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 Bethel
Horizons is nestled on over
500 acres of hills, valleys, and cliffs inside the “Driftless Area” of
Wisconsin. Many plant and animal communities make the forest, prairie,
and wetland areas of Horizons their home. Horizons provides many unique
opportunities to explore and discover the wonders of nature by striving
to teach others the importance of the earth's wild places and by
reconnecting people to the earth in which we live.
Spring
Festival
May 6, 2007
Early May is a time
of beauty and rebirth in the woodland forest. The year’s showiest
wildflowers adorn the forest floor while brightly-colored warblers and
butterflies flutter to and fro in the canopy of newly emerged leaves.
Join us for this year’s Spring Festival at Bethel Horizons and attend
programs about birds, butterflies, landscaping for wildlife and
wildflower lore. The trails will be open for hiking and the Nature
Center has some new exhibits you should check out. The Festival is free
of charge. Call Eric Volden at 608.935.5885 for more information.
All are welcome to take part in the many nature
programs offered at Horizons. Whether you are a part of a school,
business/organization, church, or scout troop, we would love to
coordinate a program that will fit your needs. Look thru the following
programs that are a popular choice and call soon, to make a reservation
or ask a question.
Cliff Exploration.
Students will experience both team challenge and self-discovery, once
they find themselves at the top of one of Horizon's cliffs. We will
also look at rock formations and learn about geology and the uniqueness
of being in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin.
Environmental Games:
Experience being a wild animal fighting for survival. Learn about such
concepts as camouflage, predator-prey relationships, population
fluctuations, wildlife management, conservation, and developing personal
land ethics through active games.
Hike, Canoe, and Cave Exploration:
This all-day adventure includes hiking to Governor Dodge State Park,
canoeing to and exploring a cave and cliffs.
Birds:
Bird programming
includes observation of the birds at our feeders, as well as hands-on
activities that discuss bird adaptations and habitats, dissection of owl
pellets, bird hikes, and studying various bird mounts in the nature
center.
Interpretive, Sensory, and Discovery Hikes>
Get in touch with nature as you use your senses and discovery skills
along the trail. Topics to be examined include natural history, unique
Driftless area geology, tree and plant I.D., animal tracks and traces,
plant succession, and community comparisons. Specific topics are
encouraged.
Reptiles and Amphibians:
What makes a reptile a reptile? What makes an amphibian an amphibian?
These are questions that will be answered as students have a chance to
see up close and personal our live animals. They include an American
toad, tiger salamander, water and land turtles and tortoise, as well as
our hognose, fox, and rat, and corn snakes.
Skulls and Skins of Wisconsin:
Learn about Wisconsin mammals thru pelts, skulls, and/ or study mounts.
Study these great animals because many are our backyard neighbors!
Nature Center:
This hands-on exhibit area includes unique interpretive displays,
reference materials, wildlife viewing area , and a nature store.
Pond Study:
Discover the life in and around Horizon's Question Mark Pond. Students
will use nets to catch and study the aquatic insects that live in the
pond as well as finding tracks of the animals who visit there. Find out
how the beaver are busy creating and changing the waterways.
Tracking:
Many times students come to Horizons and never get to see the animals
that live here. However, the animals leave signs behind that can be
determined who left their mark. Learn about tracks by hiking the trails
of Bethel Horizons as well as investigating tracks with tracking
activities that are available.
Prairie or Forest Studies:
Bethel Horizons has many acres of natural prairie and forests to explore
and discover. Learn about seed dispersal, animals who live there, and
the plants that grow, thru games, activities, and hikes.
Orienteering:
Learn about the history of compass, how to use it, map making, and
explore Horizons by finding your way through the orienteering course
with a compass.
Living Off the Land:
Join us from November through March for this hands-on program learning
about survival and pioneer living. Activities may include twine making,
maple syrup, apple sauce or pies, bread making over the fire, shelter
building, orienteering, hiking, tracking, candle making, pioneer toys
and crafts, and edible plants.
Other:
Any environmentally innovative and creative program requested.
Traveling Programs:
Inquire about any of the above programs coming to visit your school for
an exciting alternative to a field trip.
Interested
in Intern Opportunities at Bethel Horizons?
click here!
Contact: Eric Volden, Environmental Education Director, to find out more information
about any of these programs. (608) 935-5885 or email
ericvolden@charter.net |
