Plum Creek Nature Center is situated in the 890-acre Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Nestled among forests, fields, cattail marshes, and a small pond, the Nature Center is the perfect place for discovering the outdoors. It offers something for children who like to touch feathers and rocks, school children who marvel at animal skulls, adults who wonder how to attract butterflies in their gardens, and seniors who enjoy watching winter birds at the feeders. Outdoor recreation opportunities as well as indoor experiences make this a place for learning and exploration, all with no admission fee!
Using nature to enlighten, Plum Creek Nature Center hosts family programs on hummingbirds, bats, and bird-feeding, as well as night hikes and book discussion groups. A large window provides an observation area for the bird feeding station. Surrounding the bird feeders is a butterfly garden which demonstrates plants that attract a variety of wildlife. Campfire programs during the summer provide families an opportunity to enjoy the evening outdoors listening to songs, stories, and skits. For school children and youth groups, Goodenow Grove becomes a place of adventure. Programs focusing on nature-awareness are offered to school groups in the spring and fall.
Picnicking, hiking, and camping await those looking for summer fun. In winter, enjoy cross-country skiing and ice skating. Stop by the Nature Center to rent an inner tube, or bring your own sled and try sledding on our 40-foot hill. Afterward, warm up in the Nature Center by the crackling fire, enjoying a warm cup of coffee while viewing birds at the bird feeding area.
Photographs Courtesy of Glenn P. Knoblock and Lorenzo Pesce
Location
Plum Creek Nature Center is located at 27064 S. Dutton Road, 1.25 miles east of the intersection of Route 1 and Route 394 on Goodenow Road, in Crete Township. View Preserve Region Map It!
Plum Creek Nature Center is situated in the 890-acre Goodenow Grove Nature Preserve. Nestled among forests, fields, cattail marshes, and a small pond, the Nature Center is the perfect place for discovering the outdoors. It offers something for children who like to touch feathers and rocks, school children who marvel at animal skulls, adults who wonder how to attract butterflies in their gardens, and seniors who enjoy watching winter birds at the feeders. Outdoor recreation opportunities as well as indoor experiences make this a place for learning and exploration, all with no admission fee!
Using nature to enlighten, Plum Creek Nature Center hosts family programs on hummingbirds, bats, and bird-feeding, as well as night hikes and book discussion groups. A large window provides an observation area for the bird feeding station. Surrounding the bird feeders is a butterfly garden which demonstrates plants that attract a variety of wildlife. Campfire programs during the summer provide families an opportunity to enjoy the evening outdoors listening to songs, stories, and skits. For school children and youth groups, Goodenow Grove becomes a place of adventure. Programs focusing on nature-awareness are offered to school groups in the spring and fall.
