provide GPS units for those that need them. This program is suitable for ages 16+. No prior experience necessary. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members/ $10, Non-members/ $15.
Bat Acoustics
Join us for an evening program to learn about the use of acoustic survey equipment to detect bats. Members from the Chicago environmental consulting group SWCA will discuss techniques and why monitoring bats is so important. We will then go on an evening walk to set up acoustic equipment borrowed from SWCA. Please call 269-927-4832 to register. Members/ $5, Non-Members/ $8, Children/ $3.
Music & Butterflies
Join us for a special afternoon in the butterfly house. Harpist Meg Rodgers will be in the butterfly house playing a variety of music from pop to classical, from Gershwin to Disney, Meg has even been persuaded to take requests. Come sit awhile, watch the butterflies and relax to the peaceful harp music. Regular Butterfly House admission fees apply. Rain date August 16.
Paddle the Paw Paw River
Use your paddling skills to navigate the beautiful Paw Paw River Water Trail from County Line Road to the Paw Paw River County Park at Watervliet. Pack drinks, lunch and snacks. Kayak, life preserver and transportation included. $20/member, $25/non-member. Call (269) 927-4832 to register. (Have your own equipment? Not a problem, just let us know when you sign up. Members/ $10, Non-Members/ $15.)
Monarch Festival at Love Creek Nature Center
Join Sarett at Love Creek County Park for a day on everything to do with Monarchs including outdoor booths, crafts, cookies, face painting and more!
Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Meet-up
Work with a Sarett naturalist to remove invasive plants, survey for wildlife, and take an active role in making natural areas more healthy, biodiverse places. You will also learn important plant identification in the process! For ages 10 and older.
Weekly Meetups are held every Wednesday through September 2nd, 2026 from 2-4 PM.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kevin Barrera, with any questions at (269) 927-4832 or volunteer@sarett.org.
Lavender Adventurers Social Hike
Join Sarett naturalists at Knauf Park to enjoy a hidden natural gem in the middle of St. Joseph. This will be a morning of easy-paced, moderate hiking to spend time with your friends and make some new ones out on the trails! We will meet at the entrance on Vineland Road. This outdoors group is partnered with Outcenter Southwest Michigan for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. No registration necessary. Members/FREE, Non-members/ $5
Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Meet-up
Work with a Sarett naturalist to remove invasive plants, survey for wildlife, and take an active role in making natural areas more healthy, biodiverse places. You will also learn important plant identification in the process! For ages 10 and older.
Weekly Meetups are held every Wednesday through September 2nd, 2026 from 2-4 PM.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kevin Barrera, with any questions at (269) 927-4832 or volunteer@sarett.org.
Winged Jewels: The World of Dragonflies
Join us for an immersive look into the high-speed world of dragonflies! We'll cover their fascinating lifecycles and aerial hunting tactics before heading outside for a guided hike to observe these "jewels of the sky." We will attempt to safely catch and observe wild specimens, providing a rare up-close look at these ancient predators in their natural habitat. Members & children/FREE, Non-members/ $5.
Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Meet-up
Work with a Sarett naturalist to remove invasive plants, survey for wildlife, and take an active role in making natural areas more healthy, biodiverse places. You will also learn important plant identification in the process! For ages 10 and older.
Weekly Meetups are held every Wednesday through September 2nd, 2026 from 2-4 PM.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kevin Barrera, with any questions at (269) 927-4832 or volunteer@sarett.org.
Silver Foxes: Dragonflies
Discover the fascinating world of dragonflies. Learn about their unique life cycle, remarkable flight abilities, and the important role they play in pond and wetland ecosystems. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register.
Member/FREE, Non-member/$5.
Bumblebees: Protecting Pollinators
Insects are in trouble, particularly pollinators like butterflies and native bees, and the world needs these extremely helpful creatures to thrive. Everyone can help with a little patience, an eye for tiny creatures, and a desire to help scientists create solutions to declining bumblebee species and numbers. Join us to learn and help protect native bumblebees through the Bumblebee Watch program. This event is for all ages. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Free for both members and non-members.
Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Meet-up
Work with a Sarett naturalist to remove invasive plants, survey for wildlife, and take an active role in making natural areas more healthy, biodiverse places. You will also learn important plant identification in the process! For ages 10 and older.
Weekly Meetups are held every Wednesday through September 2nd, 2026 from 2-4 PM.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kevin Barrera, with any questions at (269) 927-4832 or volunteer@sarett.org.
Kayak the Kalamazoo
Paddle through the wilderness of the Allegan State Game Area! Pack drinks, lunch and snacks. Kayak, life preserver and transportation included. $25/member, $30/non-member. Bring a little money for an ice cream stop on the way home. Call (269) 927-4832 to register. (Have your own equipment? Not a problem, just let us know when you sign up. Members/ $10, Non-Members/ $15.)
Lavender Adventurers: Social Hike at Sarett
Join us at Sarett for a morning of easy-paced, moderate hiking to spend time with your friends and make some new ones out on the trails! This outdoors group is partnered with Outcenter Southwest Michigan for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. No registration necessary. Members/FREE, Non-members/ $5.
Bats and Brews!
Sarett is pairing up with Western Michigan University Professor, Maarten Vonhof and a local brewery to bring you an up close experience with wild bats! This is a very safe experience as Dr. Vonhof has been studying bats for decades. After a presentation about local bats, with opportunities for lots of questions, he and Sarett naturalists will lead the group to where he has set up special nets for catching bats. As the sun sets and night sets in, we will listen to bats get active with bat detectors and hopefully catch some bats to observe up close!
Please call 269-927-4832 or go online to register as space is limited! Member/$10, Non-Member $15, Children $5. Price includes a bottle of beer or root beer. Additional beverages will be available for purchase.
The length of the program depends on weather and bat behavior, likely 2 – 2 ½ hours, but you will be welcome to leave at any time.
Naturalist-led Hike at Kerlikowske Park
Join us in Stevensville for this special hike, leading you through Kerlikowske Park and the 10-acre property owned by Sarett, which will be connect to Hickory Creek Park and Jung Nature Trail with the addition of the Hickory Creek Bridge we are helping fundraise for through a Patronicity grant. Find out more about this exciting project here: https://www.patronicity.com/project/bridge_the_trails_connecting_stevensvilles_trails#!/
Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Meet-up
Work with a Sarett naturalist to remove invasive plants, survey for wildlife, and take an active role in making natural areas more healthy, biodiverse places. You will also learn important plant identification in the process! For ages 10 and older.
Weekly Meetups are held every Wednesday through September 2nd, 2026 from 2-4 PM.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kevin Barrera, with any questions at (269) 927-4832 or volunteer@sarett.org.
Closed for 4th of July
Please enjoy the trails. The building and butterfly house are closed today.
Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Meet-up
Work with a Sarett naturalist to remove invasive plants, survey for wildlife, and take an active role in making natural areas more healthy, biodiverse places. You will also learn important plant identification in the process! For ages 10 and older.
Weekly Meetups are held every Wednesday through September 2nd, 2026 from 2-4 PM.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kevin Barrera, with any questions at (269) 927-4832 or volunteer@sarett.org.
Rare & Wonderful at Sarett
Sarett is home to a surprising variety of rare and wonderful animals – some of them listed as threatened and endangered! Mitchell’s satyr butterflies, eastern box turtles, prothonotary warblers, and more. Naturalists will lead you along the trails to not only share details about their lives and ongoing research at Sarett, but actually find them in the wild. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members/ FREE, Non-Members/ $5.
Friday Fireflies
Did you know there are over a dozen different species of fireflies in Michigan? Enjoy a late-evening presentation on the amazing lives of fireflies and how to identify some of them by their glows. We will finish the evening with a walk in the woods looking for the different varieties that live at Sarett Nature Center. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. Members/ $5, Non-Members/ $8, Children/ $3.
Weekly Stewardship Volunteer Meet-up
Work with a Sarett naturalist to remove invasive plants, survey for wildlife, and take an active role in making natural areas more healthy, biodiverse places. You will also learn important plant identification in the process! For ages 10 and older.
Weekly Meetups are held every Wednesday through September 2nd, 2026 from 2-4 PM.
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Kevin Barrera, with any questions at (269) 927-4832 or volunteer@sarett.org.
Silver Foxes: Breeding Bird Survey
Join us to learn about the surveys we will conduct this summer to monitor breeding bird activity. We will discuss the methodology of the study, its importance to our understanding of native bird populations, and what species we expect to find in different habitats on Sarett's property. We will have plenty of photos and maybe even some preliminary results to share. Silver Fox programs are designed for people 55 & older who like to be active and learn something new. This group meets once a month. Please call (269) 927-4832 x 101 to register. Member/FREE, Non-member/$5.
Naturalist-led Hike at Kerlikowske Park
Join us in Stevensville for this special hike, leading you through Kerlikowske Park and the 10-acre property owned by Sarett, which will be connect to Hickory Creek Park and Jung Nature Trail with the addition of the Hickory Creek Bridge we are helping fundraise for through a Patronicity grant. Find out more about this exciting project here: https://www.patronicity.com/project/bridge_the_trails_connecting_stevensvilles_trails#!/