Cindy Winsemius Outdoor Education Fund

The Gillette Nature Association is proud to announce the establishment of a memorial fund in memory of longtime park employee Cindy Winsemius of Muskegon. Cindy was greatly loved by the park staff and so many of our park visitors. She will be remembered for her caring and nurturing character, loyal friendship, big smile, infectious laughter and especially her love of nature. We are immensely saddened by her passing and wish to honor her legacy by providing bus grants to school districts who have a desire for their students to experience Lake Michigan and the sand dunes.

Cindy Winsemius worked at the Gillette Visitor Center and P.J. Hoffmaster State Park from the 1990s to the present. She was passionate about the park and the outdoor education programs we provide. Coming from a background of teaching, she especially enjoyed working with school children and was a driving force behind our annual Earth Day recognition in April called “No Student Left Inside Day.” We would have never been able to host 180 middle school students on that day each year without Cindy’s unfailing support. She set up the rotations, recruited volunteers and taught the Lake Michigan unit. Her enthusiasm kept us all going when the task seemed beyond our limited means.

The Gillette Nature Association is now accepting donations to this special memorial fund. It is our hope that through this fund we will continue to support educational programming that Cindy was so passionate about and to include bus grants to schools in need starting in the spring of 2012.

Migratory Bird Week - May 5th - 12th

Join us for a week-long celebration of our feathered friends by participating in a series of walks, activities, programs, and field trips.

Co-sponsored by Gillette Visitor Center and Hemlock Crossing Nature Education Center.

To see a full list of events click here »

Spring Blooms in the Dunes - Saturday May, 5th

Join us on Saturday, May 5th, 2012 for Spring Blooms in the Dunes at the Gillette Sand Dune Visitor Center. A variety of events will be offered for children and adults throughout the day.

The Gillette Nature Association will be hosting the Annual Native Plant Sale from 9am - 3pm.

As many know, the Gillette Nature Association has been hosting this sale for more than 25 years! The proceeds help support educational and recreational programming at the Gillette Visitor Center.

Michigan native plants make great gifts for family and friends. In addition to conserving our natural heritage, they also help support wildlife!