ODC Network

In 2000, a local nonprofit Wildlife Unlimited of Allegan and Ottawa Counties formed a partnership with the Ottawa Area Intermediate School District to create an outdoor education center that would serve the Allegan and Ottawa counties schools and community. This entity was the Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC). Nine years later, the ODC merged with the Macatawa Greenway Partnership to leverage and expand their missions. That was the beginning of a significant growth period for the ODC. Today, 10 total business divisions have been developed that drive our goals to redefine education, restore and conserve land and water, and to make our community the best place to live, work, play and learn. Our breadth of services led to a name change to the ODC Network which serves as the parent organization that performs essential, mission specific work to drive community change, growth, and impact in conservation and education.

The ODC Network mission is to advance outdoor education and conservation in West Michigan. The ODC Network operates two Greenway projects, a watershed clean-up initiative, a nature-based preschool, a nature center, multiple wildlife preserves, an eco-tour business, a land conservation and restoration business, and an educational consulting business. The following business divisions have been established to facilitate the programs and projects of the ODC Network. They are registered as assumed names of the ODC Network and are licensed to do business as ODC Network:
Outdoor Discovery Center
DeGraaf Nature Center
ODC Preschools - including; Little Hawks Discovery Preschool, Seedlings Discovery Preschool, Dragonflies Discovery Preschool
ODC Education Network
Macatawa River Greenway
Kalamazoo River Greenway
ODC Conservation Services
Project Clarity
ODC Explorer Network

Outdoor Discovery Center (ODC) (2000): The ODC provides educational opportunities to the West Michigan community to enhance the knowledge and understanding of our natural and cultural resources.

Macatawa River Greenway (MRG) (2009): Founded in 1996, it became part of the ODC. Its mission is to protect and enhance natural lands, streams, and open spaces within the Lake Macatawa watershed for public enjoyment and the preservation of plant and wildlife habitat.

ODC Explorer Network (2012) It provides nature-based, small group eco-tour excursions with experienced travelers and naturalists from the ODC Network.

Little Hawks Discovery Preschool (LHDP) (2013): LHDP is a nature-based preschool that focuses on connecting the indoor classroom to the outdoors. Students spend at least half of their day learning outdoors through experiences and play.

Project Clarity (PC) (2013): The PC mission is to restore the water quality of Lake Macatawa and the Macatawa Watershed through a multi-phased approach focused on land restoration, Best Management Practices (BMPs), community education, and long-term sustainability.

ODC Conservation Services (2016): Its purpose is to provide land management and restoration services, invasive species management, and wildlife habitat and conservation improvement to public and private land owners in the Kalamazoo and Macatawa River Watershed region.

ODC Education Network (2017): It provides a customized set of professional development and nature-based education opportunities to help students, educators and education administrators create a personal relationship with their environment.

Kalamazoo River Greenway (KRG) (2018): The mission is to protect and enhance natural lands, streams, and open spaces within the Kalamazoo River Watershed in Allegan County for public enjoyment and the preservation of plant and wildlife habitat.

DeGraaf Nature Center (2018): Owned by the City of Holland, this 18-acre nature center is located in the heart of the City. The contractual management of the Center was transitioned to the ODC Network with the goal of growing the impact and program opportunities offered at DeGraaf by the ODC Network staff.

Nature-rich Community: A nature-rich community connects people and the environment to create a sustainable, healthy, and vibrant place to live, work, play, and learn.

Seedlings Discovery Preschool (2020): Seedlings is an urban nature-based preschool, located downtown Holland that focuses on connecting the indoor classroom to the outdoors. Students spend at least half of their day learning outdoors through experiences and play.

Dragonflies Discovery Preschool (2021): Dragonflies is a nature-based preschool that focuses on connecting the indoor classroom to the outdoors. Students spend at least half of their day learning outdoors through experiences and play.

The staff offer a variety of programs to schools and the community that help foster the concepts of wildlife management, conservation, outdoor education and preservation. A diverse taxidermy collection of North American wildlife with other wildlife exhibits including a number of live reptiles and amphibians, makes the 5,000 square foot Visitors Center ideal for visiting during any season. Highlights for many visitors include viewing live birds at the De Witt Birds of Prey Center, playing at the Eldean Family Nature Play Park, the NEW Wade & Kris Eldean Wildlife Exhibit, Kori & Doug Rentz Art Trail or exploring the many ponds and wetlands. Loaner snowshoes are available for a small fee at the Visitors Center during business hours when there is at least four inches of snow on the ground.

Last year, more than 95,000 people participated in programming at our site or at an event in the community. This is more than 8 times the number of participants from 10 years ago.