Saturdays: May 10 & 24
Family Hike
11:00 a.m. – Noon
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center; meet in the Great Hall
Admission: Free for members/
regular admission for non-members
Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Join Naturalist Debbie Beck on a walk through the forest. We’ll explore the theme of the books featured during “Nature Tails” and we’ll investigate anything we see
along the trails. Relax and enjoy the beauty of the
forest with your family.


Saturday, May 10
Meditation in Nature: Shinrin-yoku, “Wood Air Bathing”
9:30 – 11:00 a.m.
At: Wetlands Learning Center
Admission: Free for members /
Regular admission for non-members
Ages: 16+
To register: 731-3140, ext. 238

This class is designed to introduce you to “nature
centered meditation.” Join Naturalist Debbie Beck for an outside “sitting meditation” at a quiet wetlands
location where we will use the breath to still our minds and bodies, relaxing and relieving stress. Dress for the weather
in your most comfortable clothes. Bug spray and a water bottle are recommended .

Saturday, May 10
Nature Photography Class
12:00 – 4:30 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Fee: $20 if you register by May 8th/
$25 after May 8th
To register: 731-3140, ext. 227

Do you want to understand the basics of 35 mm and digital cameras? Are you puzzled by shutter speeds and f-stops? Are you wondering how to compose the perfect photo and make your background look great? Nature photographer Pasquale “Pat” Mingarelli will cover the fundamental principles of photographic exposure and design including shutter speed, f-stops, ISO, depth-of-field, rule of thirds and more. Bring your camera. Weather permitting, we’ll head outside for a few shots.

Saturdays: May 10 & 24
Rock Hound!
3:30 – 4:45 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in the Great Hall
Admission: Free for members/
Regular admission for non-members
All ages

Do you have a rock that you’d like to identify? Bring it to
the Rock Hound! Naturalist Debbie Beck will help you
discover what kind it is. If she can identify it, you’ll get a signed certificate that is stamped with the
Nebraska Geological Seal.

Sunday, May 11
Go WILD in your Backyard
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/
Regular admission for non-members
Ages: 16 +

Go “wild” with native plant species that can withstand our hot dry summers. Join Teacher Naturalist Linda Plock to examine some native plant perennials that can be used in your backyard landscaping.

Sunday, May 11 & Saturday, June 7
Wildflower Hike with Norm
1:00 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/
regular admission for non-members
All ages

Join Teacher Naturalist Norm Toenjes to explore our trails,
looking for the numerous species of wildflowers found
in the forest.

Tuesday, May 13
SUN (Seniors Understanding Nature): Adult Day Camp
9:45 - 11:00 a.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: $4 per person per program/
$3 for Methodist Access Best Care members
Ages: 55+

Fun at camp is not just for children. You too can have an activity-filled day camp session with Counselor Catherine. She will lead you in activities sure to rekindle past childhood memories or spark a new interest. We’ll see you at camp!

Thank you to our SUN program sponsors:
America First Foundation
Methodist Health System
Whole Foods Market
Weyerhaeuser Company Foundation

Saturday, May 17
Family Dipping Fun!
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.
At: Wetlands Learning Center
Admission: Free for members
$5 per family for non-members

Grab a net and head to the pondwith Naturalist Debbie Beck to see what cool critters we can find. During this family outing we will catch and identify many of the amazing macroinvertebrates that live below the water’s surface. It should be loads of fun and very interesting!

Bottled water will be provided. Please be sure to wear sunscreen and bug spray.

Saturday, May 17
Nature Detectives: Tiny Pond Critters
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
At: Camp Brewster
Ages 9 - 12 and limited to 12 children
Admission: $5 per member child / $10 per non-member child Registration: please call 731.3140 ext. 257
Notes: session includes a snack & a craft;
please dress for the weather

Our theme of ‘all things small’ continues during this Nature Detectives session. We will hike to the pond and sample soil, plants and algae - looking for some of the smallest and most interesting pond inhabitants. Not visible to the naked eye, the world of these tiny organisms will become visible to us through our investigations and the microscopes.


Saturday, May 17
Nature Buddies: The Secret Life of Plants
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
At: Camp Brewster
Ages 5 - 8 and limited to 12 children
Admission: $5 per member child / $10 per non-member child Registration: please call 731.3140 ext. 257
Notes: session includes a snack & a craft;
please dress for the weather

In this experiment filled program, children will do “field” work to discover the life of a plant from seed to flower. They’ll even set up an experiment to bring home with them.

Sunday, May 18
Meet Our Birds of Prey...Up Close!
10:00 – 11:15 a.m.
At: Neale Woods Nature Center
Admission: Free for members/
regular admission for non-members
All ages

Trained volunteer raptor handlers will be outside by the raptor enclosures on nice days and just inside the building on those not-so-nice days. It’s a great opportunity to get an up close and personal look at our birds of prey!

Thursday, May 22
Silent Marsh Canoeing
7:00 - 8:30 p.m.
At: Wetlands Learning Center
Admission: Free for members/
Regular admission for non-members
Ages: 18 and up
Canoeing experience required.
Space is limited; call 731-3140 ext. 227 for reservations.

Join Teacher Naturalists Tad Leeper and Sharon Draper for an evening of canoeing on the Great Marsh. As you canoe silently through the marsh, you may experience the sightings of muskrat, beaver, great blue heron and
various waterfowl. Bull frogs and barred owls might serenade you along your path.


Saturday, May 31
Rock & Fossil Hunt, Quarry Field Trip
10:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Leave from Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Ages: 6 yrs to Adults; Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult
Admission: $15 FNA members / $20 non-members
Registration is required by May 10th. Call 731-3140, ext. 238.
Notes: Limited to 30 people. Thirteen people can ride in the FNA van; others are invited to carpool. Granola bars and water will be provided.

We will go to an inactive quarry to fossil hunt and learn about the ancient rocks exposed there. The rock layers are approximately 280 million years old and include rock deposited when parts of Nebraska lay below a shallow sea.

Wednesday, June 4
Wild Wednesdays: Frolicking Frogs
9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
At: Neale Woods Nature Center
Admission: $3 per member child /
$4 per non-member child / free for adults
Ages: 5 & under, accompanied by an adult
Information: Sara Krug, FNA Naturalist, 468-4124 or skrug@fontenelleforest.org

Wild Wednesdays provides children and their parents
with opportunities to share and discover the
wonders of nature. All materials are provided for
you to enjoy a unique outdoor experience.
Please join us for this informal, hands-on learning adventure!


Saturday, June 7
Nature Photography Class
9:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Fee: $15 if you register by June 5th/
$20 after June 5th
To register: 731-3140, ext. 227

Want to make the most of your scenic trip this summer? Nature photographer Pasquale “Pat” Mingarelli has photographed in many of our favorite national parks including Yellowstone, Zion, Rocky Mountain, and Glacier. He will teach from his experiences and extensive knowledge of nature photography. There are many beautiful things to photograph while traveling - learn how to bring some of that beauty home with you. See Pat’s website at www.wildheartphotography.com


Sunday, June 8th
A Walk in the Forest
2:00 – 3:30 p.m.
At: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Admission: Free for members /
regular admission for non-members
All ages welcome

Join Teacher Naturalist Mary Lou Alfieri on a walk in the forest. Walk, relax, and slowly take in the surrounding views - from the smallest plants to the tall trees and the mighty Mo. Bring your camera to capture the beauty.

Mark your calendars!
July 25th: One Nation concert - Members Only
July 26th: Adventures of the Past Free Day
Sept. 21st: Acorn Acres Grand Opening