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Spring/Summer
2015
10 Enrichment Activities for Nature Lovers
Molly Postlewait and Regina Wasson
Learning doesn’t stop at the end of the school day or when you
graduate. We continue to learn throughout our lives. The outdoors is
filled with educational opportunities whether you want to teach math
skills or biology. As naturalists, we’re always drawn in by the flowers
that are blooming and the tracks and signs left behind by the animals at
Ernie Miller Nature Park. Through your own creativity, you can use the
park to teach a variety of lessons. Below, we have listed activities you
can do at the park to extend your child’s learning.
Tracks
Newsletter
10. Work on math skills by counting the number of different types of
leaves found on the ground, then add and subtract them based on leaf
shapes or colors. Discuss differences, similarities, and categories.
9. Check our Little Cedar Creek’s water quality by using the
Volume 34, Issue 2
Inside this issue:
Featured Article….….…...1 & 2
Nature Center and
Other Programs…………3 &4
Mud Pies………….…………….4
macro-invertebrate chart to help identify animals and their tolerance to
pollution. Do periodic tests for change in the water’s
macro-invertebrates. Discuss factors of water quality such as: Where
does the water come from? Are there homes or shopping centers found
nearby? Where is the pollution coming from? Visit the nature center
for a water quality hand out to help you identify the animals you find.
8. Start a wildlife journal. Write down the animals you see and the
flowers in bloom. Visit the park all year long to observe seasonal
changes. What new discovery will you and your family find?
7. Observe insects on or undera log. Using a magnifying lens, find
their body segments and look for their compound eyes. Use your
observations to connect their lifecycles and discuss the way the log
decomposes.
6. Create an unnatural trail using recyclable items from home, allow the
children to count the number of unnatural things they find. Be sure to
collect all the items and discuss the things your child didn’t spot.
(continued on page 2)
(10 Enrichment Activities for Nature Lovers, continued from page 1)
5. Search for bird nests made in different styles. How were they made? What did the bird use to make the
nest? At home try to make your own nest using natural materials such as raffia, craft feathers, and mud or
clay. Remember the park is a preserve and all things in the park are protected by law.
4. Walk across a log, this helps to strengthen muscles and improve balance. Imagine the way a squirrel
scampers, a raccoon rambles, and a slow snail slinks across the log.
3. Explore the prairie and imagine what the settlers might have seen it. Kansas was a vast land with prairie as
far as the eye could see. Find a patch of prairie grass that is taller than your child height. The Big Bluestem
(turkey foot) is known to grow up to 8 feet tall.
2. Meet a tree! Blind fold one of your children and guide them to
a tree. Let them feel the tree’s trunk and base next, measure girth
of the tree using their arms. Walk your child back to the
starting spot and challenge him or her try to find their tree. More
than 20 tree species find a home in the Ernie Miller Nature {ark,
can you name 5?
1. Build a fort. Building forts improves spatial awareness,
cooperation, and engineering. We have areas that are perfect for
building your children’s secret hideout. Use only natural
materials to construct your fort: nylon and yarn string will not
biodegrade.
Ernie Miller Nature Park offers great opportunities to enrich your
child’s understanding of the natural world. Using all of your
child’s senses allows him or her to foster a stronger connection to
the outdoors. Studies have shown spending time in nature
reduces ADHD symptoms and the color green has a calming
effect on people. The park is ever changing with the cycles of
nature and through human activity.
WE WANT YOU . . . .
TO BE A VOLUNTEER!
BE PART OF THE FEW, THE
PROUD,
THE ERNIE MILLER PARK
VOLUNTEERS!
Training and support will be
provided.
Call Molly Postlewait
(913) 826-2804
for more information.
Page 2
T R A C KS
Nature Center Programs
SPECIAL EVENTS
Enchanted Fairytale Forest (All Ages)
Saturday, May 2, 10 am - Noon or 1 pm - 3 pm
Celebrate the Magic of Nature as we discover the hidden world of the wee folk and
friends, real and make believe. Follow the Pixie Path on a treasure hunt through the
forest. Don’t worry about the trolls as we search for the Dragon’s Cave. Let your
imagination go wild designing a fairy house and wand with the Green Fairy’s
repurposing supplies. Enjoy a sweet treat at the Tea Party. The Fairy Queen will tell
stories of magic and mischief. Live animals, music, and a trip through the Wish Tree
make for an enchanted day to remember. Park visitors can visit activity stations at their
leisure. For more information call (913) 764-7759. Advanced reservations required. In
case of inclement weather program will be in doors. ‘Visit www.jcprd.com or call
(913)831-3359 to register. 1 - 2 hr. event - $6 / $8 nonresident; including adults.
Bard Codes:
28172 5/2 Sat 10 am
28173 5/2 Sat 1 pm
Summer Amphitheater Programs
$3 per person, paid at site. All ages welcome, Under 2 free, Fridays, 7 pm, Programs last 45 min. to 1 hour.
During inclement weather or excessive heat, programs will
be held inside the Nature Center.
Stories Under the Stars: (June 5) - Enjoy old fashioned family fun with stories that will delight the young and
the young at heart. Join our park staff as we share stories of animal encounters, mysterious legends, and
tales to tickle your funny bone. All ages are welcome to experience in the wonder and
magic of storytelling.
Birds of Prey (June 12) - By day and by night, out of the sky flies a rodent’s nightmare,
the birds of prey. Join our interpretive staff as they show why rodents fear these great
birds. Using live birds, participants will see these magnificent raptors and their special
adaptations.
Snakes Alive (June 19) - Why is it that these creatures seem so terrifying? See
Kansas snakes as we explore the facts and fallacies of these legless wonders of the
natural world.
KANSAS SYMBOLS (June 26) - Celebrate our Kansas History! Learn about our natural state
representatives, the salamander, box turtle, bison, and more! We will examine our official state symbols and
visit with two live animals which represent our great state.
PREDATORS ON THE PROWL (July 10) - Lions, tigers, and bears - oh my! Discover
predators large and small that call Kansas home. Are there mountain lions or bears
here? Why are they important parts of healthy ecosystems? Learn the answers to
these questions and what to do if you encounter one of these magnificent creatures.
See and touch real wolf, coyote, bobcat, and bear fur. Examine skulls, teeth, and
tracks. Meet two live predators!
Bats! (July 17) - Explore the dark and mysterious world of Kansas Bats. Enjoy a
summer evening learning about these amazing and misunderstood flying mammals.
Discover how we benefit from them and how we can help protect them.
WILD PRAIRIES OF KANSAS (July 24) - Did you know one of the most endangered
ecosystems can be found here in Kansas? Many living things depend on the prairie.
Discover a few of the plants and animals that live in this amazing ecosystem and
meet a live animal. Find out how JCPRD helps protect our endangered prairies.
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 2
Page 3
SPECIAL EVENTS
Astronomy: A Trail of StardustThe Perseid Meteor Shower
(All Ages)
Friday, Aug. 14, 10 pm,
TimberRidge Adventure Center
Join us at the TimberRidge
Adventure Center for the chance
to see some of nature’s fireworks streak through
the sky and get a personal tour of the August
skies. There will be a 45-minute interpretive
program about the meteor shower and the fall
constellations followed by another 1¼ hour of on
your own star gazing. Please bring your own
blanket or chairs to sit on and bug spray. Feel
free to bring your own binoculars and star maps,
but they are not necessary. There will be a short
walk in the dark to reach our viewing location. A
treat will be provided. In case of rain or clouds
there will be a topic related indoor program.
Registration required. Recommended for children
ages 5 and older with a parent or guardian.
Earns JCPRD U Intellectual credit.1 - 2 hr. event
- $9 / $10 nonresidents Visit www.jcprd.com
or call (913)831-3359 to register.
Bar Code:
28187
8/14
Fri
10 pm
PRESCHOOL
Animal Tales
Wednesdays, 10:30
(Ages 2-6 with
Adult)
Visit the Nature
Center for stories,
songs, and surprises geared to
preschool children. Meet a
special animal friend each time.
All children must be
accompanied by an adult.
1-30 min. session $2 per person including
adults, paid at site.
5/6
5/20
6/3
6/17
7/8
7/22
Page 4
Hurray, it’s May
Busy Bees
Flower Power
Animal Signs
Cricket in the Grass
Creek Discovery
KC Passport to Adventure 2015
(All Ages)
Gather your family and start an adventure
with the Kansas City Passport to Adventure.
Pick up your 2015 Passport to Adventure
that you can take to area natural and
historical sites and get stamped each time.
For more information call (913) 764-7759 or
visit www.kcpassport.com. Once you have completed the
passport, turn it in to any participating site by October 31 to
receive a special prize. FREE
2015 Participating Sites:
Anita B. Gorman Discovery Center
Bean Stalk Gardens
Burr Oak Woods Conservation Nature Center
Ernie Miller Nature Center
F.L. Schlagle Library
Fort Osage Historic Landmark
Kemper Outdoor Education Center
Lakeside Nature Center
Legler Barn Museum
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historical Site
Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary
Missouri Town 1855
Oxford School House
Powell Gardens
Prairie Park Nature Center, Lawrence
Shawnee Town 1929 Museum
Thomas Hart Benton Home
Trailside Center
ADULT
YOUTH
Archery:
Beginning
(Ages 8-12)
At TimberRidge
Adventure Center
Experience the challenging sport
of archery in this coed class
designed for beginners. Safety,
basic fundamentals, techniques,
and equipment will be covered.
Participants will have practice
time to develop their skills.
Equipment is provided.
2 - 90 min. lessons - $29 / $31
nonresidents Preregistration
required. Visit www.jcprd.com
or call (913)831-3359
to register.
Bar Codes:
28112 July 7 & 9
6:30-8 pm
28113 July 14 & 16 6:30-8pm
Go Green: Rain Barrel
Workshop
(Ages 18 & Older)
April showers bring May flowers!
Save water and save money by
harvesting rain water from your
own rooftop with a rain barrel.
During this class participants will
construct their own rain barrel
and learn how to hook it up when
they get home. For more
information call Park Naturalist
Andrea Joslin at (913) 826-2806.
1 - 60 min. sessions - $45 / $50
nonresidents. Preregistration
required. Visit www.jcprd.com or
call (913)831-3359 to register.
Bar Code:
28852 5/9
Sat 9:30 am
T R A C KS
Mud Pies
Nature activities for children
By Andrea Joslin, Park Naturalist
Get Outside! Enjoy Nature!
Games to Play in Nature
Put down the video games, and play games outside together! Get your exercise, experience nature, laugh,
and have fun at the same time. You never know what you might see while you’re hiding in the woods.
Camouflage:
Many animals can hide so well that you
can walk right by and not notice them.
How good are you at camouflaging?
Find a natural area that kids can hide in.
A prairie or forest works great. Make sure
you check out the area for hazards, like
poison ivy or thorny bushes, etc. Establish
clear
boundaries so that the kids know how far
you are comfortable with them going.
Also, let them know what the signal is for
them to come out of hiding. A whistle or
hooting like an owl are great loud signals.
Turn your back and count out loudly
allowing them 10-15 seconds to run and
hide. When you turn around, see if you
can spot them. If you see them call their name and they have to get up and return to you. Turn your back
again and count to 5. They have to move closer. Repeat the process one or two times. Last 1, 2 or 3 people
win.
Ambush:
This is a group hiding game. It can be played anywhere, but natural areas work great.
One group gets a 5 minute head start. On the way to their hiding spot they leave clues for the other group to
find them. Pieces of material or ribbon will do the trick. The other group then follows the clues and collects
any ribbons or material on the way. First group to see the other group and yell ambush wins. Normally, the
hiding group must see 2 people from the other group pass them, the seeking group must just see two people.
There are many variations in the rules, do what works for you.
Use Caution:
Be aware that this is the season for ticks, chiggers, snakes, and poison ivy. Make sure that you have kids
spray with bug spray before playing these games and check for ticks after and that night. Teach kids to look
before they sit down or put their hands on the ground.
Adults in the group should learn how to spot poison ivy: remember leaves of three leave them be!
VOLUME 34, ISSUE 2
Page 5
Ernie Miller Nature Park
Directions
(At the intersection of
127th and Hwy 7)
Hours
Monday—Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday
1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Summer hrs. run from April 1 to Oct. 31
Gift Shop closes at 4:30 pm
Closed Sundays in June, July & August
Park trails open every day
dawn to dusk
ERNIE MILLER
N AT U R E C E N T E R
909 North Highway 7
Olathe, Kansas 66061
Phone: (913) 826-2800
http://www.erniemiller.com
http://www.jcprd.com
@JCPRDemncnature
Johnson County Park and Recreation
District does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, religion, age and handicapped
status in employment of the provision
of programs and services.
Nature Center Staff
Cindy Lawrence…Interpretive Assistant
Leon Gordon…….Park Supervisor
Bill McGowan…..Outdoor Education
Manager
Molly Postlewait…Sr. Park Naturalist
Andrea Joslin… Park Naturalist and
Tracks Editor
Regina Wasson… .Park Naturalist
Special Thank Yous
 Alice Beltsher and Friend for animal care supplies
and a Wal-mart gift card collected from a cookie exchange.

Owen Garret’s (pictured right) and Liam Sewell’s (pictured
below) Birthday Parties. Rather than gifts, their guests brought
donations for the animals.


Vern Serls for donating dried corn
Whole Foods (119th St. Overland Park) for donating coffee
for our Coffee with the Birds program and various
other special events.

Arbor Creek Veterinary Care for providing veterinary care for
animals at the Nature Center.
 Go Lizards (Bonner Springs) for
continuing to donate crickets for animal care.

Price Chopper (HWY 7 in Olathe) for continuing to donate
produce for animal care.
If you would like to make a donation, please contact the nature center at (913) 826-2800.