LEAFLET
The Newsletter of Fontenelle Forest
May and June 2015
Nature Discovery Summer Camps begin June 1st Visit fontenelleforest.org/camps to register!
AT A GLANCE MAY
JUNE
1 Friday Night (Twi)Lights
3 Canoe The Great Marsh
May Campfire Program
4 Bird Club
2 Conservation Hike
5 June Campfire Program
3 Hike All Trails in a Day! Family Sundays in the Forest Omaha Walking Club
6 Conservation Hike Canoe the Great Marsh
9 Junior Naturalists
7 Family Sundays in the Forest
Wildlife Hike
10 Canoe the Great Marsh
10 Family Sundays in the Forest
Wetlands Night Hike
12 Seniors Understanding Nature (S.U.N.)
13 Great Big Muddy Meetup Wildlife Hike
15 Movie Night: The City Dark Constellation Night Hike
14 Great Big Muddy Meetup
16 Migratory Bird Hikes
18 Fontenelle Forest Photo Club
Plant Hike Canoe the Great Marsh
19 Friday Night (Twi)Lights
17 Raptors... Live!
20 Plant Hike
Family Sundays in the Forest
Canoe the Great Marsh
21 Fontenelle Forest Photo Club
21 Family Sundays in the Forest Canoe the Great Marsh
22 Friday Night (Twi)Lights
24 Canoe the Great Marsh
23 Dirt Time: A Tracking Adventure History Hike
25 Members only: Insect Club
24 Yoga in the Forest
27 Dirt Time: A Tracking Adventure
Family Sundays in the Forest
Canoe the Great Marsh
25 Canoe the Great Marsh 27 Canoe The Great Marsh
Mud Pies meets Monday - Thursday morning until May 21 for children ages 5 and younger.
30 CicadaFest Begins! BioBlitz 2015 Expeditionary Walk Omaha Walking Club Canoe the Great Marsh
Wild Summer Days meets Wednesday and Friday mornings beginning June 3 for children ages 11 and younger.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE FOR FF MEMBERS OR WITH GENERAL ADMISSION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED May and June 2015
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JUST FOR CHILDREN Monday - Thursday Ends May 21 9:30a.m. - 11:30a.m. FFNC Leader(s): Kate Murphy
Mud Pies Drop by to explore nature activities with your child. One adult is required for every two children. A different natural science topic is introduced each week through interactive stations within “Habitat Hollow”. Check the calendar at fontenelleforest.org to learn the weekly topic. This program is for children ages 5 and younger.
Wednesday & Friday Begins June 3 9:30a.m. - 11:30a.m. FFNC Leader(s): Kate Murphy and Lindsay Cooley
Wild Summer Days Wild Summer Days is back! Each week a different topic will be explored through centers, animal visitors, walks and outdoor play. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Check the calendar at fontenelleforest.org to learn the weekly topic. This program is for children ages 11 and younger.
May 3 7:00a.m. - 5:00p.m. FFNC Leader(s): Seth Keith and Adam Erickson
Hike All Trails in a Day! Join us to hike all the trails at Fontenelle Forest in one day. You will definitely get your exercise for the day as we will hike nearly 20 miles, but we will also get to see the forest in a new light. We will get to hike by the Great Marsh, Hidden Lake, and all of the hills and ravines of the beautiful forest in the spring season. Please bring plenty of water, snacks, and a lunch you can eat on the trail. This will be a strenuous day of hiking, so come prepared and do some pre-hiking to get ready. Feel free to join us for the entire day or hike as far as you can and then head back.
May 3 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Dianne Guinn and Ingrid Johnson
Family Sundays in the Forest: Dipping in the Wetlands Join us at the Wetlands Learning Center to learn which macroinvertebrates can be found in the pond. Using nets and strainers we will discover the amazing world that thrives in the water. Dragonfly larva, Crawling Water beetles and snails, oh my! This hands-on afternoon will give you a whole new perspective on what-s in the water!
May 3 7:00p.m. WLC
Omaha Walking Club Homecoming Wetlands Walk. Visit omahawalkingclub.org for more information on the Walking Club.
May 9 10:00a.m. - 11:30a.m. WLC Leader(s): Lindsay Cooley
Junior Naturalists Come join other 6th-8th grade students and learn more about our natural world! For information on monthly topics or to register for this month’s activity, please email Lindsay Cooley at lcooley@fontenelleforest.org.
May 9 10:00a.m. WLC
Wildlife Hike: Busy Beavers Beavers have a huge impact on the ecosystem around them, both positively and negatively. Come discover where the beavers are constantly at work and where they live, plus take a short hike to view the trees they’ve been chewing.
May 10 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. FFNC Leader(s): Jayne Hutton
Family Sundays in the Forest: Migrating Mothers In honor of two great things, mothers and migratory birds, come visit the forest and learn about the amazing journeys that birds take to migrate. Touch and see bird artifacts that will help you discover how these birds make their incredible journeys.
PROGRAMS Programs are listed in chronological order May 1 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. WLC Leader: Lisa CuevasJorgensen
Friday Night (Twi)Lights Everyone needs a breather! Disconnect from your work week and connect with the great outdoors right here in the Forest. This evening hike will be a relaxing and energizing start to your weekend. Note: please wear appropriate shoes; bug spray is recommended and water bottles encouraged.
May 1 7:00p.m.-8:00p.m. CB Leader(s): Michelle Foss
May Campfire Program: Home on the Range Ah, the comforts of home! But just what do homes look like? Join us in stories and songs about the various homes found in Fontenelle Forest, and throughout history in this area. Bring a blanket to sit on and a cup for lemonade after the program.
May 2 10:00a.m. FFNC
Conservation Hike: Birds of Fontenelle Forest Join us for a hike focused on our feathered friends. We’ll look for those birds back in the area for the season, and discuss how Fontenelle works to keep their populations thriving and provide excellent habitat.
FOR CLASSES REQUIRING REGISTRATION GO TO FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG
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May and June 2015
May 12 9:45a.m. - 11:00a.m. FFNC
S.U.N. (Seniors Understanding Nature): Living a Sustainable Life Daniel Lawse, from the Verdis Group, and Seth Keith, Fontenelle Forest Educator, will team up to show us all how we can reduce our carbon footprint and live more sustainable lives. We’ll learn how our actions benefit us and the natural environment. Movie Night: The City Dark We’ve teamed up with Green Bellevue to present a showing of The City Dark: A search for night on a planet that never sleeps. The film explores the effects of city light pollution on living creatures, including migratory birds. Popcorn, snacks, and drinks will be provided. Admission is free for all.
May 15 7:00p.m. FFNC
May 15 8:00p.m. - 9:30p.m. Neale Woods Leader(s): Bob Fuchs
May 16 8:30a.m. - 10:00a.m. and 10:30a.m. - 11:00a.m. FFNC Leader(s): Rick Schmid
May 17 9:45a.m. - 10:45a.m. FFNC Leader(s): Denise Lewis
Raptors.. Live! This is your opportunity to come visit us and meet our amazing raptors! See and learn about these fascinating owl, hawk, and falcon wildlife ambassadors; photographs are encouraged.
May 17 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. FFNC Leader(s): Dustin Clayton
Family Sundays in the Forest: Tools That Made History Do you ever wonder what life was like for people living in this area hundreds, or even thousands of years ago? Get a glimpse into the history of this area through the tools that were used. Dustin will demonstrate how stone tools were produced and used by people living here in prehistoric times.
May 21 7:00p.m. FFNC
Fontenelle Forest Photo Club Visit fontenelleforestphotoclub.org for more information on the Photo Club and the topic of this month’s meeting.
Constellation Night Hike We will go for a moderate evening hike until it gets dark enough to see night sky constellations and planets, if the weather May 22 is clear. Meet in parking lot and bring binoculars if desired to try to look for deep 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. WLC sky objects. Leader: Lisa CuevasJorgensen Migratory Bird Hikes In celebration of International Migratory Bird Month, join us for two morning hikes in search of migratory birds with Rick Schmid, Fontenelle Forest’s resident ornithologist. May is peak migratory bird May 23 season in the Forest with many species to 10:00a.m. see! The 8:30 a.m. hike will visit Child’s Hollow via dirt trails. The 10:30 a.m. hike WLC Leader(s): Wanda Pendley will follow the Riverview Boardwalk. Binand Seth Keith oculars are recommended for both hikes.
May 16 10:00a.m. WLC Leader(s): Kathy Fischer
Plant Hike: Wetlands Plants Come discover the plants that face flooding and wet conditions year-round and learn why some species thrive and some don’t survive. Be prepared for muddy trails and lots of fun!
May 16 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE FOR FF MEMBERS OR WITH GENERAL ADMISSION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED May and June 2015
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Friday Night (Twi)Lights Everyone needs a breather! Disconnect from your work week and connect with the great outdoors right here in the Forest. This evening hike will be a relaxing and energizing start to your weekend. Note: please wear appropriate shoes; bug spray is recommended and water bottles encouraged. Dirt Time: A Tracking Adventure Learning to track animals requires many hours in the field, often on your hands and knees, studying animal signs up close. This is the dirt time, literally time to look and dig and track in the dirt. Come prepared for the weather and the great possibility of muddy boots...the more mud, the easier it is to find tracks!
May 23 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. FFNC Leader(s): Eric Scholar
History Hike Go back in time with us as we hike a beautiful trail that highlights events from the past 900 years. For a glimpse into the history of this area, this trail can’t be beat.
May 24 10:00a.m. - 11:30a.m. FFNC Leader(s): Julie McKeone
Yoga in the Forest Join us for an hour-long vinyasa style yoga class, surrounded by nature, designed to de-stress and relax you. This class is accessible for all levels of yogis, from beginner to experienced, and will feature the sounds of the forest as your soundtrack as you move towards complete wellness. A meditative walk will follow the class, ending with tea for those who can stay.
May 24 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. Camp Wakonda Leader(s): Bob Fuchs
Family Sundays in the Forest: Hike the Southern Forest Come experience Fontenelle’s “hidden” gems on this hike in our southern forest. We’ll take lesser-used trails, such as Mormon Hollow, History, and Prairie, and discover all the birds, flowers, and wildlife they have to offer. Bring binoculars if you have them. All ages are welcome, although this hike will take a full 2 hours.
May 30 6:00a.m. - 11:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Rick Schmid
BioBlitz 2015 Come help us identify the living organisms that make up Fontenelle Forest. The BioBlitz is a citizen science project which provides an opportunity for those interested in learning more about what lives in Fontenelle Forest to team up with experts as they identify the organisms that call the Forest home. Visit fontenelleforest.org the week of the event for more information!
May 25 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up.Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
May 30 10:00a.m. WLC Leader(s): Kate Murphy
Expeditionary Walk When a fifth Saturday occurs in a month, a group will take a short walk along Stream Trail to view and record seasonal changes. Bring a camera! Each 5th Saturday, we’ll note plant and animal activity (especially the beavers). Please dress for the weather.
May 30 10:00a.m. FFNC
Omaha Walking Club Fontenelle Forest Cicada Walk. Visit omahawalkingclub.org for more information on the Walking Club.
May 30 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
June 3 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
June 4 6:00p.m. CB Leader(s): Rick Schmid
Bird Club This is the club’s annual potluck and meeting to elect officers for the coming year. The club will provide fried chicken, beverages, paper plates and plastic wear. Please bring your favorite dish to share, and bring your binocular as you never know what will pop up in the trees! Bird Club is for Fontenelle Forest members only.
May 27 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
May 30 - June 7 Visit fontenelleforest.org for updates and program schedules!
CicadaFest 2015 - They’re coming!
The last time Brood IV made an appearance at Fontenelle Forest, the year was 1998. Titanic, Saving Private Ryan, and Mulan were the reigning films and Brandy and Monica ruled the pop charts. Join us as we celebrate this once every 17 year event with a week of special happenings, lectures, and hikes. Check out our website for up to date information on all the offerings. Members – watch your email for a pop-up party the day the emergence begins.
FOR CLASSES REQUIRING REGISTRATION GO TO FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG
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May and June 2015
June 5 7:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. CB Leader(s): Michelle Foss
June Campfire Program: Nature Dads - Parenting at the Forest We will take a closer look at parenting in Fontenelle Forest. How do owl parenting styles differ from, say, snakes? Wild animals grow up quickly, so come compare the moms and dads of the forest! Bring a blanket to sit on and a cup for lemonade after the program.
June 6 10:00a.m. FFNC Leader(s): Matt Miller
Conservation Hike: Forest Flora Join us for a morning hike focused on flora conservation. We will be looking at early prairie and forest blooms as we discuss how our conservation department promotes native forbes.
June 6 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
June 7 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Dianne Guinn and Ingrid Johnson
Family Sundays in the Forest: Dipping in the Wetlands Join us at the Wetlands Learning Center to learn which macroinvertebrates can be found in the pond. Using nets and strainers we will discover the amazing world that thrives in the water. Dragonfly larva, Crawling Water beetles and snails, oh my!
June 10 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
June 10 7:30p.m. - 9:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Eric Scholar
Wetlands Night Hike Dusk at the wetlands is anything but quiet! Come take an exciting hike and find out what creatures are out and about on a summer night.
Wildlife Hike: Frogs & Tadpoles in the Wetlands Come discover the world of frogs and toads - where they love to hide, what they eat, and more! Bug spray and water bottles are recommended for this great summer hike.
June 13 9:00 a.m. - 12:00p.m. FFNC
Great Big Muddy Meetup: Omaha Missouri River Clean Up Fontenelle Forest and Missouri River Relief will be partnering to clean a mile long trash deposit on the Missouri River. Boats will ferry volunteers to the river banks to pick up trash along the river banks. Other volunteers, including youth groups, will pick up trash along trails and parking lots. Volunteers will receive a free boat ride, tshirt, trash bags, gloves, lunch and reusable water bottle. River cleanups are a great way to foster good stewardship of the local River system. Please wear weather and work appropriate clothes, including sturdy shoes or boots. No flip-flops or open-toed shoes allowed on boats. Sunscreen and bug spray recommended. Ages 10 and over with an adult to go on boats, participants will be asked to sign a Volunteer Waiver. Registration is required through Missouri River Relief at http://www.riverrelief.org/ sign-up/ For more information please contact Seth Keith at skronekeith@fontenelleforest.org or 402-731-3140 Volunteers contact Kareen Hickman at khickman@ fontenelleforest.org Location: Lake Manawa State Park - Missouri River boat ramp - Council Bluffs, IA
June 14 12:00 p.m. - 4:00p.m. WLC
ALL PROGRAMS ARE FREE FOR FF MEMBERS OR WITH GENERAL ADMISSION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED May and June 2015
June 13 10:00a.m. WLC Leader(s): Mic Burt and Jeff Voss
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Great Big Muddy Meetup: Learn About The Mighty Missouri Come learn all about our local Missouri river watershed through hands on immersive experience. Join us for activities including Missouri river boat rides provided by Missouri River Relief. Canoeing and kayaking on the Great Marsh in partnership with UNO Venture Center. Hikes to the teaching pond to catch and release fish in seine nets, dip for macro invertebrates, and do water quality analysis. Participate in water games or arts and crafts. Be sure to check out the educational booths and displays from Backwoods, Sierra Club, Green Bellevue, and a variety of other local vendors and partners. Visit our website for more information the week of the event.
June 18 7:00p.m. Bellevue University
Fontenelle Forest Photo Club Visit fontenelleforestphotoclub.org for more information on the Photo Club and the topic of this month’s meeting.
June 19 6:30p.m. - 8:30p.m. WLC Leader: Lisa CuevasJorgensen
Friday Night (Twi)Lights Everyone needs a breather! Disconnect from your work week and connect with the great outdoors right here in the Forest. This evening hike will be a relaxing and energizing start to your weekend. Note: please wear appropriate shoes; bug spray is June 25 7:00p.m. recommended and water bottles encourFFNC aged. Leader(s): Rick Schmid
June 20 10:00a.m. WLC Leader(s): Eric Scholar
Plant Hike: Edible Forest Plants Have you ever wondered which forest plants are edible? Come join us as we discover several edible plant species and learn how to identify them.
June 20 10:00a.m. - 12:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
June 21 1:00p.m. - 3:00p.m. FFNC Leader(s): Jayne Hutton
Family Sundays in the Forest: Fabulous Fathers On this day of celebrating the fathers in our lives, we will discover some of the “fathers” of Fontenelle Forest as well. Join us to learn about Fontenelle’s founding “fathers”, the oldest trees in the forest, and all the fatherly animals found here.
June 21 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
June 24 6:00p.m. - 8:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required. Insect Club The educational program at this meeting will be presented by Babs and Loren Padelford on the topic of Flies. Insect Club is for Fontenelle Forest members only.
June 27 10:00a.m. WLC Leader(s): Wanda Pendley and Seth Keith
Dirt Time: A Tracking Adventure Learning to track animals requires many hours in the field, often on your hands and knees, studying animal signs up close. This is the dirt time, literally time to look and dig and track in the dirt. It is only through this regular dirt time that we can hone our skills as trackers, and this is our opportunity to get together with others who are interested in learning more about the animals who call this forest home. All are welcome, and no prior experience tracking is needed. Come prepared for the weather...the more mud and snow, the easier it is to find tracks!
June 27 2:00p.m. - 4:00p.m. WLC Leader(s): Grace Noecker
Canoe the Great Marsh Ever wanted to paddle across the Great Marsh? Come down to the wetlands for a canoeing adventure! This is a great way to get a different view of our marsh habitat – you may even glimpse a beaver, snapping turtle or other wetland creature as you explore. For ages 10 & up. Cost: $5 for members / $12 for non-members. Registration is required.
FOR CLASSES REQUIRING REGISTRATION GO TO FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG
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May and June 2015
GENERAL INFORMATION Phone: 402.731.3140 Email: info@fontenelleforest.org Web: fontenelleforest.org Find us on:
Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Neale Woods
1111 Bellevue Boulevard North, Bellevue, NE 68005
14323 Edith Marie Avenue, Omaha, NE 68112
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Hours: Open daily, 8:00a.m. - 5:00p.m.
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Trails open year round, dawn to dusk
Closed December 25 & January 1
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Nature center CLOSED for renovation
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Trails open dawn to dusk for FF members. Non-members admitted before close have trail access until dusk
Admission: Fontenelle Forest members Free One Day Membership $7 Adult | $6 Senior (62+)| $5 Child (2-17)
Admission: Fontenelle Forest members Free One Day Membership $5 Adult | $4 Senior (62+) | $3 Child (2-17)