Nature on the Weekend: Blackwater Falls

Join park naturalist Paulita Cousin, Kenny Noland and park staff for these weekend activities including crafts, walks and fire building skills.

FRIDAY, August 19, 2022
Nature Center is open from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

8:00 a.m.
Early Birds Walk with leader: Aaron Graham.
Meet at the nature center for an awesome morning of birding on the trails around Pendleton Lake. Warblers are migrating. The resident birds of Blackwater Falls may also be seen and heard..

Late August is peak migration for several species of warblers. Our riparian and younger forest habitats is a perfect location to look for many of these species such as Ovenbirds, Black-and-White Warblers, American Redstarts, Chestnut-sided Warblers, and Canada Warblers and some more uncommon migrants like Blue-winged Warbler and
Mourning Warbler.

Wear appropriate hiking gear for being out on the maintained trails around the lake. Grass will still likely be wet from the morning dew so plan accordingly. Bring binoculars if you have them, there will be some loaners available also. YPP

11:00 a.m.
Sun catcher Craft
Use colorful paint to “paint” a decoration for your window. $1.00 to $8.00 depending on the selected craft.

1:30 p.m.
Herb Garden Craft
Kenny Noland is talking about planting herbs and some other tidbits about herbs. About 30 minutes. Craft fee: $3.00.
YPP

2:30 p.m.
Mason Jar Craft
Join our recreation attendants to use stickers on a gold flecked or silver flecked mason jar. Add the candle (provided) and you have a shimmering decoration. Craft fee: $5.00.

3:00 p.m.
Sit n’ Go Nature Moment-BATS
Join the park naturalist to listen about bats of the area and the importance that bats contribute to our environment and daily lives. Includes a scratch bat craft, if interested, for $1.25. Meet at the nature center. About 30 minutes. YPP

SATURDAY, August 20, 2022
The Nature Center is open from 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.
Finding Your Way
Join the staff for an introduction to using a map and compass video. About 30 minutes. YPP

11:30 a.m.
Compass Craft
Create a cardboard compass to find your way north. This is first step in learning a survival skill Craft fee: $2.00 YPP

1:00 p.m.
Finger Painting
Join the recreation staff to let your imagination loose on paper by using your fingers to paint.

1:30 p.m.
First Snow in the Woods
Join the recreation staff for this kid friendly video about a worried scarecrow as he watches animals prepare for winter. About 30 minutes. NR YPP

2:30 p.m.
Gingerbread House Fun
Join the recreation staff to snap together a wooden gingerbread house to decorate. Craft fee: $3.00

4:00 p.m.
Raccoon Nation
Is our trash making raccoons smarter? Find out as scientists track the movements of one urban raccoon family through the city of Toronto over a period of six months. About 1 hour. Rated G. YPP

SUNDAY, August 21, 2022
The Nature Center is open: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

11:00 a.m.
Primitive Fire Skills
Kenny Noland teaches and explains primitive fire making skills, perhaps try your hand at creating flames with one of the techniques. About 1 hour. YPP

1:00 p.m.
Tie Dye an Orb Craft
Use colorful paint inside a glass ornament to create a tie dye effect. Small orb: $3,

2:00 p.m.
Nature Journaling
The outdoors provides a sitting many people find relaxing and comforting. Join the seasonal naturalist to discover ways to preserve memories of the great outdoors even if you have no artistic talent. There is no wrong way to create! Meet on the side porch of the Nature Center. About 45 minutes Some materials provided during the program. A journal available to purchase for $5.00. YPP

3:00 p.m.
Movie Time
Join the staff to watch this film about everyone’s favorite pic-a-nic basket stealing bear. Rated PG. 80 minutes.

All Activities meet at Harold Walters Nature Center unless otherwise noted in description.
Sunday interdenominational worship at Blackwater Falls Lodge at 9:00 a.m.

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