By bernheim
Bernheim schedules additional outdoor, socially distanced programs in January
The new year is almost here! And with it comes an opportunity to explore the great outdoors at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. After being closed for four months due to COVID-19, Bernheim reopened to the public in July and has gradually added programs as safety measures have allowed. Reservations are no longer required for admittance. Bernheim now has a number of outdoor programs for adults and children with limited enrollment to keep group sizes small and allow for social distancing.
In addition, while the Forest was closed, the Bernheim education team added a series of virtual activities that adults and children can participate in from their own backyard or neighborhood. These fun activities are timeless and are accessible at bernheim.org/virtual-discovery-stations Please see below for fun winter activities for all.
Happy New Year
Bernheim will be closed on Jan. 1 and will close at 2 p.m. on New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31.
Winter Wander & Observation Hike
Winter provides an invitation on Saturday, Jan. 2, from 1 – 2:30 p.m. to notice the spaces and shapes created by the bare bones of deciduous trees and the more subtle colors and textures in the landscape. Winter also gives us opportunities to slow down and notice the little things, the surprise packages of brightly colored seedpods, the rustling of dried grasses in the prairies, overwintering moth cocoons, praying mantis egg cases, and so much more.
Join Interpretive Programs Manager Wren Smith and Bernheim Naturalists for these hikes designed to help hikers find beauty and wonder in unexpected places.
Each hike will have a limited number of participants to allow for social distancing and masks are required. Recommended for adults, but children 10 years and older are welcome. The cost is $10 for Bernheim members and $12 for non-members.
Registration is required by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program. Call (502) 955-8512 or visit Bernheim.org.
Getting to know trees in winter
Join this class on Jan. 9 from 1 – 2:30 p.m. and learn to recognize trees in the winter, a challenging but rewarding experience. Join Interpretive Programs Manager Wren Smith for an introduction to identifying common native trees. The class will take place outdoors so please dress for the weather. Class size is limited and masks and social distancing are required on the trail. The cost is $10 for Bernheim members and $12 for non-members.
Registration and payment are due by 4 p.m. on the day before the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or by visiting Bernheim.org.
Forest Homeschool Hikes
Bernheim takes school to the forest! Bernheim offers socially distanced opportunities for 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 includes a short lesson at the Education Center’s Silo Stage followed by a hike that will bring the lesson to life.
The cost is $6 per student for Bernheim members and $8 per student for non-members. There is no fee for adults, but they must accompany children and must register in order to control group size. Registration required by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program. Call (502) 955-8512 or visit Bernheim.org. Space is very limited for safety, so register early. Social distancing and masks are required.
Dates and Times:
- Forest Homeschool Hike: Birds
- Two classes each day on Jan. 13, 14 and 15
- From 10 – 11 a.m. and from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Forest Homeschool Hike: Track, Scat and Signs
- Two classes each day on Jan. 20, 21 and 22
- From 10 – 11 a.m. and from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Forest Homeschool Hike: Journey to the Giants
- Two classes each day on Jan. 27, 28 and 29
- From 10 – 11:30 a.m. and from 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Holiday Tree Recycling
Bernheim encourages its community of 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 January