Johnson Nature Center

Johnson Nature Center Johnson Nature Center is comprised of 40 acres of woods, fields, wetlands, and rolling hills. Nature-based summer camps are available as well.

Students and families participate in outdoor, experiential learning programs throughout the year. The trails are open to the public from 8am to dusk daily.

Mentors and mentees from The Mayfly Project spent time at the pond learning to fly fish. The Mayfly Project is a nationa...
08/21/2026

Mentors and mentees from The Mayfly Project spent time at the pond learning to fly fish. The Mayfly Project is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mentors youth in foster care through the sport of fly fishing.

"The meditative movements of a cast, mixed with the calming effect of a river, and having a positive role model available, are the ideal combination for a foster child to find brain rest, improve confidence, build a connection with the outdoors, and create positive memories" (from The Mayfly Project brochure).

The Detroit Chapter is led by Tyler and Samantha who have been coordinating fly fishing trips since 2020. They have hosted events at Belle Isle, Newburgh Lake (at Hines Drive), and the Edsel and Eleanor Ford House. Tyler said they especially like the pond at Johnson Nature Center because it is an incredible space for fishing and works well for discussing conservation topics.

To learn more, visit The Mayfly Project website at https://themayflyproject.com/

08/19/2026

Even a chipmunk is enjoying the seeds from the Cup Plant. Read the details of the Cup Plant in the previous post.

08/19/2026

Goldfinches enjoying seeds from the Cup Plants behind the Visitor Center. Read more about Cup Plants in the previous post.

The towering giants growing directly behind the Nature Center are called Cup Plants (Silphium perfoliatum). They are a n...
08/18/2026

The towering giants growing directly behind the Nature Center are called Cup Plants (Silphium perfoliatum). They are a native perennial that can live for over 100 years. This keystone species provides food, water, and shelter for a multitude of insect, bird, and animal species. Once commonly found in prairies, Cup Plants are now listed as a threatened species in Michigan due to loss of habitat.

During summer, the Cup Plant's yellow, daisy-like flowers bloom for 6-8 weeks and attract a wide array of pollinators like bees, hummingbirds, native wasps, and butterflies. They are also a host plant to several types of moth, including the Silphium Moth.

Their root systems can grow to depths of 10-15 feet underground, benefiting the ecosystem by storing massive amounts of carbon and creating channels that help absorb water into the soil. Similar to trees, their roots work together with mycorrhizal fungi to share nutrients with other plants.

They have paired, perfoliate leaves that are uniquely adapted to form a cup around the stem. This reservoir can hold up to a quarter cup of water after a rain, which benefits several species of birds, insects, and tree frogs for drinking, bathing, and breeding.

In late summer and fall, the flower seeds are enjoyed by animals such as chipmunks, goldfinches, and chickadees; in winter, the hollow, square stems provide shelter for aphids which in spring then become a food source for ladybugs.

Historical use: Indigenous peoples used resin from Cup Plants as chewing gum.

🎣 Reel fun with Sheriff PAL Oakland County!Families joined us for a fun day of fishing - some brought their own poles, o...
08/12/2026

🎣 Reel fun with Sheriff PAL Oakland County!

Families joined us for a fun day of fishing - some brought their own poles, others borrowed from our Nature Center supply, and some caught fish while others mastered the art of hoping for a bite! 🐟😉

No matter the catch, everyone enjoyed time together, fresh air, and making memories outdoors.

A big thank-you to Sheriff PAL Oakland County for sponsoring this family fishing adventure! 💙🎣

Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day – August 4Today we're celebrating some of nature's most fascinating nighttime ...
08/04/2026

Celebrate International Owl Awareness Day – August 4

Today we're celebrating some of nature's most fascinating nighttime hunters—owls! International Owl Awareness Day is a great opportunity to learn about these incredible birds and the important role they play in keeping ecosystems healthy.

Did you know? Owls have specially adapted feathers that allow them to fly almost silently, and many species can rotate their heads up to 270 degrees to scan their surroundings. Their exceptional hearing and keen eyesight make them expert hunters, even in near-total darkness.

🦉 Have you ever seen or heard an owl in the wild? Share your experience- bonus points if it was at Johnson Nature Center!

Hit the Trails This Week! August is one of the best times to explore the outdoors! Wildflowers are still blooming, butte...
08/03/2026

Hit the Trails This Week!
August is one of the best times to explore the outdoors! Wildflowers are still blooming, butterflies are busy visiting native plants, and many birds are preparing for their fall migration. Every walk offers something new to discover.
Whether you're looking for a peaceful morning hike, a family adventure, or a chance to reconnect with nature, Johnson Nature Center's trails are waiting for you.

Our Pollinator Garden is buzzing, fluttering, shimmering, and generally showing off this week. From tiny winged wonders ...
07/29/2026

Our Pollinator Garden is buzzing, fluttering, shimmering, and generally showing off this week. From tiny winged wonders to slow‑and‑steady crawlers, the garden is full of life doing exactly what it does best --> pollinating, nectaring, and reminding us to slow down and notice.

And as a bonus: a wild turkey hen and her poults were spotted sunning themselves on one of the bridges, taking a well‑deserved break from their daily adventures. Nature’s family photos are always the best ones.

🎣 Family Fishing at the pond is Back at Johnson Nature Center! 🐟What’s hiding beneath the surface of our pond? Come find...
07/16/2026

🎣 Family Fishing at the pond is Back at Johnson Nature Center! 🐟

What’s hiding beneath the surface of our pond? Come find out during a fun morning of fishing with family and friends!

Join us on select mornings at 10 a.m. Bring your own fishing gear or borrow one of our poles - we'll even provide the bait!
📅 Advance registration is required, and spots fill quickly!
Cast a line, make memories, and reel in some summer fun! 🐠

The milkweed brings all the bugs to the yard.Nurturing milkweed brings life and vitality to our community! 🌼
07/08/2026

The milkweed brings all the bugs to the yard.

Nurturing milkweed brings life and vitality to our community! 🌼

Address

3325 Franklin Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI
48302

Telephone

+12483416485

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