The Gerald Eddy Discovery Center has several nature programs scheduled for August. The center is located at Waterloo State Recreation Area near Chelsea.

All programs are suited for children ages seven and up. The programs all start at 11 a.m. and include:

• Native American Sand Art. On Friday, Aug. 1, participants can hear Native American stories and make a sand-art project to take home.
• Massasauga Rattlesnake. On Saturday, Aug. 2, participants can learn about Michigan's only venomous snake species. There will be no live snakes during the presentation.
• ABCs of Nature Hike. On Wednesday, Aug. 6, participants can walk the Oakwood trail with the park interpreter and look and learn about natural objects for each letter of the alphabet.
• Ice Age Adventure. On Thursday, Aug. 7, the center will host a program about the glaciers that covered Michigan during the Ice Age and the animals that lived here.
• Pioneer Life. On Friday, Aug. 8, there will be a program about the history of the Waterloo area during the homesteading days. There will be a variety of pioneer wooden toys for children to try out, as well as some of the old school games pioneer children played. Chores that pioneer children did will also be demonstrated.
• Endangered Species. On Saturday, Aug. 9, come learn about Michigan's endangered species and what you can do to help them.
• Fancy Flower Pots. On Wednesday, Aug. 13, children can design their own flower pot, learn about seeds and plant one to take home.
• Petoskey Stone Polishing. On Thursday, Aug. 14, participants can learn about the history of Petoskey stones and staff will have samples on hand for children to polish.
• Insect Safari. On Friday, Aug. 15, children can learn about insects, and which ones are destructive and which are beneficial. Participants will then go in the field for an up close catch and release study of insects found around the visitor center.
• Bird Bingo. On Saturday, Aug. 16, children can learn about birds found in the area and throughout North America in this challenging bingo game.

There is no charge for the programs offered at the Eddy Center; however, all visitors must display a Motor Vehicle Permit when entering a state park or recreation area. Permits are available at the entrance to Waterloo for $6 for a daily and $24 for an annual. Permits for out of state residents are $8 for a daily and $29 for an annual.

For more information on these programs, call the Eddy Discovery Center at 734-475-3170. The center is located on Bush Road between Pierce and McClure roads in Chelsea.