Special Events and Programs

Upcoming Events

Fish Ladder Hike

08 May 2026 Participants will hike along the Rouge River floodplain to learn about and enjoy nature and habitat improvements. Highlighted will be the new fish ladder across from the Henry Ford Estate.

Rouge Gateway Trail Head, 21400 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI 48124

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Homeschool Identification Station: Flora

12 May 2026 Learn to identify plants and trees of your local forest. Identify trees by the bark, plants by their leaves, and more! Talk about which plants are safe, and which to avoid. Learn to use a field guide and take home a nature journal.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., Sumpter Township , MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Nature Fest

16 May 2026 This free event will feature live animals, nature activities, fishing, a nature scavenger hunt, inflatables and more.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd, Huron Charter Township, MI 48164

Tagged as: , Exhibitions & festivals

Homeschool Identification Station: Fauna

26 May 2026 Learn to identify the animals around you. Discover tips on how to identify birds in flight, mammals by their footprints, and more! Learn to use a field guide and take home a nature journal.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., Sumpter Township , MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Weed Wackers

26 May 2026 Weedy plants have invaded our butterfly and wildflower gardens at Crosswinds Marsh. Whether you have a “green thumb” or not, you can help us bring these gardens back to the native plant gardens they were meant to be to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and other wildlife.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., New Boston, MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

HOME SCHOOL NATURE JOURNALING

28 May 2026 Sketch some nature objects in the classroom and then take our learning into the field. Here we will be teaching scientific and artistic observation skills.

Nankin Mills Interpretive Center, 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, 48185

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Homeschool Nature’s Night Life

09 Jun 2026 Explore how Crosswinds Marsh is just as alive with animal activity after sunset as it is during the day.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., New Boston, MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Sensory Create with Nature

09 Jun 2026 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.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., New Boston, MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Fishing Derby

13 Jun 2026 All anglers need to bring their own equipment and bait. There will be prizes for longest, shortest, heaviest and lightest fish in different age groups.

Waterford Bend Park, 17387 Northville Road, Northville, MI

Tagged as: , Exhibitions & festivals

Fishing Fun Day at the Detroit International Wildlife Refuge

13 Jun 2026 The next fishing fun day is coming on June 13th. Bait and a limited number of fishing poles will be available. It is recommended to bring your own!

Detroit International Wildlife Refuge, 5437 W. Jefferson Ave, Trenton, MI 48183

Tagged as: , Exhibitions & festivals

Adventures with Turtles

18 Jun 2026 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!

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., New Boston, MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

ANYTHING BUT PLAIN

27 Jun 2026 Hines Drive closes when there seems to be just drop of rain, we are in the floodplain. Learn what this means to nature and you in this interactive program. Afterwards, ask the naturalist where to hike nearby.

Nankin Mills Interpretive Center, 33175 Ann Arbor Trail, Westland, MI 48185

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Sensory Scavenger Hunt

14 Jul 2026 Search for objects in nature to complete a sensory scavenger hunt. Take your time finding as many objects as you can or choose one specific item for each section as we go. Take in the sights, sounds, and smells of nature as we walk the trails and dive into nature.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., New Boston, MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Party in the Park

15 Jul 2026 Free Event!! Bring the kids to get outside and have fun with a variety of outdoor activities:

Inflatable Slide and Obstacle Course
Inflatable Games
Foam Party, Putt-Putt golf
Mobile Gaming Truck
Nerf Battle Zone,
Mechanical Bull
Nature Hikes
DJ Music Party
Food Trucks

Nankin Mills Park, 33275 Edward Hines Dr., Westland, MI 48185

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Jazz on the River

01 Aug 2026 Join us for two days of smooth jazz at Elizabeth Park at Jazz on the River on August 1-2, 2026!

Elizabeth Park, 4461 Elizabeth Drive, Trenton, MI 48183

Tagged as: , Exhibitions & festivals

Sensory Meet the Marsh

11 Aug 2026 Learn more about the inhabitants of the marsh through hands-on interactions. Feel mammal pelts, take an up-close look at a bird mount, feel the hard shell of a turtle, and much more! You will also meet a few live reptiles. We will finish the program with short half (.5) mile hike to see if we can spot any inhabitants out and about.

Crosswinds Marsh, 27600 Haggerty Rd., New Boston, MI 48164

Tagged as: , Kids & family

Additional Event Information

Wayne County Lightfest

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