The Eddy Discovery Center at Waterloo State Recreation Area near Chelsea will host its annual Spring Festival on Saturday, May 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This year's theme is "Where the Wild Things Live."

Activities are planned throughout the day. The schedule is as follows:

10 a.m. Busy Bees With Bob Benedict. Experienced beekeeper Bob Benedict will talk about the beehive at the center and what activities currently are taking place in it.

10:30 a.m. Wildlife Photography. Photographer Michelle Massey will display her photos of songbirds, birds of prey and other nature scenes.

10:30 a.m. Kids Photo Contest. Children are encouraged to enter a photo they took at Waterloo or another nature area. The winner will be announced at 3 p.m.

10:30 a.m. Geology Walk. Geologist and Discover Center staff member Jean McKim will lead a walk to acquaint visitors with kettle lakes, fossils and other sedimentary rocks. A few geologic topics will be discussed as participants stroll along the center's Rock Walkway. The Geology Walk will be offered again at 12:30 p.m.

11:30 a.m. Live Animal Presentation: Birds & Mammals. A naturalist from the Howell Nature Center will be on hand to give visitors an up-close view of Michigan wildlife.

12:30 p.m. Celebrate Michigan Week. The Discovery Center staff has special activities planned to help visitors celebrate Michigan Week.

1 p.m. Michigan Mammals. Visitors can view mounts and touch study skins of common Michigan mammals.

1:30 p.m. Spring Birding. Join the Discovery Center staff for a program on birdwatching.

2 p.m. Petoskey Stone Polishing. Geologist Jean McKim will share the history of Michigan's state stone and give children an opportunity to polish their own stone.

2 p.m. Pioneer Prairies. DNR Stewardship Field Staffer Laurel Malvitz-Draper will give a presentation on the significance of endangered prairie habitats. Find out what the DNR is doing with the help of volunteers to restore state park habitats in southern Michigan. There will be a presentation in the center's auditorium, and then a walk to Waterloo's established prairie demo area.

2:30 p.m. Bloomin' Bog Hike. On this one and one-half mile walk, Naturalist Kathy Claflin will introduce you to several wetland habitats and conclude with a look at the Cedar Lake Bog. There will be opportunities to see carnivorous plants.

3 p.m. Wildflower Walk. Participants can enjoy the spring blooms on a short walk along the Lowland Trail to take a closer look at spring wildflowers in bloom, learn about the natural history and folklore about each species.

All programs at the Eddy Discovery Center are free. The visitor center is located at the Waterloo State Recreation Area at 17030 Bush Rd. in Chelsea, between Pierce and McClure roads off of Exit 157 on I-94.

For more information about this event, accessibility, or persons needing accommodations to attend this event, contact the visitor center at (734) 475-3170 (TTY/TDD 711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired), or go to www.michigan.gov/waterloo.

Camping reservations can be made online at www.midnrreservations.com, or by calling 800-44-PARKS (800-447-2757).

All motor vehicles entering a state park or recreation area must display a Motor Vehicle Permit, available for purchase at the park entrance. Cost is $24 for a resident annual and $6 for a resident daily. A nonresident annual is $29 and a nonresident daily is $8.

Join the DNR in celebrating the 90th anniversary of Michigan State Parks this year. Activities are planned throughout the year. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/dnr.