Sarett Nature Center

06/19/2026

It's not too late to register for tomorrow's kayak lessons at North Lake Park. We have a few spaces left!

Hi Everyone,
We still have openings in this Saturday's Kayak Lessons. We will meet at North Lake Park and the lesson is from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The lessons are for ages 16 & older. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. We will provide the kayaks, paddles, and PFDs or you can bring your own kayak and equipment. Cost is $20/member and $25/non-member.

06/19/2026

06/18/2026

Hi Everyone,
We still have openings in this Saturday's Kayak Lessons. We will meet at North Lake Park and the lesson is from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. The lessons are for ages 16 & older. Please call (269) 927-4832 to register. We will provide the kayaks, paddles, and PFDs or you can bring your own kayak and equipment. Cost is $20/member and $25/non-member.

06/17/2026

One of our favorite animals to appear during summer months are adult dragonflies and damselflies. Michigan is home to over 170 recorded species from the Odonata order and both damselfly and dragonfly play an important role in their respective habitats.

Both are top predators as adults and bioindicators during the larval stage. They spend their adult lives helping to control mosquitoes, gnats, flies and other small insects. During their larval stage their presence is an indicator of healthy wetlands and clean freshwater habitats as they depend on healthy waterways to develop.

Damselflies are commonly mistaken as dragonflies but they are their own unique insect. The easiest way to tell the difference is that damselflies fold their wings above their thorax when resting where dragonflies keep their wings stretched out to the sides when resting. Damselflies also have more of a floating, fluttery flying pattern where dragon flies zig-zag super fast. Damselflies are more likely to be found in shaded foliage along creeks or standing water and dragonflies can be found in open water and grasslands.

Some common species you are likely to find in our area:

DAMSELFLIES:
Ebony Jewelwing
American Bluet
Azure Bluet
Eastern Forktail

DRAGONFLIES:
Green Darner
Widow Skimmer
Eastern Pondhawk
Common Whitetail

06/14/2026

Our native plant sale is still going on. All remaining plants are 50% off. We are open till 5:00pm today.

06/14/2026

Thank you to our Bob Ross and Rosé participants who painted these amazing landscapes Friday night!

06/13/2026

Our box turtle research collaboration is in the news!

BENTON TOWNSHIP — Five years ago, Sarett Nature Center staff members began to realize they had an abnormal amount of box turtles throughout the Benton Township wildlife sanctuary.

06/11/2026

Beaver encounter part 2 at Waxwing Pond.

06/11/2026

You never know what kind of wildlife encounter you will have while taking a hike at Sarett. Yesterday it was with the local beavers.

06/09/2026

We still have a nice selection of native plants for sale. Plants are now 50% off. The sale will continue this week during regular business hours while supplies last. Hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm and Sunday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm.