This week's fun activity... Heart shaped bird feeder

This Valentine’s Day, and all winter, lovingly care for your feathered friends.  The middle of Winter can be a rough time for birds and other animals because food is scarce.  This week, we will make a heart-shaped bird feeder to feed some hungry birds!

Materials: Bird seed (4 cups) Flour (3/4 cup) Corn or maple syrup (3 tablespoons) Unflavored gelatin (2 and ½ teaspoons, which is usually one packet) Water (1/2 cup) Large bowl Heart-shaped cookie cutter Wax paper Straw, chopstick, or wooden spoon String or yarn

Step 1 - Mix Add the bird seed, flour, syrup, gelatin, and water to a large bowl and mix until fully combined.

Step 2 – Fill Place a cookie cutter onto a sheet of wax paper.  Using your hands or a spoon, tightly pack your seed mixture into the cookie cutter.  Tip: to easily remove the birdfeeder from the cookie cutter, spray or wipe the inside of the cookie cutter with oil.

Step 3 - Hole In the upper center of the heart shape, make a hole so you can hang it later! A simple method is to stick a small piece of a drinking straw into the feeder, but you can also carve out a hole with a chopstick or a wooden spoon handle. Once you have the birdseed packed into the cookie cutter and a hole formed, remove the cookie cutter.

Step 4 – Repeat Repeat steps two and three until you have used up your birdseed mixture.

Step 5 – Dry Allow your birdfeeders to dry overnight (at least 12 hours). This gives them time to firm up and harden.

Step 6 – Hang Attach a piece of string or yarn to your birdfeeder, using the hole you created. Then, find a place outside to hang it and give your birds a Winter treat!  Try to place your feeder in a shaded, sheltered location – this not only makes it more likely that birds will eat it, but direct sunlight may melt your gelatin and break apart your birdfeeder!

FEBRUARY ADULT EDUCATION Stepping Stone Make-at-home Kit $25/member, $30/public Create beautiful garden stepping stones from concrete and ceramics at home! Mix, pour, smash, arrange and set all in the comfort of home.  All supplies and directions provided in this take home kit.

TAKE-HOME KIT PICK UP TIMES ON OUR WEBSITE MASKS & SOCIAL DISTANCING REQUIRED Registration/information for all walks and drive through kits here, or by calling 414-525-5653 or 414-525-5659

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BOERNER BOTANICAL GARDENS UPDATE The Gardens are closed for the season. The Education and Visitor Center is open. Hours are 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. MASKS ARE REQUIRED! Gift Shop Opening to be announced. Be sure to watch for announcements on fun learning activities for all ages, and for updates on our classes and programs, hosted by FBBG - all year - indoors and out!