Share

Nature Nights

Nature Nights Summer 2012 - Starts Thursday, June 21 from 6 to 9 p.m. Event is free thanks to H-E-B.

 Thursday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m. starting June 21

Join us for family fun Thursday evenings this summer. 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 Capital Area Master Naturalist volunteers and programs.


2012 Summer Nature Nights Schedule

Thursday, June 21: Butterflies
Nature Nights: Butterflies at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

How does a butterfly become a butterfly? What is the difference between a butterfly and a moth? Discover it all and more at our first Nature Night of the summer. Lucas Miller the famed singing zoologist teaches you about the butterfly life cycle and pollination through a lively multimedia performance in the Auditorium from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Come fold beautiful origami butterflies with artist Joan Son in the Visitors Gallery from 6:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. then meet her in the store to see the Surrounded by Grace & Butterflies Origami Butterflies demonstration and exhibit. Watch the release of live butterflies in the courtyard by the Austin Butterfly Forum throughout the evening. Go in search of butterflies, moths, and other pollinators and the flowers they rely on while walking the gardens with area butterfly experts. Don’t forget to do our butterfly scavenger hunt and check out our educational exhibits on cecropia moths and butterfly metamorphosis. Do fun crafts with the Teenage Ecowarriors too!

  • 6:00 p.m.-6:30 p.m. - Origami Butterflies with Joan Son in the Visitors Gallery
  • 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. - Lucas Miller Performance in the Auditorium

Thursday, June 28: Hummingbirds
Nature Nights: Hummingbirds at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center

What are the two most common hummingbirds found in Central Texas? Come find out! Learn how these fascinating tiny creatures play a giant role in pollinating plants.  The evening starts with a special, interactive hummingbird storytelling program from the Austin Public Library at 6:15 p.m. in the Little House.  Jeannette Larson, author of "Hummingbirds, Facts and Folklore from the Americas", will sign her book in the Store from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  At 7:00 p.m. hear Sheila Hargis with Travis Audubon speak in the auditorium on Hummingbirds of Central Texas. Volunteers from Travis Audubon will also lead hikes at 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. and 8:15 p.m. in the gardens and tell us all about these little, flying jewels and the nectar plants they love. Go on a scavenger hunt to discover interesting hummingbird facts and spend time coloring the most common hummingbird species around.

  • 6:15 p.m.-6:45 p.m.- Storytelling in Little House
  • 7:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.- Hummingbirds of Central Texas presentation in Auditorium 
  • 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m., 8:15 p.m.- Garden Hikes, meet in the Courtyard
Thursday, July 5: Power of Plants

Take a look around you. You will probably see some things that come from plants. Plants have many uses and without them we couldn’t exist. Discover the power of plants through interesting exhibits on edible native plants and how to make rope and primitive tools using plants. Learn how to collect and clean seeds with center horticulturists and go on the Behind the Scenes tour of the Seed Lab/Herbarium and Nursery. Hike the gardens with experts to learn about the medicinal and ethnobotanic uses of our valuable native plants. Enjoy the storytelling of the Legend of Bluebonnet in our Little House at 6:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Test your plant power knowledge on a garden scavenger hunt and make seed balls with Master Naturalists. Make a recycled material craft with the Teenage Ecowarriors and create your own paper version of the Venus flytrap.

  • 6:15 p.m. & 7:00 p.m- Behind the Scenes Tour of Seed Lab & Nursery
  • 6:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.- Storytelling in Little House

Thursday, July 12: Birds of Prey

What do hawks, owls and eagles eat and where do they live? Walk the gardens with Travis Audubon volunteers to get answers to these questions and more at 6:15 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Explore the habits of birds of prey and see live birds in the courtyard with the Blackland Prairie Raptor Center from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Compare your arm-span to the wing-span of an eagle, practice your bird feather identification with Earth Native Wilderness School, be an owl pellet detective to uncover what was for dinner and enjoy coloring your favorite raptor.

  • 6:15 p.m. & 6:30 p.m.- Habitat Hikes with Travis Audubon, meet in the Courtyard
  • 7:00 p.m.- Live Birds of Prey Program with Blackland Prairie Raptor Center in the Courtyard

Thursday, July 19: Bats

How many mosquitos can a bat eat in one night? Are bats really blind? Become a bat expert at Austin’s International Year of the Bat event hosted in partnership with Bat Conservation International. Discover the mysterious life of bats through guided walks with bat experts and a fun scavenger hunt, see a live African Straw-colored Flying Fox and Mexican Free-tailed bats in an interesting presentation on amazing bats, learn what it’s like to be a bat scientist, and hear a story about Ding Bat & His Happy Flying Friends from the authors Evalen and John Cruzan. There will be bat themed crafts including one from the Teenage Ecowarriors and other hands-on educational activities to teach you all about the Masters of the Night.

  • 6:15 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 8:30 p.m., Hikes with BCI, meet in the Courtyard
  • 6:30 p.m. -Storytelling in Little House
  • 7:00p.m-8:00p.m.- BCI Bat Presentation with Live Bats in the Auditorium

Thursday, July 26: Snakes

 

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor!

H-E-B

Thanks to our Media Sponsor!