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Program
Schedule
April-May
2015
32750Eagle
Eagle River
RoadNature
River
Eagle River, AK 99577
(907) 694-2108 www.ernc.org
Building
Hours
:
Center SPRING
Program
Schedule
Friday, April 3, 11am
KNEEHI NATURALIST (Registration req’d)
Today’s theme is IS IT SPRING YET? This nature-based
program is designed for preschoolers aged 2-5 together
with a parent. Dress for the outdoors. Limited to 10
children registered at 694-2108. Note: Kneehi meets
every 1st and 3rd week, alternating with Little Explorers.
Saturday, April 4, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
SPRING SCAVANGER HUNT
Is it Spring yet? Dress for the weather and join us on an
approximately 1-mile exploratory walk to look for signs of
Mother Nature walking up from her winter slumber.
April: Friday through Sunday, 10am-5pm
May: Wednesday through Sunday, 10am-5pm
Saturday, April 18, 2pm
Guided Hike (Registration required)
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKE
Join us for an approximately 1-2 mile hike on Nature
Center trails. Limited to the first 12 people (all ages) who
register at 694-2108.
Note: The Nature Center will close at 3pm today.
Easter Sunday, April 5, 2pm
CLOSED Trails are always open.
Friday, April 10, 11am
Guided Walk for Families
LITTLE EXPLORERS
Join us for a short (<1 mile) walk to explore
nature at the pace of a preschooler. Bring a
snack or sack lunch to eat with new friends
after the walk. No registration is needed.
Saturday, April 11, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (Registration req’d)
BOTTLE GARDENS
Just can’t wait until green-up? Come and plant a “bottle
garden” or terrarium to get a head start. Bring a widemouthed jar; all other materials will be provided. Indoor
program. Limited to 10 children registered at 694-2108.
Sunday, April 12, 2pm
AURORA: THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AT PLAY
Veteran Aurora photographer Dave Parkhurst has
chased Alaska’s finest auroral displays since 1980. Come
see his powerful images and hear about aurora history,
science, myth, and cold fingers.
Friday, April 17, 11am
KNEEHI NATURALIST (Registration required)
Today’s theme is DIRT AND WORMS (see program
description on April 3rd).
www.ernc.org
Friends of Eagle River Nature Center
SPRING Auction
Saturday, April 18, 2015
5:30-9:00 pm
Bridge Seafood Restaurant
221 W. Ship Creek Avenue, Anchorage
$50/person (tables for 4 and 8 available)
Sunday, April 19, 2pm
LIVING IN BEAR COUNTRY
Do you worry about hiking, running or camping in bear
country? Are you considering keeping chickens or other
livestock in your backyard? Tony Carnahan of the Alaska
Department of Fish and Game will discuss ways to stay
safe and how to avoid attracting bears.
Friday, April 24, 11am
Guided Walk for Families with Preschoolers
LITTLE EXPLORERS (see description April 10th)
Saturday, April 25, 2pm
INCH BY INCH Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
Kids -- do you want to grow a garden this summer?
Patrick Ryan of the Alaska Botanical Garden leads
some fun-filled activities for kids to learn about gardening.
(907) 694-2108
Sunday, April 26, 2pm
WORM COMPOSTING
Interested in turning your kitchen waste into compost for
your garden? Learn the basics of keeping a worm box
with Sandy Christenson of wormsandstuff.com. She will
also have red wiggler worms and bins for sale.
Friday, May 1, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST (Registration req’d)
Today’s theme is BIRDS (see description April 3rd).
Saturday, May 2, 2pm
BIRD NESTS Jr. Naturalist Program (k-6th)
Soon it will be time for birds to lay eggs, but first they need
to build nests. Let’s explore nest-making and go on a walk
to find good nesting habitats and materials along the
Rodak Trail (3/4 mile walk).
Sunday, May 3, 2pm
NATIVE PLANTS FOR GARDENING
Alaska wildflower expert, Verna Pratt, will share tips on
which native plants work well for incorporating into your
garden this coming summer. Indoor program.
Friday, May 8, 11am
Guided Walk for Families with Preschoolers
LITTLE EXPLORERS (see description April 10th).
Saturday, May 9, 2pm
Guided Hike (Registration required)
FAMILY-FRIENDLY HIKE
This Mother’s Day weekend, how about taking the family
on a 3-mile hike and picnic on the gravel bar along the
Eagle River? We’ll provide the fixings for s’mores. Limited
to the first 12 people who register at 694-2108.
Sunday, May 10, 2-4pm
MOTHER’S DAY WITH THE BIRDS All-Ages
Bring the whole family! The Bird Treatment and
Learning Center is bringing a variety of live education
birds, from raptors to songbirds, for you to meet close-up.
Friday, May 15, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST (Registration req’d)
Today’s theme is SEEDLINGS (see description April 3rd).
Saturday, May 16, 10am-2pm
Special Workshop (Registration required)
ALASKA WILDERNESS SAFETY CHALLENGE
Do you enjoy exploring the Alaska wilderness? Do you
know what to do if something goes wrong? The North
America Oudoor Institute, NAOI, teaches wilderness
safety skills every Alaskan should know: from snow safety
to fire starting & shelter building, knots, navigation, flora &
fauna, wilderness first aid, water safety and more. This
interactive program is ideal for families and individuals of all
ages. Youth under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Space
is limited. Register at www.naoiak.org.
Saturday, May 16, 2pm
All-Ages Program SPRING GREENS
Let’s explore what’s growing along the Rodak Trail (3/4
mile walk) and learn what plants to avoid.
Sunday, May 17, 2pm
NATURE JOURNALING (Registration req’d)
Learn to use a nature journal to
slow down, observe, and connect
with the natural world around
you. Naturalist Giselle
Bergeron shares her passion for
observing, sketching, and writing
and will guide you in some helpful
exercises. Bring a non-lined journal
and dress for going outdoors.
Limited to the first 15 people (ages
15 and up) registered at 694-2108.
Friday, May 22, 11am
Guided Walk for Families
with Preschoolers
LITTLE EXPLORERS (see description April 10th).
Saturday, May 23, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
MOOSE AND BEAR SAFETY FOR FAMILIES
We’re lucky to share the Alaskan outdoors with many wild
animals. Learn to stay safe by becoming “Moose Aware”
and “Bear Aware”. Our naturalist will teach families with
children how to safely recreate in Alaska.
Sunday, May 24, 2pm
MORELS: SPRING MUSHROOMS
Mushroom enthusiasts Diane Pleninger
and Chris Maack will teach you how to
identify and distinguish the edible and
tasty morel from the false morel. They will
also cover are mushroom collecting
techniques and etiquette. After the
program, join us for a 2-3 mile mushroom
foray, which is limited to the first 20 people
who register at 694-2108 (walk only; program
is open to all).
Friday, May 29, 11am
Guided Walk for Families with Preschoolers
LITTLE EXPLORERS (see description April 10th).
Saturday, May 30, 2pm
Jr. Naturalist Program (K-6th)
CREEK CRITTERS (Registration req’d)
What lives in our creeks? Let’s grab some nets
to catch and release macro-invertebrates such
as caddisfly and mayfly larvae. Optional: bring
rubber boots and dress for messy exploration. 1 mile
walk. Limited to 10 children registered at 694-2108.
Sunday, May 31, 2pm
Guided Walk (Registration required)
NATIVE MEDICINAL PLANTS WALK
Plant specialist Shelley Plumb teaches identification and
awareness of native plants for edible and medicinal uses,
along with the importance of using traditional ways for
harvesting and learning the language of the plants.
Involves 1-2miles walking on Nature Center trails. Limited
to 20 people (ages 12 and up) registered at 694-2108.
www.ernc.org
All programs are free (unless otherwise noted); $5 parking for non-members.