Nankin Mills Interpretive Center

Nankin Mills Interpretive Center This is the official page for the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center. The 2nd and 3rd floors are currently closed due to exciting renovations.

NOTE: The center is currently open Monday-Friday from 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM (closed for lunch from Noon – 1:00 PM). Nankin Mills is currently open Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (closed for lunch from Noon – 1:00 PM)

Have a summer camp or another group you'd like to take on a field trip? Try Nankin Mills!We have a wide variety of progr...
06/10/2026

Have a summer camp or another group you'd like to take on a field trip? Try Nankin Mills!

We have a wide variety of programs for nearly every age, even adults!

To schedule a program email: [email protected]

For more information call: (734)-261-1990

Saturday, June 13 is on Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, and we have two FREE events for you to attend.Fishing Derby8:0...
06/07/2026

Saturday, June 13 is on Free Fishing Weekend in Michigan, and we have two FREE events for you to attend.

Fishing Derby
8:00 AM-11:00 AM at Waterford Bend Park in Northville
All kids ages 12 and younger are welcome to have some fishing fun with a casting contest and free fishing! All anglers need to bring their own equipment and bait. (flyer below)

Fishing Fun Day
9:00 AM-1:00 PM at the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge in Trenton
Join us for this collaborative event with the Wildlife Refuge. Bait and fishing poles available for use. Fishing from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM and kayaking from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Contact the Refuge at (734) 365-0219 or www.fws.gov/refuge/detroit-river for more information.

June Bug FridayHello everyone, we're starting June Bug Fridays. To help celebrate the march towards Bugtopia, we plan to...
06/06/2026

June Bug Friday

Hello everyone, we're starting June Bug Fridays. To help celebrate the march towards Bugtopia, we plan to post about a bug every Friday. This Friday's bug is the six-spotted fishing spider.

This aptly named spider is able to walk on water and catch prey in the water using the waxy hairs on it's legs that repel water. They can grab prey below them or even dive and swim to catch prey.

They are known to avoid humans, be unlikely to bite unless frightened, and to not have venom that is especially toxic to humans.

Did you know plants can act as nature filters by taking contaminants out of water?Below is spike rush (left) and America...
06/05/2026

Did you know plants can act as nature filters by taking contaminants out of water?

Below is spike rush (left) and American plantain (right), which both serve as natural water filters. These plants only grow in areas wet enough to support them, which makes wetlands vital in keeping our water clean.

Learn more about the benefits of wetlands at our Anything But Plain program on Saturday, June 27th from 11:00 AM-Noon at Nankin Mills.

Pre-registration is required by calling (734) 261-1990 or by visiting Nankin Mills Interpretive Center, which is open 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed Noon-1:00 PM for lunch).
The fee is $5.00 per person ($6.00 per person if out of county) and is recommended for ages 5 and older.

We'll be at Redford's Recreation and Wellness Center TOMORROW Thursday, June 4th for a reptile and amphibian program!To ...
06/03/2026

We'll be at Redford's Recreation and Wellness Center TOMORROW Thursday, June 4th for a reptile and amphibian program!

To register call 313-387-2650 or go to www.redfordtwp.gov

Our sister park Crosswinds Marsh has some fun June programs coming up:Tuesday, June 9th from 9:00AM-11:00AM is Homeschoo...
06/02/2026

Our sister park Crosswinds Marsh has some fun June programs coming up:

Tuesday, June 9th from 9:00AM-11:00AM is Homeschool Nature’s Night Life! Explore how Crosswinds Marsh is just as alive with animal activity after sunset as it is during the day.

Tuesday, June 9th from 2:00PM-3:30PM is Sensory Create with Nature! Let your creative juices flow with activities inspired by nature! We will craft and create with items that we find in the park to create works of art. Bring nature into your home with the art you create today.

Thursday, June 18th from 2:00PM-4:00PM is Adventures with Turtles! It’s that time of year, turtles are nesting! Join us as we hike the trails of Crosswinds in search of turtle nests to cover and protect. We will learn the signs of a freshly laid nest, mark any potential nests we discover, and learn the importance of covering nests. We will even meet a few live turtles!

To register, please call the Wayne County Parks front desk (734-261-1990). Note you will need to pay over the phone by credit card or come into the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center (Westland) to pay by cash, credit card (Visa/Mastercard), or check. Hours are between 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM Monday through Friday, closed Noon-1:00 PM for lunch.

May Flower FridayThis Friday we have jack-in-the-pulpit, one of our most unique looking woodland flowers. This flower is...
05/30/2026

May Flower Friday

This Friday we have jack-in-the-pulpit, one of our most unique looking woodland flowers. This flower is yet another spring ephemeral, meaning it's only around for a limited time. It typically begins blooming in April and ends blooming in June, after which it will fruit into poisonous red berries.

The "jack" (spadix) is the club shaped center of the plant while the "pulpit" (spathe) is the outer leaf-like portion. The jack lures in gnats with a sweet scent to pollinate it. The pulpit shields the jack from rain and protects the pollen.

The plant uses it's vase-like interior to trap gnats and force them to wallow in its pollen. The male plant is designed to allow gnats to escape, the female flower permanently traps them to ensure pollination. NOTE this species is NOT a carnivorous plant, and only does this for pollination.

Home School Nature Journaling is TODAY Thursday, May 28, from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM at Nankin Mills. Learn to sketch nature ob...
05/28/2026

Home School Nature Journaling is TODAY Thursday, May 28, from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM at Nankin Mills.

Learn to sketch nature objects in the classroom and put your skills to the test as we head into the field to record what we see in your very own (provided) nature journal!

This program is perfect for creatives and those that love the outdoors.
Pre-registration is required ($6 per student and parents are FREE) This program is recommended for ages five and older.

Register by calling (734) 261-1990 or by visiting the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center, which is open 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed Noon-1:00 PM for lunch).

PICTURE THIS: Spring, Art, and IMAGINATION!Home School Nature Journaling is TOMORROW: Thursday, May 28, from 1:00 PM-3:0...
05/28/2026

PICTURE THIS: Spring, Art, and IMAGINATION!

Home School Nature Journaling is TOMORROW: Thursday, May 28, from 1:00 PM-3:00 PM at Nankin Mills. Learn to sketch nature objects in the classroom and put your skills to the test as we head into the field to record what we see in your very own (provided) nature journal!

This program is perfect for creatives and those that love the outdoors.
Pre-registration is required ($6 per student and parents are FREE) This program is recommended for ages five and older.

Register by calling (734) 261-1990 or by visiting the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center, which is open 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Monday through Friday (closed Noon-1:00 PM for lunch).

05/27/2026

A Spring Thing

This week on A Spring Thing we're talking about bronze jumping spiders. These docile little spiders begin skipping out of their silky dens during spring to hunt and find mates.

When things heat up in summer they'll stick to more sheltered areas with dense vegetation, only to venture out again in fall. They are known for rarely biting humans, and if they do it's only in self defense.

Address

33175 Ann Arbor Trail
Westland, MI
48185

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 4pm

Telephone

+17342611990

Website

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