Boots Muddy, Hearts Full: A Springtime Recap from Nomi Forest Explorers

A look back at the wild, wonderful weeks our explorers have spent learning, growing, and giving back.

Spring has arrived in full force in Northern Michigan, and our explorers have been busy soaking up every bit of it. From foraging in the forest to fundraising at the dinner table, the past few weeks have been a beautiful reminder of why we do this work — and of the community that makes it all possible.

We kicked things off with our Project Learning Tree (PLT) session, where our explorers dove into hands-on activities that help them think like scientists and stewards of the land. This 6 week learning session was packed with discovery! We learned a ton about trees — how they make their own food, how they communicate and support one another in the forest, and where they fit into the bigger picture of the food web and water cycle. The kids got to meet Walden, a magnificent owl visiting from our friends at North Sky Raptors, and even dissected hawk and owl pellets to see firsthand what these incredible birds eat.

A huge thank you to North Sky Raptors for sharing Walden with us and helping our explorers connect with these amazing birds up close. We're so grateful for your partnership!

A highlight of the season was our trip to Legends Wildlife Center, where our explorers got an up-close look at many different animals, from many different places around the world. They learned a bit about legal hunting, and we also went on a really awesome hike on their beautiful trails!

Back outside, we went foraging for ramps, one of spring's most beloved wild edibles. Our explorers learned how to identify ramps responsibly, why sustainable harvesting matters, and just how delicious the woods can be when you know what you're looking for. We also began learning about maps — how to read them, how to make our own, and how to find our place in the wider world (and the woods).

Our MAEOE seedlings project is officially underway, with tiny green starts already poking up and reminding us how much patience and care growing things requires. Pair that with the launch of our new Earth Science 4-H unit, and our explorers have plenty of soil, sun, and science to keep them curious for weeks to come.

Of course, no spring season at Nomi would be complete without getting our hands properly dirty. We've been on worm hunts, track hikes, and signs-of-spring hikes — noticing every bud, footprint, and wriggle of new life. And we built our very own compost to feed the garden we'll be tending all season long. There's something magical about watching kids realize that food scraps and fallen leaves can become the soil that grows next year's vegetables.

And then there was the Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser — what a night. The turnout was beyond anything we could have hoped for. Seeing so many familiar faces (and so many new ones) come together to support our explorers was deeply moving. To everyone who bought a ticket, donated a dish, volunteered an evening, shared a table, or simply showed up: thank you. This community is the soil our program grows in, and you keep it rich.

If you're reading this and feeling inspired, there are so many ways to be part of what's next:

• Enroll your family in an upcoming session and get muddy with us

• Volunteer for a hike, a workshop, or our next big event

• Donate or become a Sponsor to help us keep growing — every dollar goes directly to programming, supplies, and scholarships

Spring is a season of beginnings, and we're so grateful you're growing with us. Here's to more ramps, more worms, more wonder — and more days spent learning together in the woods.

With muddy boots and full hearts, The Nomi Forest Explorers Team