STEELE CREEK NEWS

McDowell Nature Center Offers Programs in May and June

(May 3, 2002) The Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department's Division of Natural Resources offers environmental and nature education programs for the general public on a variety of topics from birds and butterflies to wetlands and interpretive hikes. Programs are held at county nature centers, nature preserves, parks, greenways, and occasionally at other sites throughout North and South Carolina.

McDowell Nature Center serves as the gateway to McDowell Nature Preserve and is the source for educational information on the preserve's natural communities, flora, and fauna. The Center features live, native animals, exhibits, and a gift shop. Outside, visitors can stop and observe nature in action at the National Wildlife Federation certified Backyard Habitat Garden which includes bird feeding stations, butterfly gardens, garden pond, and demonstration compost area. Self-interpretive trail guides are available for several nature preserve trails. For more information, contact the center at 704-588-5224. Admission to the Center is free. An entrance fee to McDowell Nature Preserve is charged March 1 through October 31 on weekends and holidays.

Here are some upcoming special activities at the McDowell Nature Center:

May 11 IMBD International Migratory Bird Day
      McDowell Nature Preserve along with parks and clubs all over the country will be celebrating this special day for birds.  The center will have a Birding for Tots program 10-noon and we will have a Birds of the Woodlands birding hike 8-10:00am.  There is no cost for the programs but, registration is required. In addition the center will be hosting a variety of educational displays, craft and activities for children.

May 25 9-1:00 PM
     PLANT- Piedmont Landscaping and Naturescaping Training    Mecklenburg County Solid Waste Reduction, in cooperation with the park is offering a 4-hour workshop on environmentally friendly methods for designing and maintaining your yard.  $10 call (704)336-5359 to register

June 15  7-8pm
     Going Batty Over Bats  Join us for an exciting evening of bats as we learn about these creatures of the night and take a take evening walk in search of nature's greatest insect exterminators.  $3 adult/$2 child  registration required

June 22
     Preschool Naturalist: Wiggly Worms  Big fat juicy ones, long thin skinny ones..I'm going to eat some worms!  Well not really, but we are going to investigate these wiggly, slimy creatures and make a worm hotel to take home!  $3 child ages 3-5 registration required

July 22-26
     Eco- Explorers - Nature Camp  Join us on an adventure throughout Mecklenburg County and the surrounding area as we explore the habitats  of the many different animals that live in our area. For ages 7-9   

Call (704)588-5224 to register or for more information.