Registration Form

For more information on content or activities, call 919.733.7450, ext. 555 (except where noted). To register, click on the Registration Form link above.

TUESDAY WALKS AT PRAIRIE RIDGE

Selected TUESDAYS, 8:30 am–10 am
For program description, schedule and registration information, visit Programs at Prairie Ridge.

LIFELONG HIKERS

WEDNESDAYS, 8:30 am–12:30 pm (EXCEPT WHERE NOTED)
MARCH 12, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM: MEDOC MOUNTAIN
APRIL 16, 8:30 AM–12:30 PM: YATES MILL PARK
MAY 14, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM: WEYMOUTH WOODS
JUNE 11, 8:30 AM–4:30 PM: PICTURE CREEK
FEE: $4 PER WALK ($2 FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM)
Lifelong Hikers, these hikes are just for you! Join Museum naturalists on leisurely 2–3 mile hikes through some of the area’s most beautiful places, and discover seasonal flora and fauna along the way. Participants are responsible for their own transportation. For more information, contact Jerry Reynolds at 919.733.7450, ext. 522.
LEADERS: JESSE PERRY AND JERRY REYNOLDS, MUSEUM EDUCATORS
MINIMUM AGE: 18
Activity LEVEL: EASY TO MODERATE

Take a Child Outside in the Spring

Thursday, April 24, 3 PM–6 PM
FEE: Free
Join Museum naturalists and explore a variety of habitats including a piedmont prairie, woodlands, a lowland forest, a stream and ponds, all right here within the city limits of Raleigh. Guided walks will begin every 30 minutes, with the last walk beginning at 6 p.m. No registration required. For information contact Kim Smart at kimberly.smart@ncmail.net or 919.733.7450 x673.
LEADER: Various MUSEUM EDUCATORs
MINIMUM AGE: NONE
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy to Moderate

Naturalists' Weekend at Wildacres

Friday, May 2, 9 AM–Sunday, May 4, 6 PM
FEE: $285 for ages 13 to adult ($265 FOR FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM); $235 for children under 13 ($215 FOR FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM); Fee includes hotel quality lodging, five meals, instruction and transportation in Museum vehicle.
Enjoy a weekend-long exploration of the birds, wildflowers, wildlife, streams, geology, folklore and plants of this spectacularly beautiful area on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Morning and afternoon fieldtrips, speakers, entertainment, late-night stargazing sessions and much more highlight this laid-back learning adventure. The Wildacres Retreat Center, atop its own heavily wooded peak and adjoining the Pisgah National Forest, is the base for all activities, and features first-class meals, rooms and meeting spaces.
LEADER: JERRY REYNOLDS, MUSEUM EDUCATOR
MINIMUM AGE: 8 (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy to Strenuous depending on choice of activities

Nest Quest!

Saturday, May 10, 8 AM–noon
FEE: Free
Share a natural history experience with friends or family by signing up for Nest Quest, a Citizen Science project developed by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. This workshop has applications at school and home. For information or to register, contact Kim Smart at 919.733.7450 x673 or kimberly.smart@ncmail.net.
LEADER: Kim Smart, Prairie Ridge Educator
LOCATION: Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife and Learning
MINIMUM AGE: 10
ACTIVITY LEVEL: EASY TO MODERATE

Mountain Birding Weekend

Friday, May 16, 1 PM–Sunday, May 18, 6 PM
FEE: $40 ($30 FOR FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM AND WAKE AUDUBON SOCIETY MEMBERS); covers travel and instruction; lodging information will be available at registration
Wear your hiking boots and bring your binoculars for a weekend of birding in the northern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. We will visit Moses Cone and Julian Price National Parks, the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Snake and Rich Mountain area north of Boone, and other areas as time permits.
LEADERS: DOUG PRATT AND BECKY DESJARDINS, MUSEUM ORNITHOLOGISTS AND JERRY REYNOLDS, MUSEUM EDUCATOR
MINIMUM AGE: 14 (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult
ACTIVITY LEVEL: EASY TO MODERATE

International Migratory Bird Day Festival

Saturday, May 17, 9 AM–NOON
FEE: Free
Join us at Prairie Ridge Ecostation for Wildlife and Learning to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. Visit our investigation stations that will introduce you and your family to the marvels of birds, the needs of nesting birds, and the importance of bird conservation. Prairie Ridge is the ecological fieldstation for the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences and is located off Reedy Creek Road in Raleigh. Pre-registration is required. For information or to register for this free event please contact Brian Hahn at brian.hahn@ncmail.net or 919.733.7450 x674.
LEADERS: Various
MINIMUM AGE: NONE
ACTIVITY LEVEL: EASY TO MODERATE

BOX TURTLE SCIENCE: A CITIZEN SCIENCE PROJECT

Saturday, June 7, 9 AM–4 PM
FEE: $8 ($5 FOR FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM)
Think outside the box as we explore the world of the box turtle. We will discuss and demonstrate what you can do in your own neighborhood to contribute to our understanding of these turtles. Become a citizen scientist and help make a difference.
LEADER: JERRY REYNOLDS, MUSEUM EDUCATOR
MINIMUM AGE: 12 (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Easy to Moderate

TOPSAIL TURTLE TREK: NESTING TURTLES

Friday, June 20, 11 AM–Sunday, June 22, 6 PM
FEE: $140 ($130 FOR FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM); covers lodging, most meals, instruction and travel
Learn about and possibly witness the nesting behavior of loggerhead sea turtles. We will monitor the beach at night for female turtles coming ashore to nest, and visit the Topsail Sea Turtle Hospital during the day. Daytime is free for beach combing or sleep.
LEADERS: JERRY REYNOLDS AND DAN DOMBROWSKI, MUSEUM EDUCATORS
MINIMUM AGE: 12 (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult
ACTIVITY LEVEL: MODERATE (long hours of beach walking)

MT. LECONTE ADVENTURE

Tuesday, July 15, 9 AM–Thursday, July 17, 7 PM
FEE: $180 ($170 FOR FRIENDS OF THE MUSEUM); covers transportation, lodging and some meals; participants are responsible for one night of lodging at a motel prior to the hike
Put on your hiking boots and join us on this unique mountain adventure. We will hike up to Mt. LeConte, one of the highest peaks in the Great Smoky Mountains, enjoying the wildflowers and mountain scenery along the way. After a hearty meal at LeConte Lodge, we will retire to our cabins for a well-earned rest.
LEADER: JERRY REYNOLDS, MUSEUM EDUCATOR
MINIMUM AGE: 12 (minors must be accompanied by a registered adult)
ACTIVITY LEVEL: Moderate to Strenuous (13 miles of hiking over two days on mountain trails)