Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray

Blandford Nature Center founder inspired thousands of children through her infectious love of nature. Blandford Nature Center founder Dr. Mary Jane Dockeray, a pioneer in environmental education, passed away peacefully in Grand Rapids on Tuesday, August 18. She was 93.

Dr. Dockeray was a local icon whose passion for inspiring people of all ages to fall in love with and protect nature. After graduating from Michigan State College with degrees in geology and environmental education, she worked as the Curator of Natural History at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. She visited schools, educating students about natural sciences and the environment. She authored the book “Let's Go Exploring: Suggestions for Field Trips and Associated Studies in Environmental-Conservation Education.”

Dockeray also wrote and produced a film titled “These Things Are Ours” viewed throughout the United States and Canada as part of lecture tours for the National Audubon Society. Dockeray will be remembered for many things, but she is perhaps best known for her classroom visits and lectures with her ancient slide projector. With this machine in hand, she brought nature to life through vivid imagery and stories that enthralled children and adults alike.

The creation of Blandford Nature Center and the Blandford Environmental Education Program (BEEP) were spearheaded by Dr. Dockeray. The Center now encompasses 264 acres of diverse habitats, an interpretive center, farm demonstrations and several historic buildings. It was a lifelong dream to acquire the addition of the Highlands Golf Course, which was accomplished in 2017 in partnership with Land Conservancy of West Michigan.

For more than fifty years, Dockeray could be found almost every day at the Center talking with school children, adults, and families about nature trails, wildlife and history of the Center. She received numerous awards, including the Michigan Audubon Society Outstanding Member Award. She was also inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame. Most recently, she received the inaugural Association of Nature Center Administrators’ President’s Award for exemplary leadership in the Nature and Environmental Learning Center Profession.

The Mary Jane Dockeray Scholarship fund was established at Grand Valley State University to recognize outstanding high school seniors planning on science careers.

There will be a Funeral Mass on Monday, August 24 at 11 AM at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 2275 Diamond Ave NE in Grand Rapids. There will be a community celebration at Blandford Nature Center at the appropriate time in the future. Please visit the Blandford Nature Center website for more information about this Celebration of Dr. Dockeray’s Life. Dr. Dockeray has requested donations be made to the Mary Jane Dockeray Endowment at Blandford Nature Center.