Page 37 - 2017_Winter_Playbook_complete

Forest Park Nature Center
5809 N Forest Park Drive, Peoria Heights • 686-3360 facebook.com/ForestParkNatureCenter @FPNCPPD

Trailhead Nature Store Educational Programs
AT A GLANCE Our nature store is stocked with a wide Forest Park Nature Center offers many ways
This rugged 540-acre park is designated variety of eco-friendly and nature-related for students to learn about the natural
as an Illinois State Nature Preserve. products and is an exceptional resource for world. Call for a detailed brochure on any of
The Nature Center’s seven miles of the environmentally conscious consumer. the following:
hiking trails traverse bluffed forestland The Trailhead offers a full line of premium
and open woodland interspersed birdseed, houses and feeders; organic Field Studies: Our environmental education
with hill prairie openings that contain cotton, hemp, and recycled clothing; staff is available to lead your classroom,
uncommon prairie plant species such nature books and field guides; non-toxic scout troop, or other organization on a field
as bottlebrush grass, pussytoes and cleaning and bath & body products; and study through the forests and prairies of
golden alexander. Chipmunks, squirrels Fair Trade and organic items. All purchases Forest Park. These tours last up to 1.5 hours
and white-tailed deer are common directly support the Nature Center and help and start at $55 for up to 30 people.
inhabitants. Over 100 woodland maintain the Forest Park Nature Preserve.
bird species commonly use the park Mini-Naturalist Programs: Geared
as migrants, winter visitors or year- to encourage the natural curiosity of
round residents. The Nature Center’s Presentations preschoolers ages 3-5, this 1.5-hour
bird feeding station is always busy Forest Park offers naturalists that are program takes place at the Moose Shelter
with black-capped chickadees, tufted available to speak to your group on a range at Detweiller Park in April, May, September,
titmice, white-breasted nuthatches of subjects, including Bird Life of Central and October and is just $2.50/student ($40
and downy woodpeckers, as well as Illinois, Ecology of the Illinois River Bluffs, minimum).
warblers, vireos and other neotropical Native Wildflowers and Trees of Illinois,
species, particularly during migration local outdoor recreational areas, Non-Toxic Traveling Naturalists: Our naturalists are
times. Alternatives for Body & Home, and more.
Call the Nature Center for details and to available to present 45-minute interpretive
MANAGER Kristi Shoemaker book a presentation. programs for your classroom, garden club,
kshoemaker@peoriaparks.org scout group, or other civic organization.
Fees start at $60.
RENT THE NATURE CENTER
pg. 99 Girl Scout Badge Workshops: Girl Scouts
can complete badge requirements for
BIRTHDAYS AT FPNC pg. 102 Brownie Hiker, Brownie Bugs, Junior
Animal Habitats, Cadette Night Owl, and
HOURS Cadette Trees at Forest Park. Fees are $75
Nature Center: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm for Cadette Night Owl (2 hours) and $65
Sunday 1-5 pm for all other workshops (1.5 hours). Call to
Groups that Meet at FPNC schedule a workshop for your troop.
Trails: Dawn to Dusk, year round
Open year round with wheelchair Central Illinois Herpetological Society
accessible trails Public meetings on the first Thursday Boy Scout Merit Badge Days
of every month at 7 pm. Come to share
Forest Park Memberships or learn about the fascinating world of Boy Scouts are invited to come to FPNC
Help support Forest Park Nature Center amphibians and reptiles. Contact CIHS at to earn their Merit Badges. Our resident
by becoming a C.O.R.E. (Conservation 682-6208 for more information. Merit Badge Counselor will be on hand
and Outdoor Recreation Enthusiasts) to guide Scouts through their education!
member. Memberships start at $20 Heart of Illinois Sierra Club Most requirements for this Merit Badge
will be met by the end of the session, and
and include a 1-year subscription to Public meetings on the third Wednesday final requirements can be brought back to
Tracks and Trails, 10% discount in of each month from September through the Counselor in order to receive a Badge.
the Trailhead Nature Store, reduced May at 7 pm. There is usually a guest Please bring your blue card to be signed.
fees for classes & concerts, plus speaker followed by discussion. For further Fee: $10/Scout
membership privileges at over 130 information contact David Pittman at
nature centers in North America. dvdpittman@gmail.com, 676-5237. Date Time Badge Register
Please note, dogs are not allowed by
at Forest Park Nature Center due to Peoria Audubon Society Sa: 1/7 2-5 pm Mammal 12/31/16
its status as an Illnois State Nature Public meetings and presentations on the Study
Preserve. Dogs are welcome at other second Wednesday of each month from Sa: 4/15 9 am- Bird 4/4/17
Peoria Park District Parks, as well as September through May at 7 pm. Visit 12 pm Study
our dog parks (see pg. 95). www.peoriaaudubon.org for details.

35
2017 Winter Playbook Forest Park Nature Center