Greenburgh Nature Center Weekend Events Page

MARCH

21 SAT 2:00 – 4:00 PM – CREATIVE INSPIRATIONS FROM NATURE—A creative writing workshop led by Karen Rippstein, a creative writing teacher who has conducted popular writing programs at Rockefeller State Park Preserve and Westchester Community College. Let the surroundings of the Nature Center be your inspiration to paint words into a poetic rhythm of lyrical language. Recommended for ages 15 and up. Group size is limited to 12, so pre-registration is required. Members-$10, Non-members-$15.

22 SUN 2:00 PM – WINGED MIGRATION—The spring migration of hawks and other birds of prey will soon be underway, with these predators of the sky returning to their summer home after wintering in warmer latitudes. Join Museum Curator Travis Brady to take an up-close look at the Nature Center’s hawks, eagles, falcons, and owls, without craning your neck to look skyward. Learn the secrets of their success as fabled hunters of the sky. Members-$3. Non-members-$5.

APRIL

5 SUN 11:00 AM – OPEN WIDE! — Slither on over to the Nature Center and join Travis Brady, our Museum Curator, to learn all about snakes and lizards during a lively hands-on (if you dare) presentation that is sure to engage and enlighten. Fun for the whole family. Members-$2, Non-members-$7.

11 SAT 11:30 AM and 2:00 PM – SPRING EGG HUNT — Search the Center’s grounds for chocolate eggs, then meet some of the animals from our Animal Museum. For discounted rate, register and pre-pay by Thursday, April 9. Early registration rates: Members-$4, Non-members-$8. Day of event rates: Members-$6, Non-members-$10. When pre-registering, please specify either the 11:30 Egg Hunt or the 2:00 PM Egg Hunt. Sponsored in part by Patriot National Bank and Central Animal Hospital.

12 SUN – NATURE CENTER CLOSED

19 SUN 1:00–3:30 PM – EARTH DAY CELEBRATION — Join us for a fun, earth friendly afternoon as we spruce up our grounds, prepare our garden beds, and clear our trails. Then enjoy a visit with our Museum animals. Groups welcome but please pre-register. Free.

25 SAT 2:00 PM – FEEDING FUN — It’s lunchtime in our live animal museum. Come see what’s on the menu. Included with Museum admission.

26 SUN 2:00 PM – SOWING SEEDS OF SUSTAINABILITY — Join Naturalist Educator Jennifer Sloan for an introduction to organic vegetable gardening. Learn where is best to build your garden bed, how large you should make it, and how to extend the growing season through seed boxes indoors or in cold frames. This is a fun, hands-dirty learning opportunity for adults and children alike! Pre-registration requested. Members-free, Non-Members-$7.

26 SUN 6:00 PM – OWL PROWL — Join Kurt Hundgen, GNC Executive Director, Doug Bloom, President of the Bronx River Sound Shore Audubon Society, and Chris Nagy, from the Mianus River George Preserve, for an evening all about owls. Chris will discuss how to get involved in the “Citizen Study on Urban Owls.” Then meet the Center’s resident owls and take a woodland walk in search of these nocturnal raptors, using owl vocalizations. Pre-registration requested. Members-free, Non-members-$7.

MAY

3 SUN 11:30 AM – GNC HIGHLIGHTS TOUR — Take a guided tour of the gardens and grounds, and learn about the treasures on the Nature Center’s 33 acres. Trail maps provided. Free.

3 SUN 2:00 PM – THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE (AND THE GOAT) — Senior naturalist Dean Fausel will reprise some of his favorite children’s fables with his own unique touch. Some of our favorite Museum animals will be in attendance. Join the fun. Members-$2, Non-members-$7.

10 SUN 2:00 PM – PLANT A GARDEN IN A POT FOR MOM — Cut flowers are nice but potted ones make a lasting impression. Join naturalist Jennifer Sloan to decorate your one-of-a-kind pot, and then fill it with a flowering plant to present to Mom. Members-$5, Non-members-$10 per pot.

16 SAT 1:00–2:30 PM – ARTISTS IN NATURE — Enjoy the spring weather and wildlife while increasing your confidence and drawing skills in this engaging class with instructor Allison Kueck, GNC naturalist and artist whose portfolio includes still life, portraits, nature, and landscape. Expand your drawing as you explore pencil techniques and observation skills using a variety of animal models and the expansive grounds of the Nature Center. Young artists will be provided with their own drawing notepad, pencils, and erasers to bring home. Recommended for ages 8–12. Group size is limited to ten, so pre-registration is required. Members-$25, Non-members-$35.

23 SAT 2:00 PM – FEEDING FUN — Gobble, crunch, slurp, chomp. It’s mealtime for our animals. Come see what’s on the menu. Included with Museum admission.

24 SUN 2:00 PM – CREATURES OF WOODFROG POND — Join naturalist John Mancuso as he explores the world of Woodfrog Pond. Begin indoors with a brief introduction featuring live animals, then walk to our pond and use a net to dip into the pond to catch some of the creatures living there. Family fare, appropriate dress, limited enrollment. Members-$2, Non-members-$7. Sponsored in part by Westchester County Parks Department.

31 SUN 1:00–4:00 PM – People’s United Bank presents THE GNC ENVIRONMENTAL FAMILY FESTIVAL,

featuring Annie and the Natural Wonder Band — There’s something special for everyone. Enjoy family fun with
musical entertainment, petting zoo, games, and crafts; see demonstrations on composting and sustainable
gardening; view exhibits on green technologies, products and services that can help you save energy and
enjoy a more environmentally friendly life style. Food available for purchase.
Members: $6, Non-members-$12.

JUNE

7 SUN 11:30 AM – GNC HIGHLIGHTS TOUR — See May 3, above.

7 SUN 1:00–3:00 PM – FAMILY CAMPING 101 — Maybe you’ve always wanted to go camping but lack confidence in your outdoor skills. This two-hour, hands-on course will include performing simple but essential tasks such as setting up your tent, cutting and splitting firewood, and stringing a canopy. Wewill also provide seasoned advice on planning your trip, buying and using gear and establishing your campsite. This fun and informative program will be led by local adventurer and hike and tour leader David Steinberg, author of “Hiking the Road To Ruins.” Members-$2, Non-members-$7.

13 SAT 2:00–4:00 PM – CREATIVE WRITING WORKSHOP: INSPIRATIONS FROM NATURE — Join writing teacher Karen Rippstein for an afternoon of creative writing and be inspired to explore, reflect, and create as you paint words into meaningful prose or poetry. Please bring pen, notebook, and a camera to capture the treasures of the Center’s grounds. The workshop is held indoors although a short walk, weather permitting, will add to the inspiration. The program is open to adults. Group size is limited so pre-registration is required. Members-$10, Non-members-$15.

14 SUN 5:00–7:00 PM – CABLEVISION presents the YONKERS PHILHARMONIC AT THE NATURE CENTER —

The Yonkers Philharmonic will present an outdoor program of music from nature, featuring Prokofieff’s Peter and the Wolf and Spring from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons with special guest narrator Robert Sherman. A concert delight for children and adults alike. Members-$6, Non-members-$12. All children under 12 years of age - $2. (Rain date Sunday, June 21.) Additional support from Central Animal Hospital.

20 SAT 5:30 PM – 21 SUN 8:30 AM – MEMBERS’ FAMILY CAMP-OUT — Enjoy a night of nature on the grounds of the Nature Center as we host a family camp-out. You supply your tent and sleeping bag, we’ll supply the nature. Join us for an informal barbecue, then explore our moonlit trails with a GNC naturalist in search of owls and other night creatures. Camp-out limited to ten families. Reservations required. First come first served. Each tent must include a minimum of one adult. Fee: $100 per family (immediate family only).