By Bernheim
Naked Trees, Rock Swap, Wolf Moon Eclipse and more in January
Venture deep into the woods with Bernheim’s new “Forest Tour” series!
To celebrate Bernheim’s 90th anniversary of connecting people with nature, Bernheim will be hosting “Forest Tours” – a series of three-hour forest immersion experiences into Bernheim’s Natural Areas, including first-time access to some of Bernheim’s newly-acquired lands on the Big Level, Cave Hollow, and the Cedar Grove Wildlife Corridor.
Join Bernheim Forest Manager Andrew Berry for the first of these excursions, Forest Tour: Winter Raptors, on Friday, Jan.11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. to see these impressive birds of prey in their natural habitat. Meet at the Visitor Center and travel by van to the territory of Harper the Golden Eagle. Along the way, learn about Bernheim’s golden eagle research and hopefully catch a glimpse of our magnificent winter raptors. The tour is limited to 10 participants and all ages and abilities are welcome.
The cost for Bernheim members is $15, and for non-members, the cost is $20.
Winter is the perfect time to visit Bernheim and experience many of Bernheim’s exciting nature-related events and activities in January.
Pollywog Play Party
Pollywogs (infants to five-year-olds) are invited to the Education Center on Saturday, Jan. 5, from 10:30 a.m. – Noon for a morning of great fun. Early learners will participate in A Flurry of Fun, where they will explore winter wonders by playing in Insta-Snow, experimenting with ice, making snowflakes and more. Pollywog Play Parties combine music, art, language and outside play to encourage infants and children through the age of five to learn about nature.
Registration for the Pollywog Play Party is required by 4 p.m. on the day prior to program by calling (502) 955-8512. The cost is $10 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. No fee for adults but they must accompany children. Non-members are required to pay a $5 per car environmental fee at the gate.
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 at Bernheim’s Visitor Center and include:
On Your Own Challenge from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Discovery Stations from 1 – 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.
Children and their families are invited to Naked Trees on Saturday, Jan. 5. Without leaves, tree branches, bark and buds are exposed and ready for observation. Kids will have fun comparing tree structures during the On Your Own Challenge. That afternoon, children will enjoy exploring Discovery Stations and the Hike of the Day.
The fun continues on Saturday, Jan. 19, when families are invited back to Bernheim for Fossil Fun. Children will investigate fossils during the On Your Own Challenge and then explore hands-on Discovery Stations and the guided Hike of the Day in the afternoon.
All ECO Kids Discovery Days events are free, but a $5 per car weekend fee applies to non-members.
First Sunday Nature Hike
Join a Bernheim Volunteer Naturalist at the Visitor Center on Sunday, Jan. 6, from 2 – 3 p.m. for an engaging 45-60 minute nature walk exploring nature’s colorful transformation into fall. Registration is not required for this free event, and all ages are welcome. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes. Non-members are required to pay a $5 per car environmental fee at the gate.
Forest Homeschool Hike
On Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 1 – 2 p.m., Bernheim takes homeschool to the woods! Bernheim is offering opportunities for homeschool families and co-ops to join Bernheim educators for an afternoon of learning, exercising and adventure. Appropriate for grades K-5, each Forest Homeschool Hike will include a short lesson at the Education Center Silo Stage followed by a hike that will bring the lesson to life.
Registration and payment are required by 4 p.m. on the day prior to the program. Call (502) 955-8512 to reserve a spot.
The cost for Bernheim members is $5 a student and $7 a student for non-members. There is no fee for adults and children must be accompanied by an adult.
Golden Eagle Project Lecture: Return of the Thunderbird
Learn more about Harper the Golden Eagle who journeys thousands of miles to Bernheim every winter after spending the summer months in the wilderness of Manitoba, Canada. On Friday, Jan. 18 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.,hear from Bernheim Forest Manager Andrew Berry about the habits and travels of this rare magnificent raptor and how important large forest blocks, like Bernheim, are for this survival of beautiful birds like Harper.
The cost of the lecture is $10 per person.
Volunteer at Bernheim
Members and non-members are welcome to become volunteers at Bernheim. Volunteers are fundamental to Bernheim’s mission of connecting people with nature. They are involved in every facet of Bernheim’s operations: helping to maintain the beauty of the arboretum; inspecting and cleaning the 40-plus miles of trails; creating fascinating, hands-on discovery stations for ECO Kids programming; and much more.
Those interested can attend Volunteer Orientation Training on Saturday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. – Noon at Bernheim’s Education Center.
A Bernheim Volunteer Naturalist Training will be held afterward from 1 – 3 p.m. for those interested in taking their volunteering a step further. This award-winning program provides volunteers with an in-depth learning and service experience. The program creates a volunteer community through an inspired curriculum where volunteers will greatly increase their knowledge of the local environment. Volunteers can use what they learn to lead various Bernheim educational programs and lead hands-on discovery stations at Bernheim events and programs.
Both sessions are free, but registration is required. Those interested should call (502) 955-8512 to reserve their spot.
Rock Swap and Lithic Art Show
Visit with rock enthusiasts and artists from the region from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 19, as they demonstrate the art of flint knapping. People used this lost art in ancient times in order to make tools and weapons. Modern replicas and pre-historic artifacts will be on display for sale or trade, as well as other primitive arts and crafts.
The event is free, but non-members are required to pay a $5 per car environmental fee at the gate.
Night of the Wolf Moon Eclipse
Experience the total lunar eclipse, set against the twinkling darkness of Bernheim on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 9:30 p.m. until after midnight. Join Volunteer Naturalists to observe the night sky, investigate eclipse science, and unearth tales of historical eclipses that coincided with unusual events. The eclipse starts at 10:33 p.m., reaches totality at 11:41 p.m. and ends at 12:43 a.m. Telescopes are not needed for viewing but binoculars are suggested. Program includes coffee, hot chocolate and light snacks.
The cost is $20 for Bernheim members and $30 for non-members.
Muddy Boots Play Group
Bernheim’s Children at Play Network offers winter fun and free play in the forest with Muddy Boots, a forest play group for children ages 3 to 6. The program runs from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the Woodland Pavilion. Children will enjoy free play and self-directed exploration in an adventure under the trees. Learn more at childrenatplaynetwork.com.
The cost for Bernheim members is $15 and $20 for non-members. Call (502) 955-8512 to reserve a spot. Registration and payment are due by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 23.
Bernheim Backroads
Winter is arguably the best time to explore Bernheim’s backcountry, and that’s just what visitors can do in this five-hour driving tour from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 27. A team of volunteer naturalists will lead the program and will allow for frequent stops to investigate nature up-close. Participants should meet at the Visitor Center and bring a sack lunch and beverage.
Those interested in attending must register by 4 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 7, by calling (502) 955-8512. The cost is $20 for members and $30 for non-members. The program is for adults and children ages 8 and up.
Recycle Your Holiday Tree
Bernheim encourages its nature-lovers to extend their tree’s life by sharing it with Bernheim. Bernheim will turn it into mulch that will be used in the arboretum. The collection point is at the turnaround on the left at the front gate throughout the month of January.
New Year’s Day
Please note that Bernheim is closed on Jan. 1, New Year’s Day.
Valentine Dinner
Because it sells out quickly, now is the time to begin planning for Bernheim’s annual Valentine Dinner on Thursday, Feb. 14, from 6:30 – 10 p.m. The romantic candlelit dinner for couples is held in Bernheim’s beautiful glass Visitor Center, creating an enchanting nighttime setting in the woods. This special 1920s era themed evening also includes music, dancing and a cash bar. Each guest will receive a special commemorative 90th anniversary wine glass.
Those interested are encouraged to make their reservations early, as space is limited. Call (502) 215-7159 to register. The cost is $150 per couple for Bernheim members and $175 per couple for non-members.