 |
 |
 |
 |
Building
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Spring Creek Prairie offers a wide range of programs for the general public and specialty groups (public and private schools, day cares, camps, adult organizations) throughout the year. The highlight is our annual prairie festival, Twilight on the Tallgrass, which is held every September to celebrate the majesty of the tallgrass prairie. Information about our public programs can also be found in our newsletter, The Prairie Sage. Public Programs
WOMEN AT THE SPRINGClass sizes are limited. Registration is required unless noted otherwise. Call 797-2301 to reserve your space. Payments (cash, check, credit card) accepted on day of class. Saturday, October 3 3:00 to 9:00 p.m. A series of integrated workshops created to empower women by connecting them to the prairie through the study of its history, the role of women then and now, and how visual and performing arts within the natural habitat strengthen and guide women. SPARROW SEARCH Saturday, October 17 8:30-11:00 a.m. $6/person Twenty species of native sparrows have been identified at Spring Creek Prairie, and fall is a great time to see many of them on their southward migration. These brown birds are often overlooked, as they can be confusing and frustrating to identify. But an experienced guide will be on hand to help sort the different species. There will be a bit of hiking along the trails to find these elusive birds, so wear good shoes and be prepared for wet trails. Binoculars and field guides will be available for those who forget their own. Children must be accompanied by an adult. LATE OCTOBER EVENING WALKABOUT Saturday, October 24 6:00-8:00 p.m. $6/person. This evening walkabout offers an opportunity to say farewell to the warm nights of summer and welcome the seasonal changes that ease us into winter. Watching the setting of the sun in the cool October sky from atop the beautiful rolling prairie hills will allow eyes to gradually grow accustomed to the dark. With specially covered flashlights, we’ll make our way around the trails while listening for coyotes and owls or catching a glimpse of shadowy forms coming to the water’s edge. Participants should dress for cool weather. Warm cider, a campfire, and s’mores will top off the evening. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Preregistration is required by October 23. PAPERMAKING 101 Saturday, November 14 2:00-4:30 p.m. $10/person. Just in time to help green up your holidays. Learn how to use recycled ingredients to create interesting papers that will add a personal touch to handmade greeting cards, gift tags, and ornaments. Use simple tools and techniques to explore the versatility of handmade paper pulp. It’s a fun opportunity to play with an inexpensive, easy-to-work-with medium while creating unique paper art. A great activity for all ages; children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult.All supplies and materials will be furnished. Register by November 12. AUTUMN BIRD HIKE Saturday, November 21 9:00-11:00 a.m. $6/person The summer birds will be gone in the fall, but they will be replaced by species that will spend the winter here. Take a walk on the trails with an experienced guide to find such birds as Harris’s sparrow, red-breasted nuthatch, American tree sparrow, and others. Extra binoculars and field guides will be available. Trails may be wet, so bring appropriate clothes and footwear. Children must be accompanied by an adult. HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE Sunday, December 6 1:00-5:00 p.m. Free admissionTake a break from "mall madness" and spend a relaxing hour or two with us. Take a stroll along the prairie trails or simply enjoy a cup of hot cider or coffee while you listen to live music and leisurely browse our gift shop for nature-related books, toys, and T-shirts for those young and young-at-heart naturalists on your holiday gift list. Family and individual memberships to Spring Creek Prairie make great gifts. A trip to the prairie will make your holidays and the holidays for those near and dear a whole lot brighter. Download a school field trip brochure. (PDF file) Volunteer Discovery Leaders Wanted: We are looking for people who want to lead students of all ages on field trips to Spring Creek Prairie. Learn more here. Imagine your students learning about Nebraska's natural heritage while exploring one of its most beautiful tallgrass prairies. Spring Creek Prairie has nearly 650 acres of native tallgrass prairie, as well as wetlands, ponds, streams, springs, and bur oak woodlands. Evidence of a rich human history connects the landscape to its past inhabitants (Native Americans, European immigrants, and ranchers). See mid-19th-century wagon ruts from the Nebraska City-Ft. Kearny Cutoff to the Oregon Trail. There are abundant opportunities to experience and learn. Topics include (but are not limited to): 
Animals and Habitats: Students will explore and compare diverse habitats — prairie, streams, ponds, wetlands, and woodlands.
(Meets Lincoln Public Schools First Grade Science Animals and Habitats objectives.)Prairie Explorers: Students will explore the tallgrass prairie and make discoveries about our natural and human history. (Meets Lincoln Public Schools Fourth Grade Science Prairie objectives and can incorporate Nebraska History objectives.) Prairie Waterworks: Become immersed in and learn about prairie springs, streams, and wetlands. (Meets Lincoln Public Schools Fifth Grade Science Wetlands objectives.)  By
incorporating a multi-disciplinary approach and hands-on activities, students are encouraged to make their own discoveries about
Nebraska's natural history. Programs can be individualized to meet particular grade-level objectives, and can be introductions or
follow-ups to classroom study.
Fee is $3/student per program. (One adult sponsor admitted free with every ten students.) Visits can be scheduled for any day of the school year and can last from two to six hours (students need to bring their own lunches; picnic areas available). Classes will be divided into small groups, each led by a staff member or volunteer naturalist. For more information or to schedule your group, call (402) 797-2301 or e-mail us. |
|
|
Copyright 2006 by Audubon Nebraska, National Audubon Society, Inc. All rights reserved.