April 2012 Programs
Sunday, April 1, 1pm
Workshop (Cost $25; Registration required)
GROWING MUSHROOMS
No April Fool’s joke – there will be mushrooms growing in your house! Join volunteer and mushroom-afficionado Gus Gustafson in pasteurizing and inoculating a substrate for growing your own oyster mushrooms indoors at home. All materials provided. Limited to the first 10 participants (age 18 and up) who register at 694-2108. Cost is $25; additional $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, April 1, 2pm
ALASKA’S WOODFROG
Did you know that our only local amphibian is the wood frog? And that frogs can be good indicators of changing environmental conditions? Join Marian Snively from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to learn more about frogs and how citizens can help monitor frog populations in South-central Alaska. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Tuesday, April 3, 9:30am-12:30pm
Workshop (Cost $25; Registration required)
ALASKA NATURAL HISTORY: FAUNA
This is a survey of South-central Alaska mammals and birds designed for interested amateur naturalists as well as homeschooled Middle and High School students. Limited to 15 participants, ages 12 or older (parent attendance is optional, but need to register and pay if attending). Bring a lunch/snack and be prepared to go outside. For more information, contact naturalist@ernc.org. Limited to the first 12 participants who register at 694-2108. Cost is $25 (there is a $5 discount if attending both workshops), plus $5 parking for non-members.
Wednesday, April 4, 9:30am-12:30pm
Workshop (Cost $25; Registration required)
ALASKA NATURAL HISTORY: FLORA
This workshop covers South-Central Alaska plants and ecology. See description on April 3rd. Cost is $25 (there is a $5 discount if attending both workshops), plus $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, April 7, 11am-3pm
HOP ALONG HIKE (Registration required)
Join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for a 7-mile round trip hike from the Potter Trailhead to McHugh Creek and back. Meet at the parking lot just past the Chugach State Park Headquarters (mile 115.2 Seward Highway, $5 parking fee, AK State Park day passes honored). Hikers should be in good shape, but may be beginners. Bring a daypack with snacks, water and wind/rain clothing, and cleats as needed. The hike is limited to the first 12 people (at least 18 years old) who register at 694-2108.
Saturday, April 7, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
BIRD NESTS
It's springtime, and birds are ready to lay their eggs – but first they need a nest. Let’s explore the why, how and where of nest-building and egg-laying, a fascinating aspect of bird behavior. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, April 8
EASTER SUNDAY
Center is closed, but trails are always open.
Saturday, April 14, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
CREEK CRITTERS
Matthew Kays of the Anchorage Waterways Council will lead an exploration of macro-invertebrates that are indicators of good water quality in healthy creeks. We’ll catch larvae of caddisflies and mayflies. Optional: bring rubber boots and dress for messy exploration. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, April 15, 2pm
LIVING AND RECREATING IN BEAR COUNTRY
Are you considering keeping chickens or other livestock in your backyard? Do you worry about hiking, running or camping in bear country? Elizabeth Manning and Tony Carnahan from the Alaska Department of Fish and Game will discuss how to stay safe and what you can do to keep from attracting bears while raising livestock, including a how-to lesson in electric fences. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, April 21, 10am-noon
SPINNERS AND WEAVERS
Club members spin and knit next to the woodstove. Please contact Sandy Quimby at 696-2680 for details, or if you’d like someone to bring an extra spinning wheel for you to try. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, April 21, noon
Craft Program (Free; Registration required)
CROCHETING WITH PLARN
Are you drowning in those grocery store plastic bags? Here’s your chance to learn how to cut them up into strips of “plarn” (=plastic yarn) and crochet sturdy shopping bags. All materials provided (bring crochet hooks and plastic bags if you have them). Join Resident volunteer Jaydee Hernandez in this hands-on class. When registering, let Jaydee know if you’ve never crocheted before. Limited to 10 participants (ages 12 and up) who register at 694-2108. Free program; additional $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, April 21, 2pm
All Ages Program
WOODPECKERS ARE DRUMMING
Woodpeckers are doing a lot of drumming during spring. Join naturalist Doris Ivory to learn more about this noisy bird. We will take an approximately 1.5 mile walk to look and listen for this tell-tale sound of spring after a short indoor introduction. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, April 22, noon
Craft Program (Cost $5; Registration Required)
MOTHER’S DAY CRAFTS
Let’s make Mom a special gift inspired by nature. All materials provided. Limited to 10 children (ages 5 and up) accompanied by an adults, who register at 694-2108. Cost is $5; additional $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, April 22, 2pm
All Ages Program
NATURE ART: CREATING WITH NATURE
Be awed and inspired by the impactful yet fleeting works of Nature Art. Naturalist-in-residence Stacy Shutts gives a slideshow presenting works of Nature Art (also called Land Art, Landscape Art, Earth Works) by artists such as Andy Goldsworthy and Robert Smithson. It will highlight patterns in nature that have been explored in design. After the presentation, join Stacy at the Classroom yurt for a chance to create your own ephemeral art from natural materials (you may want to bring a camera). Open to all ages. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, April 28, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program
TO DO OR 'KNOT' TO DO (Registration required)
The saying goes, “If you don’t know knots, make lots.” We will learn to make lots of knots, then practice our skills in a scavenger hunt. By the end of this practical session you will have a few knots to “pull” from when camping, such as knots that can be easily tightened or loosened and how to make a sturdy food hang using knots. Limited to the first 10 participants who register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, April 29, 2pm
COMPOSTING WITH WORMS
Naturalist Ute Olsson will discuss composting in a “Worm Box”, and give pointers for getting started on starting your own box for composting kitchen scraps without attracting unwanted animals. Free program, $5 parking for non-members.
