A Little Nature Zoo With Big Ideas

Conservation, natural history, ecology. On one hand, it seems like a ferocious uphill battle to interest children of the internet in these concepts. On the other hand, what child wouldn't be fascinated by close-up views of giant spiders, snakes, turtles, frogs, birds, bees, and other exotic (to city kids) creatures? Especially for Halloween.

I visited the Belle Isle Nature Zoo at the end of a day it had hosted hundreds of kids for its annual "Boo at the Nature Zoo" event. The parking lot was still full. Smiling and laughing costumed children were followed by happy parents. You could tell it was a successful day by the general air of bonhomie.

Door greeter and a selection of the many creatures inside...

the indoor bird watching area.....bird watching can be a serious sport on Belle Isle. If you doubt me, read here.

Bees making honey...

The Nature Zoo started with a few strikes against it when it opened in 2005. Many Detroiters remember feeding free-roaming deer on the island as kids, and weren't especially excited about seeing the remains of the herd in their enclosed home. Also, the Nature Zoo was built as a pet project of Kwame Kilpatrick to funnel money to his friends, after he closed down the much larger and more elaborate Children's Zoo on the island.

On the way to where the deer live...

An outdoor classroom....

The main attraction....kids can feed them at 11, 1, and 3 o'clock.

However, nowadays the Nature Zoo is run by the Detroit Zoo. Its checkered history isn't their fault, and they seem to be doing a great job of running an interesting, fun, FREE attraction 362 days a year. 

The focus is on plants and animals native to Michigan, with a dose of environmentalism.

Kid-friendly model of how a watershed works...

The lobby has an inviting stone fireplace...(complete with kid playing on his portable video game... oh, snap. Maybe he is working on a class project.) This little nature zoo would be a cheery, cozy retreat when it is cold and snowy outside. Remember this in January..open 362 days a year 10-5.

The outdoor exhibits and nature trail were the highlights for me, especially in the golden glow of a late autumn afternoon. There are demonstration gardens in several flavors - rain, butterfly, native plantings, etc.

The Friends of Belle Isle offer regular Saturday morning outings most of the year to fight off the unwanted invaders, including this coming November 13th...

With or without kids in tow, this little nature zoo has many enchanting nooks and crannies to explore. I look forward to visiting again after the snow falls.