KALAMAZOO, MI -- One membership will become five next month for members of a handful of well-known attractions in the Kalamazoo area.

Members of the Air Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, the Gilmore Car Museum, the Kalamazoo Institute of Arts and the Kalamazoo Nature Center are partnering for a second year in a row to offer free admission to the members of each institution during the month of May, according to a news release issued Monday by the Gilmore Car Museum.

The partnership is part of the Southwest Michigan Cultural Exchange, "a program designed to celebrate our region's cultural richness and introduce organizations members to new experiences throughout Southwest Michigan," officials said in the news release.

"By partnering in the Cultural Exchange, we all feel that we can make each organization more accessible to a broader segment of our community," said Jay Follis, director of marketing for the Gilmore Car Museum.

Each attraction is offering additional special activities during the month of May, including the Century of Flight Ferris Wheel at the Air Zoo; the Wild African Safari tour at Binder Park Zoo; Favorites of the 50's and 60's at the Gilmore Car Museum; Nature Seen Through the Eyes of Artist Charley Harper at the Kalamazoo Nature Center and special weekend workshops at the KIA.

Here's a list of other activities taking place at each institution in May:

Enjoy a 3D Space Shuttle Ride, the Century of Flight Ferris Wheel, a Corsair Challenge/Mission to Mars, Flight Simulators, the Montgolfier Balloon Race and a Paratrooper Jump.

In Wild Africa, guests go on safari through a 50-acre African national park; including an 18-acre savannah hosting herds of impala, zebra, antelope, gazelle, and ostrich, and Twiga Overlook where you can hand-feed one of the nation's largest herds of giraffe! Upon your arrival back to the U.S., you are greeted by Mexican wolves, Chinese red pandas, kangaroos and a snow leopard! Don't forget to stop by and see the three American black bears recently added to the Zoo.

Check out more than 350 automobiles, displayed in over a dozen historic buildings including a 1930s Shell Station, a 1941 Silk City Diner, and replica car dealerships from a bygone era. Current special exhibits include: The Green Book, Mid-Century Performance, Tin Toy Cars of Yesteryear: From Realistic to Whimsical, and American Legends: Hot Rods & Customs, featuring the 'Lil Deuce Coupe of Beach Boys fame! The season-opening car show, the "Dust Off," is scheduled for 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on May 9.

Visit the beautiful Glen Vista Gallery to view the exhibition of Nature Seen through the Eyes of Artist Charley Harper. Explore 1,100 acres of varied habitat with 14 nature trails to choose from. Participate in weekly programs and activities such as Creature Features, Spring Wildflower Walks, Hands-on Gardening programs, and Birding hikes. Visit the farm animals, weekends in May. Full calendar at www.naturecenter.org.

Enjoy a biennial garage sale May 29-30, and special weekend workshops in photography at the Air Zoo, Gilmore Car Museum, Kalamazoo Nature Center, and Binder Park Zoo. Exhibits on view include the annual High School Area Show, West Michigan Area Show, Chinese Folk Pottery, and Second Sight/insight ll, combining visual art and poetry by area writers.

Rex Hall Jr. is a public safety reporter for the Kalamazoo Gazette. You can reach him at rhall2@mlive.com. Follow him on Twitter.