Daffodils for Dinosaurs helps nature center bloom into spring

ROCHESTER HILLS — Residents and businesses can spread cheer or brighten up their spaces while supporting local nonprofits this spring.

Each year, Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve hosts the Daffodils for Dinosaurs fundraiser to raise funds for environmental education programming.

“It’s our 34th year of the Daffodils for Dinosaurs fundraiser, and we are just so excited to be partnering with the Older Persons’ Commission and their Meals on Wheels program again,” said Emily Williams, the special events coordinator for Dinosaur Hill. “That was the main start of the fundraiser, to benefit two nonprofits in one by raising the proceeds for Dinosaur Hill’s education programming and the nature conservation efforts we do in the area, as well as spreading some joy to Meals on Wheels recipients at the OPC.”

There are a number of ways to participate in the fundraiser. Businesses and individuals interested in pre-ordering daffodils — or multicolored mums — this year must do so before March 4. Orders can be picked up at the center 4-7 p.m. Thursday, March 14.

Residents can also donate $5 to provide one bunch of daffodils or mums to a participant of the Older Persons’ Commission’s Meals on Wheels program; or police, fire and emergency medical service staff, to be delivered Wednesday, March 13.

For an extra $2 fee, Dinosaur Hill is also offering delivery for people who order, friends or clients, March 13-14.

“It’s a fun, unique fundraiser,” said Williams. “It kind of beckons spring in, because when you see a flower — whether it’s a bright yellow daffodil or a multicolored mum — you just feel good.”

The event — one of the nature center’s major annual fundraisers — typically brings in over $5,000 in revenue for the nature center.

“All of those funds really go toward supporting all that we do,” Williams explained.

Dinosaur Hill, 333 N. Hill Circle in Rochester Hills, is a nonprofit nature center that provides environmental education programs. Laying in the floodplain of the Paint Creek, the center’s 16 acres include a variety of habitats that play host to a number of mammals, birds, insects and plant life, Dinosaur Hill Program Director Amanda Felk said. The center hosts a number of classes, events and field trips for preschoolers, students and families to explore and learn about the natural world.

“Daffodils for Dinosaurs is our second-biggest fundraising event of the year, next to the Halloween Hoot, and it helps support our environmental education programs. Some of that is helping us to provide experiences for people of all ages to get out in nature, do stream dipping, get a chance to go out on a guided hike and learn about some of Michigan’s natural resources,” said Felk.

Each year the center reaches over 45,000 people through its educational programs, special events and outreach programs, and fundraisers are a big part of the nature center’s income.

“It’s an important part of the world to make sure that nature is good, healthy and sustained, and — with the support of the community — we are able to do that,” Williams said.

For more information or to place an order, call (248) 656-0999, email daffodils@dinosaurhill.org or visit daffodils.dinosaurhill.org.