Monday & Tuesday, January 5 & 6
Mud Pies: Winter Birds
9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: $2 per member child / $3 per non-member child /
Free for accompanying adults
Ages: 1- 5
Note: All children must be accompanied by an adult.
No registration is required.
Drop by to explore nature activities with your child. Each week a different natural science topic is introduced through interactive nature stations within Habitat Hollow.
Upcoming Topics:
January 12 & 13, Snow Play
January 19 & 20, Rabbits in the Snow
January 26 & 27, Dinosaur Play
Mud Pies by Appointment
Parent groups may request a special Mud Pies session for children ages 5 and younger. Appointments are available on Wednesdays only for 1 ½ hour sessions. Standard Mud Pies admission applies. Please call Educator Kate Murphy at 731-3140, ext. 243 to make arrangements.
Thank you to Whole Foods Market for the healthy snacks.
Wednesday, January 7
Wild Wednesdays: Nature at Night
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
At: Neale Woods Nature Center
Admission: $3 per member child / $4 per non-member child Free for accompanying adults
Ages: 5 and younger
Registration not required, but preferred. Please contact Sara Krug at skrug@fontenelleforest.org or 468-4124.
This exciting parent-child class offers discovery centers that engage your children in nature through various learning styles.
An educator-led outdoor portion is offered during each program. A snack is provided.
Friday, January 9
Astronomy: Family Fun
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
At: Millard Observatory, Neale Woods Nature Center
Admission: $4 per member adult / $3 per member child
$6 per nonmember adult / $4 per nonmember child
$3 per student with ID
Ages: 5 and older
No registration required. If cloudy conditions prevent sky viewing, an indoor presentation will be offered.
Round up the crew and head for the hills. Telescope viewing, constellation canvassing and hands-on astronomy activities await.
Saturday & Sunday, January 10 &11
Fontenelle Forest Nature Center trails are closed.
Visitor's center and gift shop remain open. Half price admission.
Saturdays: January 10, 17 & 24
Ask a Naturalist
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, Great Hall
Admission: Free for members/ Regular admission for non-members
Bring your nature-related questions to Naturalist Debbie Beck and explore artifacts matching the monthly theme.
Saturday, January 10
Meet Our Birds of Prey Up Close
10:00 – 11:15 a.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/ Regular admission for non-members
Saturday, January 10
Local Woodpeckers
10:00 a.m. – Noon
At: Neale Woods Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/ Regular admission for non-members
Join Naturalist Bob Fuchs to learn how woodpeckers adapt to the season; then take a hike in search of these local residents. Dress for the weather.
Saturdays: January 10 & 24
Nature Tales: Stories for Children
12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/ Regular admission for non-members
Ages: Geared for young children. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Stories match the monthly theme. In January, learn about the birds tough enough to endure Nebraska’s winters. It will be fun, entertaining and educational.
Saturdays: January 10 & 24
Bird Feeding: A Finch Focus
2:30 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/Regular admission for non-members
Ages: 12 and up
Volunteer Naturalist Norm Toenjes will share ways to reduce the cost, mess and efforts of backyard bird feeding, while also discouraging invasive bird species (house sparrows, starlings, pigeons) and overwhelming natives (grackles and house finches). Emphasis will be on attracting goldfinches year-round.
Saturdays: January 10 & January 24
The Rock Hound
3:45 - 4:45 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/Regular admission for non-members
Do you have a rock that you would like to have identified? Bring it to the Rock Hound! Naturalist and Geologist Debbie Beck will help you discover what kind it is.
Sunday, January 11
Bird Beaks and More Bird Beaks
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/Regular admission for non-members
Birds’ beaks allow them to eat, or not eat, certain foods. Join Naturalist Mary Lou Alfieri as she shows you different beaks and the many different ways that birds get their daily meals.
Tuesday, January 13
Seniors Understanding Nature Programs: Birds of Alaska
9:45 - 11:00 a.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: $4 per person per program /$3 for Methodist Access Best Care members
Ages: 55 and up
Walk-ins are welcomed; registration is preferred – contact Catherine Kuper at 731-3140, ext. 240.
Have you been to Alaska? Would you like to go? Join photographer Phil Swanson for a visual trip to remote places in Alaska and see beautiful and fascinating birds.
Tuesday, January 13
Night Hike
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
At: Neale Woods Nature Center
Ages: 12 and up
Admission: Free for members/ $5.00 for non-members
One of the most memorable night hikes took place at Neale Woods on a cold January evening. The full moon was bright and the newly fallen snow sparkled as if coated with diamonds. Join Naturalist Sharon Draper, a winter enthusiast, as she tries to capture another memorable winter night hike. It will be cold! Please dress for the weather and wear warm, sturdy boots.
Saturday, January 17
Nature Buddies: Basic Bird Winter Survival
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
At: Camp Brewster, Acorn Lodge
Ages 5 - 8 and limited to 12 children
Admission: $5 per member child / $10 per non-member child
Reservations are required; please call Linda Dennis at 731-3140, ext. 226 • Notes: Dress for the weather. A snack is provided.
It’s fun to sit by the window and watch the winter birds come to your feeder! During this class, the children will make a wooden bird feeder to take home and will receive a bag of seed to fill it up. Then we’ll venture into the woods to look for natural bird food. (It’s pretty easy to find.) Dress warmly and bring or wear boots.
Saturday, January 17
Nature Detectives: The Birds of Winter
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Ages 9 - 12 and limited to 12 children
At: Camp Brewster
Admission: $5 per member child / $10 per non-member child
Reservations are required; please call Linda Dennis at 731-3140, ext. 226 • Notes: Dress for the weather. A snack is provided.
Which birds are tough enough to endure the winter in Nebraska? Find out during this afternoon of bird fun! We will go out in search of birds as well as evidence of bird activity. For a craft, we will make bird feeders to take home, so you can feed wonderful birds all winter long.
Saturday, January 24
Bird Feeder and Watching 101
10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Ages: 8 and up
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Admission: Free for members/Regular admission for non-members
Additional fee: $5 bird feeder fee.
Pre-register if you wish to make a bird feeder. Please call 731-3140, ext. 257.
Did you receive a bird feeder during the holidays? Join in for a discussion on what birds like to eat throughout the seasons and what birds you’ll be likely to see during each season. If you’d like, bring your (empty) bird feeder. Weather permitting, there will be a short hike. During the last half hour, learn how to make a simple bird feeder.
Saturday, January 24
Family Hike: Bird Bonanza
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/Regular admission for non-members
Notes:
Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather.
Journey through the forest with Naturalist Debbie Beck in search of local critters.
Sunday, January 25
Egg-citement!
1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/Regular admission for non-members
There are many types of bird eggs- round, oval, brown, blue. Join Naturalist Mary Lou Alfieri as she shows you the many kinds of eggs and the natural advantages of each.
Friday, January 30
Astronomy: Telescope Tips
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
At: Millard Observatory, Neale Woods Nature Center
Admission: $4 per member adult / $3 per member child
$6 per nonmember adult / $4 per nonmember child
$3 per student with ID
Ages: 5 and older
No registration required. If cloudy conditions prevent sky viewing, an indoor presentation will be offered.
Are you having trouble with your new telescope from Santa? Or are you curious about how a telescope works? Bring your telescope so we can get you started on a lifetime of sky-viewing enjoyment. For those without a telescope, come to the Millard Observatory to use ours.
Sunday, February 1
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Free admission day!
