|
|
STEELE CREEK NEWS
January Programs at McDowell Nature Center
(December
18, 2022) The
McDowell Nature Center and Preserve offers a
wide variety of programs for adults, children, and families. Listed
below are programs for January 2023. To sign up or for more
information, go to the
Activity Search web page and search by program keyword or
number. Click on the following link for more
details about
Group Programs and other Environmental Education & Nature Programs.
The McDowell Nature Center is located at 15222 York Road within
the McDowell Nature Preserve (off NC Highway 49 across from
Palisades High School).
Direct questions to the McDowell Nature Center at 980-314-1128.
Program Name: MDNP:
Adult Trail Trekkers Ages 18+ #134536 Tues, Jan 3rd 1pm-2:30pm #134537
Tues, Jan 10th 1pm-2:30pm #134538 Tues, Jan 17th 1pm-2:30pm
#134539 Tues, Jan 24th 1pm-2:30pm FREE Get active in nature
with a McDowell Naturalist during this 90-minute, adult only hike.
Discover what is happening seasonally throughout the preserve.
This hike qualifies for our 100-mile hike club. Pre-registration
required.
Program Name: MDNP: McDowell Campfire All ages #134774 Wed,
Jan 4th 6:30pm-8:00pm #134775 Wed, Jan 11th 6:30pm-8:00pm
#134776 Wed, Jan 25th 6:30pm-8:00pm FREE Fire! S' mores! Fun!
Friends! Get all of these at a McDowell Nature Preserve campfire.
Spend the evening discovering all things fire. Pre-registration
required (for all participants, adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP:
Adult Trail Trekkers+ Ages 18+ #134674 Thurs, Jan 5th 9am-11am
#134675 Thurs, Jan 12th 9am-11am #134676 Thurs, Jan 19th 9am-11am
#134677 Thurs, Jan 26th 9am-11am FREE Get active in nature
with a McDowell Naturalist during this adults-only hike. Discover
seasonal changes around the preserve on this 2-hour hike. This hike
qualifies for the 100-mile hike club. Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Full Moon Hike All Ages #134771 Fri, Jan 6th
6:30pm-8pm $5 resident/$6 non-resident How does the forest
change as the sun goes down? See for yourself, hiking approximately
2 miles with a team of McDowell Outdoor Recreation Specialists as
the full moon rises to light your way. No walk-ins accepted. This
hike qualifies for our 100-mile hike club. Pre-registration required
(for adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP: Family Nature Hike All
Ages #134769 Fri, Jan 6th 10am-11:30am #134770 Fri, Jan 20th
10am-11:30am FREE Enjoy a morning hike with the family at
McDowell Nature Preserve. This hike will be on uneven terrain and
will be approximately 2 miles. If bringing small children, strollers
are not advised. This hike qualifies for our 100-mile hike club.
Pre-registration required (for child and adult alike).
Program Name: MDNP:
Geocaching Adventure Ages 6+ #134678 Sat, Jan 7th 1pm-3pm
FREE Hunt for hidden treasure in the woods with other
participants using a GPS. No prior experience or special equipment
needed! A naturalist will be there to guide you through this 2- to
3-mile geocaching experience. Pre-registration required (for adult
and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP: Archery 101: Teens Ages 10-12
#134714 Sat, Jan 7th 10am-12pm $15 resident / $18 non-resident
Bows and arrows are some of the oldest tools humans have ever used,
and still use to this day. Teens get a grip on basic terminology,
practice proper form and safety with a recurve bow and compound bow,
then use their new-found knowledge with a little target practice.
Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Nature Crafting : Loom Weaving
Ages 5+ #134679 Sun, Jan 8th 2pm-3:30pm Adults free
accompanying child $7 resident/$8 non-resident Tap into your
artistic side with a family-friendly, nature-based craft!
Participants can expect to practice their creativity and open their
eyes to the natural wonders around them. No walk-ins accepted.
Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP:
Sunday Stroll with a Naturalist Ages 18+ #134703 Sun, Jan 8th
12:30pm-2pm #134704 Sun, Jan 15th 12:30pm-2pm #134705 Sun, Jan
22nd 12:30pm-2pm #134706 Sun, Jan 29th 12:30pm-2pm FREE
Enjoy a leisurely afternoon stroll through the woods with a McDowell
Nature Center Naturalist. Each season is a new opportunity to
explore what nature has to offer such as wildflowers, migratory
birds, animal tracks, and owl calls. This hike qualifies for our
100-mile hike club. Pre-registration is NOT required for this
program but highly recommended.
Program Name: MDNP: Nature Book and Look
All Ages #134687 Mon, Jan 9th 10am-11am #134688 Mon, Jan 23rd
10am-11am #134689 Mon, Jan 30th 10am-11am FREE Journey
through a nature BOOK and take a LOOK at the nature around us with a
hike, hands-on activity, or a craft. Pre-registration required for
adult & child alike.
Program Name: MDNP: Kids in the Woods Sprites: Ages
5-7 Pathfinders: Ages 8-13 #134529 Wed, Jan 11th-Feb 15th
1pm-4pm #134527 Wed, Jan 11th-Feb 15th 1pm-4pm $65
resident/$78 non-resident This 6-week child-led class is held
ENTIRELY outdoors! Children are allowed to sprout and grow at their
own pace as they explore, experience, and come to appreciate the
wonder of the natural world. Our more capable and oldest Kids in the
Woods venture to new locations within the preserve to stretch their
legs and develop their confidence. They may decide to investigate a
stream, bushwhack off-trail, build a stick fort, or muck around in
the beaver cove - all under the guidance of an experienced
environmental educator. Research has shown that time spent in
nature, especially engaged in play, is critical to a child's
development. Not only does outdoor play lead to increased physical
activity, but it can alleviate symptoms of ADHD and asthma as well
as promote creativity, self-discipline, problem solving skills,
cooperation, and confidence. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration
required.
Program Name: MDNP: Public Homeschool: Forts and Fires Ages
8-11 #134778 Thurs, Jan 12th 1pm-3pm $5 resident/ $6
non-resident With adequate preparation, you can have fun in the
wilderness! The goal of this program is to introduce the audience to
the idea of spending time in the woods for fun and gaining skills in
fort and fire building. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration
required.
Program Name: MDNP: Kids Hiking Club Ages 8-13 #134772
Fri, Jan 13th 9:30am-11:30am #134773 Fri, Jan 27th 9:30am-11:30am
FREE Hey kids, get outside and enjoy your morning with the Kids
Hiking Club! This group will meet monthly and explore McDowell
Nature Preserve. All kids will receive a trail passport and a
100-mile hike club card to document their trail journeys and collect
prizes along the way. This is a drop off program with a staff member
and 1-2 parent chaperones. Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Archery 101: Adults Ages 10-12 #134713 Fri, Jan 13th
10am-12pm $15 resident / $18 non-resident Bows and arrows are
some of the oldest tools humans have ever used, and still use to
this day. Get a grip on basic terminology, practice proper form and
safety with a recurve bow and compound bow, then use your new-found
knowledge with a little target practice. Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Winter Poe-Tree All Ages #134702 Sat, Jan 14th
2pm-3pm FREE Experience the McDowell Nature Preserve in the
winter by spending time amongst the trees getting introduced to the
different types of poetry inspired by and written about nature! You
will have an opportunity to write your own poems inspired by what
you see in the preserve, and have them displayed in a poetry book
located inside the nature center!
Program Name: MDNP: Outdoor Classroom:
Celebrating Native Birds! All Ages #134699 Tues, Jan 17th
3pm-4pm Adults free accompanying child $4 resident/$5
non-resident January is the month to celebrate birds! Explore fun
facts on species ranging from raptors to native song birds, while
also trying to spot some in the wild! No walk-ins accepted.
Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP:
Owl Prowl Ages 6+ #134777 Wed, Jan 18th 6pm-8pm $5
residents/$6 non-residents Explore McDowell Nature Preserve after
dark in search of these nocturnal wonders of the sky! Discover the
roles owls play in the ecosystem, how to identify owl calls, and
make your own to attract them. The program starts with a brief
introduction inside and the remaining portion will be outside on our
trails. Pre-registration required (for all participants, adult and
child alike).
Program Name: MDNP: Preschool Explorers Series: Evergreens
in Winter Ages 4-6 #134532 Fri, Jan 20th 1:30pm-3pm $8
resident/$10 non-resident Little ones and an experienced
Naturalist will explore nature together starting with a story and
then rotating through discovery stations that expand upon the story
which may include: crafts, games, songs, animal encounters and/or
outdoor exploration. No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration
required. This is a drop off program. Adult participation NOT
required.
Program Name: MDNP: Winter Tree ID Hike Ages 18+ #134686
Sat, Jan 21st 1pm-2:30pm FREE Want to identify trees even when
they have no leaves? Develop the skills to recognize species in the
winter by looking at bark, buds, fruits and more. Pre-registration
required.
Program Name: MDNP: Yoga and Hiking Amongst the Trees Ages 18+
#134673 Sat, Jan 21st 2:30pm-4:30pm $7 resident/$8 non-resident
What better way to relieve stress than take your practice outside in
our beautiful nature preserve! Practice grounding and breathe in the
fresh air during our asana practice led by a naturalist and
certified yoga instructor. This practice includes a trail hike and
meditation. Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP: Nature Crafting:
Clay Creatures Ages 5+ #134685 Sun, Jan 22nd 2pm-3:30pm
Adults free w/ child $7 resident/$8 non-resident Tap into your
artistic side with a family-friendly, nature-based craft!
Participants can expect to practice their creativity and open their
eyes to the natural wonders around them. No walk-ins accepted.
Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP:
Public Homeschool: Heat Transfer #134524 Ages 7-9 #134525 Ages
10-12 Thurs, Jan 26th 1:30pm-3pm $5 resident/$6 non-resident
Flow through the various mechanisms of heat transfer as we warm up
with thermal convection, conduction, and radiation. Explore this hot
topic with a hands-on program that is aligned with NC DPI K-12
Standards and Curriculum. Pre-registration required.
Program Name: MDNP:
Trash Trackers Ages 12+ #134533 Fri, Jan 27th 9:30am-11:30am
FREE Connect with others and nature while making a positive
difference in our Nature Preserves. In this program, participants
will help keep Mecklenburg County beautiful by removing trash. This
month's location: Flat Branch; 11833 Tom Short Rd, Charlotte, NC
28277. Please register through Volunteer Connect under "Nature
Centers." - https://volunteer.parkandrec.mecklenburgcountync.gov/
No walk-ins accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child
alike).
Program Name: MDNP: Weed Warriors Ages 12+ #134534 Sat, Jan
28th 9:30am-12pm FREE Wanted: Elaeagnus sp. Also known as
Silverberry. Reward: Protection of McDowell Nature Preserve's
native species and natural communities. Connect with people
and nature all the while making a positive difference in our natural
communities by removing invasive plant species. Please register
through Volunteer Connect under "Nature Centers."
https://volunteer.parkandrec.mecklenburgcountync.gov/ No walk-ins
accepted. Pre-registration required (for adult and child alike).
Program Name: MDNP: New Year Nature Vision Board Ages 5+ #134692 Sun,
Jan 29th 2:00pm-4:00pm All Ages Free Do you have any nature
related goals for 2023? Maybe you want to visit a different nature
preserve or hike a new mountain! Come to the Nature Center and get
your creativity and inspiration flowing by creating a vision
board that is unique to you! Participants can bring some of their
own materials if they would like. Recycled and natural materials,
glue, and cardboard will be provided. Pre-registration is not
required for this drop-in program.
Program Name: MDNP: Adult Trail
Trekkers: Morrow Mountain Ages 18+ #134535 Tues, Jan 31st
8:30am-5pm $35 resident/$42 non-resident Adult Trail Trekkers
are adventuring offsite today to hike one of our local state parks.
Morrow Mountain State Park is located just 50 miles northeast of
Charlotte and runs along the banks of the Yadkin River.
Participants should expect to hike around 5-7 miles of the park's 37
miles of hiking trails. Transportation, a snack, and a naturalist
guide are included. This hike qualifies for our 100-mile hike club.
Pre-registration required. To
comment on this story, please click below to visit the Steele Creek Residents Association
Facebook page.
.
|