About Us

In the late 1950s, the natural area known as Cooper’s Glen was threatened with a gravel-mining operation. By 1960, through the vision of community leaders such as our founder, Dr. H. Lewis Batts, Jr., the Kalamazoo community rallied to save the land and create the Kalamazoo Nature Center.

The unique natural and historic features, including a beech maple forest, pristine trout stream, Kalamazoo River, and marshland, were perfect for a natural history, environmental-education research program.

We accomplish our mission through three primary program areas: education, research, and stewardship. Education and public programs accomplish the mission by engaging people in interesting, fun, and exciting programs. Through these programs, participants develop an appreciation for the natural world around them. Research encourages the discovery of new information and knowledge and applying it in consultation with government agencies, businesses, individuals, and the Center's Education Program. Stewardship protects the natural areas and biodiversity on our properties that are then in turn used by Education and Research.