The Kansas Wetlands Education Center has the cure for boredom – winter nature programs! Kids will turn a gourd into a bird house, make a fox and a Chinese lantern owl, play games and of course learn more about the world around them and the creatures living there. So don’t delay, sign-up soon, as the maximum for each class is 20 children.
Designed for children ages 6 through 12, one-hour programs will be offered at no charge from 10-11 a.m. each Saturday, except Feb. 22, which runs 9:30-10:30 a.m. Children age 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. Registration deadlines in sequential order of the classes are Feb. 5, Feb. 12 and Feb. 19. To register for classes, or for more information, call 620-566-1456 or 1-877-243-9268. Although there is no program charge, donations for supplies are always appreciated.
Masters of the Night Sky: Feb. 8
Are owls really wise or an omen of death? Explore owl folklore and discover the true wonder of this group of raptors with special appearances by live owls. Participants will create an owl and, for those who want to stay longer, the opportunity to dissect an owl pellet and make a bone chart.
Celebrate Birds!: Feb. 15
Learn to identify the hardy birds that stay through the Kansas winter and their songs, then go outside and find them during the national Backyard Bird Count. Participants will also complete a gourd bird house for their own backyards in honor of National Bird Feeding Month.
What Does the Fox Say?: Feb. 22
What do foxes say? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Learn how Kansas’ three species of fox communicate, their fascinating behaviors and if they are really as sly as folk lore tells us. Participants will make their own fox to take home.