CLERMONT, Ky (May 2, 2023) – After hunkering down for winter, spring is a great time to get outside and reconnect with nature. Flowers are blooming, temperatures are mild, and Bernheim has a myriad of ways to get out and experience the beauty of the spring landscape.
BloomFest
Join Bernheim for our annual spring celebration, BloomFest from on Saturday, May 20, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event includes activities for children and families, including the popular faerie village, which inspires visitors to construct faerie dwellings created from natural materials. Don your best costume – or borrow one from our costume tent – for the faerie and gnome parade. Join in on other activities like arts and crafts, musical entertainment, and discovery stations led by the outstanding Volunteer Naturalists.
Part of the BloomFest fun will include Bernheim’s new program, Storytime Saturday, where you can join your Bernheim buddies in the Edible Garden on the third Saturday of each month for a free morning of read-alouds, garden exploration, and tea party treats. May’s storytime will take place from 11 a.m. to noon.
The event is free, but a $15 per car donation at the gate is recommended for non-members. Learn more by visiting Bernheim.org or call (502) 955-8512.
KY Shakespeare in the Parks Presents: Hamlet
Bernheim is honored to be a site for KY Shakespeare’s Shakespeare in the Parks Tour. Join us at Spirit Nest for a free performance of Hamlet, on Saturday, May 13 at 2 p.m. For more information, visit kyshakespeare.com.
Playcosystem Happy Hour – No kids allowed!
Bernheim has reserved Playcosystem for a Playcosystem Happy Hour on Friday, May 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. for adults to gather, have a bit of fun, meet others, build a box fort, and share a playground together. Beverages will be available for purchase. The cost is $5 for Bernheim members and $10 for non-members Children at Play Network members are free. To register, visit Bernheim.org or call (502) 215-7155..
Birding Stroll Around Lake Nevin
Birding can connect you and your family more deeply to nature. Bernheim birding programs can provide insights to help you recognize and champion birds, as more than 200 species of birds have been observed at Bernheim.
Join Volunteer Naturalists and birding enthusiasts, Jim and Karen Scout on Saturday, May 15 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. for this stroll around the wetland, grassland, and forest surrounding Lake Nevin. This birding adventure is suitable for all birding skill levels.
Don’t worry if you don’t have binoculars, we will provide them for use during the program.
The cost is $10 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Registration and payment are due by 4 p.m. day prior to the start of the program by calling (502) 215-7155 or visiting Bernheim.org.
Creatures of the Night: Froggy Night Adventure
Join Bernheim’s nocturnal team of naturalists for adventures from the dark side. Bernheim at Night programs provide ample opportunities to celebrate both the heavens and the earth. We will take the time to marvel at the moon, ponder distant planets, and explore the mysteries of creatures and features beneath our feet. Spring nights provide sounds and stirrings of creatures large and small. On Friday, May 26 from 8:45 to 11:15 p.m., journey with Bill Napper and fellow Volunteer Naturalists on a driving tour into sections of Bernheim where crepuscular and nocturnal creatures are most active. Program includes a small amount of hiking through easy terrain.
The cost is $10 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Registration and payment are due by 4 p.m. day prior to the start of the program by calling (502) 215-7155 or visiting Bernheim.org.
ECO Kids Discovery Days
The E-C-O stands for Every Child Outside, and that’s exactly where kids can be found during ECO Kids Discovery Days. Discovery Days take place the first and third Saturday of each month near Bernheim’s Visitor Center. This month’s ECO Kids will take place on May 6 (May 20 will be replaced by BloomFest) and may include:
Hands-On Discovery Stations from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hike of the Day led by a Bernheim guide, starts at the Visitor Center at 2 p.m. and runs 45-60 minutes.
Pop-Up Story Circles because everything and everyone has a story. Watch for our storytelling and story-sharing circles near Spirit Nest.
ECO Kids Discovery Days are weather dependent and may be canceled. Please call (502) 955-8512 on the day of the event for weather-related updates. Masks and social distancing are required when interacting with the Volunteer Naturalists. For details on ECO Kids Discovery Days, call (502) 955-8512 or visit Bernheim.org. No registration is necessary.
For more information and to view the full list of programming, visit bernheim.org/events.
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About Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest
Bernheim’s mission is to connect people with nature. Bernheim is the largest privately held contiguous forest block in the eastern United States dedicated to conservation and education. Bourbon maker Isaac Wolfe Bernheim established the arboretum and forest in 1929 as a gift to the people of Kentucky. A recent land acquisition brought the total acreage of land that Bernheim protects to 16,140. Fun, educational programs, diverse tree collections, 40 miles of hiking trails and varied landscapes are available every day except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. A $10 per car donation is suggested for non-members.
Bernheim is in Clermont, Ky., about 20 minutes south of the Louisville airport. From I-65 take exit 112 and follow the signs. Bernheim is a non-profit organization that relies on memberships, grants and donations for support. Come visit and enjoy the beauty of nature. For more information, please visit bernheim.org.