Take part in FREE family fun Thursday evenings this summer at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center’s Nature Nights through July 23, 2015. Nature Nights are fun explorations of plants, animals, and the ecology of Central Texas. Each evening features interactive presentations, hikes with experts in their fields, and nature crafting for kids of all ages. Nature Nights are supported through volunteer efforts by local organizations.
The Cafe will be open until 8:00 pm serving their regular menu items. Kids 12 and under receive a free gift in the Gift Store.
Please come early as the parking lot fills up quickly. If the lot is full, please park on the street. Please only park in designated parking spots.
Thursday, July 9 – Springs, Streams and Ponds Ecology
What is the difference between a spring, stream and pond? Find out on July 9 at our Springs, Streams and Ponds Ecology Nature Nights. Does our water ever get to the ocean? To get answers join us. The Austin Public Library will be here and have the puppet show “Tortuga del Mar” at 7:00pm. The puppet show is recommended for ages 5 and up. We will have information about the endangered Houston toad. Texas Parks and Wildlife will be here with information about benthic macro invertebrates. Enjoy a backyard bass activity. Follow the water at the Wildflower Center as you go on a scavenger hunt.
Thursday, July 16 – Harnessing Fire
Ever wondered why we use prescribed burns on our landscapes? Now is your chance to find out. Joining us for this special Nature Nights will be Austin Fire Department-Wildfire Division, Austin Water Utility, Balcones US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Nature Conservancy of Texas, Texas Forest Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, Travis County Star Flight, and University of Texas at Austin Fire Prevention Services. They will bring some of their equipment for all to see, including a helicopter used in fire prevention programs. We will also have fire extinguisher training, a fire safety house and radio practice. There will be habitat hikes that discuss prescribed burns, and how we use them at the Wildflower Center to heal the land and promote healthy landscapes. We would love to see kids wear their fire gear!
Thursday, July 23 – Birds of Prey
One of our most popular Nature Nights. Come listen to the experts from the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center. They will bring their raptor ambassadors as they discuss the issues concerning the future of birds of prey. Travis Audubon will be here with an activity. Be sure to find Tish Corvidae with along with her birds. The Girl Scouts and Kairos Academy will each have a fun activity.
Be sure to read all about Catherine Morris’s article on activities to do at the Wildflower Center here. Images courtesy of Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
