Cooper Township near Kalamazoo in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

00s Cultivating a Green Future

Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026

1. 00s Cultivating a Green Future Marker

Inscription.

00s Cultivating a Green Future. . , The Kalamazoo Nature Center is recognized as an organization that continues to lead the way in inspiring environmental connections.

Research program works with universities and federal and state agencies to study bird behavior, disease and population trends
A variety of creative camp, school and community programming allows us to reach diverse audiences.
Stewardship efforts are renewed by restoring native habitats, managing for rare species, and implementing invasive species control methods
Buildings and grounds undergo improvements, increasing access to natural spaces.

2000 , . Voted "Best Nature Center" by AAA's Michigan Living Magazine , , 2001 , . Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas II begins fieldwork for online publication in 2010 , . Selected as the Great Lakes office for Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots Program (2001-2005) , , 2002 , . 1st Cooper's Glen Music Festival in the Arboretum (2002-2006) , . Research department manages database for statewide herpetological survey (2002-present) , , 2003 , . Emma Pitcher Prairie dedicated and managed for rare species (2003-present) , . "Michigan Land Use Hero" award from Michigan Environmental Council , , 2004 , . Citizen Science programs begin (2004-present) , , 2005 , . Cooper's Glen Auditorium is renovated and Vista Deck is built , . 1st Land Management Plan results in the Willard M. Rose Tallgrass Prairie (140 acres) planting, restoration, and cyclical fire management to improve habitat for Massassagua [sic] Rattlesnake , , 2006 , . River Walk Tunnel, under railroad tracks, is completed; tunnel under North Westnedge added the following year , . Author Richard Louv visits and sparks the No Child Left Inside movement in Kalamazoo (2006-present) , , 2007 , . Annie's Big Nature Lesson begins (2007-present) , . Preschool and Camp are honored regionally for their innovative and inclusive programs; Kalamazoo Nature Center receives "Environmental Award" from the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce , , 2008 , . DeLano Homestead celebrates 150 years , , 2009 , . Habitat restoration efforts continue with removal of west pond and dam on Habitat Haven Trail; Trout Run Stream improved , . Total land base is 3,898 acres , , Left photo caption: Prescribed fire helps preserve native communities

The Kalamazoo Nature Center is recognized as an organization that continues to lead the way in inspiring environmental connections.

Research program works with universities and federal and state agencies to study bird behavior, disease and population trends
A variety of creative camp, school and community programming allows us to reach diverse audiences.
Stewardship efforts are renewed by restoring native habitats, managing for rare species, and implementing invasive species control methods
Buildings and grounds undergo improvements, increasing access to natural spaces.

2000
• Voted "Best Nature Center" by AAA's Michigan Living Magazine

2001
• Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas II begins fieldwork for online publication in 2010
• Selected as the Great Lakes office for Jane Goodall's Roots and Shoots Program (2001-2005)

2002
• 1st Cooper's Glen Music Festival in the Arboretum (2002-2006)
• Research department manages database for statewide herpetological survey (2002-present)

2003
• Emma Pitcher Prairie dedicated and managed for rare species (2003-present)
• "Michigan Land Use Hero" award from Michigan

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Environmental Council

2004
• Citizen Science programs begin (2004-present)

2005
• Cooper's Glen Auditorium is renovated and Vista Deck is built
• 1st Land Management Plan results in the Willard M. Rose Tallgrass Prairie (140 acres) planting, restoration, and cyclical fire management to improve habitat for Massassagua [sic] Rattlesnake

2006
• River Walk Tunnel, under railroad tracks, is completed; tunnel under North Westnedge added the following year
• Author Richard Louv visits and sparks the No Child Left Inside movement in Kalamazoo (2006-present)

2007
• Annie's Big Nature Lesson begins (2007-present)
• Preschool and Camp are honored regionally for their innovative and inclusive programs; Kalamazoo Nature Center receives "Environmental Award" from the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce

2008
• DeLano Homestead celebrates 150 years

2009
• Habitat restoration efforts continue with removal of west pond and dam on Habitat Haven Trail; Trout Run Stream improved
• Total land base is 3,898 acres

Left photo caption: Prescribed fire helps preserve native communities

Erected by Kalamazoo Nature Center.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026

2. 00s Cultivating a Green Future Marker

Photo taken from the entrance of the visitor center. This marker is the one on the left (the closest one).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 2000.

Location. 42° 21.613′ N, 85° 34.987′ W. Marker is near Kalamazoo, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. It is in Cooper Township. It can be reached from Westnedge Ave north of E Ave. Marker is on the bridge leading to the entrance of the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7000 N Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo MI 49009, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Michigan.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: 90s Branching Out (a few steps from this marker); 80s Growing Strong (a few steps from this marker); 70s Spreading Our Roots (within shouting distance of this marker); 60s Planting Seeds (within shouting distance

Kalamazoo Nature Center sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joel Seewald, March 4, 2026

3. Kalamazoo Nature Center sign

of this marker); DeLano Homestead (approx. ¾ mile away); Cooper Congregational Church (approx. 1.8 miles away); Kindleberger Park (approx. 2½ miles away); The Kalamazoo Region (approx. 3.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Kalamazoo.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 24, 2026, by Joel Seewald of Madison Heights, Michigan.