Nature Interpretive Programs
Our Nature Room features a variety of educational, hands-on action stations that will have you and your family learning about all the wonderful aspects of nature right here in West Bloomfield. The Nature Room is located within the Recreation Activities Center (4640 Walnut Lake Road) and is home to the majority of our nature interpretive programs.
Our interpretive programs include:
Our interpretive programs include:
- Summer Camps
- Free Mommy and Me Hikes (first Thursday of each month)
- Live Animal Shows (dates vary)
- Canoe, kayak and stand up paddle board programs
- Various seasonal activities - click here to view our Seasonal Activity Guide
Nature Room and Outdoor Natural Play Area Open Hours
We invite you and your family to come check out all the Outdoor Natural Play Area has to offer. The outside space features a sensory garden and natural elements for play, designed to engage children with nature. Our Naturalist staff will be on hand to answer your nature questions and help you make a craft. Best of all - IT'S FREE!! Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Families will have the opportunity to explore the Nature Room indoors as well.
Scheduled Open Hours:
Scheduled Open Hours:
- 2/4, Saturday, 10am-12 pm
- 2/14, Tuesday, 4-6 pm
- 3/14, Tuesday, 4-6 pm
- 4/1, Saturday, 10am-12 pm
- 4/11, Tuesday, 4-6 pm
Snowshoeing
You're also welcome to rent snowshoes during our Open Hours. For details on rentals, visit the link below!
Spring wildlife
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Spring has sprung! This is the time of year when most animal babies are being born. It is also the time of year when nature centers get the most phone calls from well-intentioned and concerned residents regarding potential abandoned or injured wildlife. However, in most scenarios, wildlife is best left wild. Check out the article below to see which animals we get the most questions about and what you should do.
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Please do not feed wildlife in our parks!
It is against the law and dangerous for wildlife. Read more at the link below.
Invasive Species Management
The Oakland County Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) was established in December 2014 by 19 partners. Today the partnership has grown to over 40 members including local governments, county governments, non-profit organizations, and universities. WB Parks has been involved with this organization since 2014. For information on invasive species, treatment options and additional resources, please visit their website at the link below.
More information on the Outdoor Natural Play Area
Come out and play in the dirt, create a masterpiece with sticks, hop on log stepping stones, dig in the garden bin, hunt for bugs and have some fun! The area is sensory-rich and a treasure trove of experiential learning, imagination and wonder.
The space features natural elements for play, intentionally designed to engage children with nature. We use the area for various nature programs and it is also be open for public use during select hours.
Research has found that frequent, unstructured play in natural environments is a strong positive influence on the developmental needs of young children. The Outdoor Natural Play Area allows children to practice the most important parts of growth and play: nature, healthy risk, fantasy, and freedom. The benefits of outdoor play include critical thinking, imagination, independence, and problem solving. Benches are available for parents while children craft their own activities using natural materials.
The space features natural elements for play, intentionally designed to engage children with nature. We use the area for various nature programs and it is also be open for public use during select hours.
Research has found that frequent, unstructured play in natural environments is a strong positive influence on the developmental needs of young children. The Outdoor Natural Play Area allows children to practice the most important parts of growth and play: nature, healthy risk, fantasy, and freedom. The benefits of outdoor play include critical thinking, imagination, independence, and problem solving. Benches are available for parents while children craft their own activities using natural materials.
Naturalist-Guided Services
Naturalist-guided services are available year-round for your group. We welcome school and youth groups, preschoolers, homeschoolers, boy/girl scouts and other community organizations. We can bring nature to you or your group may visit the Nature Room and Outdoor Natural Play Area! There are a variety of topics to choose from and we can customize the topic to fit your group’s needs. Depending on the topic, our nature appointments may include an interactive nature talk, stories, games and a live animal.
Program examples include:
Call our park naturalist at (248) 451-1909 or email araines@wbparks.org to schedule your nature appointment today!
Program examples include:
- Nature Talk; in the Nature Room, 1 hour program, 25 people max, $65 for West Bloomfield Residents, $90 for non WB residents
- Nature Talk; at your location,1 hour program, 50 people max, $65 for West Bloomfield Residents, $90 for non WB residents, +$10 travel fee
- Nature Talk & Hike (1.5 hrs.), in the Nature Room or other WB Park, 1.5 hour program, 25 people max, $90 for West Bloomfield Residents, $115 for non WB residents
Call our park naturalist at (248) 451-1909 or email araines@wbparks.org to schedule your nature appointment today!
Meet Our Naturalists:
Lauren Azoury
Hello fellow nature lovers! Please allow me to introduce myself…my name is Lauren Azoury and I am the part-time Naturalist for West Bloomfield Parks.
I am fortunate to be a part of the WB Parks team and enjoy teaching new and innovative nature interpretive programs to West Bloomfield residents. I especially love being able to provide first time nature experiences for adults, children and families. Through a partnership with Civic Center TV, we have a series of short videos titled "Minute with Nature" that help families learn more about nature. Check them out on our YouTube page here!
I’ve always been passionate about the importance of getting people outdoors and prior to my time here at WB Parks I facilitated nature education programs at Oakland County Parks from 2007 to 2013. Prior to that, I had an amazing experience as a team member of the animal presenter team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. My Bachelors of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife comes from Michigan State University. Go Green!
I love sharing my passion for the outdoors with others, including my own family (my husband and our 3 year old son). Please take a look at our Seasonal Activity Guide to see some of the programs I am teaching this year. I would love for you and your group to come visit me at the Nature Room too! There are lots of options for nature appointments.
I am fortunate to be a part of the WB Parks team and enjoy teaching new and innovative nature interpretive programs to West Bloomfield residents. I especially love being able to provide first time nature experiences for adults, children and families. Through a partnership with Civic Center TV, we have a series of short videos titled "Minute with Nature" that help families learn more about nature. Check them out on our YouTube page here!
I’ve always been passionate about the importance of getting people outdoors and prior to my time here at WB Parks I facilitated nature education programs at Oakland County Parks from 2007 to 2013. Prior to that, I had an amazing experience as a team member of the animal presenter team at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. My Bachelors of Science degree in Fisheries and Wildlife comes from Michigan State University. Go Green!
I love sharing my passion for the outdoors with others, including my own family (my husband and our 3 year old son). Please take a look at our Seasonal Activity Guide to see some of the programs I am teaching this year. I would love for you and your group to come visit me at the Nature Room too! There are lots of options for nature appointments.
David Anthony
My name is David and I assist in caring for the Nature Room animals and facilitating nature education experiences.
Before joining the WB parks team, I worked as an Education Specialist at the Belle Isle Nature Center and as an interpreter at the Kensington Metropark Farm Center.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time in nature with my family and caring for my plant collection.
Before joining the WB parks team, I worked as an Education Specialist at the Belle Isle Nature Center and as an interpreter at the Kensington Metropark Farm Center.
When I am not working, I enjoy spending time in nature with my family and caring for my plant collection.
Kaitlyn Stocker
My name is Kaitlyn and I am the Park Naturalist Programmer at WB Parks. I work towards providing nature education programs and spreading the message of conservation to the West Bloomfield community!
I received my bachelors of science from Oakland University in the field of environmental science with a specialization in sustainability and resource management along with a minor in biology. When I'm not working, I enjoy hiking, gardening, reading and watching TV.
I received my bachelors of science from Oakland University in the field of environmental science with a specialization in sustainability and resource management along with a minor in biology. When I'm not working, I enjoy hiking, gardening, reading and watching TV.