Fontenelle Forest's Leaflet - Spring 2017

Leaflet

The Newsletter of Fontenelle Forest

Spring 2017

fontenelleforest.org

Spring 2017 FONTENELLE FOREST | 1

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12 Raptor Recovery 2016 by the numbers

13 Canoe the Great Marsh This summer, explore the Forest in a whiole new way - by canoe!

Contents

14 Calendar Highlights

Fontenelle Forest’s Leaflet Spring 2017

Select upcoming programs. view the complete calendar at fontenelleforest.org

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10 On a Saturday March 18th was a Saturday for the record books at Fontenelle Forest

04 Highlights Upcoming events at the Forest

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05 Forest News A look back at the winter months

07 Education Spring keeps our educators busy

Fontenelle Forest

with programs and more

1111 Bellevue Blvd North

08 Stewardship Savannas play an important role, both in the past and present

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Bellevue, NE 68005 (402) 731-3140 fontenelleforest.org

This year is off to a great start!

Visit the Baright Gallery at Fontenelle and enjoy two new exhibits for all ages. Come experience Nature Through the Ages, a state of the art, interactive digital experience that lets you explore the prehistory of Fontenelle Forest as early as 280 million AD up through its early history and settlement to modern times. Also on exhibit through June is CONFLUENCES, the artwork of Bart Vargas.

Join us on April 7th for a special, members-only artist reception. And if a child you know enjoys adventure and discovery be sure to register for our amazing summer camps. Space is limited and they are filling quickly.

On February 18th we celebrated our amazing volunteers. It was a special pleasure to meet and talk with volunteers for our statewide Raptor Recovery program. There are over 70 volunteers throughout Nebraska who play a critical role in relaying ill, injured, and abandoned raptors to the rehabilitation center Fontenelle Forest operates in Elmwood NE. The turn-out for these raptor loving volunteers was strong with some volunteers coming from 25, 50, and even 100 miles away. It was exciting to

Merica Whitehall, Executive Director meet our Teen Naturalists Trainees and inspiring to meet the stalwarts that have been volunteers for 20, 30, and even 40 years. This year we also welcomed Wendy Goldberg, Don Preister, Cindy Lesinsky, Nickie Konen, and Adrienne Petsick as volunteers on the Board of Directors. No matter where you serve or for how long we appreciate all that you do. Our volunteers help us make Fontenelle Forest a place for people to experience and enjoy.

Whether you prefer tranquil hikes at Neale Woods or the public programs at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, now is a great time to explore nature.

The birds are returning and if you look carefully you will see that the very first signs of spring are starting to appear.

What makes Fontenelle Forest and Neale Woods great is not only what you see. It’s also how it makes you feel. Nearly 40 years of research demonstrates that urban nature centers and experiences in nature enhance the quality of life in our

community and improve our health and well-being in many, many ways. To read about why access to nature is important visit depts.washington.edu/ hhwb. To experience it yourself, visit Neale Woods in North Omaha or Fontenelle Forest in Bellevue!

Finally, don’t forget to mark your calendars. Feather Our Nest, a gala to support Fontenelle Forest is April 29th at the Omaha Design Center. To make sure our community continues to benefit from these treasures, make a gift to Fontenelle Forest!

Merica Whitehall, Executive Director

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Highlights

Oak Trees, Celebrations, and Wildflowers Spring brings the return of Nebraska SciFest, our annual fundraising gala, and a native plant sale

NEBRASKA SCIFEST: CELEBRATE OAKS!

SAY NO TO INVASIVES WITH NATIVE PLANTS

SATURDAY, APRIL 22

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Did you know that there are Bur Oak trees in Fontenelle Forest that are nearly 300 years old?

The Nebraska Science Festival returns to the Forest in April with a celebration of the mighty oak tree. Join us as we explore the secrets and stories of these oak trees through experiments, demonstrations, stories, and play. Learn more about Nebraska SciFest online at nescifest.com.

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A NEW LEAF: FEATHER OUR NEST 2017 SATURDAY, APRIL 29 The Fontenelle Forest Guild is turning “A New Leaf” for this year’s Feather Our Nest. The fundraising gala is being held on a new night, at a new location, and celebrates all of the great new things happening at the Forest. The funds raised at Feather Our Nest aid Fontenelle Forest’s programming and outreach. If you are interested in attending or would like to sponsor a table, more information is available online at fontenelleforest.org/ feather.

Nebraska Statewide Arboretum and Fontenelle Forest have teamed up to hold a native plant sale to promote the use of native plants in landscaping and horticulture uses. Using native plants minimizes the spread of invasive species into the Forest where removal and control are costly and time consuming. Purchase plants, watch presentations, and ask experts about how to utilize native plants at home.

Forest News

An Amazing Start to a New Year A look back at some of the highlights from the year so far RAPTOR BIRD-DAY CELEBRATION Thank you to everyone who came out to the Nature Center in January to wish all of our amazing raptor ambassadors a very happy birthday. It was a tremendous party with live raptors, crafts, a giant birthday card, and more.

CONFLUENCES BY BART VARGAS We welcomed sculptures and paintings by Omaha artist Bart Vargas to the Baright Gallery in March. The exhibit, entitled Confluences, uses recycled materials to create works of art that examine the disposeable nature of the modern world. Members are invited to a special artist’s reception on Friday, April 7 from 5 until 7 p.m.

LAND STEWARDSHIP VOLUNTEER WORK DAYS Our land stewardship department held three volunteer work days during the winter months. The volunteers aided our Save The Oaks efforts, helping to remove brush and create burn piles near Camp Brewster. All of the work was very much appreciated! Interested in pitching in? The next volunteer work days are on April 29, May 27, and June 10. Contact Josh Preister at jpreister@fontenelleforest.org for more information.

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Education

Spring is in the Air Spring is nearly upon us and the Forest is lively with the chatter of birds and of school children. Our spring programming with Bellevue, OPS and area Archdiocese students is picking up and we are looking forward to a busy season in the Education department. We will welcome thousands of area students to the Forest through our programming this spring, and the education staff are dreaming up ample opportunities for families and adults to engage in learning in the Forest.

With the changing seasons, our minds begin to wander towards the upcoming summer and all the fun that will be had! We are very fortunate at Fontenelle Forest to be able to provide the opportunity for young people to really immerse themselves in the forest during the summer. Through our week-long summer camps, kids get to experience the forest in a whole new way as they spend their days exploring, learning all there is to know about the plants and animals that call this place home and using all their senses to create great memories. New to our camp experiences this summer will be our “Wheeling Through the Forest” Camp, a 3-day opportunity to explore that is totally wheelchair accessible, along with Foodies at the Forest, Adventure Camp for the older kids, and an entire week of Challenge Camp!

This summer we are excited to also be able to work with other local organizations and businesses to

provide experiences here at Fontenelle. During the month of June we will hold two weeks of co-sponsored camps with Lauritzen Gardens. These camps will meet at Fontenelle Forest the first two days of camp and at Lauritzen Gardens the rest of the week.

We are also teaming up with local businesses to host 3 weeks of Expedition Omaha (visit omaharockgym.com/expedition-omaha for more info), during which campers will spend a day learning wilderness skills and hiking at Fontenelle Forest.

All of this, thrown in with our visitors from Council Bluffs Community school district, Peter Kiewit programs, hundreds of Raptor-ology and Critters programs and everything else under the sun, and our Education staff is sure to be amazingly exhausted by the time the summer is through!

For now, we revel in spotting the first of the Bloodroot to pop through the earth’s surface, to draw a student’s attention to the leaf buds just beginning to sprout on an Ironwood Tree, and to spot Raccoon tracks in the rain-softened soil. Spring is on its way, and each day is full of wonder to be discovered in the Forest!

- Elizabeth Chalen, Director of Education

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Stewardship The African savanna, a habitat type defined as open grasslands with scattered stands of trees and dense woods in the low valleys and along waterways, is very similar to the historic and restored oak savannas of Fontenelle Forest. In some studies, researchers found that grassy, tree-dotted savannas apparently prevailed “for all of the last 6 million years in the environments in eastern Africa where some of the most significant early human fossils were found,” said geochemist Thure Cerling at the University of Utah….”Wherever we find human ancestors, we find evidence for open habitats similar to savannas — much more open and savanna-like than forested,” Cerling said. (1) Not only are humans connected to savannas from an evolutionary and historical perspective, research indicates they connect psychologically and physiologically as well. “When humans are offered a choice of landscapes, people react most positively to savanna-like settings, a finding that is consistent across every culture studied”. (2) The thinking is that the restorative benefits of being in or viewing a savanna-like setting is very positive and helps people recover from stress better. People feel more tranquil, peaceful, or relaxed, they have decreased fear and anger, and have improved alertness, and cognitive performance.

The restoration of Fontenelle Forest’s Oak Savannas and Woodlands is vital not only for improving biological diversity; it also has important implications for humans that visit our amazing and unique landscape.

Next time you are feeling stressed, a walk around the Third Loop of the boardwalk or along Ridge Trail, two restored savanna areas, may be just what the doctor ordered. We hope you continue to support the connection between humans and savannas by embracing our Oak Savanna and Woodland restoration efforts for years to come.

- Jeanine Lackey, Director of Research and Stewardship, and Matt Miller, Restoration Biologist

1). Nature 476, 51–56 (04 August 2011) Woody cover and hominin environments in the past 6 million years. Thure E. Cerling, Jonathan G. Wynn, Samuel A. Andanje, Michael I. Bird, David Kimutai Korir, Naomi E. Levin, William Mace, Anthony N. Macharia, Jay Quade & Christopher H. Remien 2). Rebuilding the Unity of Health and the Environment: A New Vision of Environmental Health for the 21st Century. Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2001.

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Why are we so Connected to Savannas?

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On a Saturday March 18th was a big day for the entire Fontenelle Forest organization. We conducted our largest ever prescribed burn at Neale Woods, released two Rough-legged Hawks in the wetlands, and had a record number of attendees enjoy the Faire Faire festivities.

Jeanine Lackey Director of Research and Stewardship

On Saturday, March 18th, Fontenelle Forest’s prescribed burn crew conducted a controlled burn on the largest unit in the history of Fontenelle Forest’s prescribed fire program. An 81 acre unit at Neale Woods received prescribed fire and as far as we know, it was the first time in over 100 years that this parcel of oak woodland received fire. Eleven firefighters assisted with the burn which took over 6 hours to conduct. Mopping up (cutting and pouring water on) burning/smoldering downed timber took another 20 hours.

So far this dormant season (winter of 2016-2017), the fire crew has burned over 356 acres of oak woodland and prairie, which is roughly 300 acres more than has been burned (in a controlled fashion) in modern times.

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We are excited to see the results of our efforts knowing that we have been instrumental in returning this natural disturbance regime back onto our unique natural landscape. Thanks to members, the public and our supportive neighbors, we will continue to be successful for years to come.

Elizabeth Chalen Director of Education

On March 18th, the Forest was overrun with fairies, elves, trolls, princesses, pirates, dragons and many other fantastical beasts. With over 900 visitors attending, our 4th Fairy Faire was our largest event yet.

Families visited the marketplace, where they traded silver beans for extra building materials, possibly selecting some dried flower petals, colorful stones or a special piece of moss to add to their fairy house.

Wandering down Linden or Ridge trails, a perfect spot was discovered for building a fairy house, materials were collected nearby, and a feat of architectural greatness was constructed, fairy-sized. Seeing families sitting on the sides of the trails, working together and fully engaged in this tactile experience, the true magic of Fairy Faire was evident.

Kids and adults alike burst with excitement, viewing Fairy Bubbles, getting faces painted, creating magic wands and being sprinkled with fairy dust by the Fairy Queen. Many lucky children even got a special stick or piece of bark from the forest troll.

With birds singing in the background and laughter filling the air, Fairy Faire brought families of all ages and sizes to the forest, where they could experience the quiet wild of nature in a whole new way. It engaged volunteers, staff and our visitors in a funfilled, engaged experience with the natural world, and what more could we ask for on a sunny Saturday afternoon?

Denise Lewis Raptor Volunteer Coordinator

March often brings cold, windy, dark days. We go about our business wishing for the arrival of the warmth of spring to appear. A lot of late winter raptor work is hard. We see birds that have struggled to survive the harshness of the long, cold winter.

Some can be turned around for eventual release, some cannot.

Saturday, March 18th started out with a cold and cloudy morning. The day began with a drive to the Raptor Rehabilitation Center near Elmwood with two new volunteers. These volunteers, along with two from the Lincoln-area, are joining a new workgroup called the “Saturday Crew.� After a brief tour of the facility by Betsy Finch, Manager of Raptor

Rehabilitation, we got down to business; our task for the day was to power wash as many soiled carpets as we could.

By now, at around 10:00AM, the wind had slowed and the sun was starting to peek through the clouds.

Rafts of migrating snow geese filled the air as we worked as a team, making the work a bit more enjoyable.

Soon after, a group of four new volunteers arrived at the center to begin training to be volunteer transporters. Three had driven all the way from the Columbus, Nebraska area. The volunteers received another guided tour of the facility and began the process of learning how to identify a raptor, causes of injury, and emergency first aid. By then, the weather had turned into a cool, sunny spring morning.

When the volunteers finished working and training, it was time to band two Rough-legged Hawks before their afternoon release back at Fontenelle Forest.

The crowd silently followed Betsy to the two story flight complex. Betsy manned the long-handled net and Elaine Bachel, a long-time volunteer, and myself donned gloves to help. After a bit of coaxing, both hawks were caught, weighed for the last time and banded with USFWS bands in preparation for release.

After banding, it was time to transport the two hawks back to Bellevue for release. Our crew for the release included Forest employees to document the release and two of the volunteers from Columbus.

The volunteers were excited to help out and carried the boxed birds to the release site on North Stream Trail in the Wetlands. We also hiked by an interested mom and her 7 year old boy who joined us for the release. The afternoon still had some surprises in hand. There was an immature Bald Eagle perched and watching our activity from a distance, an elusive Mink skulked by, and a few turtles were sunning on logs as we marched by.

When it was time, our small crowd witnessed the release of two healed, migratory raptors, who flew away with grace and purpose. The group chatted the whole way back, excited about the awesome day that we had all had. What a perfect day, I exclaimed with a sun-burned face, what a fine day!

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Raptor Recovery

Free Flight 2016 State of Raptor Rehabilitation Report It’s been a tradition of mine to share the annual reports with our members over the last 40 years. This report has been one of the most popular articles in the Free Flight newsletter, since it sums up the total activity of rehabilitation. More recently, I’ve compared the past two years together ; thus giving a perspective of activities on a short continuum. Here is a synopsis of the past two years of admissions.

We received 600 birds of prey at the rehabilitation center during 2016. At the end of 2016, we had released 205 of those birds with 28 still pending final results. Our preliminary release rate for the year is 34%.

600 is our second highest annual number, second only to 2002. That year we saw 638 birds of prey, an unusually large number due to an outbreak of West Nile Virus.

Thank you very much for your support!

- Betsy Finch Manager of Raptor Rehabilitation Photo by Pete Carbonell 12 | FONTENELLE FOREST Spring 2017

2016 Red-tailed Hawk Great Horned Owl Eastern Screech Owl Cooper’s Hawk American Kestrel Bald Eagle Barred Owl Swainson’s Hawk Barn Owl Turkey Vulture Sharp-shinned Hawk Peregrine Falcon Merlin Long-eared Owl Prairie Falcon Short-eared Owl Broad-winged Hawk Golden Eagle Mississippi Kite Burrowing Owl Northern Harrier Northern Sah-whet Owl Osprey Rough-legged Hawk Ferruginous Hawk

2015

Received

Released

Received

Released

153

37

117

32

141

41

152

55

67

38

66

41

64

17

68

30

33

24

34

24

29

10

17

14

28

10

29

7

17

2

16

6

13

10

27

23

13

4

9

2

8

3

9

4

7

3

3

1

5

0

1

0

3

1

2

0

3

0

0

0

3

2

1

0

2

0

3

2

2

0

2

0

2

1

2

1

1

1

3

1

1

0

1

0

1

0

0

0

1

0

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1

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Canoe the Great Marsh

Summer Hours Return On Memorial Day We’re excited to announce that extended summer hours are returning in 2017!

Starting Memorial Day (Monday, May 29), the Nature Center will be open: Monday - Friday 8 am until 7 pm Saturday - Sunday 8 am until 5 pm Looking for something to do after a long day of work during the summer months? Studies show that nature can do wonders for our health. Extended hours are a great opportunity to get outside and stretch your legs.

Summer 2016 marked the second season of providing our Canoe the Great Marsh program to wonderful people from places all across the United States and beyond.

My coworker Nick and I had an amazing time canoeing with all of our visitors, and we are back this summer ready to explore once again! The wonder of the wetlands found on Fontenelle Forest’s property is that you will never find two days to be the same, and no matter how much you think you know about the Great Marsh, it will always surprise you with something more.

We know that every person has a story to share, and we hope that after Canoeing the Great Marsh you will have a tale to tell. Wetlands cannot speak, but we hope you will speak for them by sharing your experience out on the water. This summer you can expect a variety of Sunrise, Full Moon, and Regular Canoeing programs.

We hope that you will join us and leave feeling satisfied by adventure!

- Grace Gaard, Naturalist

Canoe the Great Marsh resumes in June.

Saturday, June 3 5:20 a.m. Sunrise Friday, June, 9 8:00 p.m. Full moon Saturday, June 24 9:00 a.m.

Wednesday, June 28 6:00 p.m.

Raptor Woodland Refuge remains open 10 am until 5 pm everyday. All trails are open from sunrise until sunset. Summer hours end on Labor Day (Monday, September 4).

East Meets West: Nebraska’s Breeding Woodpeckers Fontenelle Forest and the Audubon Society of Omaha are excited to present:

At the heart of the Great Plains, Nebraska bridges a major habitat gap between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River Valley, bringing birds together from both sides of the continent – and woodpeckers offer a prime example. Eastern and western subspecies of the Downy and Hairy Woodpeckers meet in Nebraska, as do the ‘Yellow-shafted’ and ‘Red-shafted’ forms of the Northern Flicker. The decidedly ‘western’ Lewis’s Woodpecker breeds irregularly in the far northwest of Nebraska, and the eastern subspecies of the Pileated Woodpecker continues to move westward from the Missouri River border. The Red-bellied and Red-headed Woodpeckers occupy complementary habitats across the state, but their strength lies in the east.

Come join North American woodpecker specialist, Steve Shunk, as he takes us deeper into the lives and times of Nebraska’s breeding Woodpeckers on April 21st from 7 - 9 pm.

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Regular Programming Mud Pies Looking for a unique setting in which to have fun with your child while learning about the natural world? Mud Pies is a drop-in-and-play program that encourages interaction between adult and child. Each week, a natural science topic is explored through station-based activities, free play, and a guided walk. Come discover the joy of sharing nature with your child!

Family Sundays in the Forest Wild Summer Days Every child should experience the magic of holding a snail or smelling a wildflower, and learning alongside a special adult in their life. This summer, connect your child to the natural world by experiencing it together! Come to Wild Summer Days, a drop-in program for adults and children ages 11 to infant, for hands-on learning and screen-free play indoors and out.

Family Sundays in the Forest Join a Fontenelle Forest educator every Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. for Family Sundays in the Forest. Each week presents a new topic, from snowshoe hikes and indoor activities in the winter to wildflower walks and outdoor fun in the summer. All activities are family friendly and designed to both educate and entertain.

Home School Science Discoveries Fontenelle Forest’s Homeschool Science Discovery program introduces students to a different natural science topic each month. The content is matched to the Next Generation Science Standards and focuses on interaction and inquiry. This program is the perfect way for children to connect with nature at an early age. Registration is required. Space is limited so register early.

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Mondays Thursdays

9:30 - 11:30 am Ages 5 & younger Ends May 18

Mondays and Wednesdays

9:30 - 11:30 am Ages 11 & younger Resumes June 5

Most Sunday Afternoons 1:00 - 3:00 pm

First Monday and Tuesday of Each Month

For ages 5 - 11 Morning and afternoon sessions available Ends in May

2nd Tuesday Of Each Month

9:45 - 11:30 am Ends in May

Sunday Mornings

9:00 - 10:30 am Except April 16

Seniors Understanding Nature Many seniors grew up in a time when nature was a big part of everyday life; SUN (Seniors Understanding Nature) programs enhance that experience. Join us to learn about a different topic every month. Refreshments are served for the presentation, and a nature walk follows for all who are interested.

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.

Calendar Highlights Short April 7 5:00 PM Interview - 7:00 PM FFNC

April 8

10:00 AM - 11:00 AM FFNC

Members Only: Bart Vargas Artist’s Reception Members are invited to a special artist’s reception to celebrate the Confluences exhibit in the Baright Gallery. Meet Bart Vargas, learn more about his work, and ask any questions you may have. Light refreshments and hor d’oeuvres will be served.

Raptors... Live!

Have you ever been face to face with a live bird of prey? Raptors... Live! is your chance to do just that and learn a lot more about these amazing birds from our experts. Questions and photographs are encouraged. While you’re visiting, stop by Raptor Woodland Refuge and enjoy the fresh spring air.

April 7 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM CB

April 28

8:00 PM - 10:00 PM NW

April Campfire Program: Fantastic Falcons Come meet a live kestrel as we learn about the fascinating world of falcons.

We will have stories, songs, and fun facts about these sleek birds of prey. Bring a blanket and a buddy! Don’t forget your cup for hot cocoa after the program.

Constellation Viewing at Neale Woods Join for fantastic star viewing! We’ll start with a short hike and end at our viewing site. Bring binoculars if you have them to look at a few deep sky objects and constellations. There will be a new moon that night, so stars will not be outshone by the moon.

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Short April 29 1:00 PM Interview - 3:00 PM FFNC

May 10 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM FFNC

May 18 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM LAKE MANAWA

June 9

7:00 PM - 7:00 AM CB

The Art of Discovery: Drawing on the Trail With spring upon us, it’s time to get outside and discover what it means to let nature inspire our imaginations! We will work on shading techniques and draw from life while hiking the trails. Workbook and materials provided, or bring your own! $25 per person. Adults 18+

Bloodcurdling Botany Night Hike If you are a fan of mystery novels then we’re sure you have read where some sort of plant was used as a murder weapon. Is that even possible? Join us on our night hike as we tell you about bloodcurdling botany used in history, science, and legend.

Missouri River Cleanup

Short May 5 7:00 PM Interview - 8:00 PM CB

May 13

1:00 AM - 3:00 PM WLC

May 20

We’ve partnered with Missouri River Relief to conduct a river bank clean up on Fontenelle Forest’s Floodplain. These river clean-ups provide volunteers the opportunity to explore and enjoy the river with family, friends and neighbors while beautifying a gorgeous stretch of the Big Muddy. More details and sign up form available soon fontenelleforest.org.

7:00 AM - 11:00 PM FFNC

Have you ever visited the Family Campfire at Camp Brewster and wished that the fun did not have to end? Now is your chance to extend your stay! Join us for an overnight family campout! We will enjoy a hotdog roast, fireside stories and songs, cooking s’mores over the fire, a night hike, and so much more! In the morning a continental pastry breakfast will be available.

10:00 AM -11:00 AM FFNC

Family Campout Night

Plan to bring your own tent, sleeping bag, and other needed overnight supplies. We will provide hotdogs, drinks, and the s’mores. You are invited to bring any additional food your family will need for the evening.

Registration opens on April 10. $40 per family, 10 family maximum.

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June 11

May Campfire Program: Wonderful Water From tiny creeks to wide rivers, water is always moving. Come enjoy a campfire all about water and the many creatures (including ourselves) that depend upon it! Don’t forget to bring a friend and a cup for some cocoa! All ages are welcome!

The Art of Discovery: Watercolors in the Wetlands What better way to spend your Saturday afternoon than exploring the wetlands in all its spring beauty and taking the time to paint it? Join us as we observe and learn. Workbook and materials provided, or bring your own! $25 per person. Adults 18+

BioBlitz 2017 You are invited to help us learn more about the biodiversity of Fontenelle Forest’s wetlands, forests and prairies.

Join amateurs and professionals to help survey: bats, plants, birds, insects, fungi, amphibians, and reptiles. BioBlitz is the perfect time to get outside, search for smallest details, and learn from experts.

Raptors... Live! Forest Fontenelle

Have you ever been face to face with a live bird of prey? Raptors... Live! is your chance to do just that and learn a lot more about these amazing birds from our experts. Questions and photographs are encouraged. While you’re visiting, stop by Raptor Woodland Refuge and enjoy the late spring sunshine.

FOR COMPLETE PROGRAM LISTINGS, VISIT FONTENELLEFOREST.ORG