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Environmental Education Center
1115 W. Avon Road
Rochester Hills, MI 48309
(west of Livernois, south of Avon)
Phone: 248-656-4775
Fax: 248-656-4762 (available after 4 pm only)
Email
Call to schedule a group program or tour.
- No pets or bicycles permitted in the EEC or on the trails.
- The EEC does not take injured or baby animals.
- Informative displays, exhibits, and resources.
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Map to EEC Park
Park Informational Flyer
Fall Programs 2007
Background
The Environmental Education Center (EEC) is an educational facility whose mission is giving visitors the opportunity to appreciate and understand the surrounding natural environment. The center houses informative displays, interactive exhibits, and resources to help residents appreciate the diverse ecosystems found in our community.
The EEC is located within the 102.5-acre Avon Nature Area, which offers nature trails, a pond, a picnic area, frontage on the Clinton River, and a scenic overlook.
 
Planning for this facility began in 1977 when portions of this site were purchased by Avon Township (known today as the City of Rochester Hills) for a Township Hall. Care was taken when building the present City Hall to safeguard the natural and unique features of this property. The Rochester Hills Environmental Education Center opened in 1994 as a gateway to the preserved Avon Nature Area.
Offerings
Informative displays, interactive exhibits, and resources to help you appreciate the diverse ecosystems found in our community.
Literature on deer-proofing your yard, including planting suggestions and techniques to keep them from eating your plants (see below).
Answers to wildlife nuisance questions about deer, raccoons, skunks, bats, groundhogs, and snakes.
Hiking Trails: Riverside Trail - 3/4 mile; Highlands Trail - 1/2 mile; Deer Trail - 1/4 mile. See Park Informational Flyer above.
Summer day camps covering various topics, such as fishing, survival, outdoor exploration, and
nature discovery.
Group programs for families, children, and adults. Call to be added to our mailing list.
Located near the Clinton River and within the Avon Nature Area, 100 acres of rolling topography containing open fields, mature oaks, northern hardwood forests, aspen groves, lowlands, a native prairie landscape, a stream, and a pond.
Wildlife abounds, including white-tailed deer, fox, squirrel, great blue heron, black-capped chickadee, American goldfinch, great horned owl, and coyote.
Picnicking areas.
Parking
Parking is available adjacent to the Environmental Education Center.
Information on Gardening with Deer
Deer damage is at its highest in autumn. Barriers, dogs, fences, and various scent repellents can help to keep deer out.
REPELLENTS
COMMERCIAL SCENT REPELLENTS (available at many nurseries)
- Hinder
- Ro-Pel
- Big Game Repellent
- Bonide Rabbit-Deer Repellent and Bulb Saver
- Tree Guard by Nortech
Follow instructions carefully, some repellents need to be reapplied after rain. Some products can be mixed with an anti-transpirant such as Wild-Pruf, For Ever Green, Pro-Tec, or Vapor Gard to give it season-long effectiveness.
A combination anti-transpirant and pest repellent is Bonide Rabbit-Deer Repellent and Bulb Saver. Chew-Not also repels by taste.
HOME-MADE REPELLENTS
- Used cat litter sprinkled around plant
- Bloodmeal sprinkled around plants will deter deer and rabbits and will also supply the soil with nitrogen.
- Hang on wires 30" above ground bars of strong-scented deodorant soap (in their wrappers)
- Egg spray
- Tabasco sauce spray
- Garlic spray
FENCES
- Use a double fence two 4'-high fences approximately 5 feet apart with 2"x4" mesh deer are unable to jump both fences at once.
- Cover the most vulnerable plants with chicken wire.
- Wrap the trunks of very young trees with wire mesh.
There is no guarantee on any of these methods. What works for one person may not work for another. Be persistent and diverse. Plant flowers and shrubs that deer dislike.
Deer are not the only animals eating plants. Rabbits, groundhogs, and squirrels also eat plants. Mice, voles, and gophers will eat the underground parts of flowering plants and a wide variety of other roots, bulbs, tubers, grasses, and seeds. Chipmunks also cause plant and bulb damage.
Other control measures and fence alternatives are available in "The Pocket Guide to The Humane Control of Wildlife in Cities and Towns" (ISBN 1-56044-113-5).
LET'S ENJOY OUR WILDLIFE.
WE ARE THE ONES THAT INVADED THEIR HABITAT!
Link to additional information:
"Resistance of Plants to Deer Damage"
Rules and Regulations
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Alcoholic beverages prohibited within the park.
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Bicycles, motorized vehicles, all pets, and horses are prohibited on the trails.
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Ground fires are prohibited.
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Destruction of property, natural surroundings, or wildlife within the park is strictly forbidden.
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Disorderly conduct tending to create a breach of the peace, or disturb or annoy others within the park is prohibited.
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Do not feed the animals in the EEC or on the trails.
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Please stay on marked trails so as not to disturb sensitive areas.
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The EEC is not designed to take injured or baby animals.
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The natural wonders are here for you to look at, listen to, and photograph, but please leave them for others to enjoy.
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Fishing is allowed in the Clinton River but all DNR regulations must be followed.
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It is prohibited to bring in, have, or use any firearm or any other weapon within the park.
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