Thurston Nature Center is a community and student-created outdoor environmental lab that was led by the global “founder of environmental education”, Dr. William Stapp, in the 1960s on Ann Arbor Public Schools (AAPS) property. Dr. William Stapp took his experience from the Thurston Nature Center and created K-12 environmental education curriculum which he spread across the world through the United Nations which later gave him a nomination for the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize. It is the oldest operating environmental education nature center in the country built by students for students and continues to thrive to this day. Students, scouts and the community continue to preserve and maintain this delicate ecosystem that was created with a mission to learn from our natural environment. Spanning nearly 20 acres, TNC serves as a living laboratory for students and the community, fostering conservation values through hands-on engagement. Its vibrant ecosystem includes 166 bird species, four frog species, two turtle species, multiple pollinators, including 15 types of butterflies, native Michigan flora, an indigenous oak savanna, and rain gardens. Read articles on our archives page
Dr. Stapp’s original vision transformed barren land into a thriving outdoor classroom. Students and community members have faithfully continued his work, maintaining the center as a dynamic space for environmental learning. Generations have credited their connection to TNC for inspiring careers in STEM and conservation. It was groundbreaking in its time and was the inspiration for sites across the world, even the White House commissioned a documentary in 1967 shared by Lady Bird Johnson 60 years of students have given to create this space, which today is a flourishing diverse eco-system. This space continues to be maintained by stewards scouts, and students all year round. We have heard from former students across the country who were inspired to become environmentalists or go into STEM careers because of the experience they had to learn in this unique outdoor learning lab and wander in this space. You will see people of all backgrounds walking the trails, learning in nature, watching turtles lay eggs, and walking on ice for the first time on the pond.
The Thurston Nature Center land owned by Ann Arbor Public Schools and Orchard Hills Athletic Club. The space is dedicated to educating and providing space to learn for those in the school system and community about the natural world around them.
The Nature Center is home to many species of wildlife and is a rest-over location for 166 species of birds. We host several habitats, which include the pond, wetlands, oak savanna, prairies, forest, vernal pond and butterfly-loving rain gardens with a certified Butterfly Waystation.
Committee and Meetings
All are welcome at Thurston Nature Center Committee meetings. Please sign up for the email list (bottom of this page) to get details on upcoming meetings and all the latest news.
Current Thurston Nature Center Committee
- Praveena Ramaswami, Chair (email: chair *)
- Jim Vallem, Land Steward (email: steward *)
- Michael Tucker, Land Steward
- Smita Malpani, Water Steward
- Holly Zechar, Treasurer (email: treasurer *)
- Pam O’Neal, Secretary
- OPEN, Communications Chair
- Colin Brooks, Habitats Lead
- Kristen Cella, Thurston PTO Representative
- Mary Manthey, School/Teacher Representative
- Amy Creten, OHAC Pools Representative
- Jeffrey Hamilton, At Large
- Beth Caldwell, At Large
* Add @thurstonnaturecenter.info to get full email address
By-laws and committee roles
Previous meeting minutes
Policies and information of the Thurston Nature Center Manual (PDF).
The Thurston Nature Center Committee (TNCC) is a sub-committee of the Thurston Elementary Parent Teacher Association.
See the History and Archives page for information on the history of the Thurston Nature Center.
Maps
Download a self-guided walking tour map
View map of labeled trees
Map of Oak Savanna 2024
See the History and Archives page for information on the history of the Thurston Nature Center.