Outreach Services

Request a visit from nature center staff

Programs are available by appointment year-round to schools, youth groups, preschools, scouts, seniors, church organizations, festivals and more. Traveling outreach programs include nature presentations, nature tables and the portable planetarium.

Nature Tables

A nature table is best suited for a large special event or an event that has multiple components in which participants move independently to explore various activities. Our naturalists will set up a table with biofacts such as taxidermized animals, pelts, bones, and more to spark conversation about our natural communities. Each nature table comes with a pre-set themed craft upon request. Topics include:

Michigan Wildlife
- Explore Michigan animals up close as you get your nature questions answered by a friendly naturalist. Touch animal pelts and see other biofacts up close. Stamp a bookmark with the tracks of animals you learned about during your chat.
Wellness in the Outdoors
- Let nature guide you in some practices to keep your mind and body healthy. Create your own gratitude box to take home.
Purely Michigan
- Many Michiganders know our state bird, but what about our state soil? Take the quiz with a naturalist and see which items on the table you know, and learn the lore behind those you don’t.

Nature Table Pricing

$150 for 2 hours; each additional hour $50
- After hours/evening: Additional $75
- Out of county fee: Additional $75

Nature Presentations

A nature presentation is a 45-minute naturalist-led talk on a topic of your choice. It works best at an event where participants will be arriving and leaving at the same time to hear this classroom-style talk. Venues can be indoors or outdoors. Typical group sizes are around 40, but groups may be any size. The smaller the group, the more closely they will get to see the biofacts.

Staff will use taxidermized specimens, bones, pelts, and other items to connect participants with the natural community. Topics include:

Trail wise Summer Safety
- Summer safety matters! Find out how to beat the heat and stay safe while on the trail. Learn the principles of Leave No Trace and how to apply them to your next outdoor adventure, whether in your backyard or in the wilds of Michigan.
Colors in Nature
- Nature is a kaleidoscope of color. Learn about what colors are used for warnings, which are relied on for camouflage and what colors try to trick you. Find out how the power of color affects the natural world.
Forest Friends
- The forest is a wildlife neighborhood. Discover which animals call it home and uncover how these animal’s unique adaptations help them survive here.

Nature Presentation Pricing

$100 for each presentation
- After hours/evening: Additional $75
- Out of county fee: Additional $75

Portable Planetarium

A Portable Planetarium is a mobile, inflatable option that brings the wonder of the night sky indoors. Please review the Portable Planetarium Flyer or contact us for more information about requirements and pricing for this service.

Recreation Assistance Partnership Program (RAPP)

Qualifying community organizations should check their Recreation Assistance Partnership Program (RAPP) eligibility for free or reduced-priced outreach services. RAPP is an initiative that creates improved access to recreation experiences for all Oakland County residents by providing mobile recreation units, nature education programming and other services to more than 250,000 participants each year who may not otherwise have had access to these activities.

Oakland County cities, villages and townships; community parks and recreation departments; schools; Downtown Development Authorities; and nonprofit organizations are invited to apply for RAPP funds through a grant process and then use the monies to create quality recreation opportunities in their communities.

RAPP-eligible Nature Education packages are available May-September. For complete details, view the 2026 Nature Education Recreation Assistance Partnership Program Offering Flyer.

For organizations reserving Nature Education packages under the RAPP, please submit the 2026 Nature Education RAPP Form. An Oakland County Parks staff member will reach out to you within three business days to book your requests. Applications are first-come, first-served, are subject to approval and do not guarantee a reservation.

For information on RAPP-eligible Mobile Recreation Packages, visit the Mobile Recreation Packages and Pricing webpage and complete the 2026 Mobile Recreation RAPP Reservation Form separately.