the
2015 inspiration catalog
Our
MISSION To provide a place where people can experience and enjoy the quiet wild of nature. We want to inspire current and future generations to care for the natural world.
Our
VISION
Who
WE ARE Fontenelle Forest is one of Nebraska’s oldest conservation organizations and one of the largest private nature centers in the nation. Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue and Neale Woods in Omaha encompass over 2,000 acres of forest, prairie, and wetlands along the Missouri River. Our education initiatives serve over 100,000 individuals each year.
To be a national leader in environmental stewardship and education and the region’s premier nature center. 1
2
Table of
CONTENTS Welcome................................................................5 Public Programs.....................................................6 Nature On-the-Go.................................................7 School Programs....................................................9 Teacher Trunks.......................................................13 Scout Programs......................................................14 Nature Discovery Day Camps................................15 Senior Programs.....................................................18 Traveling SUN....................................................19 Volunteer Opportunities........................................21 Clubs......................................................................24 Membership...........................................................25 Raptor Recovery.....................................................27
4
Public
Welcome This is the second edition of our “INSPIRATION CATALOG.” We hope you find that this is more than just a program listing; that it inspires you with all the ways to connect with Fontenelle Forest. Opportunities abound here. You might discover yourself participating in one of our many public programs, visiting with a school during a forest field trip, getting closer to nature with one of our adult presentations, joining a club, or even volunteering your time. Whatever brings you here, we know you will find a way to experience the quiet wild of nature.
PROGRAMS SATURDAY HIKES
MUD PIES
All Ages
Ages Birth to 5
Join a Fontenelle Forest Naturalist on an informative nature hike every Saturday. Each week will bring a new topic, visit fontenelleforest.org for details.
Each week, a different nature-based theme is explored. Choose which day you want to drop in and play with your toddler. Offered August through May, Mon. - Thurs. 9:30a.m. - 11:30a.m.
FAMILY SUNDAYS
Fontenelle Forest provides extensive environmental education programs and experiences to over 100,000 youth and adults each year. Without you, this would not be possible. If you would like to learn how you can sponsor Fontenelle Forest programs, please contact our Director of Development, at 402.731.1108.
All Ages
NATURE EXPLORERS
Discover a new topic every Sunday. This program is offered throughout the year.
Ages 5 - 12
We hope to see you many times throughout 2015.
QUARRY FIELD TRIP
The staff of Fontenelle Forest
Families - Ages 5+
Fossil hunters unite for this trip to an inactive quarry. Search for the remains of ancient organisms, learn about the exposed rock layers, and even take fossils home with you. Held in September.
BIRDING CLASS Ages 16 +
This program is offered in conjunction with the Audubon Society of Omaha. This class teaches you how to better identify birds. Offered in the spring.
CAMPFIRE PROGRAMS All Ages
This program explores a different nature theme by season, and the group is divided by age. Offered one Saturday every other month; registration is required. Check the website for themes.
RAPTOR MEET & GREETS All Ages
Fontenelle Forest offers many chances to meet our birds of prey. See these magnificent birds up-close and personal. Programming includes “Raptors...Live!” to more formal, sit-down presentations.
CHECK OUT FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG FOR A COMPLETE LISTING OF PROGRAMS
Bring your family out to the forest for a fun campfire program on the first Friday night of every month.
5
6
CRITTERS ON THE MOVE
VERTEBRATE/INVERTEBRATE
Great for All Ages
3rd - 8th Grade
Have an up-close meet and greet with a few of our educational animals. Learn what different animal groups have in common and what makes them each unique as you observe their features and behaviors. This program provides an opportunity to introduce students to nature by providing “eye to eye” contact with multiple educational animals. Students will learn about each animal’s habits and habitats as they interact with live animals in their classroom.
Scientists love to organize things into groups, and this program gives your young scientists hands-on experience with classification. What is the difference between a vertebrate and an invertebrate? Are all vertebrates created equal? Learn how groups of living things are separated out by characteristics that tie them together. Through artifacts, pictures, and games we will bring knowledge of classification straight to your class.
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.1.1.d, SC2.3.2.b
This program addresses NE State Science Standards: SC5.1.1.d, SC5.1.1.e, SC5.1.1.f, SC5.3.1, SC5.3.1.a, SC5.3.1.b, SC5.1.1.i
RAPTOR-OLOGY®
THORNS, TEETH AND FEATHERS, OH MY!
Great for All Ages
4th - 8th Grade
Meet live, non-releasable raptors (owls, hawks, falcons, vultures) while learning about their hunting skills, habitats, and other facts. Touch artifacts and hear the actual calls of these amazing birds.
Why do animals have fur? How do honey locusts protect themselves? These adaptations and many more will be discussed in this program. Our educators will use interactive activities and observations to introduce students to physical and behavioral adaptations of plants and animals living in our area. Students will discover how all of these adaptations help plants and animals survive and will gain a new appreciation for the diversity of life surrounding them.
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.3.4.a, SC8.1.1.e
IT’S A PLANT’S LIFE 1st - 3rd Grade
Nature
ON-THE-GO Nature On-the-Go traveling programs introduce hands-on natural science programs to your students. During each program, your students will explore a variety of topics. These are great to supplement your school-day lessons or as an after-school program. To schedule a program, call our Manager of Programming and Outreach at 402.731.3140 x1026. All programs are aligned with Nebraska State Science Standards. Each program is 45-60 minutes long. Maximum 30 students per On-the-Go program. For groups larger than 30, multiple programs must be scheduled.
7
What is it like to be a plant? During this one hour program, our educators will help your students understand the composition of a plant by discussing its basic parts and functions. Using props and costumes, our naturalists will transform students into plants to understand photosynthesis, life cycles, and adaptations. This hands-on, engaging program is sure to give students a deeper understanding of what makes a plant’s life. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.3.1.c, SC5.1.1.b
ANIMAL TRACKING 3rd - 6th Grade
Animals are around us all the time, even in the city, yet we rarely see them. How do we know they are there? By using our skills of observation, we can begin to see the signs that they leave behind. This program will introduce students to the art and science of tracking, identification of common animal tracks and patterns, measuring trails and tracks, and how this is all relevant to our daily lives in the city. This program addresses NE State Science Standards: SC5.1.1.d , SC5.1.1.e, SC5.1.1.f, SC5.2.2.b, SC5.3.3, SC5.3.4.a, SC5.1.1.i, SC5.3.1.b
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.1.1.d, SC5.3.4.a
HABITATS: FROM ALLIGATORS TO ZEBRA MUSSELS 9th - 12th Grade
Why do animals and plants live where they do? In this period-long program, our educators will help your students explore the differences in habitats. We will also examine which animals and plants belong to which habitats. Producers, consumers, keystone species, limiting factors, energy flow… it all comes to life in this program.
PREDATOR / PREY All Ages
The natural world is constantly in a tug-of-war between the consumers and the consumed! What makes these animals especially suited to their roles in nature? How can you tell predator from prey just by looking at an animal? Through skins, bones, and other artifacts, as well as live Native Nebraska animals, the relationships that keep the forest in balance will be discovered. This program addresses NE State Science Standards: SC5.1.3bm SC5.3.1.b, SC8.3.4.a
Other programs are available. Please contact us for more information.
8
CRITTERS CLOSE-UP
PLANT-ASTIC!
Great for All Ages | 1 hour program
1st and 2nd Grade | 2 hour program
Students meet three live animals and discuss their habits, habitats and diets.
Students learn about the many uses of plants, their importance, their component parts, and how they make their own food.
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.1.1.d, SC2.3.2.b
MUD PIES FOR PRESCHOOLS Pre-Kindergarten | 2 hour program
HABITAT, HABITAT
Bring your preschool class for a unique Mud Pies experience. Centers will be set up related to the weekly topic or topics can be developed based on your learning needs. Mud Pies for Preschools is available on Fridays only, and can be set up by contacting our Mud Pie Coordinator at 402.731.3140 x1021.
1st and 2nd Grade | 2 hour program
NATURALLY SENSE-SATIONAL! Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten 1 hour program
Students explore the sights, sounds, smells, and textures of nature during this program. Puppets are used to review the five senses and then the students are taken on a guided walk to experience the sensesational world of nature. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.1.1.d, SC2.3.4.a
WILD ABOUT WINTER Kindergarten and 1st Grade | 1 hour program
During this program, students learn about the adaptations and behaviors animals employ to survive their winter environments. They are then taken on a guided walk to search for evidence of wintertime animal activities. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.1.1.d, SC2.4.3.c, SC5.3.3.d
IS IT ALIVE?
School
PROGRAMS
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.3.1.c, SC5.3.1.b
Kindergarten and 1st Grade | 1.5 hour program
Students observe the differences between living and non-living things.
Students learn the four components of a habitat and what makes a habitat a home for both plants and animals. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.3.1.b, SC2.3.1.d
RENEW OR NOT? 2nd through 4th Grade | 2 hour program
Students learn about renewable, inexhaustible, and non-renewable resources and how the forest is continuously renewed. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.4.2.b, SC5.4.2.c, SC8.4.2.h
WEBOLOGY 3rd and 4th Grade | 2 hour program
Students learn about food chains, the web of life, the source of all energy in ecosystems, as well as producers, consumers, and decomposers. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.3.3.a, SC5.3.3.b, SC8.3.3.a, SC8.3.3.b
WHO GOES THERE? 3rd and 4th Grade | 2 hour program
Students search for signs of wildlife, including tracks, homes, and even scat. Students meet one of Fontenelle Forest’s resident raptors and dissect owl pellets to discover what raptors eat. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.1.1.a, SC5.1.1.d
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC2.1.1.a, SC2.1.1.d, SC2.3.1.a, SC2.3.2.b, SC5.3.1.a
Bring your school to Fontenelle Forest for a one-of-a-kind educational experience. Programs include an indoor lesson and an outdoor interpretive hike. All programs are aligned with Nebraska State Science Standards. To schedule a program, call our Education Assistant at 402.731.3140 x1005.
9
10
School
PROGRAMS
CONTINUED
MY, WHAT SHARP CLAWS YOU HAVE!
PREDATOR/PREY
4th Grade | 2 hour program
Students study the characteristics of predators and prey.
Students study remarkable animal and plant adaptations, both physical and behavioral, in this activity-filled program. Whether it is hawks with talons, owls with night vision, or snakes with expandable jaws, adaptations are the key to survival for all living organisms. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.1.1.d, SC5.3.4.a
TAKE ONLY MEMORIES 4th and 5th Grade | 2 hour program
Students learn about natural and human-caused changes to habitats and the importance of preserving ecosystems. This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.1.3.b, SC5.3.3.d, SC8.3.3.g
AGENTS OF CHANGE 5th and 6th Grade | 2 hour program
4th and 5th Grade | 2 hour program
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.1.3.b, SC5.3.1.b, SC8.3.4.a
TEACHING WITH TALONS 6th and 7th Grade | 1.5 hour program
This program introduces students to the world of hawks and owls – nature’s airborne predators. Demonstrations with live raptors help the students gain a deeper understanding of the adaptations of raptors and their roles as predators. (Please note this program was formerly named “Rappin’ with Raptors”). This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.3.4.a, SC8.1.1.e
BIRDS OF A FEATHER 7th Grade | 2 hour program
Students learn about landforms and the forces that create, affect, and destroy them. Hiking past loess cliffs and seeing glacial erratics give students experiences to draw upon in the classroom.
Students investigate the world of birds as they discover what makes a bird a bird. Activities include observing the scientific process of bird banding, looking for birds in the wild using binoculars, and learning to use a field guide.
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.4.2.b, SC5.4.4.a, SC8.4.2.e, SC12.4.4.a
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.3.4.a, SC8.1.1.e, SC8.1.1.g, SC8.3.4.a
GREEN’S THE THING
OWL ABOUT POPULATION DYNAMICS
5th and 6th Grade | 2 hour program
8th Grade | 2 hour program
Students study the differences between forests and prairies. Through observations and research students learn how plants are adapted to survive in these distinctly different habitats.
Students learn about owls, dissect owl pellets, and then make statistical inferences about rodent populations based on analysis of the owl pellets.
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC5.1.1.d, SC5.3.1.b
This program addresses NE State Science Standards SC8.1.1.d, SC8.1.1.e, SC8.1.1.g, SC8.1.1.j, SC8.3.3.e
12
Teacher
TRUNKS Teacher Trunks are filled with resource books, activity guides, and artifacts surrounding the trunk’s theme. Each trunk activity can be modified to fit a wide range of ages. Trunks are designed to help meet education science standards. You might consider partnering with another teacher or home-schooled family to share a trunk. Each trunk rental is $25 for two weeks. Please call the Manager of Programming and Outreach at 402.731.3140 x1026 to reserve a trunk. Reserved trunks can be picked up at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center.
DISCOVER THE FIVE SENSES
INCREDIBLE INSECTS
Preschool through Kindergarten
Preschool through 2nd Grade
Prepare your senses toolbox: taste, touch, see, hear, and smell your way through a variety of activities. Matches Head Start Domains.
All bugs are insects, but not all insects are true bugs! Explore insect metamorphosis. Catch insects and peek into their world.
DINOSAURS
ASTRONOMY
Preschool
6th through 8th Grade
Dig into paleontology with this dinosaur trunk. Through puppets, puzzles and other prehistoric pieces, students will learn about the fascinating world of dinosaurs.
Galaxies, asteroids, nebulas! Oh my! Explore outer space and all of its wonders.
CRITTERS
Examine actual specimens. Compare and contrast the five vertebrate classes and then test your knowledge with Vertebrate Jeopardy.
Preschool through 1st Grade
What separates a frog and a toad? Is that a mammal, bird, reptile, or amphibian? Through books, artifacts, games, and activities, students will find the answers.
SUBPHYLUM: VERTEBRATA 7th through 12th Grade
Scout
PROGRAMS Want to go on a hike, see live animals, meet raptors, or work on a badge? Then our scout programs are for your troop. Our programs can be adjusted to fit the needs of Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, or Cub Scouts. You can customize your time at Fontenelle Forest to the requirements of your troop. For more information and fee schedule, contact our Scout Coordinator at kfischer@fontenelleforest.org.
INSTRUCTOR LED PROGRAMS One to two hour program
BACKPACK HIKES WITHOUT AN INSTRUCTOR
Schedule an interactive and engaging program led by a naturalist. Our Scout Coordinator will meet you at one of our properties or come to your location.
Rent a backpack to use with your troop while you hike the trails at Fontenelle Forest. The backpack has everything you need to guide your group.
14
Nature Discovery
DAY CAMPS Nature Discovery Day Camps feature science based learning through play taught by Fontenelle Forest’s year-round professional educators. Visit fontenelleforest.org/camps for more information and to register. Registration is limited and begins January 5th. Proof of age is required. Campers should bring their lunch. Snacks provided.
ADVENTURERS CONTINUED Invertebrate Investigations | Wetlands
Welcome to the Forest | Fontenelle Forest
July 6 - 10
July 20 - 24
This week of multi-legged fun awaits you as we explore the world of insects, spiders and other fascinating arthropods. Who made that web hanging on the tree by the trail? Do all spiders even make webs? How many eyes does a spider have? We will answer these and other questions as we delve into the world of the invertebrates. Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
Trek the upland and riparian woodlands. Discover animal adaptations from tiny mosquitoes to whitetailed deer. Encounter some of the animals who call our forest home. In the afternoons meet some the historical characters of Fontenelle Forest’s past. Make toys and play games to match the visitor’s historical time period. Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
EXPLORERS GRANDS AND ME
DISCOVERERS
Ages 8 – 12 years | 8:30a.m. – 4:00p.m.
Grandparent and Child(ren) ages 4 - 8 years 9:00a.m. – 1:00p.m.
Preschool, Ages 4 & 5 years | 3 – days 8:30a.m. - 11:30a.m.
Explore more! We are offering children who are ages 8 – 12 years on June 1, 2015, a chance to spend more time honing their science skills as they enjoy a week of exciting explorations, activities and games.
Give your grandchildren wonderful memories of special times with you in the great outdoors. We will learn about nature through games, hikes, animal visitors, and more. Cost: $90/ $145 non-members.
Let your four or five year old discover Camp Brewster. These three day sessions are for those not entering kindergarten in the fall of 2015.
A Grand Adventure | Camp Brewster
June 1 – June 3 OR July 29 - 31
June 4 - 5 OR July 27 - 28
Get down and buggy at Camp Brewster! Discover flying bugs, crawling bugs, and hopping bugs, water bugs, baby bugs and big bugs. The campers will explore field, pond, and prairie using nets, jars, and hand lenses. They’ll also enjoy buggy art and stories. Cost: $65/$120 non-members.
Voyageurs | Wetlands
Exploring Entomology | Camp Brewster
June 8 – 12
July 6 – 10
Outdoor adventures will fill this week as you explore the life of a Voyageur. We will practice important wilderness survival skills used by fur traders like orienteering, shelter building, and tracking. We will learn how to catch the spirit of the wilderness as we explore both the wetlands and the upland forest. Are you ready for a week of adventures? Each session is limited to 30 campers. Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
Are you interested in arthropods? Do you know which insect smells with his feet? Or which is the strongest, loudest, or fastest of all insects? If you would like to know the answers to these and other questions about amazing arthropods – this is your camp. We will also investigate other invertebrates. Nets will be used and the specimens studied will be released. Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
Nature’s Engineers | Camp Brewster
ADVENTURERS
July 20 – 24
June 22 – 26
Ages 5 – 8 year | 8:30a.m. – 4:00p.m.
We will explore both the prairie and the forest at Camp Brewster to find what nature’s engineers have done there. From the bee’s honeycombs and the bird’s nests, to the beautiful spider webs we will discover the wonders of nature’s ingenuity. Be prepared to add your own touches to the environment. Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
This week of outdoor expeditions through Fontenelle Forest will be filled with opportunities to learn about nature, make friends, study the plants and animals around us, and explore the quiet wild that is inside each of us. Are you ready for a week of wilderness expeditions? Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
Bring your favorite grandchild to share a two day adventure at Camp Brewster. The camp will center on the prairie and animals that live in this habitat. The day includes prairie crafts and games. Cost: $90/$145 non-members.
Bugged Out in Nature | Camp Brewster
These camps are designed for children who are ages 5 – 8 years on June 1, 2015. From exploring the wetlands and forest to learning about our animals, everyone will find a learning adventure this summer. Crazy about Critters | Camp Brewster
Open the Door, Let’s Explore | Camp Brewster
June 8 - 12
June 29 - July 1
If you love animals, this is the camp for you! From reptiles and amphibians to mammals, birds, and insects… you will look at all of them up close. Learn how these critters, move, eat, and spend their days. Campers will have a chance to meet some of our resident educational animals during this informative week. Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
There are exciting secrets hidden in nature around Camp Brewster. If you love the idea of exploring both, the forest and the prairie, then this is the camp for you. Each day you’ll explore a different natural concept from life cycles to adaptations. Outdoor games, songs, and art activities are included. Who knows what you will discover! Cost: $135/$190 non-members.
Welcome to the Wetlands | Wetlands June 22 – 26
Discover the wetlands habitat. Find a beaver’s den, dip in the pond for water insects, go fishing, and learn about a wetland food web. The mornings will be spent in explorations and hands on with wetland animals. In the afternoon, you will play games, do experiments, be creative with crafts, and develop a portfolio to take home Friday. Cost: $225/$280 non-members.
15
Wilderness Hiking | Wetlands
Challenge Camp (3 days) | Wetlands June 29 – July 1
Your adventure will begin with the challenge of completing a ropes course taught by trained instructors. Then practice your outdoor skills and stretch your knowledge during this fun camp. The adventure continues as you learn proper fishing techniques and explore our wetlands. We will spend time hiking some of the less-traveled trails. Stories, crafts, and games are also a part of this week. Cost: $135/$190 non-members.
16
Senior
PROGRAMS Many seniors grew up in a time when nature was a big part of everyday life; SUN (Seniors Understanding Nature) & Traveling SUN programs enhance that experience. SUN (SENIORS UNDERSTANDING NATURE)
Join us at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center on the second Tuesday of each month from 9:45a.m. to 11:00a.m. Refreshments served at 9:45a.m., followed by an indoor program, and completed with an optional nature walk. January 13, 2015 The Ecology of the Galapagos Islands with Alex Wiles, Fontenelle Forest Animal Care Specialist.
April 14, 2015 Promise in a New Land, A Nebraska Settler Story with Cherrie Beam-Clarke, Nebraska Humanities Council.
February 10, 2015 Outdoor Fun in Nebraska Parks with Greg Wagner, Nebraska Games and Parks.
May 12, 2015 Living a Sustainable Life with Daniel Lawse, Verdis Group, and Seth Keith, Fontenelle Forest.
March 10, 2015 Sites Along the Lewis & Clark Trail and National Headquarters with Byrony Forbes, National Park Service.
SUN PROGRAMS WILL RESUME IN SEPTEMBER 2015. CHECK THE FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG FOR PROGRAM LISTINGS.
18
Senior
July & August
PROGRAMS
CONTINUED
TRAVELING SUN
This is an on-the-go program designed specifically for older Americans wherever they gather. Nature programs can be presented at a variety of facilities such as long-term care, assisted living, independent living, memory support, senior centers, and church groups. Each program is 45 minutes in length and includes a variety of hands-on artifacts relating to a particular topic from the natural world. Currently there are 16 programs available. For reservations, contact our SUN Coordinator at 402.731.3140 x1019. January & February Winter Banquet for Birds
Animals in the City
Add some color to the cold days of winter with a conversation about the variety of birds that come to backyard feeders. Learn about different feeders and seeds that attract these curious winter residents. Squirrels and others show up too.
You’d be surprised at how some common wild animals are living successfully in our neighborhoods. We’ll talk about survivors like skunk, fox, ground hog and raccoon and how they manage. Hands on items make them very real. A live rabbit adds to the fun.
March & April
A Country Pond
An outdoor picnic invites lots of unplanned guests including ants, flies, mosquitoes, bees, wasps, and butterflies. We’ll learn about these insects and why they come. See live ants in an ant farm and some surprises.
Ponds are an interesting part of our natural landscape. They are home to cattails, turtles, frogs, muskrat, herons, and lots of other tiny organisms. We’ll see them all.
September & October Beaver Tales
Autumn Adventures
Explore the world of these master engineers who change the landscape to suit their needs. Learn about these eager beavers through stories and photos of them at work building dams and raising young. Hold a beaver tail, fur, & chewed wood. Amazing!
Experience the wonderful mysteries and magical colors of fall. Why do leaves change color? Enjoy scenes of fall accompanied by the song “Autumn Leaves.”
Secrets of the Prairie
Reminisce about our prairie ancestors and how they survived harsh conditions. Examine unique flowers, butterflies and a real badger specimen.
100 Years of Fontenelle Forest
Animal Games: Predator and Prey
November & December
Travel back in time to discover the intriguing history that has led to the Forest today. We’ll learn about fur trappers, early Indians, and the Fontenelle Trading Post. You’ll be able to hold ancient artifacts that archaeologists have found and discover what they tell us about early people.
Learn how animals have adapted for everyday survival. We’ll explore camouflage, bird flocking activity and warning behaviors. Explore nature’s balance of who is the predator and who is the prey. A live predator will come along.
Talking Turkey
Holiday in the Woods
Find out more about these intriguing birds who are the focus of our Thanksgiving celebrations. Hands on items include turkey calls, feathers, eggs, and more.
Beautiful and poignant slides of winter and holiday scenes invite participants to recall special memories. Touch and smell holly, evergreens, and pine cones to add to the fun.
Available All Year Lewis & Clark
May & June
19
Look Who’s Coming to the Picnic
Platte River Journey
Animal Houses
Join us as we meander along Nebraska’s State River, learning about its unique animals like the endangered Least Tern (bird) and the ancient Pallid Sturgeon (fish). They all depend on the shallow braided river we fondly call the Platte.
Discover the variety of places that animals use for shelter and raising young. See a real squirrel nest, a woodpecker hole, and an empty hornet’s nest plus other interesting specimens.
Learn more about this amazing journey by examining replica artifacts and equipment used on this trek across the Louisiana Purchase. Nature Bingo
A combination of the traditional game and nature. You learn about nature, too.
Come to Fontenelle Forest (May - October)
Bring a group to the Forest for your very own visit led by Catherine Kuper. An inside talk about the forest itself and then go out onto the handicapped accessible boardwalk to see and hear what’s going on. Rain or shine.
20
Volunteer
OPPORTUNITIES As a non-profit organization, Fontenelle Forest relies heavily on our volunteers. In fact, we simply could not provide all of the programming, services, and experiences that we offer without the help of a dedicated and active volunteer staff. Details and an application can be found at fontenelleforest.org/volunteer or by contacting our Development and Volunteer Associate at 402.731.3140 x1024 or khickman@fontenelleforest.org. If you do not see your skill listed, speak with us about further opportunities.
ADULT VOLUNTEERS Land Stewardship
Apple Pies
Work outside with the rangers on special projects at both Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods. At Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, volunteers meet every Tuesday and Thursday and one Saturday a month, most months. Additional opportunities are available as needed at Neale Woods Nature Center. Appropriate for ages 16 and older.
Prepare and bake apple pies that are sold in our gift shop. Volunteers meet as needed (about six times a year) on Mondays.
Raptor Rehabilitation Center Located near Elmwood, NE, volunteers are needed Monday – Friday. The duties of volunteers helping at the Raptor Rehabilitation Center could include but are not limited to assisting with animal intake and triage, cleaning cages, washing carpets, disinfecting raptor mews and carriers, and feeding raptors. Volunteers can also assist with special construction or building projects at the center. Facilities Assistant
Teacher Naturalist Volunteers lead weekend and evening education/ recreation programs. Programs include guided hikes, lectures, and presentations with Fontenelle Forest’s resident animals. Teacher Naturalists attend monthly training sessions on a wide range of science and ecology topics led by experts from academia, government organizations, and regional institutions. Most of all, they inspire others to care for the natural world. Raptor Relay Team Volunteers needed in central and western Nebraska to help relay injured raptors to our rehabilitation center in Elmwood, NE.
Help with repairs and miscellaneous projects.
YOUTH VOLUNTEERS Service Learning Volunteers
Junior Naturalists
We welcome middle school or high school students who are interested in earning service hours for school credit to help with our annual Trick-or-Treat in the Forest and other special events held throughout the year. Middle school students should be accompanied by a parent or advisor.
Junior Naturalists is a program for students who love to explore the natural world and are entering 6th-8th grade! Come join us the second Saturday of each month – we’ll practice our outdoor skills, learn from experts, take field trips, and work on service projects.
FONTENELLE FOREST’S GUILD Fontenelle Forest’s Guild is a group of dedicated volunteers who share their time and talents with the Forest through fundraising and “friendraising” initiatives. Proceeds from the Guild’s fundraising efforts support environmental educational programs and initiatives for youth in our community. The Guild’s “friendraising” events expand the Forest’s reach, introducing new friends to the Forest. Details and an application can be found at fontenelleforest.org/guild or by contacting our Development and Volunteer Associate, at 402.731.3140 x1024 or khickman@fontenelleforest.org. Membership Benefits • Invitation to Friends, Fireside and the Forest, Annual All-Guild Meeting, and Holiday Shopping Extravaganza • Invitation to “Feather Our Nest,” Fontenelle Forest’s annual benefit
21
TNT’s are high school aged teens who meet on the first Saturday of each month. We meet to learn more about the natural world, hike, and have fun. We also have many service opportunities from helping with camps to leading hikes.
• $5 discount on a Fontenelle Forest Household Membership • Tax deduction for your membership contribution, if qualified
Event and Volunteer Opportunities Feather Our Nest
Fall Friendraiser
April 24, 2015 | Omar Baking Company Building
September 27, 2015 | Fontenelle Forest
This year, Feather Our Nest, our annual fundraiser, will feature a Farm to Table dinner, live and silent auctions, a raffle, dinner, and drinks.
Enjoy Fall at the Forest with your family, featuring old-fashioned fun for kids of all ages.
The Wisest Owl Trivia Night
November 9, 2015 | Fontenelle Forest
August 21, 2015 | Fontenelle Forest
Teen Naturalist Trainee (TNT)
• Invitation to Guild “Friendraisers”
The Guild’s newest event! Join us for a natureinspired trivia night at Fontenelle Forest.
Fireside, Friends & the Forest Join us for our annual meeting and get a jump start on your holiday shopping while raising funds for the Forest. Enjoy this one-of-a-kind boutique, dine on lunch, have a fun afternoon with friends, and learn about the Guild’s recent activities.
22
Fontenelle
CLUBS BIRD CLUB
The Fontenelle Forest Bird Club (a.k.a. The Down and Dirty Birders) welcomes everyone interested in birding to join the growing number of people who find birding to be an enjoyable and relaxing hobby. We offer regular monthly field trips to local birding sites, as well as regional, national, and international destinations. To become a member, please fill out the application located at fontenelleforest.org/birdclub.pdf and return via mail or bring to a meeting along with your yearly dues. For questions about membership or activities, please contact Rick Schmid at 402.731.3140 x1018 or rschmid@fontenelleforest.org. Club Meetings Are Held
Cost of Membership
• The first Thursday of each month at 7:00p.m.
• $12 per individual/$18 per family per year
• Every month except July and December
• Fontenelle Forest Membership
• At Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, unless otherwise advertised/announced
INSECT CLUB This is the second year of Fontenelle Forest’s newest club. If you are interested in learning more about the most numerous animals on earth, please join us. To become a member, please fill out the application located at fontenelleforest.org/insectclub.pdf and return via mail or bring to a meeting along with your yearly dues. For questions about membership or activities, please contact Rick Schmid at 402.731.3140 x1018 or rschmid@fontenelleforest.org. Club Meetings Are Held • The fourth Thursday of February, April, June, August, & October at 7:00p.m.
Cost of Membership • $10 per individual/$15 per family per year • Fontenelle Forest Membership
• At Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, unless otherwise advertised/announced
PHOTO CLUB The Fontenelle Forest Photography Club is dedicated to the pursuit of photography and friendship with like-minded people from the Omaha metro area. Our membership includes photographers of all levels, from beginner to advanced. We are affiliated with Fontenelle Forest and our photographic interests lean toward the flora and fauna of the natural world. However, we have been known to focus on other areas as well. Meetings
Join
We generally meet on the third Thursday of each month (except July and August) at 7:00p.m. at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. Our monthly programs and activities include presentations by noted photographers, hands-on workshops, annual competitions, and periodic field trips. Visit our calendar page at fontenelleforestphotoclub.org/ calendar/ for specific program information.
Prospective members may attend any meeting as our guest. Annual dues for the Fontenelle Forest Photography Club are $12 for an individual and $20 for a family. You also must be a member of Fontenelle Forest to be eligible to join our club. For questions about membership or activities, please visit fontenelleforestphotoclub.org/contact.
24
Membership
FONTENELLE Join Fontenelle Forest today and over 2,000 acres of land will become your backyard to explore as often as you like. Your entire family will enjoy weekly programming, special events, educational classes, and unique encounters that bring a new adventure with each visit. Whether you enjoy the quiet wild or become inspired to care for the natural world, Fontenelle Forest offers 365 days of adventure.
ENJOY THESE MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS: • FREE admission to Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods for 12 months
• FREE members-only events and other programming
• 26 miles of marked trails within the extraordinary Loess Hills
• 10% discount at The Gift Shop at Fontenelle Forest
• Two wheelchair accessible boardwalks with Missouri River and wetland views
• Subscription to Fontenelle Forest’s newsletter “The Leaflet”
• Diverse ecosystems, hidden lakes, and rare wildflowers
• Free or discounted admission to over 180 nature centers nationwide through Association of Nature Center Administrators.
• A premier birding location with over 246 recorded species • Family-friendly exhibits • Acorn Acres: A forest playscape with nine exploration areas • Habitat Hollow for indoor play and learning • Unique entertainment options: critter encounters, guided hikes, children’s programs
• Discounts on Winter and Summer Camps • Access to trails before and after hours And much more!
STROLL THE BOARDWALK
GO BIRDING
Enjoy a leisurely stroll while observing the changing seasons, wildlife, and the meandering Missouri River along the fully accessible one-mile riverview boardwalk.
From egrets to ospreys, from cuckoos to woodpeckers - nearly 250 species of birds have been recorded, making our lands the premier spot for birdwatching in the Omaha metropolitan area.
TAKE A HIKE
GREET A RAPTOR
Walking our trails is an experience unlike any other in the Omaha metro area. Fontenelle Forest owns and manages 2,000 acres of conservation land and 26 miles of marked trails in Bellevue and Omaha.
Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Recovery is the only group in the State of Nebraska permitted by the state and federal government to rehabilitate orphaned or injured raptors. Many non-releasable birds join our roster for outreach and educational programs.
LET THE CHILDREN DISCOVER Acorn Acres is a one-acre natural playscape that offers children a unique place for unstructured play and outdoor learning and a chance to be delightfully boisterous, physically active and wonderfully creative.
25
• Every time you visit, two of your guests can receive ½ priced admission
ATTEND A PROGRAM OF EVENT Members are invited to exclusive events and programs that range from guided hikes to family celebrations, including our annual Trick or Treat in the Forest.
Fontenelle Forest offers membership packages that cater to everyone from individuals to families. Memberships are fully tax-deductible and go toward supporting our mission. Pick the membership plan that works best for you. Memberships are good from the day of purchase through the end of the month the following year. Individual $35 Includes admission for one cardholder to Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods, plus all membership benefits. Two Individuals $45 Includes admission for two adults living in the same household to Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods, plus all membership benefits. Household $55 Includes admission for two adults and children (under the age of 18) living in the same household or grandchildren to Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods, plus all membership benefits.
Supporting Patron $250 - $499 Includes all Household membership benefits plus ten guest passes and 20% gift shop discount. Sustaining Patron $500 - $999 Includes all Household membership benefits plus ten guest passes and 25% gift shop discount. Distinguished Patron $1,000 - $2,499 Includes all Household membership benefits plus twenty guest passes and 30% gift shop discount. Benefactor $2,500+ Includes all Household membership benefits plus twenty guest passes and 35% gift shop discount.
Patron $150 - $249 Includes all Household membership benefits plus four guest passes and 15% gift shop discount.
Visit fontenelleforest.org/membership to become a member today! 26
Fontenelle Forest’s
RAPTOR RECOVERY Fontenelle Forest’s Raptor Recovery is a state-wide agency and the only organization in Nebraska permitted by the state and federal government to rehabilitate orphaned or injured raptors such as owls, falcons, hawks, eagles, and vultures. Minimum age 16. THE PURPOSE OF FONTENELLE FOREST’S RAPTOR RECOVERY: • Provide care and support for injured and orphaned raptors in preparation for release; • Assist in the management of raptor populations and raptor research; • Generate public support for raptor conservation through educational programs, displays, and special events utilizing live (non-releasable) raptors as ambassadors for their kind. We receive hundreds of injured, sick, poisoned, or orphaned birds of prey. We work with private citizens, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, law enforcement and animal control agencies, and utility companies throughout the state. Our network of volunteer transporters and trained rehabilitators provide emergency treatment and stabilize the birds for final transport to our center near Lincoln. Raptors needing surgery are seen by a veterinarian. At our treatment center, the birds receive medical care while minimizing human contact. Once restored to health they’re banded and released. In some cases, even after treatment a raptor might be unable to fly or hunt and cannot be released. Whenever possible, non-releasable birds are channeled into breeding programs, recruited as “foster parents” for young orphans, utilized in research, or join our roster of Educational Ambassadors (Ed. Birds) for outreach and educational programs. Our trained volunteer educators, with the help of our Ed. Birds, conduct programs state-wide throughout the year to increase public awareness about raptors, their role in our ecosystem, and habitat conservation.
27
ParentSavvy is your local parenting resource partnering with Fontenelle Forest to bring you Hands-on-Habitat. ParentSavvy brings together more than 60 local experts to deliver parenting news, tips and advice. Visit ParentSavvy.com today!
1111 Bellevue Blvd N, Bellevue, NE 68005 402.731.3140 www.fontenelleforest.org