The Thurston Nature Center is home of about 20 acres of land owned by Ann Arbor Public Schools and Orchard Hills Athletic Club. The space is dedicated toward 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 many migratory birds. We host several habitats, which include the pond, wetlands, oak savanna, prairies, forest and vernal pond. There are several rain gardens and a Monarch Butterfly Waystation located here as well. The space is dedicated to being green and we are a Certified Natural Area.
Policies and information are available in the Thurston Nature Center Manual (PDF).
We have a Committee of around eleven members who volunteer and act as stewards for the Nature Center. The members include Chair, Land and Water Stewards, Treasurer, Secretary, Thurston School Representative, At-Large Members and Alumnus. Meeting minutes are found here. The current Committee members are:
- Jeffrey Hamilton, Chair (email: chair(at symbol)thurstonnaturecenter.info)
- Jim Vallem, Land Steward (email: steward(at symbol)thurstonnaturecenter.info)
- Michael Tucker, Land Steward
- Rachel Oram, Water Steward
- Holly Zechar, Treasurer (email: treasurer(at symbol)thurstonnaturecenter.info)
- Pam O’Neal, Secretary
- Emily Eisbruch, Communications
- Beth Caldwell
- Colin Brooks
- Mary Manthey, School Representative
- Hannah Smith, OHAC Pools Representative
We originated from a small group of Thurston Families, led by Bill Stapp in the 1960s when the neighborhood was just beginning. Since then many have come and gone from the committee, each giving of their talents and time to continue to serve and protect the Nature Center. We act as a sub-committee of Thurston Elementary Parent Teacher Association.
Thurston Nature Center Committee meetings are generally the 1st Thursday of each month at 6:30pm, and all are welcome. Please sign up for the email list (bottom of this page) to get details on upcoming meetings and all the latest news.
Drone aerial photo of the Thurston Nature Center on April 1, 2020
See the History and Archives page for information on the history of the Thurston Nature Center.