June Program

EAGLE RIVER NATURE CENTER

Participation in any program of the Eagle River Nature Center sponsored by Friends of Eagle River Nature Center is voluntary and taken at your own risk. Your decision to join or leave any activity is a personal choice; therefore, Friends of Eagle River Nature Center are not responsible for your whereabouts.

For your safety and enjoyment…

1. STAY BEHIND THE GROUP LEADER AND WITHIN VOICE REACH.
2. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED AT ALL TIMES BY A PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN, WHO IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY AND BEHAVIOR.
3. IF YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE THE GROUP AT ANY TIME, BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TRAIL SYSTEM.

June 2008 Eagle River Nature Center Programs

Sunday, June 1, 2pm
DISCOVERING MORELS
Join morel sleuths, Blanche and Jim Tinius to search for this spring mushroom's habitat. Learn to identify an edible, tasty morel from a false morel. A 30-minute indoor program is followed by a 2-mile walk down the Rodak and Albert Loop trails. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Monday, June 2 - Friday, August 29, 2008, Weekdays from 1:00-2:30pm
NATURE WALKS ON THE RODAK TRAIL
Join our docents for a ľ mile walk on the Rodak Nature Trail to learn more about the history, flora and fauna of the Eagle River Valley. These hikes are free to the public. Participants should sign up at the front desk 10 minutes prior to start time. These walks are not intended for organized groups. Parking is $5, but the walk is free. For questions, please call 694-2108.

June 4, Wednesday evening, 6:30pm-9pm
SUMMER EVENING HIKE
(registration required)
Join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for a 5.75-mile round trip hike on the Albert Loop and Rapids Camp trails. The trails are fairly level with only slight elevation gains. Hikers should be in good shape, but may be beginners. Hikers are advised to bring a daypack with snack, water, wind/rain clothing and warm layers. Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the hike. The hike is limited to the first 12 people (at least 18 years old) who register by calling 694-2108. Please provide a contact phone number and email address at time of registration. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

NEW!

KNEEHI NATURALIST
goes to session schedule this summer!

Early Summer (6 weeks for $36, member price)
Choose between:
Thursdays June 5, 12, 19, 27, July 10, 17
or Fridays June 6,13, 20, 28, July 11, 18
Time: 11am-noon

Late Summer (6 weeks for $36, member price)
Choose between:
Thursdays August 21, 28, Sep 4, 11, 18, 25
or Fridays August 22, 29, Sep 5, 12, 19, 26
Time: 11am-noon

Kneehigh Naturalist programs offer nature exploration for pre-schoolers ages 3-5 accompanied by an adult. Dress for the outdoors, and bring a lunch to join fellow Kneehighs for a picnic immediately after the program. Limited to 10 children: no walk-ins. Note that siblings are welcome, but need to register and pay in order to participate. Call 694-2108.

Friday, June 6, 8pm
EVENING BEAVER WALK
Join naturalist Bob Nichols on a 2.5 mile hike to view an active beaver colony. Meet in front of the Nature Center, and bring binoculars if you have them. Note: this program is not appropriate for small children because of distance walked and need for quiet to observe beavers. No registration necessary; $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, June 7, 2pm
BOTANY FOR KIDS
Junior Naturalist Program
(Grades K-6)
This summer's "Botany for Kids" series will start out with looking at the mint and parsley families - you'll be surprised how many there are, and how easy it is to recognize them! Indoors and outdoors. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, June 8, 1-4pm
NATURE JOURNALING WORKSHOP ($20 fee; registration required)
Naturalist and writer Giselle Bergeron teaches this summer session of a 4-part series on keeping a nature journal through the seasons, stressing observation skills. Both writing and sketching will be encouraged, but no prior art experience is necessary, Bring blank journal, writing utensils, snack, and wear comfortable shoes and clothing, as workshop will be held indoors and outdoors. Remaining workshop sessions are held September 7 and December 7, 2008. Limited to 12 participants, ages 16 and up. Registration required by calling 694-2108.

Friday, June 13, 8pm
EVENING BEAVER WALK
Join naturalist Bob Nichols on a 2.5 mile hike to view an active beaver colony. Meet in front of the Nature Center, and bring binoculars if you have them. Note: this program is not appropriate for small children because of distance walked and need for quiet to observe beavers. No registration necessary; $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, June 14, 2pm
EAGLE RELEASED INTO THE WILD
Special Event
The Bird Treatment and Learning Center and Friends of Eagle River Nature Center host this very special event at the Beaver Viewing Deck (along the Rodak Nature Trail at the Eagle River Nature Center). The injured eagle was nursed back to health by Bird Treatment and Learning Center personnel and will be released into the wild. Join us to bid this majestic raptor farewell and good luck. Free program. $5 parking for non-members. Please allow sufficient time to park and walk down to the deck.

Sunday, June 15, 2pm
FATHER'S DAY
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKE
(Registration required)
Naturalist Bob Nichols will lead families on this leisurely hike of 2-3 miles. Limited to the first 16 participants (all ages) who call 694-2108 to register. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Friday, June 20, 8pm
EVENING BEAVER WALK
Join naturalist Bob Nichols on a 2.5 mile hike to view an active beaver colony. Meet in front of the Nature Center, and bring binoculars if you have them. Note: this program is not appropriate for small children because of distance walked and need for quiet to observe beavers. No registration necessary; $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, June 21, 2-5pm
SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Today is the longest day of the year, and families are invited to join us on a 3 -mile roundtrip hike on the Albert Loop Trail. Our destination is a gravel bank on the Eagle River, where we'll build a bonfire and celebrate solstice with s'mores. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, June 22, 2pm
ITCH, PRICKLE AND STING
Learn how to avoid irritating insects and plants when enjoying the outdoors. Naturalist Ute Olsson will start with an indoor slide presentation on Alaska's annoying insects and plants, and then take you on a walk to identify what could itch, prickle or sting you. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

June 25, Wednesday evening, 6:30pm-10pm
DEW LAKE DESSERT HIKE
(registration required)
Join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for a 6.5-mile round trip hike and dessert at Dew Lake. Food for the event will be provided by Bob and Ann. Hikers should be in good shape, but may be beginners. The trail is fairly level with an elevation gain of about 500 feet. Hikers are advised to bring a daypack with snacks, water, wind/rain clothing and warm layers. Call the Nature Center for trail conditions. The hike is limited to the first 12 people (18 years old and up) who register by calling 694-2108. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the hike. Please provide a contact phone number and email address at the time of registration. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Friday, June 27, 8pm
EVENING BEAVER WALK
Join naturalist Bob Nichols on a 2.5 mile hike to view an active beaver colony. Meet in front of the Nature Center, and bring binoculars if you have them. Note: this program is not appropriate for small children because of distance walked and need for quiet to observe beavers. No registration necessary; $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, June 28, 2pm
EXPLORE THE STREAMS AND PONDS
Junior Naturalist Program (Grades K-6)
Discover what lives in and around ponds and streams on a 1 mile walk with a Center naturalist. Wear shoes that you don't mind getting wet. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, June 29, 2pm
READING THE LANDSCAPE
Guest naturalist David Mitchell leads participants on a 2 mile walk to a location where we will answer questions about the patterns and processes found in the landscape.
Using observation skills, field guides, maps, and other tools, participants will learn how to tell the story of why the landscape looks and functions the way it does. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Program Registration

Registration is helpful for all programs and required if the program description specifically requests it. All programs take place at the Nature Center unless noted in the program description. For programs requiring a fee, full payment must be received when registering to secure a place. Call 907-694-2108 to register and receive details about programs (only local calls can be returned).

Program Policies