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.

December 2007 Eagle River Nature Center Programs

Saturday, December 1, 2pm
SIMPLE GIFTS FROM NATURE
Children's Craft Program ($5/child)
Learn to make some simple gifts using natural materials. Children will be able to choose from two levels depending on their level of skill and patience: "fast & easy", and "a bit more involved". Appropriate for ages 5 and up. Limited to 10 children; call 694-2108 to register. Cost is $5/child, plus $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, December 2, 2pm
O TANNENBAUM, O CHRISTMAS TREE!
How did the evergreen spruce or "Tannenbaum" ever become the symbol of the Christmas season? Naturalist Ute Olsson will present the historical background and natural history of the North's most ubiquitous conifer. Free program; $5 parking fee for non-members.

Wednesday, December 5, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Snow"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Call 694-2108 to register and receive details and policies. Indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F): please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members.

Friday, December 7, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Snow"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Call 694-2108 to register and receive details and policies. Indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F): please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members.

Friday, December 7, 7pm
ASTRONOMY SERIES
APOLLO TO THE MOON: The problems, technologies, and triumphs of the 60's space program presented by Scott Girard
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, starting at 7pm. 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. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

December 8, Saturday, 10am-4pm
HIKE THE MIDDLE FORK LOOP
Join volunteers Bob and Ann Fisher for an 8.5-mile round trip hike, starting from the Prospect Heights trailhead in Anchorage. The hike involves a 1200-foot elevation gain over the first 3½ miles. Hikers should be in good shape and have completed a hike of similar nature. Hikers are advised to bring a daypack with lunch/snacks, water, wind/snow clothing and warm layers. Snowshoes and/or ice cleats may be needed. Hikers will meet at the trailhead. Directions to the trailhead are as follows: Going south on the Seward Highway, take the O'Malley Road exit and turn left toward the mountains. Follow O'Malley to the very top and the road will turn to the left. Almost immediately, turn right onto Upper O'Malley Road and follow this to a "T" in the road and Prospect Drive appears on the left. Turn left on Prospect and drive for about a mile, then veer left after the stop sign. The Prospect Heights trailhead is on the right. There is a $5 parking fee (AK State Park day passes honored). 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. Well behaved dogs are welcome on the hike. Please provide a contact phone number and email address at time of registration.

Saturday, December 8, 2pm
AUDUBON: THE BOY WHO DREW BIRDS
Children's Craft Program ($8/child)
Giselle Bergeron presents this program about John James Audubon, the boy who drew birds. Children will learn about Audubon's work, learn how to draw birds, and make a collage. Limited to 8 children (ages 7 and up) who register at 694-2108. Cost is $8, plus $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, December 9, 2pm
WEATHER AND CLIMATE
Join Dr. Peter Olsson, Alaska's State Climatologist, for a fireside chat on our current weather and climate. Free program, $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, December 15, 2pm
BEGINNING SKIING FOR FAMILIES (Free but registration required)
New to Nordic or Cross-country skiing? Bring your own skis, and call the Nature Center on Saturday to check on snow conditions. Limited to 12 participants (ages 7 and up). Parents need to accompany and register along with children. Register at 694-2108. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Sunday, December 16, 2pm
BIRCH BARK CANOE ORNAMENTS
Craft Program ($8/person)
Participants will learn to make birch bark canoes for Christmas tree ornaments. Adults need to accompany and be available to help children. Limited to 8 participants (ages 8 and up) who register at 694-2108. Cost is $8/person, plus $5 parking for non-members.

Wednesday, December 19, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Holiday Lights"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Call 694-2108 to register and receive details and policies. Indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F): please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members.

Friday, December 21, 11am
KNEEHIGH NATURALIST
Pre-school Program "Holiday Lights"
For preschoolers ages 3-5, limited to 10 registered children accompanied by an adult. Call 694-2108 to register and receive details and policies. Indoors and outdoors (if above 0 F): please dress for the weather. Cost is $8 per child, plus parking for non-members.

Friday, December 21, 7pm
ASTRONOMY SERIES
PRIVATE EFFORTS IN SPACE: Spaceship One and White Night presented by Brett Woern
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, starting at 7pm. 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. Free program; $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, December 22, 2pm-5pm
LANTERN-MAKING
Craft Program
Families are invited to make lanterns for our annual Lantern Walk at 5pm. Please bring your own half-gallon milk carton (cardboard type). All other tools and materials will be provided. Children will need adult help and supervision for cutting. Free program, $5 parking for non-members. No registration required.

Saturday, December 22, 5pm
12TH ANNUAL LANTERN WALK & WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Special Event
Join us for our annual lantern walk and celebration of the return of the sun! Lanterns can be made at the Nature Center from 2-5pm or bring your own. All are invited on a procession to a bonfire below the Classroom Yurt, where warm beverages will be served. Please bring a snack or desert to share with the group. Free program, $5 parking for non-members. Interested in volunteering for this special event? We'll need help making a "lead lantern", making ice candles, setting up the bonfire, helping children make lanterns, and more. Contact us at info@ernc.org or call 694-2108.

Sunday, December 23, Noon-4pm
BACKYARD BIRDING Q&A
Our naturalist will be available during the afternoon to help you identify birds at the Nature Center feeders, answer questions, and provide tips on backyard birding. Free program, $5 parking for non-members.

Saturday, December 29, 2pm
ANIMAL TRACKING
Junior Naturalist Program (grades K-6)
Join our naturalist to learn all about tracking animals in the snow. We will take a walk to the Classroom Yurt, where we can warm up and learn to "read" tracks. Afterwards, we'll look for tracks around the beaver pond. Free program, $5 parking fee for non-members.

Sunday, December 30, 9am-4pm
EAGLE RIVER-CHUGIAK CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT
Meet at 9am at Jitters Café in Eagle River
Become a volunteer and help us gather data for Audubon's annual count. We will cover an area including Fort Richardson, Eagle River, Chugiak, and Peters Creek. Experienced and beginner birders are welcome. Contact volunteer coordinator Liza Sanden at info@ernc.org for information and pre-registration. Please put "BIRD COUNT" in the subject and register by December 22nd, so that teams can be formed. For additional information on the nation-wide count, visit www.audubon.org. A count compilation potluck takes place after the count at Jitters in Eagle River (4-6pm). Many thanks to Jitters for hosting the event.

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