August and September Programs

In this issue:

Park closing time changes

Programs at Harris Lake County Park

Programs at the American Tobacco Trail

August 13 , closing time changes to 8:30 p.m. at Harris Lake County Park and 

8:00 p.m. at the American Tobacco Trail, New Hill parking area

September 4 , closing time changes to 8:00 p.m. at Harris Lake County Park and

7:30 p.m. at the American Tobacco Trail, New Hill parking area

September 24 , closing time changes to 7:30 p.m. at Harris Lake County Park and

7:00 p.m. at the American Tobacco Trail, New Hill parking area

All participants must be registered using our online system.

Click here to go to our website to register.

A Special Citizen Science Thursday in the White Oak Gardens

Thursday, August 23; 3- 5 p.m.

For ages 4 and up, FREE

Meet at the White Oak Parking Area

Volunteer your time helping staff to beautify the educational gardens at White Oak. There will be a variety of tasks to do to help get our gardens in shape for fall. Come prepared to learn and work as

you assist us. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and bring work gloves and a water bottle.

All participants must have a signed Volunteer Release and be registered in our online system.

(White Oak Parking Area - 1305 White Oak Church Rd., Apex)

Moonlight Hike on the American Tobacco Trail

Friday, August 24; 7:30- 9 p.m.

For all ages, $1 per person

Meet at the New Hill Parking Area

Take a moonlight stroll down the Trail to the Beaver Creek bridge and back, listening

and looking for nocturnal animals. We will linger on the bridge to enjoy the wonderful

sounds of nature and play some fun night time activities too.

Wear good walking shoes and bring a water bottle.

Flashlights are optional - we will not use them the whole time.

(New Hill Parking Area - 1309 New Hill Olive Chapel Rd., Apex)

Billions of Beetles

Saturday,September 8; 10 - 11 a.m.

For all ages, $1 per person

Meet at the New Hill Parking Area

There are more types of beetles than any other kind of insect. Beetles live everywhere;

some are colorful, some are harmful, but all are unique. We’ll learn what makes beetles

so successful, meet some up close and then go out to explore beetle habitats.

(New Hill Parking Area - 1309 New Hill Olive Chapel Rd., Apex)

Honeysuckle Wreath Making - (TACO)

Sunday,September 30; 1 - 3 p.m.

For all ages,

FREE for Take a Child Outside Week

Meet at the New Hill Parking Area

Create your own wreath from honeysuckle. Bring gloves, pruning shears and a water bottle. We will provide ribbons, you bring your creativity! Help us rid the park of our invasive Japanese honeysuckle while creating a masterpiece. Meet at the picnic table at the top of the hill at the New Hill Parking Area.

(New Hill Parking Area - 1309 New Hill Olive Chapel Rd., Apex)

Kids Discover Nature: “ On One Flower ”

Monday, August 13; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For ages 1-6; $4 per child

Meet at the Cypress Shelter 

Discover a community of insects and other critters that live happily on a single flower as

we read Anthony Fredericks’ On One Flower. Explore the wildflower meadow

in our Educational Garden to find your own wonderful world of life!

Dazzling Dragonflies

Sunday, August 26; 1:30 - 3 p.m.

For all ages; $1 per person

Meet at the Cypress Shelter

Spend the afternoon learning about dragonflies – our colorful and skillful hunters of the skies!

Dip into the pond or lake to see how they begin their lives, try your hand at

catching some adults and learn some quick tips for identifying common species.

September Stroll

Monday, September 3; 10 – 11:30 a.m.

For all ages; $1 per person

Meet at the Educational Gardens on the Platform

Enjoy an interactive hike with park staff along one of our trails to observe the

natural world and discover new things.

Kids Discover Nature: “ Box Turtle at Long Pond ”

Monday, September 10; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For ages 1-6; $4 per child

Meet at the Cypress Shelter

Experience a day in the life of a box turtle through this special book, learn what makes turtles so wonderful, meet one of these lovable reptiles up close and create a turtle craft to take home.

Citizen Science Thursday

Thursday, Thursday, September 20; 1:30 – 3:30 p.m.

For ages 10 and up; Free

Meet at the Cypress Shelter

Volunteer your time with our monitoring and citizen science projects. Tasks will vary

depending on what needs attention. Tasks may include: cleaning or repairing habitat boxes,

installing new ones, or monitoring our current boxes Come prepared to learn and work

as you manage our natural resources. Dress for the weather, wear sturdy shoes and

bring work gloves and a water bottle .

All participants must have a signed Volunteer Release and be registered in our online system.

Friendly Snakes (TACO)

Saturday, September 29; 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

For all ages; Free for Take a Child Outside Week

Meet at the Cypress Shelter

Snakes are very misunderstood and feared, yet are so important to our ecosystems.

Meet some friendly snakes up close and learn about

common snakes found in this area.

Thanks to all the campers who passed through our day camps this summer. We had a wonderful camp season - with waiting lists! We did lots of fun things, discovered cool nature and learned new skills.

Watch for the 2019 camps coming in January.

Be ready and sign up early!