Pierce Cedar Creek Institute is a nature center, environmental education center, and biological field station located on 849 acres with nine miles of hiking trails ten miles south of Hastings, Michigan. The Institute's mission is to inspire appreciation and stewardship of our environment. Visitors will experience the beauty of a very diverse property including wetlands, forests, marshes, streams, lakes, and prairies. The hiking trails are open every day dawn to dusk with experiences such as the storywalk book on the Black Walnut Trail, the Play Space for children, as well as the deck which extends from the Visitor Center south side parking lot around the back of the building. There are many opportunities to relax, meet with family and friends, and enjoy being in the beauty of nature.