LESLIE SCIENCE & NATURE CENTER

“This organization is one that makes a difference daily in the lives of children and families across Southeastern Michigan. I am honored to move into this role, and grateful for the opportunity to continue to build and move forward with our incredible team,” Westhoff said.

It can be hard finding the right gift, and even more difficult to find one that is special. Here are 4 unique to Ann Arbor.

ANN ARBOR, MI -- Ann Arbor residents have been challenged to raise $50,000 to help support a growing playscape area at the Leslie Science & Nature Center. The center, 1831 Traver Road in Ann Arbor, has announced the opening of its new Nature Playscape, an outdoor play area featuring a tunnel, underground slide and a “loose parts exploration area.”

Named Nature Playscape, the multi-year project has several different features and areas, including a 32-foot slide, tunnel and exploration and building area.

Enjoy celebrating the Huron River at this family-friendly annual event.

Coordinated by the Ann Arbor Earth Day Festival Planning Committee, the annual event includes displays, hands-on activities and performances by Lori Fithian, Drummunity and Joe Reilly.

Registration is now open for the 2022 Unity in Learning camps that will span across June, July and August.

From cookies and clothing to cool stickers and records, Ann Arbor’s many small businesses offer a plethora of choices for even the pickiest of giftees.

Here’s where you can have a hauntingly good time around Ann Arbor.

Participate in several Halloween-themed activities at the Leslie Science & Nature Center on Oct. 30.

Join the Leslie Science & Nature Center to celebrate the annual journey of the Monarch butterfly at this year’s Monarch Migration Festival on September 12.

Learn about the Leslie Science & Nature Center (LSNC) and its mission during the annual Mayfly fundraiser on Saturday, May 22.

Leslie Science & Nature Center is hiring Unity in Learning summer camp educators to work with youth ages 4-13 from June to September.

Are you zoom calls getting a little tedious? Lana Smith from the Leslie Science & Nature Center in Ann Arbor spoke to host Jason Carr about how you can add a wild animal to your next virtual gathering. The Leslie Science & Nature Center is an education center in a city park in Ann Arbor. The hedgehog is extremely popular with kids and make zoom calls a little more fun. If you would like to visit the Leslie Science & Nature in person, the park is open every day.

The Leslie Science & Nature Center has some nighttime activities for you. The following week on Friday, Nov. 20, LSNC will host an owl prowl through the woods. The owl prowl hikes will begin at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., respectively. Attendees will learn how the birds hunt and enjoy a walk through the LSNC raptor loop with a raptor expert. The Leslie Science & Nature Center is at 1831 Traver Rd.

ANN ARBOR – The city of Ann Arbor has announced that outdoor programming can resume at Leslie Science & Nature Center after a complete environmental investigation and soil remediation. In 2019, staff at LSNC asked the city to analyze soil found near an area it had planned to construct a Nature Playscape after noticing an unnatural depression in the ground. Out of an abundance of caution, LSNC staff installed a fence around the area and moved all programming offsite. “I’m thrilled to report that the soil remediation project at Leslie Science & Nature Center has successfully been completed,” Derek Delacourt, City of Ann Arbor Community Service Area administrator, said in a statement. “Now, LSNC staff can focus on planning fall outdoor programming adventures for their families and campers.”✉ Like what you’re reading?

ANN ARBOR – Join the Leslie Science & Nature Center for its Owl Prowl event geared toward families at Gallup Park Saturday evening. From 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., meet owls up close, go on a hike with a naturalist to listen for native owls and discover how owls survive in the night. For LSNC members, tickets are $8 per member, or $30 per member family. Get ready to investigate owl pellets, see owl specimens and ask every question you ever had about owls at this fun, educational event. Sign up for our email newsletter here!

Aside from a chance of scattered thunderstorms tomorrow, we are looking at a beautiful summer weekend ahead. The big story this week was the closure of some areas at the Leslie Science & Nature Center after the city of Ann Arbor discovered its soil is contaminated with heavy metals. (A4) Some of Ann Arbor and Ypsi's top chefs weigh in on their favorite local places to grab a bite. Know someone who loves Ann Arbor? All About Ann Arbor is powered by ClickOnDetroit/WDIV.

Recent soil testing at the Leslie Science & Nature Center showed dangerous levels of heavy metals including lead and arsenic, causing the center to make programming changes. One of the areas that was tested is the future site for the center's Nature Playscape behind the DTE Energy House. As additional soil testing gets underway, the LSNC Park will remain open. Leslie Science Center separated from the City of Ann Arbor in 2007 and became Leslie Science & Nature Center an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. That plan will be informed by subsequent rounds of soil testing that are now getting underway.