Blog
Fontenelle Trading Post 200-Year Anniversary
article 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
article 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
Acorn Acres will be closed beginning in September, to undergo 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 experience that incorporates elements…
Nine Native Blooms & Fruits in September
article 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
article 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
article 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
When: 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
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 the onsite iron rangers, or by calling 402-731-3140. Camp Wa-Kon-Da Address: 402 Forest Drive, Bellevue, NE 68005 Camp Wakonda is Fontenelle…
Keep wildlife wild
Michelle Foss, Director of Resource Stewardship During Fontenelle Forest’s 100-plus years in existence, the wildlife which resides in and around the Forest has interacted with humans and our infrastructure in various ways. Some animals adapted, some left the area, and some thrived. While populations ebb and flow, humans can have…
Land Stewardship Siembra Raíces Interns
article by Shawna Gorman, Biologist at Fontenelle Forest It takes a true outdoors enthusiast to agree to spend their free time assisting with trail maintenance and treating invasive species, but Fontenelle Forest was fortunate enough to have several interns this summer. At Fontenelle Forest, our mission includes inspiring future generations to…