Participation in any program of the Eagle River Nature Center sponsored by Friends of Eagle River Nature Center is voluntary and taken at your own risk. Your decision to join or leave any activity is a personal choice; therefore, Friends of Eagle River Nature Center are not responsible for your whereabouts.

For your safety and enjoyment…

1. STAY BEHIND THE GROUP LEADER AND WITHIN VOICE REACH.
2. CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED AT ALL TIMES BY A PARENT OR ADULT GUARDIAN, WHO IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR SAFETY AND BEHAVIOR.
3. IF YOU CHOOSE TO LEAVE THE GROUP AT ANY TIME, BE FAMILIAR WITH THE TRAIL SYSTEM.

February 2008  Eagle River Nature Center Programs

Friday, February 1, 7pm
BLACK HOLES AND NEUTRON STARS
with Richard Pellessier
Astronomy Series
Join our astronomers for this popular indoor and outdoor sky viewing program. The astronomy programs will be offered every first and third Friday of the month through April. Bring your own binoculars or telescopes to share and dress warmly. Due to space constraints, this program cannot accommodate large groups. Children can earn their Junior Astronomer Certificate after attending 6 programs and completing "Star Notes". Please complete a punch card at the front desk. Please note that start times will vary for the season.

Saturday, February 2, 2pm
SNOWSHOE HARE AND THE LYNX
Jr. Naturalist Program
What's the relationship between the predator lynx and its prey, snowshoe hare? We'll explore by looking at their life histories, bones, pelts, tracks and through games (outdoors, weather permitting). Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, February 3, 2pm
MINIATURE BIRCH BASKETS
Craft Program ($10)
Learn how to collect and prepare bark, and sew miniature birch baskets. This popular class is limited to 10 (ages 15 and up) and will be offered again in March. Cost is $10, plus parking for non-members. Call 696-2108 to register.

Wednesday, February 6, 11am-noon
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Owls and Mice"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Program is held indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F), so please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members. Call 694-2108 to register. Optional: Bring lunch and join fellow Kneehighs immediately after the program.

Friday, February 8, 11am - noon
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Owls and Mice"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Program is held indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F), so please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members. Call 694-2108 to register. Optional: Bring lunch and join fellow Kneehighs immediately after the program.

Saturday, February 9, 1pm-5pm
FRIENDSHIP HIKE
Bring someone special, your significant other, a best friend or canine, and join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for a 5.75-mile round trip hike on the Albert Loop and Rapids Camp trails. The trails are fairly level with only slight elevation gains. Hikers should be in good shape, but may be beginners. Hikers are advised to bring a daypack with water, wind/snow clothing and warm layers. Snowshoes and/or ice cleats may be needed. Call the Nature Center for trail conditions. The hike is limited to the first 12 people (at least 18 years old) who register by calling 694-2108. Please provide a contact phone number and email address at time of registration.

Saturday, February 9, 2pm
THE SCOOP ON POOP
Come and learn about nature's "yuckies", from owl pellets to bear scat. After learning all about how animals digest food, we'll even make some yummy scat cookies to eat ourselves! Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, February 10, 2pm
SNOWFLAKE PHOTOGRAPHY
Professional photographer Andy Sorensen will present his photographs of snowflakes, and share what's involved in photographing this fascinating subject. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Friday, February 15, 7pm
SPRING STARS
with Richard Pellessier
Astronomy Series
Join our astronomers for this popular indoor and outdoor sky viewing program. The astronomy programs will be offered every first and third Friday of the month through April. Bring your own binoculars or telescopes to share and dress warmly. Due to space constraints, this program cannot accommodate large groups. Children can earn their Junior Astronomer Certificate after attending 6 programs and completing "Star Notes". Please complete a punch card at the front desk. Please note that start times will vary for the season.

Saturday, February 16
The Nature Center will close at 4pm today for a special event, "Night with the Stars" starting at 6pm. 

Saturday, February 16, 10am-noon
WEAVERS AND SPINNERS
Our local club members spin and weave. Feel free to come and watch and ask questions.

Saturday, February 16, 2pm
WOLVES
Jr. Naturalist Program
Volunteers Kathy Tarr and Sandy Villar present a pack of cool facts about wolves in this program for kids of all ages. Learn all about wolf behavior and what makes them such fascinating animals. Free indoor program; $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, February 16, 6-9pm
A NIGHT WITH THE STARS
A Special Evening

3rd Annual Night with the Stars

Saturday, February 16, 2008, 6-9pm at the Eagle River Nature Center

Featuring "Discovering the Moon" with guest speaker Robert Matthews and musical guest artist Beth Baker

An evening of music, dinner, and fine wines. Tickets: $50/person. Limited seating. Tables of 8 available. Reserve tickets by email at info@ernc.org or purchase tickets by phone at 694-2108.

The evening is made possible through generous sponsorship by BROWN JUG.

Sunday, February 17, 2pm
WOODPECKERS
What's that woodpecker at your bird feeder? Volunteer naturalist Beth Baker will present a program on the woodpeckers commonly seen in South-central Alaska. An indoor presentation will be followed by a brief hike to observe woodpeckers at our local feeders and perhaps we'll find a few along the trail. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Wednesday, February 20, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Listen to that Sound"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Program is held indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F), so please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members. Call 694-2108 to register. Optional: Bring lunch and join fellow Kneehighs immediately after the program.

Friday, February 22, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Listen to that Sound"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Program is held indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F), so please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members. Call 694-2108 to register. Optional: Bring lunch and join fellow Kneehighs immediately after the program.

Saturday, February 23, 2pm
UN-NATURE WALK
Jr. Naturalist Program
In this unusual scavenger hunt, children will be looking for what does NOT belong during a short ½ mile walk. This will be followed by a few simple recycling crafts. Program is free, but limited to the first 16 children, ages 6 and up, who are accompanied by an adult.

Sunday, February 24, 2pm
IS ALASKA'S CLIMATE CHANGING?
Join Dr. Peter Olsson, Alaska's State Climatologist, for a fireside chat on our current weather and climate, as well as a discussion on climate change. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Program Registration

• Registration is helpful for all programs and required if the program description specifically requests it. All programs take place at the Nature Center unless noted in the program description. For programs requiring a fee, full payment must be received when registering to secure a place. Call 907-694-2108 to register and receive details about programs (only local calls can be returned).

Program Policies 

• Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
• No dogs (unless specified), guns, or alcohol permitted.
• All overnight hike participants must attend a pre-trip meeting and complete required forms prior to a trip and abide by the rules of the leader.

 PROGRAM SCHEDULE

 32750 Eagle River Road, Eagle River AK 99577 --- (907) 694-2108