ODC Network's Outdoor Discovery Center

09/30/2026

Don’t miss ODC at ArtPrize! 🎨🌳 Our VP of Operations, Mike Oosting, has the honor of showcasing his sculpture, ‘Peace Dance,’ at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in the festival this week.

‘Peace Dance’ was created from a century-old white ash, which stood on ODC’s own grounds before it was overcome by the Emerald Ash Borer—an invasive species that has devastated ash trees across Michigan for more than 25 years. Most of those trees are cast aside, but through over 1,000 hours of carving, this one became a centerpiece of an international arts festival.

One of the best parts? Watching kids light up as they explore it.

ODC’s mission is to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. Mike’s art does both—inspiring young people through the beauty of nature and the call to preserve it.

How to see ‘Peace Dance’ in person:

📍Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, 303 Pearl St NW, Grand Rapids
🗓 Now through Saturday, October 3
🗳 And don’t forget to vote! Your first vote must be cast within the ArtPrize event boundaries. Voting ends Friday, October 2.

09/28/2026

This is the LAST WEEK in 2026 to enjoy the stream at the Haworth & Klow Family Imagination Forest.

This has been an incredible season for ODC. The opening of this new space gave thousands of families a place to get outside, connect with each other, and experience the full power of the forest within a world-class playscape.

We’ve been overwhelmed by the public reaction. Our visits were up 47% over the summer. With countless families telling us they can’t believe it’s free.

That reaction is important to us. ODC Network is a 501c3 nonprofit, and expanding access to free and meaningful outdoor spaces in our community is a pillar of our work.

Thank you for all the kind words, for visiting with your families, for spreading the news about this space, and for quickly making it a staple in our community.

On Friday, Oct 2, we will stop the stream for the fall and winter seasons. All other sections of the space will remain open. Come scramble over rocks, dig in the sand, and jump through the trees. We can’t wait to welcome you back into the water next spring.

09/26/2026

Clean water takes all of us💧

Macatawa Water Festival is our annual celebration of a community-wide commitment to a cleaner, healthier lake. Every year, 20+ sponsors and partners gather to engage all ages in learning about our most precious natural resources, Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed.

For more than a decade, ODC Network has led the effort the protect what is irreplaceable through our signature initiative, Project Clarity. What started in 2013 as a shared vision among farmers, municipalities, researchers, and residents has become one of West Michigan’s most ambitious conservation efforts.

🔗 Learn more about Project Clarity at the link in bio.

We’re grateful to everyone who could make it out today! (And there’s still time!)

EVENT DETAILS:
💧Macatawa Water Festival
📅 September 26, 2026
🕙10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍Kollen Park

09/25/2026

Macatawa Water Festival returns TOMORROW!

Date: September 26, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Location: Kollen Park
240 Kollen Park Dr. in Holland

This event was rescheduled from July when our area was experiencing air quality issues. We can’t wait to finally welcome you out to Kollen Park!

Over 20 community partners and sponsors will come together to offer water activities and educational experiences designed to engage all ages to learn about restoring and preserving our lake and watershed.

All ages welcome!

09/24/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out for the Stroll & Roll at Paw Paw Park tonight! 🚲🌱☀️ Missed us? Join us on Saturday for our annual Macatawa Water Festival from 10am-2pm in Kollen Park!

09/24/2026

We hope to see you there!

Looking for a space to enjoy nature with your family? Join us tonight at Paw Paw Park for a night of strolling and rolling along the Macatawa River Greenway! Search for ODC Network's Outdoor Discovery Center Staff along the trail with birds of prey and reptiles to learn more about the native animals in our wetland ecosystems, and enjoy a scavenger hunt! We will have balance bikes available for use on the trail, and Hudsonville Ice Cream has donated a sweet treat!

09/23/2026

It’s a beautiful day for our annual ODC Cup at Diamond Springs Golf Course! At ODC Network we know there’s power in people gathering outdoors to make a difference. That’s what this outing is all about. Thank you to all our sponsors and participants!

09/22/2026

Our Green Holland 💚🌿

Just a few photos to slow your scroll and remind you that this week in Holland is a citywide celebration of sustainability and conservation. ODC Network is proud to be a planning partner for the week.

We're particularly excited about these two events:

🚴 Stroll and Roll
📅 Thursday, Sept. 24 | 5–7 PM
📍 Paw Paw Park East
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages
🗒️ Enjoy a family-friendly evening strolling, biking, scootering, or rolling along the Macatawa River Greenway. Meet ODC staff with birds of prey and reptiles, complete a scavenger hunt, try out strider bikes from Velo Kids, and grab a sweet treat courtesy of Hudsonville Ice Cream!

💧 Macatawa Water Festival
📅 Saturday, Sept. 26 | 10 AM–2 PM
📍 Kollen Park
👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 All Ages
🗒️ Explore Lake Macatawa and its watershed with 20+ community partners offering kayaking, water quality experiments, native vs. invasive plant education, and more. This event celebrates Project Clarity and the work ODC leads to protect Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed.

Get full details and a schedule here: https://www.cityofholland.com/1342/Our-Green-Holland

09/15/2026

Advancing outdoor education means honoring the people who have cared for this land for generations.

This Saturday, join us for Gwénbeshké, a celebration of Indigenous culture and history.

Explore our Cultural History Center, experience ceremonial dancing and drumming, try hands-on crafts and games, and taste traditional dishes.

The event is guided by Myriah Williams, M.Ed., Potawatomi Pokagon Band citizen and ODC's Cultural Educator.

📅 Saturday, September 19
🕐 1:00–4:00 PM
📍 ODC Network’s Cultural History Center, 5675 142nd Ave, Holland, MI
🎟️ Free • All ages • Drop-in, no registration needed
🔗 More details here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CyV6mHSEF/

When we gather around shared history, belonging grows. Come be part of it 💛

09/14/2026

The Striped Skunks class at Woodlands Discovery Preschool cared for this little friend from caterpillar to chrysalis to beautiful Monarch butterfly. They released it into the sunflower garden they grew from seeds this summer—and their timing couldn’t be more perfect. 

Monarchs that emerge at this time in Michigan are gearing up for an incredible journey: an up to 2,000-mile migration to the highlands of central Mexico, where they’ll cluster by the millions to overwinter before starting the next generation of butterflies that make the multi-generational trip back north. 

Monarch numbers have dropped significantly over the past few decades, largely due to habitat loss along their migration route. That’s why projects like this matter—every milkweed plant, every wildflower patch, and every kid who gets to watch a caterpillar become a butterfly is a small but real piece of helping sustain this species.

We’re so proud of the Striped Skunks for giving this Monarch a great start! 🧡🦨