Calendar of Public Programs Winter and Spring 2012

We provide a variety of opportunities for people of all ages to get in touch with the natural world. For more information or to register for any program below, e-mailJennifer Schrock, coordinator of public programs or call 260-799-5869. Programs marked with a star are volunteer training programs, but all are welcome to join in. These starred programs are free to volunteers, $5 for others. The intended audience is adults. More programs may be added.

Valentine Hike
Saturday, February 11, 2012, 4 to 6:30 p.m.
Bring your sweetheart to Merry Lea's Farmstead for a couples hike beginning at 4 p.m. A candlelit supper and heartfelt dessert will follow. $15 per couple. Please register by February 9.

Spring Birding Challenge
March 1 to May 31
Gather a team of up to four adults and any number of children; then see how many species of birds you can spot during this three-month period. The competition concludes with a pizza party and photo show in early June. Registration is $10 per team. Contact MLevents@goshen.edu to register.

*Bird Identification: Telling a Vireo from a Fly Catcher
Monday, March 5, 2012, 3 to 5 p.m. at Rieth Village
Lisa Zinn will share her fascination with the feathered world, $5.

Midwest Birding Expedition to Prairie Ridge State Natural Area
Friday, March 30, 8 a.m. to Sunday, April 1, 8 p.m. Merry Lea's 2012 Midwest Birding Expedition will travel southwest into prairie country. The group of 8 to 14 birders will comb the wetlands and grasslands of Prairie Ridge State Natural Area, Newton, Ill., in search of breeding Greater Prairie Chickens. Other target species include the American Bittern, King Rail, Upland Sandpiper, Northern Harrier, Short-eared Owl, Sedge Wren, Loggerhead Shrike, Henslow's Sparrow and Dicksissel. Merry Lea's expedition includes van travel, guiding and lodging. Meals are not included. The group will stay at the Sportsman's Lodge near Newton Lake. Cost: $245 per person. Registration deadline: March 15.

Spring Break Frog Hike
Tuesday, April 3, 2012, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Many schools are on break this week, so our frog hike is geared for families. Bring the gang and we'll hunt down peepers and wood frogs and everything else that croaks. Hopefully you'll get to hold a frog as well as hear it. $5 adults, $2 children under 15.

Friends of Merry Lea Dinner & Wildflower Hike
Saturday, April 28, 2012, 4 to 8 p.m.
We'll begin with a spring hike at the peak of wildflower season; then enjoy dinner together at 6 p.m., followed by stimulating input.
This event is free for our donors. Others are welcome to join us for $15/person or $25 per couple.

NatureFest
Friday, May 11 6:30 p.m. until Saturday, May 12, 3:30 p.m.
Our annual family-friendly bash includes hikes for all ages and interests, booths with hands-on interactive activities, good food and camping overnight for those who desire. Kids $5 any time all weekend; adults $5 to $15 depending how long you stay.

Wetland Insect Identification with Mary Linton
Saturday, July 21, 9 - 3:30

Nature Poetry reading and mini-workshop with Mary Linton
Saturday, July 21,7 - 9 p.m.

Wilderness First Aid
August 30 & 31, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Annual Autumn Hope Conference
September 28 - 30, 6 p.m. Friday through noon, Sunday

Nature Photography Workshop
October 11-13 Thursday evening through Saturday 5 p.m.

Can't make it to a public program? You're welcome to hike our trails anytime between dawn and dusk. Trailheads at the Learning Center and the Farmstead contain maps.
Trail map....Site map....Ecological Features...Property Policies...Directions

News at Merry Lea

Calendar of Public Programs Winter and Spring 2012