Step into the forest with a quieter mind and a more open heart. This mindful outdoor experience blends the practice of present moment awareness with the gentle art of birding, inviting you to slow down and take in the sights, sounds, and textures of the living earth around you. Through a guided mindful flow designed to soothe the nervous system, you will walk with intention, listening for birdsong and noticing the small details that often go unseen. The morning closes with council, where the group shares reflections together over warm chai, deepening the sense of connection that mindfulness in nature naturally invites.

A familiar sight in the summer sky, the Turkey Vulture soars on thermals high above the landscape, and is often misunderstood despite being one of the bird world's most fascinating species. This hike opens with an in depth look at identification by sight and sound, habitat, and behavior, then takes that knowledge onto the trail. Kleinstuck's upland and swamp forest offer excellent habitat for spotting vultures overhead, and the intentional, present minded pace makes this a meaningful outing for birders of all levels.

Some birds announce themselves before you ever see them. The Red-eyed Vireo is one of them: a small, tireless songbird known for singing nearly all day long, even deep into summer when most other birds have gone quiet. Join experienced birder Seth Chapman for a guided hike through Kleinstuck Preserve, where you'll learn to identify this remarkable species by sight and sound before putting those skills to the test on the trail.

This month’s focus will be on the species of birds that call Kleinstuck home for the summer. Before we hit the trails, we will familiarize ourselves with a small handful of species that breed in Kleinstuck Preserve. You will learn how to identify three unique species by sight and sound, as well as learn about their habitat preferences and behavior.

Join Kara Aubin for this special evening gathering where yoga, movement, and community connection weave together into one intentional and collective pause. We'll honor the fullness of this solar season and close the evening with something sweet, thoughtfully prepared by Kristin to ground and delight.

Migration is one of the most remarkable events in the natural world, and Kleinstuck Preserve offers a front-row seat. Known among birders as a stopover site, Kleinstuck serves as a resting place where migrating birds pause to eat, drink, and recover before continuing their journey. The result is a concentrated, ever-changing gathering of species that is unlike any other time of year.

Explore Kleinstuck Preserve this spring with experienced birder Seth Chapman. Observe nesting birds, learn about breeding behavior, and enjoy time in nature with your Kalamazoo community. All skill levels welcome.

Join experienced birder Seth Chapman for a guided hike through Kleinstuck Preserve, with a special focus on woodpeckers. As spring approaches, the forest begins to stir with birdsong and activity. While woodpeckers may not sing like songbirds, they communicate in fascinating ways—through drumming, calls, and movement across the trees.

We all need a little incentive to get outside in midwinter and look for birds beyond what we see from our windows. Join Seth Chapman, experienced birder, for the Great Backyard Bird Count—a global community science event that brings together bird lovers of all skill levels.

Back by popular demand! Join Seth Chapman, experienced birder, for a workshop devoted entirely to the mysterious world of owls. Long regarded as symbols of wisdom and insight, owls captivate those fortunate enough to encounter them. Though often shrouded in mystery, this workshop brings these remarkable birds into clearer view—exploring their symbology, habits, and unique characteristics.

Join Kara Aubin for an evening of reflection and renewal as we honor the Winter Solstice—the longest night of the year and a sacred pause between cycles. Through gentle yoga, breathwork, mantra, and community connection, you’ll be guided into stillness, honoring what has been and welcoming the returning light.

The long days and warm temperatures of summer may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still go birding! Join experienced birder, Seth Chapman, for a class that will inspire you to go birding in the winter!

We’re so grateful to be a small business in Kalamazoo. Our community makes it a priority to shop small. You honor the time and effort it takes us to create the best Ayurvedic selection in the midwest, source products with integrity, keep on-hand inventory, and create amazing herbal products - all with the education of our amazing team to help you find the right tools to support your radical wellness journey.

Stop by the Ayurvedic Wellness Center 9:00a-1:00p on Saturday, November 29.

Early winter is an exciting time to experience this seasonal movement, and this workshop is designed to help you locate and identify the many species of waterfowl found across the region. Join experienced birder Seth Chapman to explore the fascinating world of ducks, geese, swans, and loons while gaining practical tools for recognizing them in the field.

Join birder Seth Chapman for a special evening observing Chimney Swifts as they gather at dusk. Watch dozens—sometimes hundreds—of these unique birds swirl together in flight before diving into their chimney roost, while enjoying complimentary herbal chai in community.

Take part in an Urban Bird Hike around downtown Kalamazoo! Join experienced birder Seth Chapman as we hike along a segment of the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail (KRVT) and discover which birds have adapted to urban sprawl. You might be surprised at the variety of species that call downtown Kalamazoo their home, and even more surprised to learn that certain species thrive in this environment.

Join experienced birder, Seth Chapman, on a birdwatching hike through Kleinstuck Preserve. This month’s featured bird is the Baltimore Oriole.

Join Kara Aubin & Kara Markovich for this special evening event to celebrate the solstice. This celebration weaves together the modalities of Yoga, sound therapy, and community connection to create an intentional and collective pause.

You’re never too young to start birding! Engage your little one in the outdoors this month by taking them on a bird hike just for them. Fun, engaging, and educational, this hike will spark your child's curiosity about nature and the birds around them!

Join experienced birder, Seth Chapman, for an opportunity to witness the Peregrine Falcon. After this hike, you will have a deeper understanding of this species, and perhaps, a deeper understanding of yourself, as we contemplate this spectacle.

Join experienced birder, Seth Chapman, for a short hike to a local heronry, where we will observe numerous Great Blue Herons tending their roost. After this hike, you will have a deeper understanding of the Great Blue Heron, and perhaps, a deeper understanding of yourself, as we contemplate this spectacle.

Join experienced birder, Seth Chapman, for a short hike where we will witness the magical mating display of the American Woodcock. After this hike, you will have a deeper understanding of the Woodcock, and perhaps, a deeper understanding of yourself, as we contemplate this spectacle.

Get ready to eat your weeds! Originally introduced to North America for medicinal and culinary purposes, Garlic Mustard has now spread as an invasive throughout the US over the last 150 years. We will harvest this plant, and gather for a demo on how to make a delicious Garlic Mustard Pesto!

Join Seth Chapman, Apothecary Manger and experienced birder, for a hike at Wolf Lake Fish Hatchery. You will have the opportunity to observe a variety of species of birds (many of which we don’t encounter on our Kleinstuck hikes), including swans, ducks, geese, mergansers, kingfishers, and more!

We all need a little incentive to get outside midwinter and look for birds beyond what we can see from our windows at home. Join Seth Chapman, Apothecary Manger and experienced birder, for the Great Backyard Bird Count!

Immerse yourself in a deeply relaxing sound bath with the didgeridoo, accompanied by sacred instruments like Australian message sticks, Navajo traditional drum, Native American “love” flute, crystal singing bowls, tongue drum and keyboard drones.

Join Seth Chapman, Apothecary Manager and experienced birder, for a workshop on all things owls. Perhaps the most mysterious and captivating species of birds, owls have inspired a sense of wonder and wisdom upon those fortunate to catch a glimpse.

Join Kara Aubin for this special evening practice to celebrate the solstice. This celebration weaves together the modalities of āsana, pranayama, mantra, and community connection to create an intentional and collective pause.

Join Seth Chapman, Apothecary Manager and experienced birder, to learn the basics of waterfowl. From migration to identification, this course will cover the basics of waterfowl, and inspire you to go birding for ducks, geese, loons, and more!

We’re so grateful to be a small business in Kalamazoo. Our community makes it a priority to shop small. You honor the time and effort it takes us to create the best Ayurvedic selection in the midwest, source products with integrity, keep on-hand inventory, and create amazing herbal products - all with the education of our amazing team to help you find the right tools to support your radical wellness journey.

Stop by the Ayurvedic Wellness Center 9:00a-1:00p on Saturday, November 30.