Bird Walks

Saturday, December 8, 8-10 am - Darlena Graham
Saturday, December 22, 8-10 am - Mike Kravitz
Saturday, January 12, 8-10 am - Bill Stanley
Saturday, January 26, 8-10 am - Steve Bobonick
Saturday, February 9, 8-10 am - Dave Helm 
Saturday, February 23, 8-10 am - Bill McGill

This is the perfect time to begin to sharpen existing birding skills as the leaves are off the trees and birds are easier to find! Join our friendly group and dress to be outdoors for a couple of hours. Beginners welcome. Meet in the main parking lot at 8 am.  Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Taste of Nature - Chestnuts

Wednesday, December 12, 6:30-8 pm - SOLD OUT

Before a blight wiped them out nearly a century ago, American chestnut trees once dominated the eastern half of the U.S., providing rot-resistant wood, as well as edible nuts that fed animals and people. We’ll touch on the ecological significance of this tree, as well as efforts to reintroduce the species. Then we’ll savor some unique chestnut creations from our caterer, Elegant Fare. Meet in the Krippendorf Lodge. Preregistration required. Members $15; nonmembers $21.

Christmas Bird Count

Sunday, December 30, 8 am-12 pm

Shake off the holiday humbug as you head outdoors for the nation’s longest-running citizen science bird project. You will be part of a team that counts every bird seen, so the more eyes, the better! No experience necessary, just dress to be outdoors for an extended period of time.  Bring your binoculars and meet in the Rowe Visitor Center Pine Room. Preregistration required. Free

Winter Travel Series

Join us as we escape the winter doldrums and head to adventurous places. Registration encouraged so we can notify you of any weather concerns. Meet in the Rowe Visitor Center auditorium. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Arc of Appalachia Preserve System: Connecting our Backyard Forest with the Entire World

Sunday, January 6, 2-3:30 pm

Andrea Jaeger of the Arc of Appalachia Preserve System.

Life and Trails at the Edge of Appalachia Preserve

Sunday, January 13, 2-3:30 pm

Chris Bedel is Preserve Director of Edge of Appalachia Preserve System.

Embracing the Cold

Sunday, January 20, 2-3:30 pm

Bryan Wolf, co-owner at Roads Rivers and Trails Adventure Outfitter.

A Thru-hiker’s Journey: A 2013 Thru-hike of the North Country Trail

Sunday, January 27, 2-3:30 pm

Luke Jordan, Recreation Planner for the National Park Service.

Cooking with Maple for Adults: Maple Toffee and Maple Caramel

Saturday, January 26, 2-4 pm
Sunday, February 3, 2-4 pm

We’ll start by transforming fresh maple syrup into maple sugar. From there, this participatory class will create two maple treats: maple toffee with dark chocolate and nuts and salted maple caramel. Bring your apron and come prepared to stir. Participants will take home some of our delicacies. Meet in the kitchen of Krippendorf Lodge. Appropriate for adults or interested youth age 10 and up with a parent. Preregistration required. Members $15; non-members $24 (includes daily admission).

Woodcock Walk

TBA

Sometime in late February early March, as dusk falls, join us in the fields of the Nature Center to discover this secretive game bird and see its extraordinary mating ritual. If interested, go to our website and register to be on the notification list. When the time looks right, we will email you 24-48 hours ahead. Free; nonmembers pay daily admission.

Certified Interpretive Guide Training Course - January 2019

January 29 - February 1, 8:30 am-5 pm
July 16-19, 2019, 8:30 am-5 pm

Join certified interpretive trainer Jason Neumann for a four-day course about techniques and tips for effectively interpreting information to lay people in a way that is personally relevant and engaging. If you work for, or hope to work for, a nature center, museum or other organization where docents and guides are used, this training may be for you. Also relevant for high school and college professors who want to better inspire and engage their students. Curriculum, certification, and registration are through National Association for Interpretation (NAI). This course will meet on consecutive days January 29 through February 1, 2019 from 8:30 am until 5 pm.

Conservation Starters: Build Your Own Birdhouse for Chickadees or House Wrens

Wednesday, February 6, 6:30-8 pm

Learn the basics of how to provide nesting spaces for birds in this fun, hands-on class. We’ll spend part of our evening exploring the fundamentals of bird habitat spaces in your yard. Following our discussion, we will construct your own bird house to take home! This class is geared for adults, but children over 10 with an interest in birding are welcome to attend with their adult caregiver. Preregistration required. Members $12; nonmembers $21.

Back to Basics: Pine Trees 101

Saturday, February 9, 3-4:30 pm

Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy the beauty of evergreen trees! Join us for this introductory class on the natural history of conifers, which will include a slow paced hike to explore and identify our local trees.  Preregistration required. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

The Truth About Coyotes

Sunday, February 10, 2-3:30 pm

Coyotes elicit an emotional response from many people, and often the facts are blurred with myth. Nobody is better qualified to deliver scientifically accurate information about these canines than Dr. Stan Gehrt. Dr. Gehrt is intimately familiar with the lives of urban coyotes as a result of his 18 year experience as Principal Investigator of the Chicago Coyote Project.  He is an international expert of urban wildlife, and his research has been featured in numerous print, radio, and television outlets. Members $5; nonmembers $14 (includes daily admission).

Couples’ Date Night–A Maple Evening in the Sugarbush

Saturday, February 16, 7-9 pm
Saturday, February 23, 7-9 pm

Love is in the maple-scented air at Rowe Woods! Join us for this sweet, behind-the-scenes look at all things maple. Walk hand in hand to the sugarbush under the soft light of a lantern while enjoying a maple historical talk. Marvel at the glowing hot rocks used in ancient rock boiling while sharing a savory maple hors d'oeuvre. Learn how maple toffee is made while sipping on maple cocktails and discover which cheeses pair well with maple syrup while inhaling the steam in the sugarhouse.  This tour combines the historical and modern day production of maple syrup with maple-related dishes and beverages. Members $35 per couple; nonmembers $50 per couple.