March 2012 programs
Friday, March 2, 7pm
Astronomy Series
PRIVATE SPACE ENDEAVORS
Tonight’s program is presented by Brett Woern. Join our astronomers for this popular indoor and outdoor program. Every first and third Friday evening of the month, an astronomer will present a special topic (approximately 1 to 1.5 hrs) and answer your questions. If the skies are clear, be ready to go outside and view the night sky, using your own binoculars or telescope, or share the ones set up by our astronomers. Children can earn their Junior Astronomer Certificate after attending 6 programs and completing “Star Notes” –ask at the front desk. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, March 3, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
ALL ABOUT BATS
Did you know that there are bats in Alaska? Join Laura Kruger and Marian Snively with the Wildlife Diversity Program of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game in the exploration of Alaska’s only flying mammal. Find out how you can help the Alaska Citizen Science Program by reporting your bat sightings. Come prepared for a walk around the Rodak trail to help us decide where to hang our bat houses. By the end of the program, you will be a “Bat Detective”. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, March 4, 2pm
TREKKING ACROSS THE ARCTIC
Volunteer Dick Griffith will present a slideshow of several arctic treks: from Anaktuvuk to Kotzebue, from Nuiqsut to Unakleet and along the Alaskan and Canadian Arctic Coastline to Hudson Bay. Free program. Before the program, a winner will be chosen for the 2012 Griffith Challenge where Dick matches your donations to the Nature Center. Make a donation by going to www.ernc.org for a chance to release a rehabilitated eagle to the wild.
Friday, March 9, noon-3pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
TO BUILD A FIRE (Registration required)
School’s out, so let’s get outdoors! Join resident volunteer Gus Gustafson for a walk around the Albert Loop for a 3-mile round trip. We’ll build a fire along the river and cook s’mores! Limited to the first 12 children (ages 6 and up, accompanied by a parent or other adult) who register at 694-2108. This program is subject to cancellation if trail conditions are bad. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Friday, March 9, 7:30pm-10pm
EVENING OWL WALK (Registration required)
Ramon Wallace and Sirena Brownlee with the Anchorage Audubon Society will present an informative slide show about Alaskan owls, followed by a 2-3 mile walk. Dress for being outdoors (make sure your clothes are not "noisy"); bring flashlights. Not appropriate for children. Limited to the first 20 people (ages 16 and up) who register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, March 10, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
“GROSS” ANATOMY (Registration required)
Have you ever dissected an owl pellet? Here’s your chance to re-assemble the skeleton of a rodent or whatever the owl had for dinner! Limited to the first 12 children (ages 6 and up, accompanied by an adult), who register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, March 10, 6:30-8pm
EVENING OWL WALK FOR FAMILIES (Registration required)
Join volunteer Liza Sanden on a 3-mile walk on the Albert Loop to listen for owls, and learn about their nesting habits. Dress for being outdoors, wearing “quiet” clothes. Limited to the first 15 people (ages 5 and up) who register at 694-2108. Please note, this is a silent hike in the dark. Children need to be able to remain quiet so we can listen for owls calling; use of flashlights is limited to preserve night vision. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, March 11, 2pm
WILD-SCAPING IN ALASKA
Wild-scaping is a term used to describe gardening and landscaping for wildlife. This typically includes trees for attracting birds and flowers for attracting bees. And what about keeping moose from eating your newly planted trees? Volunteer Beth Baker presents information and personal experience in wild-scaping in the Eagle River valley. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Friday, March 16, 7pm
Astronomy Series
THE MARS ROVER
Tonight’s presentation is by Scott Girard. See description on March 2nd.
Saturday, March 17, 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, March 17, 11am-5pm
LUCK OF THE IRISH HIKE (Registration required)
Join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for an 8.5-mile round trip hike on the Middle Fork Loop trail, starting from the Prospect Heights trailhead in Anchorage. The hike involves a 1200-foot elevation gain in a 3-mile segment. Hikers should be in good shape and have completed a hike of similar nature. Hikers are advised to bring a daypack with lunch/snacks, water, wind/snow clothing and warm layers. The hike is limited to the first 12 people (at least 18 years old) who register at 694-2108. Free; $5 parking fee at Prospects Heights trailhead (Alaska State Park day passes honored).
Saturday, March 17, noon
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKE (Registration required)
Join Jaydee Hernandez and Gus Gustafson for a leisurely-paced hike for all ages (2-3 miles round-trip), trail conditions permitting. Limited to the first 16 participants who register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, March 17, 2pm
All Ages Program
MEET A GREAT-HORNED OWL
Have you ever looked an owl right in the eyes? Or wondered how far owls can actually turn their heads? Here’s your chance to meet a great-horned owl in the care of volunteer Ginamaria Smith with Bird TLC – she will share facts and stories about this amazing hunter of the night. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, March 18, 2pm
WHAT IS EARTHWATCH?
Join volunteer Ruth Fitzpatrick as she shares her many experiences volunteering on expeditions with the Earthwatch Institute, whose mission it is to engage people worldwide in scientific field research and education to promote the understanding and action necessary for a sustainable environment. Today’s program will highlight her recent experience in the Amazon, as well as opportunities in other locations around the world from the tropics to the arctic. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, March 24, 1pm
All Ages Program
GEOCACHING FOR FAMILIES (Registration required)
Join volunteer Bill Kupchin for a basic primer on geocaching: what’s involved, where can you find out about caches, what are some local clubs and opportunities? We’ll go on a search for a hidden geocache in the vicinity, so bring your GPS and dress for being outdoors. Limited to the first 12 participants (children need to register along with adults) who register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, March 24, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
SURVIVAL SKILLS FOR KIDS
(Registration required)
Learn and practice techniques for staying warm outdoors in winter, such as dressing appropriately, finding shelter, and learning how to start a fire outdoors. Please dress for outdoor fun. Limited to the first 12 children (ages 6 and up) who register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Sunday, March 25, 2pm
IN SEARCH OF THE WATER OUZEL
Naturalist Doris Ivory will introduce the “Water Ouzel” or American Dipper, an amazing bird that spends the winters in and along our icy streams. A short indoor presentation will be followed by an approximately one-mile walk exploring along the stream bed, conditions permitting. Bring appropriate footwear and snowshoes if you have them. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
Saturday, March 31, 2pm
All Ages Program
FINDING NATURE WITH YOUR FAMILY
Author Jennifer Aist will talk about the value the outdoors holds for the entire family. She wrote Babes in Woods: Hiking, Camping and Boating with Babies & Young Children and shares her experience of making the most of outdoor activities with children in Alaska. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.
