Author Archives for Bridget Hanson

Best of Bellevue 2021 Winner award underscored by the words "Best Nonprofit Fontenelle Forest."

Fontenelle Forest voted Best of Bellevue 2021

October 20, 2021 5:04 pm Published by Comments Off on Fontenelle Forest voted Best of Bellevue 2021

At Fontenelle Forest, our mission-centric work in conservation, education, research, and recreation is focused around the goal of creating a sustainable future with the community at the center. So naturally, it means a lot to us when we receive extraordinary community recognition and support. We are proud to say that...


An image of a buck lying in the snowy woodlands.

Fontenelle Forest Ranked in Top 10 Nebraska Attractions in a Pandemic Year

October 5, 2021 10:54 am Published by Comments Off on Fontenelle Forest Ranked in Top 10 Nebraska Attractions in a Pandemic Year

Fontenelle Forest Ranked 7th in Top 10 Nebraska Attractions in a Pandemic Year The Lincoln Journal Star included Fontenelle Forest in their list of the “Top 10 Nebraska Attractions in a Pandemic Year” based on the number of visitors each attraction reported during 2020. We’re happy to have provided an...


A graphic with an image of an owl and another image of a handler holding an owl overlayed with the words "Whoooo am I?" and the Fontenelle Forest logo. An arrow points to the first image with the words "Vote to name him."

Whoooo Am I? Help name Fontenelle Forest’s new Barn Owl

August 26, 2021 9:57 am Published by Comments Off on Whoooo Am I? Help name Fontenelle Forest’s new Barn Owl

We have a new baby owlet joining the Forest team and he needs a name! Click here to make a donation in support of his care and cast your vote to name Fontenelle Forest’s newest Raptor Education Ambassador! Your support today will help pay for the care of this barn...


An image of wetlands with a banner displaying the words "Wetlands Update Trails Now Open."

Fontenelle Forest reopens trails following July storm

August 13, 2021 5:35 pm Published by Comments Off on Fontenelle Forest reopens trails following July storm

If you’ve lived in Nebraska for a while, you know that Midwest weather can be, well, unpredictable to say the least. And wow – Mother Nature has really served us up some whoppers over the past few weeks! Like most of Omaha and Bellevue, Fontenelle Forest received a lot of...


An image of Emily Prauner, Director of Donor and Visitor Services.

Fontenelle Forest welcomes Emily Prauner as Director of Donor and Visitor Services

July 30, 2021 2:55 pm Published by Comments Off on Fontenelle Forest welcomes Emily Prauner as Director of Donor and Visitor Services

Fontenelle Forest is thrilled to announce that Emily Prauner is joining our team as the new Director of Donor and Visitor Services. Emily is an Omaha native and outdoor enthusiast who is passionate about environmental sustainability and nature conservation. Her “dream job” has long been in philanthropy at the National...


An image of fallen trees damaging the Fontenelle Forest Boardwalk overlayed by a news headline reading "Developing Story: Fontenelle Fixing Storm Damage."

Fontenelle Forest is working to reopen trails safely after unprecedented wind storm

July 13, 2021 8:56 am Published by Comments Off on Fontenelle Forest is working to reopen trails safely after unprecedented wind storm

The wind storm that swept through Omaha on Friday, July 9, was one of the worst in recent history. With over 2,100 acres and 24 miles of trails, it will take some time for Fontenelle Forest to ensure all the trails are safe to reopen for public use. Forest staff...


Image of a sticky note with an image of an magnifying glass and the words "Nature Search" on it.

Nature Search: Fontenelle Forest’s Digital Field Guide

May 31, 2021 3:00 pm Published by Comments Off on Nature Search: Fontenelle Forest’s Digital Field Guide

Wondering what that colorful bird or freaky fungi was you saw at Fontenelle Forest? Nature Search can help you find the answer! Have you ever been out on a hike at Fontenelle Forest, spotted something interesting, and wish you could find out more about it? But by the time you got...


dames rocket flower

National Invasive Species Awareness Week – Part 2

May 18, 2021 11:36 am Published by Comments Off on National Invasive Species Awareness Week – Part 2

by Michelle Foss, Director of Resource Stewardship This week is Part 2 of National Invasive Species Awareness Week: Outreach and Education (May 15 – 22, 2021), so we want to share some information about invasive plants, how they can be harmful to our local ecosystems, and what you can do...


A picture of a wetland. It has the text "WETLAND UPDATE" in a white banner.

Wetlands Recovery Update (ongoing)

May 17, 2021 11:17 am Published by Comments Off on Wetlands Recovery Update (ongoing)

This blog serves as an ongoing update about our wetlands recovery efforts. You can also visit our Wetlands webpage here for more information: https://fontenelleforest.org/wetlands/ may 17, 2021 The wetlands at Fontenelle Forest – a favorite area for hikers and birders – is now open! We are very excited to announce...


This is a picture of a wetland with long grass. It has the text in the middle "NOW OPEN! WETLANDS".

The wetlands at Fontenelle Forest – a favorite area for hikers and birders – is now open!

May 17, 2021 6:00 am Published by Comments Off on The wetlands at Fontenelle Forest – a favorite area for hikers and birders – is now open!

We are very excited to announce that after more than two years of flood recovery work, access to the south wetlands is OPEN! Why was it closed? In the fall of 2018, Hidden Lake Trail froze with several inches to one foot of water on it. Due to this our...


Fontenelle Forest is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit.

Make a tax deductible donation NOW

Skip to content