Raleigh Parks Winter-Spring 2024 Leisure Ledger

Family Astronomy Nights

Family Naturalist Series: Fungi Age: 12-99 yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about our favorite spring blooms - fungi! Learn how to find the best fungi spots and how to identify some more common species. This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $5 Apr 21 Su 1:30-3:30pm Family Naturalist Series: Raptors Age: 12-99 yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about raptors! Who are our parks birds of prey, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get you outdoors, get your body moving, and let your creativity flow. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $10 Jan 7 Su 2:00-4:00pm Family Naturalist Series: Rodents Age: 12-99 yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about our park's rodents! Who are our parks fuzzy crawlers and climbers, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $5 Feb 25 Su 2:00-4:00pm Frog Song Campfire All ages. Join us for our annual Frog Song Campfire! Gather ‘round the campfire as we listen to the songs of spring. Together we’ll learn about and hear from the frogs that make Durant their home. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must preregister. Durant Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $5 Apr 21 Su 7:00-8:00pm Leprechaun Village All ages. Leprechauns have been sighted in Wilkerson's Woodland Village, but they need a place to stay! Can you help us build leprechaun houses for them? Using natural materials such as sticks and rocks, the leprechauns will feel very lucky to be among the fairies and trolls in Wilkerson's Woodland Village! All materials will be provided. Drop in any time between 10am and noon to help out! Parents must

Project WILD K-12 educator guide along with materials specifically about North Carolina wildlife. The educator guide contains more than 81 hands-on activities that focus on wildlife and natural resources. Participants are eligible for Criteria I credit of NC OEE Environmental Education Certification and school teachers receive CEU credit. Homework option available. This workshop and all materials are free, however advanced registration required. For more information on Project WILD, visit http://www.projectwild.org/. Please bring a packed lunch. Thomas G. Crowder Woodland Center Feb 3 Sa 9:00am-4:00pm Seasonal Nature Walk Age: 12-99 yrs. Join a park naturalist on a general nature walk to see what is happening at the park this season. Come prepared for trail walking because we'll visit various parts of the park to discover the season’s highlights! A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $2 Winter Walk Jan 20 Sa 10:30am-12:00pm Spring Walk Mar 23 Sa 10:30am-12:00pm Seasonal Tree ID Age: 18-99 yrs. What kind of tree is that? In this program, you will learn to identify local trees based on bark, limb, buds and branching patterns as well as leaves, seeds and habitat. Participants will receive field guides for local trees to keep and take home. This is an outdoor event, and you should dress for weather conditions. Participants are eligible to receive three hours of Criteria II (outdoor) or Criteria III credit toward N.C. Environmental Educator Certification. Sign up today and answer the question, ‘What kind of tree is that?’ Forest Ridge Park – Course Fee: $10 Jan 28 Su 2:00-5:00pm Snakes 101 Age: 12-99 yrs. Does seeing a snake make you nervous? Would you like to be more confident about identifying venomous snakes in our area? Do you want to know more about how to discourage (or encourage!) snakes in your yard? This is the class for you! We'll discuss the most commonly seen snakes in Raleigh, learn about their typical behaviors and what to do if you see one. A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $3 Apr 20 Sa 2:00-3:00pm

Age: 5-99 yrs. What’s up in space this month? Each program begins with an indoor presentation and (weather permitting) moves outside after sunset to view the Moon, stars, and planets with the Preserve's telescope. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Adults and children (5 years and up) must register to attend. A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $3 Feb 16 F 6:00-7:30pm Mar 8 F 6:30-8:00pm Autumn Equinox Stroll All ages. Gather with us for a breezy, Spring Equinox stroll. During this hike, we’ll enjoy a short stroll before celebrating the changing of seasons and the official end winter. Encounter wildlife and plants along the way and learn about their adaptations as they prepare for the season of renewal. We’ll end the evening with some storytelling and forest meditation. A great way to enjoy an easy walk with friends and Family. All ages are welcome, children must be accompanied by adult. Not all trails may be accessible by strollers. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $4 Mar 19 Tu 3:30-5:00pm Campfire Story & Marshmallow Roast All ages. Gather ‘round the campfire to enjoy an evening of storytelling, nature, and community. As dusk falls, we’ll come together to make new friends, share a tale connected to the forests and wildlife of the Preserve, and roast marshmallows. Children must be accompanied by adults. Children and adults must preregister and pay the program fee. Durant Nature Preserve – Course Fee: $5 Jan 12 F 5:00-6:00pm Jan 27 Sa 5:00-6:00pm Feb 23 F 5:30-6:30pm Mar 15 F 6:00-7:00pm Family Naturalist Series: Amphibians Age: 12-99 yrs. Get excited with us as we talk about all our park’s amphibians! Who are our slimy park friends, what do they do that is so important and what patterns can be revealed by looking closely? This course will include several introductory topics of discussion and include activities that get your body moving and test your investigation skills. Walnut Creek Wetland Park – Course Fee: $5 Mar 10 Su 1:30-3:30pm

Nature

accompany their children. A.L. Wilkerson Nature Preserve Mar 15 F

10:00am-12:00pm

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Leisure Ledger January-April 2024 | parks.raleighnc.gov