Chippewa Nature Center is a private, non-profit organization whose mission is to inspire people and institutions to protect the natural world. The Center includes a Visitor Center which underwent a major renovation in 2010, funded in part by the Gerstacker Foundation. It also includes 1,200-acres of woodlands, wetlands, rivers and upland fields, and over 15 miles of hiking trails including the Chippewa Trail, a 3.7 mile accessible trail to downtown Midland. A wide variety of programs are offered year-round for children, families and adults, along with school programs, Nature Preschool and Nature Day Camp. CNC is also home to a complex of three restored log buildings, encouraging visitors to step back in time. The Center offers free Visitor Center admission daily. To date, CNC has received $2,060,000 in support from the Gerstacker Foundation.

“The funding provided by the Gerstacker Foundation helped make the 2010 Visitor Center renovation and new Margaret Ann (Ranny) Riecker Nature Preschool Center a reality. We could not have done it without the tremendous support that they continue to show. We are incredibly grateful for the vote of confidence the Gerstacker Foundation has show in Chippewa Nature Center.” ~Dick Touvell, Executive Director