82 Blandford Nature Center
wildlife viewing | directions and facility information
 
Photos: © Phil Seng
This site contains a diverse mixture of rolling hardwood
forest, streams, ponds, wetlands, and old farm fields
just minutes from downtown Grand
Rapids. Hiking trails wind throughout all of the
habitats found on this 143-acre preserve. Portions of the trail are
barrier free.
 Wildlife
Viewing
American toads are mostly nocturnal (active at night), burying themselves
in soil or vegetation during the day and hunting worms and insects at
night.
Photo: MI DNR
A great place to see birds, mammals, and amphibians of Michigan from
groomed trails and boardwalks traversing a hardwood forest and former
farmland. An observation deck overlooks a woodland stream in a ravine,
and a tall observation tower gives a bird's eye view of a pond and
wetlands. Blandford staff often offer guided
walks to see owls, bats, frogs, toads, turtles, snakes, and animal
tracks. The evening "Owl Prowls" are very popular in the fall.
Forested portions of the preserve offer magnificent wildflower viewing,
including trilliums, while a chorus of frogs and spring peepers add
charming background music. Blandford also has
an active wildlife rehabilitation clinic, with many permanent wild
residents on public display in outside enclosures, including owls, turkey
vultures, a fox, and more.
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