The Refuge Has a Lot to Offer:

• Friendly, knowledgeable staff
• The movie, The Wonder of Nature
• Visitor Center Exhibits
• The Pine Ridge Nature Trail and Wigwam Connector Trail
• Refuge ponds - for pond studies
• Northern Hardwoods Area
• Classroom spaces -
  • outdoor, covered pavilion with seating
  • indoor theater and classroom
   

Refuge staff will be happy to work with you to provide your class a unique and interesting experience while helping you meet your education goals.

• Field trips can be scheduled throughout the year. 
• Field trips are scheduled on a first come first serve basis.
• We require 2 adults per every 10 students. Adult supervision is required at all times.
• Tertiary education groups are also welcomed - see information below.

Self-guided Field Trips

• The Pine Ridge Nature Trail self-guided hike, a 1.5 mile loop, takes 1 to 1.5 hours. A scavenger hunt and clipboards are available to help focus student's attention.
• Hiking is also allowed at the Northern Hardwoods Cross-country Ski Area when there is no snow cover. 
• Viewing the exhibits in the Visitor Center takes 15 to 20 minutes.
• A 15 minute orientation film, The Wonder of Nature, is available at the visitor center.

Primary and Secondary Education

The refuge is committed to getting children outdoors and into nature in a meaningful way. National and Michigan State Education Standards can be met with a trip to the refuge.

Tertiary Education

Staff at Seney NWR assist college and university faculty by providing both field trips and classroom lectures on a range of topics, including wildlife habitat management, conservation biology, disturbance and landscape ecology, and ecosystem restoration, etc. Often, to prepare the attendees, a short reading list for the students is provided to the professor beforehand. For more information contact the Wildlife Biologist. As the field season is especially busy, educators should plan out well in advance (1 month or more).

Classroom Visits

Primary and Secondary Education:

To schedule a classroom visit contact the Visitor Services Manager.
 

Tertiary Education

Staff at Seney NWR assist college and university faculty by providing both field trips and classroom lectures on a range of topics, including wildlife habitat management, conservation biology, disturbance and landscape ecology, ecosystem restoration, etc. Often, to prepare the attendees, a short reading list for the students is provided to the professor beforehand. For more information contact the Wildlife Biologist. As the field season is especially busy, educators should plan out well in advance (1 month or more).
 

Resources for use at the Refuge

Seney NWR has several resources teachers or home school parents are welcome to use during visits or checkout for use in the classroom. To reserve or check out items please contact the Visitor Services Manager.

Items available for use at the refuge.
 

• Binoculars
• Field Guides
• Insect Nets and Insect Containers
• Dip Nets and Pans for Pond Studies
• Magnifying Glasses
• Pencils
• Clipboards
• Snowshoes
• Carpet Squares

Resources to Checkout

• Movies - For a list of nature movies that can be borrowed from Seney Natural History Association for your classroom contact the Visitor Services Manager.
• Refuge Trunks - Trunks may be reserved and checked out for two weeks at a time.
  • Raptor Trunk 
  • Migratory Bird Trunk 
  • Loon Trunk 
  • Wolf Trunk 
  • Wetland Trunk