Ballard Nature Center

Sky Orienteering
2023-02-10 18:00 (America/Chicago)
Join Randy Harrison as he helps you view constellations, Mars, & the great Orion Nebula. We’ll also see if we can identify the bright Messier Objects in certain constellations. Get a look at a very special visitor, who last visited 50,000 years ago, the comet c/2022 E(ZTF). Randy will have a telescope & a giant pair of binoculars. Bring your own binoculars, if you have some, and a lawn chair if you like. Dress warm! If too cold or cloudy, backup date is Feb. 24. No registration required. All ages.

Art Show
2023-02-03
2nd Annual Art Show going on through the month of February.

Beat the Blues with Birds
2023-01-28 14:00
Got cabin fever? Then get out of the house and join us for this fun family program. We’ll have a book and activities about birds. A trail walk activity will be part of the fun. No fee. Register by email, phone, or facebook message.

2nd Annual Art Show Deadline
2023-01-28
All artists (ages & skill level) can submit. Deadline is January 28th. See flyer and entry form for more info.
2nd Annual Art Show @ Ballard Natuer Center
2nd Art Show Entry Form

Nature Tales
2023-01-19 10:00
For kids ages 3-5 with an adult. We’ll learn about animals in winter, play some games, and make a craft. Registration required – facebook message, email or call.

Winter Craft Day
2023-01-16 10:00 - 13:00
Kids in 2nd – 5th grades
School is out for Martin Luther King Day, so it is a great time to come out to Ballard Nature Center for winter fun. We’ll make several winter themed crafts. We’ll also do some activities and take a hike if the weather permits. Kids bring a sack lunch. $6 fee. Registration required – facebook message us, email or call. Register by 3pm on Jan 13.

Winter Break Fun
2022-12-28 10:00 - 13:00
For kids in grades 1st-3rd. 10am-1pm. We’ll have all kinds of winter-themed fun as we craft, play games, hike, and more. Bring a lunch. Registration required. $5 fee per child. ballardnc@frontiernet.net, 618-483-6856

Sky Orienteering
2022-12-14 17:00 - 21:00
Join Randy Harrison, of Looking Up Optics, at around 5pm and enjoy a night under the stars. Bring a chair and a pair of binoculars, if you have some. We will tour the visible constellations at this time of year, learn their locations, and how to identify them. We’ll also learn about the bright stars and the constellations that they are in. No registration required. Come take a tour star hopping around the sky.

Luminary Walk
2022-12-09 17:00 - 20:00
Come walk a trail lit by many beautiful luminaria of varying types & other decorations. Enjoy a fire and cookies. Free will donation.

Senior Moments
2022-11-16 10:00
Senior Moments Join us in having a fun and memorable senior moment.
Fall Fun & Games: Test your knowledge of nature in an enjoyable and fun way. Join us for a little friendly competition as we play non-strenuous games and activities that will have you thinking and make you laugh, while perhaps learning something new.
Painting an owl leaf will be part of the program.
We’ll also sip on apple cider & much on popcorn.
Adult program. Register by email (ballardnc@frontiernet.net), phone (618-483-6856), or send a Facebook message.

Astronomy Night
2022-11-12 18:00 - 20:00
The River Bend Astronomy Club will be here with telescopes. Join them anytime from 5pm-10pm to look and learn about stars, planets, and more. No registration required.

Annual Fundraising Banquet
2022-11-12 17:30
This fun event includes games, wine tasting, raffles, auctions, dinner, and more.
winter

Jack-o-lantern Trail
2022-10-31
Last day of this self-guided trail activity. Along the woodland trail (follow the signs) there will be pictures of jack-o’-lanterns attached to trees. At each picture, you will punch your card that you pick up at the trailhead. Turn your card in for a chance to win a prize.

Owl-O-Ween
2022-10-22 13:00
Come learn about owls. The World Bird Sanctuary will be here with live owls and will give a 45 minute educational presentation. Enjoy a fun hike after their presentation. Pre-register by email, ballardnc@frontiernet.net.

Treat Trek
2022-10-21
We’ll sing a few songs & listen to a story before we head out on the trail to meet nocturnal animal puppets and collect treats from them. Kids can come dressed in their Halloween costumes. Designed for ages 4-9. Choose from three times: 5:30pm, 6:30pm, and 7:30pm. Fee of $5 per child. Pre-registration required beginning on Oct 5. Send us an email, facebook message or call to register.

Senior Moments
2022-10-11 10:00
Join Larry Quicksall, a local beekeeper, to learn about bees & beekeeping. We’ll also taste some honey. We’ll take an optional walk after the presentation. Adult program. Pre-register by the 10th.

Nature Tales
2022-10-07 10:00
For kids ages 3-5 with adult. “Nuts About Nuts” –come learn about the amazing variety of nuts and the animals that eat them, do a craft, and take a hike. Pre-registration required.

Jack-o-lantern Trail
2022-10-01, 2022-09-17
Self-guided trail that will be available until the end of October. Along the woodland trail (follow the signs) there will be pictures of jack-o’-lanterns attached to trees. At each picture, you will punch your card that you pick up at the trailhead. Turn your card in for a chance to win a prize.

Campfire Night
2022-09-30 18:30
Gather ‘round a fire for stories & songs. There will also be activities centered around coyotes and a fun interactive hike. Pre-register by Sept 28 by phone, email or facebooks message. Family program.

Family Fun Day
2022-09-24 09:00 - 12:00
Enjoy yard games, craft, nature train rides, & more. Bring a picnic lunch and stay awhile. No registration required.

Senior Moments
2022-09-21 10:00
Come learn about woodpeckers, play bird bingo, and talk a short hike. We’ll learn and laugh and have a memorable senior moment. Adult program. Pre-register by the 20th by email, phone or facebook message.

Sky Orienteering
2022-09-16 19:00 - 21:30
Join Randy Harrison, of Looking Up Optics, at around 7:15pm and enjoy a night under the stars. Bring a chair and a pair of binoculars, if you have some. We will tour the visible constellations at this time of year, learn their locations, and how to identify them. We’ll also learn about the bright stars and the constellations that they are in. We’ll see if we can id the bright Messier Objects in certain constellations. No registration required. Backup date is Sept 21 in case it is cloudy or rainy. Come take a tour star hopping around the sky.

3D Bow Shoot Fundraiser
2022-09-10 - 2022-09-11
During this fundraising event, participants shoot at 3D targets set up along the trails. Some trails are closed to the public.

Nature Tales
2022-09-08 10:00
Amazing Animal Eyes: come learn about the amazing variety of eyes and go on a fun “I spy” hike. For kids ages 3-5 with adult. Pre-register by Sept 7, by email, phone, or Facebook message.

Nature Tales
2022-08-11 10:00
For kids ages 3-5 with adult. Animal Eyes are amazing! A fund quiz, craft and an “I spy” hike. Registration required – call, email or facebook message us.

Adult Paint Night
2022-07-25 18:00
More details to come.

Chameleon Fun
2022-07-19 10:00
Listen to a story, The Mixed-up Chameleon and do a craft, play a game, and go for a hike. Family program. Registration required.

Sounds of Nature
2022-07-14 10:00
Puppet show, “What Does the Fox Say?” All about animal sounds. Family program. Registration required – call, email or facebook message us.

Bees & Tea
2022-07-08 10:00
Come sip cold tea of different flavors while learning about bees. We’ll also tast different types of honey and go on a little walk in search of working bees. Family and adult program. Registration required.
