Author Archives for Bridget Hanson
Spring Leaflet 2023
March 9, 2023 10:05 am Comments Off on Spring Leaflet 2023Get updates about Fontenelle Forest in the spring edition of our quarterly newsletter, the Leaflet.In this issue, we’re bringing you news about some much-needed updates to buildings, technology, and the overall Forest experience, as well as providing a 2022 financial overview.
Invasives: What are they and how you can stop them from spreading
January 30, 2023 2:33 pm Comments Off on Invasives: What are they and how you can stop them from spreadingarticle by Michelle Foss, Director of Resource Stewardship National Invasive Species Awareness Week is an international outreach event put on by the North American Invasive Species Management Association, that occurs annually at the end of February. This year’s event runs February 20-26. What is an invasive species? The term “invasive...
Fontenelle Trading Post 200-Year Anniversary
December 20, 2022 4:02 pm Comments Off on Fontenelle Trading Post 200-Year Anniversaryarticle by Catherine Kuper, Volunteer Archivist In 2023, Fontenelle Forest will be celebrating the 200-year anniversary of the trading post operated by Lucien Fontenelle. This trading post was built and occupied between the winter of 1822 and 1823 north of the Platte River. In 1822, Joshua Pilcher was the senior partner...
Tips for safe hiking during prescribed burn season at Fontenelle Forest
October 31, 2022 2:00 pm Comments Off on Tips for safe hiking during prescribed burn season at Fontenelle Forestarticle by Matt Miller, Manager of Conservation The fall prescribed fire season is coming soon! Fall burn season typically runs from November to early December. Actual burn dates can fluctuate depending on many factors including weather, wind and leaf conditions. For these reasons it’s impossible to predict exactly what day...
Acorn Acres to Close for Experience Improvement Renovations
September 15, 2022 10:20 am Comments Off on Acorn Acres to Close for Experience Improvement RenovationsStarting Monday, September 19, Acorn Acres will close for several months while undergoing a major experience improvement upgrade. Click the image or stop by the Nature Center to check out renderings of the reimagined nature-based playscape. The vision for the renovated Acorn Acres is to create an inclusive play...
Nine Native Blooms & Fruits in September
September 12, 2022 2:34 pm Comments Off on Nine Native Blooms & Fruits in Septemberarticle and photos by Drew Granville, Volunteer Botanist at Fontenelle Forest September marks the peak of late summer flora diversity in Eastern Nebraska. A large spike in new blooms from just a few types of plants arrives before the onset of cold weather. Many plants that bloomed earlier in the...
Treating Invasive Species One Tree at a Time
August 19, 2022 3:27 pm Comments Off on Treating Invasive Species One Tree at a Timearticle by Kayla Johnson, Biologist at Fontenelle Forest Notice some blue dye on trees? This is evidence of our land management team at work! Throughout Fontenelle Forest property the invasive tree species, Ailanthus altissima, (aka Tree of Heaven) threatens the success of our native plants and animals. This invasive tree...
Nine Native Blooms in August
August 11, 2022 3:54 pm Comments Off on Nine Native Blooms in Augustarticle and photos by Drew Granville, Volunteer Botanist at Fontenelle Forest In August new plants continue to bloom, replacing species from the earlier summer months. Few new wildflowers and plants will bloom in oak woodlands across eastern Nebraska, however you can see even more flora diversity in prairies and wetlands...
August 2022 Nature Center Closure
August 10, 2022 10:42 am Comments Off on August 2022 Nature Center ClosureWhen: Monday, August 15 through Monday, August 22 What: The Fontenelle Forest Nature Center will be closed for 12 days in August for major concrete replacements. The Nature Center, Nature Center parking lot, all access to trails from the Nature Center & Main Member Gate entrance will be closed to...
Fontenelle Forest Alternate Trail Access
August 10, 2022 9:21 am Comments Off on Fontenelle Forest Alternate Trail AccessDuring our Nature Center closure (August 15-22, 2022), we want to highlight other ways visitors and members can access Fontenelle Forest’s trails! Check out these trailheads you can access from sunrise to sunset daily. Daily admission for each of these locations can be paid online (via the links below), via...