Offered on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month | 10 AM

These story times are designed primarily for young children and will introduce a different nature-themed book each week. During most of the story times, a puppet, live animal or enrichment items will be included to enhance the experience.

Offered on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month | 10 AM

These story times are designed primarily for young children and will introduce a different nature-themed book each week. During most of the story times, a puppet, live animal or enrichment items will be included to enhance the experience.

Offered on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month | 10 AM

These story times are designed primarily for young children and will introduce a different nature-themed book each week. During most of the story times, a puppet, live animal or enrichment items will be included to enhance the experience.

Join us for a spooky stroll around the Heard! The night before Halloween, come appreciate the spooky and often misunderstood creatures of the night. Spooky sights and sounds–all in good fun. You never know what we might see: bats, invertebrates, or reptiles. We will share a quick introduction to nocturnal animals we might find at the Heard and talk about how to safely walk the trails at night. A guide will then lead your group to help you try to find some of our coolest spooky creatures. The actual walk will be about an hour.

Cost: 

Members: $12

Non-members: $14

Age 3 years through adult

Would you like to learn more about the nature and history of the Heard?

Join us for the 2024 Trail Guide Training class series. You will get to learn aspects of the Heard’s trails. You’ll also learn to help guide school groups and more along Heard nature trails.

The classes will be offered on Fridays or Saturdays in September (from September 6 through September 28; see schedule below) from 9 AM to 3 PM in Laughlin Hall at the Heard. Participation in one session per week is required. All guides must be registered volunteers at the Heard.

Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long pants and bring lunch, water, and bug spray. This training session will focus on the two trails we primarily use for school groups. Pre-registration is required, and spots are limited. Join us on this great adventure by submitting a Heard volunteer application and indicating your interest in this program on the form.

Trail Training Schedule (Friday and Saturday training sessions are the same):

• Sept 6th: Training on Hoot Owl and Laughlin Loop 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Sept 7th: Training on Hoot Owl and Laughlin Loop 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Sept 13th: Training on Blue Stem and Wood Duck 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Sept 14th: Training on Blue Stem and Wood Duck 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Sept 20th: Training on Cedar Break and Sycamore 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Sept 21st: Training on Cedar Break and Sycamore 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Sept 27th: Kinds of groups, review and makeup 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Sept 28th: Kinds of groups, review and makeup 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Classes begin for the homeschool and preschool Spring 2025 semester.

Classes begin for the homeschool and preschool Fall 2024 semester.

New and returning students and families will have the chance to meet the teachers for their upcoming homeschool or preschool program.

New and returning students and families will have the chance to meet the teachers for their upcoming homeschool or preschool program.

Youth artists will follow in the footsteps of great artists such as Audubon, Beatrix Potter and Anna Atkins, with unique opportunities to create their own art inspired by nature and live animals. Each day, a different type of medium will be explored.