By Anna Skinner
Although central Indiana is still stuck in the throes of winter, Zion Nature Center, 690 Beech St., is prepping for the spring and summer programs.
“We are again trying to keep bringing new ideas into our mix, we are trying to get new people to come out to the nature center,” Park Naturalist Mindy Murdock said. “We are always looking for especially adult programming because that is one area we don’t get a lot of interest in. We want people other than family and kids to utilize the nature center.”
Nature Fest – A fundraiser put on by the Friends of Zion Nature Center at Zionsville Town Hall on March 5.
Backyard Habitat Program – A workshop for those who want to know what is involved in their backyard becoming a certified backyard habitat. The program is tentatively set for the evening of March 22, but the date may change. Registration required.
Z’GreenFest – For the Z’GreenFest’s 10th anniversary, the Friends of the Zion Nature Center will team up with the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Library. There will be activities for families, kids and adults. Scheduled for April 24.
Summer camps – Different times available from week long camps to preschool camps, daylong camps and an overnight camp. Participants will learn general nature, topics ranging from wetlands to forests and birds, and overnight camps will focus on nocturnal animals. Dates are throughout June and July. Prices are $20 for one day camps, $40 for overnight camps, $45 for preschool camps and $85 for weeklong camps. Registration will begin March 12. Parents must sign up children in person at the Zion Nature Center.
Multiple other programs will occur throughout summer, such as Moth Night Out and Firefly Watch. A wildflower walk and other programs such as cleaning up the parks and creeks will also occur. To learn more, visit www.zionsville-in.gov/town-services/parks/zion-nature-center or call the Zion Nature Center at 873-8950.
“For the nature center, our big push is to help people discover what’s in their backyard. For a lot of people, their backyard is not only nature but their gardens and flowers,” Murdock said. “We are trying to find ways to get people to connect with what they have so they can learn and grow.”
