Open House at the Ecosystem Preserve


The Homecoming & Family Weekend open house is a wonderful time for students and families, alumni and their children or grandchildren, and community guests to get their first look at the remodeled gateway to the Ecosystem Preserve: the Venema Plaza & Gardens and the Bunker Interpretive Center.

  • Chat with Preserve staff about the new native plants and demonstration garden plots
  • Peek inside the Glasshouse and Gardener's Cottage
  • Play lawn games with your friends or family
  • Enjoy apple cider and mix-your-own trail mix snacks
  • Take a family picture with beautiful fall foliage as your backdrop
  • Relax under the arbor by South Pond
  • Wander on a photo scavenger hunt and win prizes
  • Photograph fall-blooming wildflowers
  • Pick up a trail map to walk the trails

Learn more about the Venema Gardens which opened in May 2019.

Note: The open house will run from 1–3 p.m., and the Bunker Interpretive Center will be open only during that time. However, the Ecosystem Preserve trails are open to visitors from 7 a.m. to dusk each day and restrooms in the BIC vestibule are accessible during those hours, so families can walk the trails throughout the weekend!