About Us
The Kalamazoo Nature Center is a nonprofit organization located in Kalamazoo, Michigan whose mission is to create relationships & experiences that welcome and inspire people to discover, enjoy, value, and care for nature. KNC envisions a resilient community where all people have strong interconnections with the natural world.
KNC was founded October 31, 1960 when a group of community leaders came together to purchase the land to establish an outdoor environmental education center. Today, KNC is recognized by its peers as one of the top nature centers in the country and has expanded to include 1,100 acres of wooded, rolling countryside five miles north of Kalamazoo, Michigan.
Mission
The Kalamazoo Nature Center mission is to create relationships and experiences that welcome and inspire people to discover, enjoy, value, and care for nature.
Vision
KNC envisions a resilient community where all people have strong interconnections with the natural world.
Land Acknowledgment
KNC honors and pays respect to the land on which we stand and its traditional stewards, the Anishinaabek, the Council of the Three Fires which include Odawa, Ojibwe, and Bodewadmi, also known as Ottawa, Chippewa, and Potawatomi tribes. As the current stewards of this land, KNC is committed to healing and building relationships between people and land in our work.
Sustainability
At the Kalamazoo Nature Center, we work to inspire people to discover, enjoy, value, and care for the natural world. That’s why we embarked on the Trail to Sustainability to achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. Hike along with us on our journey to a greener future.
Accessibility
We are committed to making nature welcoming and accessible for all visitors. Whether you’re exploring our trails, enjoying our exhibits, or participating in programs, we offer a variety of amenities and accessibility features to support a comfortable and engaging experience.
Heather Graves, MS MLS (President & CEO)
Wendy Schlett (Chair)
Jim Stark (Past Chair)
Kalie Vogt (Chair Elect)
Caitlin Carey (Secretary)
Matt Hollander (Member at Large)
Phillip Heasley (Treasurer)
Dr. Kelly Clarke
Chris Fusciardi
Tony Gerard
Justin Gish
Dr. Carla Koretsky
Clarence Lloyd
Reality Rojas
Britni Russell-Bianchi
Afifa Thaj