Woodlands Nature Station Spring 2019

Calendar of Programs

3146 Silver Trail Road, Cadiz, KY 42211 | 270-924-2299

Theme Program Special Event Woodlands Nature Station Open 10am–5pm, Wed.–Sun. in March, daily in April & May.

Last ticket sold at 4:30pm. An outdoor adventure awaits you at the Nature Station! Experience the thrill of spotting native plants and animals in the wild. Attend one of our many live animal programs and enjoy a close encounter with wildlife ambassadors such as turtles, wolves and birds of prey. Relax amidst the beauty of our backyard, including ponds and gardens visited by native songbirds, hummingbirds and butterflies. Bring the whole family and introduce the kids to the wonders of the natural world found in Land Between the Lakes. Join us for staff-led hikes, wildlife-viewing trips and other educational and entertaining programs. You can also explore on your own one of the many loop hiking trails in the area. Call 270-924-2299 for detailed information. To make a reservation or schedule a group visit, call 270-924-2020. Adults $5; Ages 5-12 $3; Ages 4 & under free.

Daily Programs March-April

11:30am–12pm – Snake Feeding Sundays Sundays in March, April, and May, except May 26. Most of us enjoy a nice Sunday brunch and so do our snakes! In fact, Sunday brunch is their only meal of the week! Come watch as our rattlesnake, kingsnake, rat snake and more chow down their mouse-alicious meal. You’ll even get to meet one of the snakes up close! Bring your camera for a snake selfie!

Afternoon Animal Encounters 3:30pm Daily (Wed-Sun in March) Nature Station offers live animal programs featuring a different animal each weekday. Enjoy a closer look, and sometimes a chance to touch or help feed, as staff introduces you to one of our resident ambassadors. The schedule is:

Mondays (Apr & May Only) – Turtle Time! o Turtles are so cool! Some can live over 100 years, some can grow over 200 pounds and some are even

nocturnal! Join us to meet several turtles native to Land Between the Lakes, see what makes each one unique and even give them a pat on the shell!

Tuesdays (Apr & May Only) – Goodies for Groundhog O Come see Nature Station’s resident groundhog enjoy some of her favorite treats during chow time!

While we enjoy watching her munch on lunch, we’ll learn about groundhogs and how they survive as one of nature’s best burrowers!

Wednesdays – For Goodness Snakes o Have you ever touched a live snake? Here’s your chance! Meet several of our resident snakes as we

learn how these special creatures survive. We’ll also discuss how to be safe around snakes when we’re outside.

Thursdays – Dinnertime for Bald Eagle o Who rules the waters and skies over Land Between the Lakes? The bald eagle, of course! Visit with our

resident bald eagle at her dinnertime and discover her secrets of survival. Also find out about the successful bald eagle recovery project that brought this majestic bird back from the brink of extinction in this area.

Fridays – Help Us Feed the Deer! o It’s time to give the deer their daily treats, and you can help! Join us to feed the deer some of their

favorite fruits and veggies and learn more about these cautious creatures. This is the best time to get a good look at the Nature Station’s resident deer, since they often approach closely at feeding time.

Saturdays – Bites for Bobcat o Meet Nature Station’s resident wildcat! Learn about how bobcats live, how common they are in Land

Between the Lakes, and maybe even see Bobcat play with his food! He certainly gets excited about feeding time!

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Sundays – Sunday Funday: Animal Playtime o Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for one of Nature Station’s many resident animals!

Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

4:30pm Daily (Wed-Sun in March) – Parade of Raptors Come face-to-face with Nature Station’s resident owls and hawks as our staff introduces these birds to you up close before bringing them in to their night-time shelter.

Weekly Programs in March Sundays in March 2–2:30pm – Knee-High Naturalists Series Come discover nature with your young naturalist! Join us for a story, a craft and an up-close encounter with a live animal in a program designed especially for preschoolers. Each Sunday, the program will focus on a different topic: Sunday, March 3: Creatures of the Night Sunday, March 10: Camo Critters Sunday, March 17: Awesome Amphibians Sunday, March 24: Incredible Insects Sunday, March 31: Be a Turtle Hero

March 2019 Saturday, March 2 All Day – Dr. Seuss Day It’s opening weekend at the Nature Station! In celebration of Dr. Seuss’ birthday on March 2, we are dedicating our first open Saturday of the year entirely to his stories! Join us for a full day of fun Dr. Seuss themed programs where we read stories, meet animals, and of course, learn about nature!

11:30–12pm – Oh! The Places You’ll Go: Migration Miracles Animals migrate on foot and on wing. They travel quite far, an improbable thing. Some travel with friends in a great giant group, while others like taking a more lonesome route. The eagles and kestrels, the small butterflies: they’re migrators, too, but not everyone flies! Come out here and meet them! We have one or two. Come learn about all of the things that they do!

1:00–1:30pm – The Lorax Puppet Show What was the Lorax, and why was it there? Why was he lifted and taken somewhere? Just ask the Onceler. He’ll tell you where the Truffula tufts were cut without care. And of the making of Thneeds, and of Brown Barbaloots, that frisked about in their Barbaloot suits. And the Lorax, a creature who spoke for the trees; will the old Onceler learn what we all really need?

2:30–3pm – Yertle the Turtle: A Turtle Program Come and discover what turtles can do! We’ll read a fun story, and make a craft, too. Not only that, you’ll meet a new friend! We have a real turtle you’ll see at the end. Yertle the Turtle, oh marvelous he, was king of the pond and all he could see. He couldn’t see much. His throne was too small. So he said to himself, “I must become tall!” There’s more to the story, it takes quite a turn! Come listen to what our friend Yertle might learn!

3:30–4pm – The Cat in the Hat The sun may shine, or it’s never too wet to play, come join our bobcat on this awesome day! We’ve got some great tricks for Nature Station’s favorite cat: we might give him a toy, perhaps even a hat! There’s no telling what our bobcat will do, so come check out this program made especially for you!

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Sunday, March 3 2–2:30pm – Knee-High Naturalists: Creatures of the Night Come discover nature with your young naturalist! This week’s theme is Creatures of the Night! Join a naturalist as you read a story, learn what different animals live in the dark, do a craft, and even meet a live nocturnal critter in this program designed especially for preschoolers! Join us each Sunday in March for a different topic: Sunday, March 3: Creatures of the Night Sunday, March 10: Camo Critters Sunday, March 17: Awesome Amphibians Sunday, March 24: Incredible Insects Sunday, March 31: Be a Turtle Hero

3:30pm-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Opossum Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for Opossum! Watch as she reacts to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Saturday, March 9 11:30am–12:15pm – New to the Neighborhood WHAT is THAT?! Armadillos, alligator gar, and fire ants are just a few new critters that are now found in Land Between the Lakes! Discover the new species (for better or worse) that now call Land Between the Lakes home!

2pm–2:30pm – Wolves vs. Coyotes All animals are amazing, but have you ever wondered how they measure up to each other? Get an up-close look at our resident wildlife and compare the strength, agility, and special abilities of wolves and coyotes!

Sunday, March 10 11am-2pm – Spring Forward Origami Frog Craft Time has sprung forward! Celebrate by making your very own springy, jumpy, paper frog!

2–2:30pm – Knee-High Naturalists: Camo Critters Come discover nature with your young naturalist! This week’s theme is Camo Critters! Join a naturalist as you hear a story about some animals are experts at hide-and-seek, make a craft, and even meet one of our live camouflage critters in this program designed specifically for preschoolers! Join us each Sunday in March for a different topic. Sunday, March 17: Awesome Amphibians Sunday, March 24: Incredible Insects Sunday, March 31: Be a Turtle Hero

3:30pm-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Coyote Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our coyotes! Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Saturday, March 16

11:30–12:15pm – March Madness: Kentucky’s Real Wildcat Whether you root for the Cats or the Cards, you won’t want to miss March Madness at the Nature Station! Meet our resident bobcat and discover why this animal makes such a great mascot. Would bobcats also make good basketball players? Find out, and see how your skills like running and jumping compare to our bobcat’s. Also, in the spirit of the season, bobcat will get to play with his very own basketball!

1:30–3pm – Fairy Houses & Leprechaun Lairs With tomorrow being St. Patrick’s Day, our forest is already enchanted with fairies and leprechauns! Join us for a reading of Fairy Houses, a popular children’s book. Then we’ll go to a special spot in the woods to gather natural materials and build little houses for our fairy and leprechaun neighbors. As we gather and build, we’ll explore the fascinating forest habitat!

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Sunday, March 17 2–2:30pm – Knee-High Naturalists: Awesome Amphibians Come discover nature with your young naturalist! This week’s theme is Awesome Amphibians! Join a naturalist for a story all about these water-loving critters, make a craft, and even have an up-close encounter with one of our resident frogs or salamanders in this program designed especially for preschoolers! Join us each Sunday in March for a different topic. Sunday, March 24: Incredible Insects Sunday, March 31: Be a Turtle Hero

3:30pm-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: St. Patty’s Day Feast Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for all our animals! Watch as some of our resident animals celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style as we see how many green foods we can pile on a plate to feed them! The deer call dibs on any basket that smells like lettuce!

Saturday, March 23 10am–3pm – Girl Scout Day Calling all Girl Scouts! Join us for our 10th annual Girl Scout Day at the Nature Station! This year is Camping Adventures Day! Let’s work on our camping badges! We’ll do activities such as knot-tying, Leave-No-Trace, outdoor cooking and survival, and more! Learn some new skills and start planning your next camping trip. Our family-friendly programs and activities will help fulfill Girl Scout camping badge requirements for Daisies, Brownies, Juniors and Cadettes. However, EVERYONE is welcome, so bring a friend! Don’t forget your SWAPs! Due to the variety of activities and programs, we recommend a 3-hour visit. Bring a lunch and make a day of it! Seniors and Ambassadors, come earn service hours by volunteering for the day, and help inspire younger scouts. Contact Monica West at 20-924-2299 to volunteer or for questions. A detailed list of badge and requirements covered will be available by March 1.

Sunday, March 24 2–2:30pm – Knee-High Naturalists: Incredible Insects Come discover nature with your young naturalist! This week’s theme is Incredible Insects! Join a naturalist for a story where you learn what makes something an insect, make a craft, and even have an up-close encounter with live bugs in this program designed especially for preschoolers! Sunday, March 31: Be a Turtle Hero

3:30pm-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Deer and Turkey Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our deer and turkeys! Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Saturday, March 30 Harry Potter Appreciation Day Hey Harry Potter fans! Grab your portkey and transport to the magical wizarding world of Woodlands Nature Station! For one day only, the Nature Station has transformed into our own Hogwarts School of Wizardry! Wear your favorite house colors or robes as visiting "professors" give lessons on Fantastic Beasts, Potions, Herbology, Wand-making, and much more! Check out the full schedule below and remember to stick around for our Afternoon Animal Encounters at 3:30pm and Parade of Raptors at 4:30pm! Bring a picnic lunch, go for a nature hike and make a day of it!

10am-4pm –Seeker of the Snitch The Golden Snitch is flitting around somewhere in the backyard! Brush-up on your seeker skills and see if you can find it! When you find it, snap a photo and report back to the Quidditch Referee for a prize!

10am-4pm – The Triwizard Tournament Training Course Think you have what it takes to compete in the Triwizard Tournament? Test your skills in this rigorous training course, available one day only! Test your magical ability, intelligence and courage to see if you could handle the real deal!

11am-4pm –Make Your Own Wand Expelliarmus! Let’s have some fun and create our own magic wands using native wood and natural materials! Turn an ordinary stick into a wand with a little crafty magic!

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11am-4pm – Potions Turn to page 394! Attend this year’s Potions demonstration and take home a “potion” sample of your very own! Which will you make? Felix Felicis for luck? Amortentia for love? Polyjuice potion for trickery? You decide!

11:00-12:30pm – Fantastic Beasts of LBL and Where to Find Them Hike Join guest instructor “Mudpuppy Scamander” (distant relative of the famous Newt) in learning how to find the fantastic beasts that live deep in the woods and waters in Land Between the Lakes. Go on a ½ mile hike to check out a variety of habitats and see if you can locate any fantastic beasts’ homes!

12pm-2pm – Herbology Plants are truly magical! Using just sunlight, water and soil they create energy, grow and make beautiful flowers! Join Professor Gillyweed to learn what plants need to grow and plant your own niffler-attracting mariGOLD!

12:30pm-1:15pm – Outstanding O.W.L.s Its time to earn your O.W.L. (Ordinary Wizarding Level) in owls! Test your owlish knowledge with a fun game and see if you earn an Outstanding, Exceeds Expectations or Troll!

1:30-2:15pm – Defense Against the Dark Arts Aspiring wizards need to know practical techniques of defending themselves against dark charms, creatures, and spells. We will study how some of the fantastic beasts of Land Between the Lakes defend themselves using tricks such as camouflage, poison and mimicry, and how we can use their methods in our magical adventures!

2:30-3:15pm – Care of Magical Creatures How do you care for an owl? What do bowtruckles eat? These topics and more will be covered in your very first Care of Magical Creatures class! In this course, we will learn about magical creatures from the world of Harry Potter and also how to care for creatures from our world. Hippogriffs not included (advanced classes only).

Sunday, March 31 – Sunday, April 7 Nature to the Rescue: A SUPER Spring Break at Nature Station Hey parents and grandparents! Looking for fun activities to do during your children’s Spring Break? Do your kids like Spiderman, the Avengers, Justice League or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Did you know that some animals have a lot in common with our favorite superheroes? Come out to Nature Station as we have fun exploring why Owls are the X-men of the sky, who guards our greenery and even learn how to be a superhero for wildlife! Plus, don’t forget about our daily Animal Encounters programs at 3:30pm and Parade of Raptors at 4:30pm. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a nature hike while you’re here, and make a day of it!

Sun, March 31 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize!

All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies Booth. Use our props to dress up, pose and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo!

11:30am-12:00pm – The Just-hiss League Its feeding time! Meet the snakes, one of the most awesome superhero teams of nature! They might not be as photogenic as Superman, Wonder Woman, or Batman, but snakes have some awesome super powers of their own! Get up close with several members of the “Just-hiss League” and find out what makes these often-feared creatures a truly terrific force of nature!

3:30pm-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Courageous Coyotes Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our coyotes! Coyotes are very cautious creatures, so watch as they muster the courage to interact with an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy! Also learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

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Sunday, March 31 2–2:30pm – Knee-High Naturalists: Be a Turtle Hero! Come discover nature with your young naturalist! This week’s theme is Be a Turtle Hero! Join a naturalist for a story about a turtle, make a craft, learn how you can help wild turtles you find, and even have an up-close encounter with one of our own box turtles in this program designed especially for preschoolers!

April 2019 Daily Programs 11:30am–12pm – Snake Feeding Sundays Sundays in March, April, and May, except May 26. Most of us enjoy a nice Sunday brunch and so do our snakes! In fact, Sunday brunch is their only meal of the week! Come watch as our rattlesnake, kingsnake, rat snake and more chow down their mouse-alicious meal. You’ll even get to meet one of the snakes up close! Bring your camera for a snake selfie!

Afternoon Animal Encounters 3:30pm Daily Nature Station offers live animal programs featuring a different animal each weekday. Enjoy a closer look, and sometimes a chance to touch or help feed, as staff introduces you to one of our resident ambassadors. The schedule is:

Mondays – Turtle Time! Turtles are so cool! Some can live over 100 years, some can grow over 200 pounds and some are even nocturnal! Join us to meet several turtles native to Land Between the Lakes, see what makes each one unique, and even give them a pat on the shell!

Tuesdays – Goodies for Groundhog Come see Nature Station’s resident groundhog eat some of her favorite treats during chow time! While we enjoy watching her munch on lunch, we’ll learn about groundhogs and how they survive as one of nature’s best burrowers!

Wednesdays – For Goodness Snakes Have you ever touched a live snake? Here’s your chance! Meet several of our resident snakes as we learn how these special creatures survive. We’ll also discuss how to be safe around snakes when we’re outside.

Thursdays – Dinnertime for Bald Eagle Who rules the waters and skies over Land Between the Lakes? The bald eagle, of course! Visit with our resident bald eagle at her dinnertime and discover her secrets of survival. Also find out about the successful bald eagle recovery project that brought this majestic bird back from the brink of extinction in this area.

Fridays – Help Us Feed the Deer! It’s time to give the deer their daily treats and you can help! Join us to feed the deer some of their favorite fruits and veggies and learn more about these cautious creatures. This is the best time to get a good look at the Nature Station’s resident deer, since they often approach closely at feeding time.

Saturdays – Bites for Bobcat Meet Nature Station’s resident wildcat! Learn about how bobcats live, how common they are in Land Between the Lakes and maybe even see Bobcat play with his food! He certainly gets excited about feeding time!

Sundays – Sunday Funday: Animal Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for one of Nature Station’s many resident animals! Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

4:30pm Daily – Parade of Raptors Come face-to-face with Nature Station’s resident owls and hawks as our staff introduces these birds to you up close before bringing them in to their night-time shelter.

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April is Homeschoolers Month at Nature Station Calling all home educating families! We invite you to visit Woodlands Nature Station during April and use the outdoors as your classroom. You can pick up a “Nature Discovery Activity Book” at Nature Station and use it to guide you through a variety of exploration activities that will help you learn about nature through all sorts of subjects! Take advantage of special programs specifically geared for homeschoolers scheduled several times a week throughout the month. Stick around for our daily Afternoon Animal Encounters at 3:30pm and Parade of Raptors at 4:30pm. If you complete your activity book and attend at least 2 programs at Nature Station during April, you can earn your official Nature Discovery patch and certificate! Also join us for the 7th annual Homeschoolers Day at Nature Station on Friday, April 26. This year’s theme is: Mission: Earth!

Nature Discovery Self-Guided Activity Book: • Activity books and activities available at Nature Station daily from 10am-5pm.

Featured Homeschooler Programs: • Tuesday, April 2 – 11am –Fossil Discovery and Craft • Thursday, April 4 – 11am – Pioneer Skills: Natural Shelters, Edible Plants and More • Monday, April 8 – 11am – Iron Furnace History Walk • Wednesday, April 10 – 1pm-4pm - Be a Zookeeper (Reservations required. Call 270.924.2020) • Sunday, April 14 – 1pm-4pm - Be a Zookeeper: Master Class (Reservations required. Call 270.924.2020) • Tuesday, April 16 – 11am – Owl Pellet Dissection Lab • Thursday, April 18 – 11am – Homegrown Naturalists • Saturday, April 20 – 11am - What’s in a Name? Safari: Learning Animal Names in Different Languages • Sunday, April 21 – 2pm – The Habits of Rabbits • Monday, April 22 – 11am – Purple Martin Science Lab • Wednesday, April 24 – 11am – Pond Prowl and Exploration • Friday, April 26 – 10am-3pm – 7th Annual Homeschoolers Day at the Nature Station: Mission: Earth! • Saturday, April 27- 11am-12pm – Birding for Kids • Sunday, April 28 – 1:30pm – Cats vs. Dogs • Tuesday, April 30 – 1pm-4pm – Be a Zookeeper (Reservations required. Call 270.924.2020)

Monday, April 1 – Sunday, April 7 Nature to the Rescue: A SUPER Spring Break at Nature Station Hey parents and grandparents! Looking for fun activities to do during your children’s Spring Break? Do your kids like Spiderman, the Avengers, Justice League, or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles? Did you know that some animals have a lot in common with our favorite superheroes? Come out to Nature Station as we have fun exploring why Owls are the X-men of the sky, who guards our greenery, and even learn how to be a superhero for wildlife! Plus, don’t forget about our daily Animal Encounters programs at 3:30pm and Parade of Raptors at 4:30pm. Bring a picnic lunch, go for a nature hike while you’re here and make a day of it!

Monday, April 1 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search

Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize! All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth

Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies Booth. Use our props to dress up, pose and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo! 1:30-2:15pm – Who’s the Real Flash?

Barry Allen may be the fastest MAN alive, but what about the other animals? Long before Barry became the Flash, animals have been perfecting the art of speed. Come learn about some of nature’s fastest animals and meet some quick contenders that live closer to home. See if you can decide who’s the “real” Flash.

Tuesday, April 2 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search

Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize! All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth

Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies Booth. Use our props to dress up, pose and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo!

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1:30–2:15pm – Captain America: The Bald Eagle

The bald eagle and Captain America have a lot in common. They both symbolize freedom and liberty, they both possess amazing physical abilities and they both almost disappeared–Captain America after being frozen for years, and the bald eagle after being an endangered species. Join our own “Captain America” during dinnertime and learn about her patriotic powers and courageous comeback!

Wednesday, April 3 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search

Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize! All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth

Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies Booth. Use our props to dress up, pose and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo! 1:30-2:15pm – Bats: The Power Behind the Caped Crusader

Do bats give you the creeps? If so, you aren’t alone! Did you know that they used to scare Batman too? He now uses their stealthy night skills to fight crime with amazing gadgets that are inspired by these flying mammals. Come learn about these winged wonders, how Batman uses their crazy skills in his awesome gadgets, and how you can be a hero for bats!

Thursday, April 4 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search

Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize! All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth

Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies Booth. Use our props to dress up, pose and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo

1:30–2pm – Transformer Turkeys

They may not be the Autobots you know, but our turkeys can transform from a plain brown bird into a fierce feathered fiend! Join us as we learn more about our talented turkey Transformers, transform an audience member into a turkey, and give these gobbling guardians a lunchtime treat!

Friday, April 5 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search

Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize! All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth

Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies! Booth! Use our props to dress up, pose, and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo 1:30-2pm – The Nature Station Daredevil

She’s almost blind, but still has extraordinary powers. She creeps around at night, looking for trash cans to conquer. With her white, fluffy coat and skinless tail, she looks more like a giant rat than a superhero, but this marvelous mammal is more than meets the eye. Find out who our Daredevil is and what special skills she has up her sleeve (and pouch)!

Saturday, April 6 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search

Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize! All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth

Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies Booth. Use our props to dress up, pose and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo 11am-2pm – Superhero Mask Craft

Protect your secret identity while fighting crime with a handy mask designed by you! 11:30am-12pm – Owls: X-Men of the Sky

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Just like X-Men are born with special powers that set them apart from other people, owls possess abilities that make them different from other birds. They have special feathers that give them silent, stealthy flight. They have better hearing than any other bird in the world. And some are so strong that they can kill prey over twice as big as themselves! Meet several X-Men of the Sky and discover how their mutant-like superpowers make them the masters of the night world! 1-1:45pm – Animal Avengers *Ideal for home educators. Thor, the Hulk, and Black Widow weren’t the first to have super powers. Some animals are so amazing they might as well be superheroes! As we tour the Nature Station’s backyard, meet animal champions such as a bald eagle, snapping turtle, and bobcat, and explore their “super power” abilities. 2:30-3:00pm – Spidey Senses *Ideal for home educators.

Peter Parker gained many superpowers from the spider that bit him, including super-strength, the ability to walk up walls, and the ability to create webs. Learn more about spider superpowers and how these small creatures use their abilities to survive! Sunday, April 7 All Day – Where’s Aldo? Super Sasquatch Search

Nature Station’s bigfooted friend is celebrating our Super Spring Break in style – in costume! Aldo is dressed like his favorite caped crusader and testing out his super sneaking skills! Every day, he chooses a new location in our backyard as his hiding spot for the day. If you find him, snap a picture of him and bring it to a staff member for a prize! All Day – Super Selfies! Photo Booth

Become the superhero you’ve always wanted to be in our Super Selfies Booth. Use our props to dress up, pose and even fly your way to your next favorite Facebook or Instagram photo 11am-2pm – Superhero Mask Craft

Protect your secret identity while fighting crime with a handy mask designed by you! 11:30am-12:00pm – The Just-hiss League

Its feeding time! Meet the snakes, one of the most awesome superhero teams of nature! They might not be as photogenic as Superman, Wonder Woman or Batman, but snakes have some awesome super powers of their own! Get up close with several members of the “Just-hiss League” and find out what makes these often-feared creatures a truly terrific force of nature!

1:00–1:45pm – L.E.A.P. Into Action: Superhero Training

Psst! Hey Kids – Have you always wanted to be a superhero? Guess what?? L.E.A.P. is recruiting new agents to be heroes for wildlife! The League of Eager Animal Protectors (better known as L.E.A.P.) needs your help to protect our environment!

Come join one of our naturalists and learn what you can do to join L.E.A.P and become an animal protector at home!

2:30–3pm – Guardians of the Greenery: Beavers

Did you know that beavers are basically superheroes in their wetland habitats? Join a naturalist as we read a story about how one beaver saved her family and taught humans and animals how to live in harmony at the same time. Now that’s SUPER! 3:30-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Everyone knows about Donatello, Michelangelo, Raphael and Leonardo, but what about the Nature Station Ninja Turtles? Come meet our lean, mean, fighting team of turtles as they train for their next battle! They may not be the biggest or the strongest, but these reptiles each have special powers of their own. When combined, no one can stand up to our heroes in a half shell! Turtle power!

Tuesday, April 2

11am-12:30pm – Homeschoolers Feature: Fossil Discovery & Craft Land Between the Lakes is built on a bedrock of fossils. Learn what fossils are and examine some of the common fossils from our area, such as crinoids, corals, brachiopods and clams. Then make your own “fossil” to take home as a souvenir!

Thursday, April 4 11am-12:30pm – Homeschoolers’ Feature: Pioneer Skills: Natural Shelters, Edible Plants and More In pioneer times, outdoor survival skills were a basic requirement of life. Join us to learn some of the skills early pioneers would have had, such as how to build a shelter using natural materials, knowing which wild plants are edible, and more. Try your hand at some activities to see how you would do as a pioneer!

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Monday, April 8 11am-12:30pm – Homeschoolers Feature: Iron Furnace History Walk Back in the 1800s, Western Kentucky and Tennessee were home to a thriving iron industry, including 8 furnaces in the Land Between the Lakes area. This industry brought economic benefits, but also had environmental consequences such as the near-extirpation of wild turkeys from Kentucky! Join us for a stroll on the Center Furnace Trail as we step back in time and learn about the iron industry’s local history and ecological impacts.

Wednesday, April 10 1–4pm – Be a Zookeeper $15 per child. One adult admitted free with child. Price includes Nature Station admission. For ages 7 and above. Limited to 8 children. Reservation and deposit required. Call 270.924.2020 to reserve your space. Hey kids! Would you like to experience what it would be like to work as a zookeeper? Here’s your chance! Spend the afternoon with our naturalists and learn the basics of taking care of reptiles, birds and mammals. What are some of the important needs that these different animals have? Then get some hands-on experience by helping our naturalists with animal care duties such as feeding, cleaning and handling of some of the animals. Parents are welcome to attend and take pictures, and must remain on site while their child takes the class.

Saturday, April 13 Ongoing from 10:30am-4pm – Spring Wild Edibles Strolls Spring is an excellent time to learn more about wild edibles! Participants will have the chance to learn to identify several common wild edibles on a one-mile guided hike and go home with a “cookbook” to help you create some wild recipes yourself! Guided hikes leave at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm.

Sunday, April 14 1–4pm – Be a Zookeeper: Master Class $15 per child. One adult admitted free with child. Price includes Nature Station admission. For ages 10 and above. Limited to 8 children. Reservation and deposit required. Call 270.924.2020 to reserve your space. Hey kids! Would you like to experience what it would be like to work as a zookeeper? Here’s your chance! Join us for this special “big kids” edition of our popular animal care program! Spend the afternoon with our naturalists and learn the basics of taking care of reptiles, birds and mammals! What are some of the important needs that these different animals have? Then get some hands-on experience by helping with animal care duties such as feeding, cleaning and handling of some of the animals, and even assist in one of our public programs! Parents are welcome to attend and take pictures, and must remain on site while their child takes the class.

3:30-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Opossum Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our opossum! Watch as she reacts to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Tuesday, April 16 11am–12pm – Homeschoolers Feature: Owl Pellet Discovery *Ideal for Home Educators. Did you know that owls “puke”? It’s called an owl pellet! Did you also know that you can dissect that pellet to figure out what an owl has been eating? Join us for an owl dissection activity where we pull apart sterilized (and completely sanitary) owl pellets! Guided by a naturalist, you’ll learn why owls “cast” pellets, and identify what creature’s bones are in your pellet!

Thursday, April 18 11-11:45am – Homegrown Naturalists Did you know you can help real scientists with their research from your own backyard? Ever wonder what lives in your local creek or pond? What about those cute little birds that come to your feeders? Join one of our naturalists as they demonstrate a couple of easy projects that bring science into your home!

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Saturday, April 20 10:00am-12:30pm – Earth Day Woodland Wildflower Wander – SOUTH WELCOME STATION Free. Meet at South Welcome Station parking lot. Wear shoes that can get a little wet. Join wildflower expert Dr. Edward W. Chester, Austin Peay State University, for a leisurely hike along the lush banks of Bear Creek, in search of spring wildflowers such as trillium, iris, Jacob’s ladder and more. Learn folklore, medicinal uses and identification tips about these woodland beauties from one of the co-authors of Wildflowers of the Land Between the Lakes Region, KY and TN.

11am-12:30pm – Homeschoolers Feature: What’s in a Name Safari: Learning Animal Names in Different Languages How do you say “owl” in Spanish? How about “wolf” in Chinese? Or “turtle” in sign language? We’ll take you on a guided tour to meet a variety of the Nature Station’s resident animals and learn how to say their names in different languages. You’ll also find out a few interesting stories about how some of them got their English names. Each participant will go home with a guide listing the animals and the different names they learned.

11am-1pm – Baby Birds Kids’ Craft Spring is filled with nesting birds! Spend some time designing your own bird nest and baby birds to take home with you!

1:30-2pm – The Tortoise and the Hare Hey Kids! Who will win the famous race: the Tortoise or the Hare? Let’s find out! We will start by reading the Aesop Fable, and then we’ll watch the Nation Station’s rabbit and box turtle race to settle the matter!

2:30-3:30pm – “Eggs”periments and Games Let’s play around with some eggs and fun science experiments! Can you create a contraption that will keep an egg from breaking when dropped? How about an egg catapult? We’ll try our luck with these tasks and more, and then feed the leftovers to our excited (and hungry) animals!

Sunday, April 21 2-2:30pm – Homeschoolers Feature: The Habits of Rabbits Program free with NS admission. Hop, hop, hop to Nature Station as we discover the hidden world of the “Easter Bunny,” better known in our area as the Cottontail Rabbit. There’s a lot to learn about the natural history and folklore of “bunny rabbits.” As a special treat, we’ll have a tame, domestic rabbit on hand for you to meet and pet!

3:30pm-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Animal Easter Baskets Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for all our animals! Watch as some of our resident animals celebrate Easter in style as they get their very own Easter baskets filled with treats! The wolves say they claim any basket that smells like meat!

Monday, April 22 11am-12pm – Homeschool Feature: Purple Martin Science Lab Want to be an ornithologist for a day? Come learn what it takes to be a Purple Martin scientist by helping our naturalists record data, and maybe even see baby birds! Purple Martin landlords have been keeping track of martin nests for years, all while helping real scientists in the process!

Wednesday, April 24 11:00am–1pm – Homeschool Feature: Pond Prowl and Exploration Ideal for home educators. What lives in a pond besides fish? Let’s find out! We’ll use nets and magnifiers to explore a pond in search of critters like crayfish, dragonflies, turtles and tadpoles. We’ll also learn how to use chemical tests to see if the water is healthy. Come see what critters you can discover! Wear shoes that can get wet and muddy.

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Friday, April 26 10am-3pm – Homeschoolers Day at Nature Station Ideal for home educators.

Join us for the 7th annual Homeschoolers Day at Nature Station as we launch into the earth sciences with engaging educational programs and activities based around this year’s theme – Mission: Earth! Dive into STEAM inspired lessons exploring everything from Archeology to Astronomy. We are also welcoming very special guests the Ben E. Clement Mineral museum and WPSD Chief Meteorologist Jennifer Rukavina to the program! Missions and activities run from 10am-3pm. Join our crew as we explore all the wonders of our home planet! We recommend planning at least a 2-hour visit to experience all the day has to offer. A complete activity schedule will be available online by April 1.

Saturday, April 27 11:30am-12:15pm – Homeschoolers’ Feature: Birding for Kids Curious about our feathered friends? Come visit the Nature Station to meet some common birds like cardinals, woodpeckers and even owls and hawks. You’ll learn how to identify these birds and what makes each one unique. Bring binoculars if you have them, but don’t worry if you don’t … we have extras.

1:30-2pm – The Leapfrog 500 “Gentlemen, start your engines!” It’s racing season again at Woodlands Nature Station and it’s time to rev up those “Ribbets” for a Nature Station frog race! We’re going to test the speed and endurance of three of frog-racing’s finest. Bullfrog Bodine is favored to win but Leopard Labonte and Treefrog Truex plan to give him a leap for his money!

Sunday, April 28 2-3:30pm – Homeschoolers’ Feature: Cats vs. Dogs All animals are amazing, but have you ever wondered how they measure up to each other? Get an up-close look at our resident wildlife and compare the strength, agility and special abilities of cats and dogs!

3:30-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Groundhog Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our groundhog! Watch as she reacts to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Tuesday, April 30 1pm–4pm – Be a Zookeeper $15 per child. One adult admitted free with child. Price includes Nature Station admission. For ages 7 and above. Limited to 8 children. Reservation and deposit required. Call 270.924.2020 to reserve your space. Hey kids! Would you like to experience what it would be like to work as a zookeeper? Here’s your chance! Spend the afternoon with our naturalists and learn the basics of taking care of reptiles, birds and mammals. What are some of the important needs that these different animals have? Then get some hands-on experience by helping our naturalists with animal care duties such as feeding, cleaning and handling of some of the animals. Parents are welcome to attend and take pictures, and must remain on site while their child takes the class.

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May 2019

11:30am–12pm – Snake Feeding Sundays Sundays in May, except May 26. Most of us enjoy a nice Sunday brunch and so do our snakes! In fact, Sunday brunch is their only meal of the week! Come watch as our rattlesnake, kingsnake, rat snake and more chow down their mouse-alicious meal. You’ll even get to meet one of the snakes up close! Bring your camera for a snake selfie!

Afternoon Animal Encounters 3:30pm Daily Nature Station offers live animal programs featuring a different animal each weekday. Enjoy a closer look and sometimes a chance to touch or help feed, as staff introduces you to one of our resident ambassadors. The schedule is:

Mondays – Turtle Time! o Turtles are so cool! Some can live over 100 years, some can grow over 200 pounds and some are even

nocturnal! Join us to meet several turtles native to Land Between the Lakes, see what makes each one unique and even give them a pat on the shell!

Tuesdays – Goodies for Groundhog O Come see Nature Station’s resident groundhog eat some of her favorite treats during chow time! While

we enjoy watching her munch on lunch, we’ll learn about groundhogs and how they survive as one of nature’s best burrowers!

Wednesdays – For Goodness Snakes o Have you ever touched a live snake? Here’s your chance! Meet several of our resident snakes as we

learn how these special creatures survive. We’ll also discuss how to be safe around snakes when we’re outside.

Thursdays – Dinnertime for Bald Eagle o Who rules the waters and skies over Land Between the Lakes? The bald eagle, of course! Visit with our

resident bald eagle at her dinnertime and discover her secrets of survival. Also find out about the successful bald eagle recovery project that brought this majestic bird back from the brink of extinction in this area.

Fridays – Help Us Feed the Deer! o It’s time to give the deer their daily treats, and you can help! Join us to feed the deer some of their

favorite fruits and veggies and learn more about these cautious creatures. This is the best time to get a good look at the Nature Station’s resident deer, since they often approach closely at feeding time.

Saturdays – Bites for Bobcat o Meet Nature Station’s resident wildcat! Learn about how bobcats live, how common they are in Land

Between the Lakes and maybe even see Bobcat play with his food! He certainly gets excited about feeding time!

Sundays – Sunday Funday: Animal Playtime o Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for one of Nature Station’s many resident animals!

Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

4:30pm Daily – Parade of Raptors Come face-to-face with Nature Station’s resident owls and hawks as our staff introduces these birds to you up close before bringing them in to their night-time shelter.

Saturday, May 4 11:30am–12pm – Incredible Insects *Ideal for home educators. Did you know that a cockroach can live for three weeks without its head? Insects possess some incredible and interesting survival skills! Crawl on in to the Nature Station to learn more about the fascinating world of insects and meet some live examples up close.

1-3pm – Derby Hat Craft It’s Turtle Derby time! Celebrate Nature Station style by making a hat to wear to today’s Kentucky Turtle Derby!

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2:30-3pm – Kentucky Turtle Derby It’s Derby time! Let’s celebrate Nature Station style by racing our resident turtles! They might not be as fast as thoroughbreds, but they’re just as entertaining! Meet the contestants, pick your favorite and cheer for your turtle to cross the finish line! You can even make a festive hat and sip on a kiddie mint julep. After the races, you’ll get to meet the contestants up close and give the winner a pat on the shell!

5:30-8:00pm – Sunset Canoe Trip – LOCATION TBA $25 per canoe. Cost does not include daytime NS admission. NS closes at 5pm. Registration limited. Reservation and full deposit required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space and for location information. Join us for a relaxed paddle as we explore the nooks and crannies of one of Lake Barkley’s scenic bays. We will search the waters and shorelines for wildlife such as osprey, eagles, beavers, egrets, frogs and songbirds. Enjoy a feast for the eyes and ears as the sun dips below the trees and nature’s evening chorus comes to life.

Sunday, May 5 2:30-3pm – Goodies for Groundhog Come see Nature Station’s resident groundhog eat some of her favorite treats during chow time! While we enjoy watching her munch on lunch, we’ll learn about groundhogs and how they survive as one of nature’s best burrowers! 3:30-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Coyote Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our coyotes! Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Saturday, May 11 & Sunday, May 12 10am–5pm – Mother’s Day Weekend Wildflower & Native Plant Sale Spring is here and it’s time to start planting those gardens! Wildflowers and other native plants make great additions to anyone’s garden – they attract butterflies and birds, often require less water and care than other plants, and look beautiful! Treat Mom to some new plants for her garden or pick out some for yourself!

Saturday, May 11 10am-5pm – MIGRATION CELEBRATION: World Migratory Bird Day World Migratory Bird Day, the second Saturday in May, honors the spectacle and struggles of our feathered friends that migrate between North America and the tropics. Join us to be part of the celebration! Peek in on some baby birds, enjoy kid-friendly crafts and games and more! We’ll be spotlighting nature’s most amazing travelers with special programs throughout the day. For more information about International Migratory Bird Day, visit www.birdday.org

10am-4pm – Backyard Bird Scavenger Hunt Can you spot a cardinal in the trees? Can you count how many turkeys are in our flock? This fun scavenger hunt will have you looking all around our backyard in search of birds large and small. Learn fun facts about birds as you practice your spotting skills. 11am-1pm – Bird Crafts for Kids As part of our day-long celebration of birds, we’ll be making some kid-friendly bird crafts! Stop by and make your own souvenir of your day at the Nature Station to take home. 11:30am-12:15pm - Welcome Back Hummingbirds! They’re back! Our favorite backyard beauties have arrived! Join us to learn about all things hummingbird and then try to spot them buzzing around our backyard gardens. We’ll discuss attracting hummingbirds, identifying which kinds you might see, and of course their amazing migration journey. 1:30-2:15pm – Bird Call Bingo Join us for a fun game of bingo! Listen to an amazing variety of trills, twitters and trumpets, learn what bird is responsible for which cool call, and maybe even win a prize! No prior bird knowledge required! 2:30-3:15pm – Baby Birds! Springtime at the Nature Station means newly hatched birds! Come learn about the life cycle of birds, and even get a chance to peek inside some nearby nests in search of eggs and babies! We’ll visit several nests, including purple martins and barn swallows, and see who might be growing up inside.

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4:30–4:50pm – Parade of Raptors Come face-to-face with Nature Station’s resident owls and hawks as our staff introduces these birds to you up- close before bringing them in to their night-time shelter.

Sunday, May 12 2:30–3pm – Bird Mothers Know Best We all appreciate our mothers, after all, where would we be without them? Come out and join us as we celebrate the moms of the bird world! We’re going to get up close and personal with some of our native baby birds and nests as we explore everything from laying the egg to the empty nest, we’ll be showing our love for all the momma birds out there!

3:30-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Vulture Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our vultures! Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Saturday, May 18 11:30am–12:30pm – Spring Nature Hike Join a naturalist for the first official guided hike of the season! Explore a 1-mile woodland trail as you learn to identify different trees and spot native wildlife that call the area home!

2–2:30pm – Tales of Scales Program free with NS admission. Get up close and personal with reptiles and amphibians such as snakes, salamanders and turtles. We’ll introduce you to several ambassadors from the cold-blooded world as we explore the fascinating ways these slimy and scaly creatures survive!

5:30-8:00pm – Sunset Kayak Trip – LOCATION TBA $20 per person to use one of our kayaks; $15 per person if you bring your own kayak. Participants must be age 13 or above. Cost does not include NS admission. NS closes at 5pm. Reservation and full deposit required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space. Join us for a relaxed paddle as we explore the nooks and crannies of one of Lake Barkley’s scenic bays. We will search the waters and shorelines for wildlife such as osprey, eagles, beavers, egrets, frogs and songbirds. Enjoy a feast for the eyes and ears as the sun dips below the trees and nature’s evening chorus comes to life.

Sunday, May 19 2:30–3pm – The True Kentucky Wildcat *Ideal for home educators. Meet Kentucky’s true wildcat, the bobcat! Join our resident bobcat for his morning meal as we discover more about this elusive feline. Did you know that about 200 bobcats live right here in Land Between the Lakes? Find out how these masters of stealth survive so well without being seen.

3:30-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Turtle Playtime Everyone loves having fun and today it’s playtime for our turtles! Watch as they react to an interesting new food item or an exciting new toy and learn more about how the Nature Station cares for its rescued wildlife through fun enrichment activities!

Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27 River Days Hey kids! Splash on out to the Nature Station this Memorial Day Weekend for River Days! Enjoy live animals, activities, games and programs all dedicated to celebrating our rivers and lakes! Discover creatures that live in the depths of our lakes and bays and get up close and personal with our resident lake and swamp creatures! Celebrate our watery world by bringing your whole family to have fun at the Nature Station!

Saturday, May 25 Kayak and Canoe Rentals Begin

Canoe and kayak rentals on Honker Lake begin on Memorial Day Weekend. Hourly rentals start at 10am and all boats need to be returned by 4:30pm. Rental fees are $10 per hour per boat. Visitors must check in at Nature Station in order to rent a canoe or kayak. Rentals may be suspended for inclement weather. For more information call 270-924-2299.

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Throughout the Day – Visit with Smokey!

Smokey Bear will be making appearances at scheduled times throughout the day. Bring a camera, because Smokey loves to pose for pictures with the young and young at heart! Throughout the Day – Wacky Waters Scavenger Hunt

Search though the Nature Station to find the answers to clues about what animals live in our local waterways! Those who complete the scavenger hunt get a prize! Throughout the Day – Aquatic Animal Touch Tanks

Come get up close and personal with some of the critters that you can find in our local ponds and creeks! Feel free to touch, but remember to be gentle! 11:30am-1:30pm – Make your Own Fish Craft

Join us for this kid-friendly craft where you get to make your very own fish decoration out of CDs! 12:30-1pm – Let’s Get Snappy!

Ever wonder what a snapping turtle eats? Join one of our naturalists as they feed our snappers! Along the way, we will learn about where these turtles live, and how they survive out in the wild! 1:30-3pm – Pond Prowl Program free with Nature Station admission.

Watch your step and bring the family to discover the inhabitants of our local pond! All kinds of critter families call out pond home. We’ll be searching for baby dragonflies, tadpoles and more! Come along as we search for the tiny creatures hiding beneath the surface of the water. Program free with Nature Station admission. Participants should wear shoes and clothes they don’t mind getting wet or muddy. Nets and magnifying glasses provided. 3:30-3:50pm – Beach Bum Bobcat

Cowabunga! We can’t take our bobcat to the beach, but maybe we can bring the beach to our bobcat! Let’s add some sand, sun, water and maybe a beach ball to his environment and see what happens! 6–8:30pm – Family Sunset Canoe Trip – LOCATION TBA $25 per canoe. Cost does not include daytime NS admission. NS closes at 5pm. Registration limited. Reservation and full deposit required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space and for location information.

Join us for a sunset canoe trip on one of Lake Barkley’s scenic bays. We’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of an evening on the lake while learning about wildlife, such as osprey, beavers and deer. This trip is great for families. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome. Sunday, May 26 11am-1pm – Leaping Frog Origami Craft

Ever want to see how far a frog can leap? Let’s find out by creating your very own origami frog! 12:30-1pm – Lake Monsters!

You may have heard of Nessie the Loch Ness Monster… but what about the creatures that live in our own lakes? Join a naturalist as we discover some of the giants that live in Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake! 1:30-2:15pm – Water Games

What better way to spend a Sunday than playing in the water! Come join a couple of our naturalists for some fun, kid-oriented

water games! Just remember to bring a spare set of clothes if you plan to get wet!

2:30-3pm – Turtle Talladega!

Ready…set….. SLOOOOOOWWWW! Get ready for thrilling races between the tiny turtle champions of the Nature Station. Bring the family and root for your favorite shelled reptile. Also learn how you can help turtles that take to the road in your neighborhood! 3:30-3:50pm – Sunday Funday: Wild Watermelon Feast!

Watermelon is a great treat for hot summer days! Let’s enjoy some watermelon and the see which Nature Station animals enjoy it too! 6–8:30pm – Sunset Canoe Trip – LOCATION TBA

$25 per canoe. Cost does not include daytime NS admission. NS closes at 5pm. Registration limited. Reservation and full deposit required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space and for location information. Join us for a relaxed paddle as we explore the nooks and crannies of a Lake Barkley scenic bay. We will search the waters and shorelines for wildlife such as osprey and beavers listen to nature’s evening chorus, and watch for a rising full moon at the end of the night.

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Monday, May 28 8–10am – Early Bird Morning Kayak Trip – LOCATION TBA $20 per person to use one of our kayaks; $15 per person if you bring your own kayak. Participants must be age 13 or above. Cost does not include NS admission. NS closes at 5pm. Reservation and full deposit required. Call 270-924-2020 to reserve your space.

Join us for an early morning relaxed paddle on one of Lake Barkley’s scenic bays! We’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of a morning on the lake while learning about wildlife such as osprey, beavers, and deer. Paddlers of all skill levels are welcome! 11:30am-1pm – Build Your Own Boat

Learn what it takes to make a boat, and then build your very own pint-sized schooner out of aluminum foil to test out on our backyard pond! 2:30-3:15pm – Animals of the Pond Puppet Show

Hey kids! Do you know what animals live in a pond? Join Safari Sally as we read a story and have some fun discovering our many friends who live in our pond! This puppet show is great for all ages. 3:30-3:50pm – Barkley’s Beasts

Join us for this fun program where you can get up close and personal with some of the critters you may find along the shore of Lake Barkley!