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Programs & Events at Fontenelle Forest






Bridget Hanson

Marketing and Communications Assistant

bhanson@fontenelleforest.org | 402-731-3140








August Programs and Events

Below are the events and programs happening in August at Fontenelle Forest. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional details about any of these events.













Full Moon Hike >>
August 4  |  8:00 - 10:00 p.m. 

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North


Have you ever hiked under a full moon? Or wondered what forest life comes out after dark? Come find out on our guided full moon hike!


Hikes will begin no later than 30 minutes after the event start time, so be sure to arrive on time. All hikes will include an educational discussion of the nocturnal animals around the Forest and a brief talk into the lore of full moons. The event will include a bonfire and s’mores. Event is $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Registration is required. Members must sign in to receive discount. 


Family Butterfly Walk>>
August 5 |  10:00 - 11:30 a.m. 

Camp Brewster | 1313 Bellevue Blvd. North


Bring the family and go in search of beautiful butterflies at Camp Brewster!

This will be a guided walk at an easy pace on trails with easy to moderate terrain led by long-time volunteer and nature enthusiast, Bob Fuchs. We will explore areas where butterflies are likely to be found and will try to catch and release some. Event is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Registration is required. Members must sign in to receive discount. 


Fontenelle Trading Post: Speaker Series >>
August 6 |  1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North

Learn about the fascinating history of the Fontenelle Trading Post! This Speaker Series is designed to complement the Nebraska’s Deep Roots exhibit in Baright Gallery.  


Catherine Kuper, Volunteer Archivist and Historian at Fontenelle Forest, will share some of the fascinating stories from Fontenelle’s Trading Post, primarily focused on Indigenous women and their roles of the fur trade. Join us to learn more about the colorful characters occupying Fontenelle’s Trading Post. This event is free for members or with daily admission.  














Critter Talk >>
August 12 |  12:00 – 1:00 p.m. 

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North


Meet some of Fontenelle Forest’s educational critters up close! Animal Care Specialist, Patrick Conner, will be on Dennis Plaza providing information about some of the reptiles and amphibians that call Fontenelle Forest home. In the event of rain, this program will be moved to the Great Hall inside the Nature Center. The August 12 Critter Talk will feature our resident Speckled  Kingsnake! This event is free for members or with daily admission.


Perseids Meteor Shower Viewing Event >>
August 12 |  8:30 – 10:30 p.m. 

Neale Woods Nature Reserve | 14323 Edith Marie Ave


Come experience the thrill of watching the Perseids Meteor shower. This annual meteor shower is renowned for producing some of the brightest shooting stars. Our event will begin with a brief evening hike on dirt-packed trails through the prairie and forest. Then as night falls, we will stargaze together and watch for shooting stars while learning about meteor showers and general astronomy from our seasoned volunteer, Bob Fuchs.

This event will run from 8:30-10:30 PM. Make sure to dress appropriately for the weather, wear good walking shoes, and bring a water bottle. Please bring a folding chair to sit on while stargazing and be ready to hike a short distance on easy to moderate terrain with your chair to our meteor shower viewing area. Event is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Registration is required. Members must sign in to receive discount.


Red Cross Blood Drive >>
August 18 |  10:00 – 3:30 p.m. 

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North


Fontenelle Forest is proud to partner with the American Red Cross and be a part of all they do for our community, our country and around the world. 

Every person who donates blood will receive:

  • One free day pass to Fontenelle Forest (redeemable at any time for up to one year)

  • One $5.00 off coupon to TreeRush Adventures at Fontenelle Forest





Sunset Hike >>
August 18 |  7:00 – 8:30 p.m. 

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North


Are you worn out after a busy work week? Grab your coworkers and come wind down during our Sunset Hike! This hike will explore the gravel and dirt trails near the Nature Center then head to the third loop of the Boardwalk to watch the sunset over the Missouri River.

This program will include an hour and a half naturalist-guided hike though easy to moderate terrain of the Forest. Trekking poles will be available on a first come, first serve basis. Participants will be let in at the front gate and will meet outside on Dennis Plaza (behind the Nature Center). Event is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Registration is required. Members must sign in to receive discount.


Land Stewardship Volunteer Work Day >>
August 19 |  8:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Locations vary


The volunteer Land Stewardship crew meets on select Saturday mornings to work on various projects. Anyone is welcome to join, even if it’s just one time. Bring the family and get some hard work done with us. Projects, start time, and location will be announced via email blast 10 days prior to the workday.

TO RECEIVE MORE INFO AND SIGN UP: If you are interested in volunteering, click here to sign up. You will be registered to receive the email blast announcing the details of our next workday (announced 10 days prior to the workday).

YOU MUST REGISTER for the specific time/location for which you want to volunteer. Details and registration links will be sent to you 10 days prior to the workday. 


Bat Education and Viewing >>
August 25  |  7:30 – 9:30 p.m. 

Camp Brewster | 1313 Bellevue Blvd. North


If you’ve ever wanted to see bat research in action, this program is for you! August is a prime month for watching bats and studying their behaviors. During this program, we will watch as local biologists attempt to use mist netting to capture bats and allow us to see them up close. You will learn about basic principles of bat conservation and why these animals are so important to our local ecosystem.

This will be a 2-hour-long program led by UNO professor and researcher Jeremy White, PhD. It will be held at Camp Brewster. Event is $5 for members and $15 for non-members. Registration is required. Members must sign in to receive discount.


Raptor Talk >>

August 26  |  12:00 - 1:00 p.m.

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North

Join us in the Raptor Woodland Refuge to learn about some of our resident birds of prey and what makes each species unique.

The August 26 event will feature Bald Eagles!  This event is free for members or with daily admission.





Active Military Families Get in Free >>
May 20 through September 4, 2023

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North

In appreciation for your service, Fontenelle Forest is offering all active military and up to five family members receive FREE daily admission to Fontenelle Forest from May 20 to Sept. 4, in partnership with the 2023 Blue Star Museum Program.
The program is available for those currently serving in the United States Military—Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard as well as members of the Reserves, National Guard, U.S. Public Health Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and up to five family members.

Active military members must check in at Visitor Services with a valid active military ID during normal business hours (see hours at FontenelleForest.org/Visit). Qualified members must show a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), DD Form 1173 ID card (dependent ID), or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card for entrance into a participating Blue Star Museum.





Summer Hours >>
Memorial Day through Labor Day

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North


Hike longer with our extended summer hours! From Memorial Day to Labor Day summer hours are in effect at Fontenelle Forest. This means you have more time to enjoy all the things you love about the Forest.

Whether you’re a member or purchase daily admission, your next trip to the Forest just got a little bit longer and more fun!

Summer Hours:
Monday – Friday
8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Saturday – Sunday
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.





Fontenelle Trading Post Exhibit: Nebraska's Deep Roots >>

April 2023 to December 2024

1111 Bellevue Blvd. North


Fontenelle Forest is celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the Fontenelle Trading Post, with a history exhibit located in the Baright Gallery. We are excited to bring you this new experience, which tells the story of how the Fontenelle Trading Post came to be and what a trading post during the 1800’s may have looked like.

The Nebraska’s Deep Roots exhibit will be open daily at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center. This exhibit is free for members or with daily admission for non-members







Feather Our Nest Tickets Now Available

Feather Our Nest >>

October 6  |  6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
1111 Bellevue Blvd. North


Feather Our Nest is our largest annual benefit for Fontenelle Forest. We're looking forward to an evening of elevated experiences, guided encounters, silent auction and more with our dedicated supporters and members.











See our full calendar of events!

View the Calendar

About Fontenelle Forest

Founded in 1913, Fontenelle Forest is a private nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide a place where people can experience and enjoy the quiet wild of nature. We want to inspire current and future generations to care for the natural world through conservation, education and recreation. Fontenelle Forest is one of Nebraska's oldest conservation organizations and one of the largest private nature centers in the nation. With the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center in Bellevue and Neale Woods Nature Reserve in Omaha, Fontenelle Forest encompasses over 2,100 acres of forest, prairie, wetlands and Native American historical sites along the Missouri River.  

   

The Raptor Woodland Refuge, located at the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center, provides visitors with an opportunity to observe many species of birds of prey in a unique, tree-top environment. Fontenelle Forest is a leader in raptor conservation education.




See Past News

(402) 731-3140  •   FontenelleForest.org

1111 Bellevue Boulevard North

Bellevue, Nebraska 68005


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