Helen Brower Visitor Center
Wildllife Viewing Area 
September Happenings
September 11, Saturday, 10 to 4 p.m. Kayaking the Kalamazoo River. The nature center now owns a set of kayaks to use for explorations of our local waterways. Come prepared for a great 2-3 hour paddle. Bring water bottle, sunscreen, hat, bug repellent and sack lunch. Footwear that can get wet recommended. The Nature Center provides paddles, life jackets, kayaks and naturalist guide. Fee: $35/$25 for Friends of DeGraaf Nature Center. Call 616-355-1057 to reserve your boat.
September 18, Saturday, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Heritage Harvest Day at the Historic VanRaalte Farm. Join DeGraaf Nature Center and the Holland Museum at the Historic VanRaalte Farm for a look at Michigan’s heritage through live music, history of VanRaalte Farm, demonstrations including: spinning, weaving, knitting, quilting, rug hooking, and basket making, games and activities, crafts, candle dipping, horse-drawn or tractor pulled wagon rides, a bake sale, and more. Antique tractors on display too. The admission for this event is only $1.00 per person. Activity tickets will be available for 50 cents each for crafts, candle dipping, wagon rides and bake sale items. For more information about this event call 616-355-1057. No registration is required.
September 23, Thursday, 10-11:30 a.m. or 1 to 2:30 p.m. Volunteering at DeGraaf Nature Center. This time is set aside to introduce volunteers to the many ways you can help us out at the nature center throughout the year – from assisting with school groups to our popular events such as maple sugaring, Heritage Harvest Day, Halloween at the VanRaalte Farm, plant sales and more. We depend on volunteers to make our programs a success. No fee. Please call to register.
September 25, 2 p.m. The Mysterious World of Meat-eating Plants. We normally think of plants as the passive victims of voracious animal or insect appetites. However, there are many plants that seem to break the rules, having the ability to lure, capture, kill, and digest animals and insects. In this interactive, informative, and humorous presentation, lecturer and carnivorous plant hobbyist of 45 years Ron Dudek will demonstrate where these plants grow, and how they accomplish their amazing but sinister deeds. Fee: $3/Free for Friends of DeGraaf Nature Center. Please call to register.
Go to the Services Link to the Right and Click on our programs page for more information on what we offer.
A Big Thank You from the Staff of DeGraaf Nature Center!
For program details, click on SERVICES to the right. Register by calling 616-355-1057
Free Admission Daily to the Brower Visitor Center and Trails- Tuesdays Thru Saturdays
- TEACHERS Call Today to reserve a spot for your classroom visit to the DeGraaf Nature Center on Graafschap Road or the VanRaalte Farm on 16th street. Go to the Service Link on the right to see our current line up of offerings for pre-school through sixth grade students or higher.
- Remember - we can design a program to fit your needs as well. Our student fee is only $2.50 for most programs.
Click on SERVICES to the right for information about wildlife programs, educational offerings, nature tours, events, volunteer opportunities and more.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side at DeGraaf Nature Center. You don’t need to drive out of town to get in touch with nature. If you have 20 minutes or 2 hours, you will enjoy exploring the woodland, shrub, marsh and pond trails of this 18 acre nature preserve located within the city limits of Holland. The Brower Interpretive Center is brimming with informative and hands-on displays and live animal exhibits. So don’t leave town. Come to DeGraaf Nature Center any time of the year to reconnect with nature.
In the Brower Interpretive Center find:
• Maple Syrup made each spring by the staff at the Historic VanRaalte Farm
• Field Guides of all kinds
• Bird Feeders and Homes – We can give you advice on the best choice for your property.
• Puppet and Toys of all sorts for fun gifts for children
• Endangered Species Chocolates
• Nature T-shirts for Youth
• Wildlife Mugs and Canteens
• Butterfly and Aquatic Nets
• And Much More!
The DeGraaf Nature Center Programs are often held at the Historic VanRaalte Farm located on the city’s east side at 1076 16th Street, just a half mile east of Meijers.
Click Here for a Map to the DeGraaf Nature Center
Click Here For a Map of the Nature Center Trails
Click Here For a Map to the VanRaalte Farm
