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The Fontenelle Forest's spring 2023 edition of their quarterly newsletter, Leaflet. The cover depicts a tree limb scattered with leaves overlayed by the Fontenelle Forest logo, the title Leaflet, and the words "Fontenelle Forest News | Spring 2023."

Spring Leaflet 2023

Get 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.

A picture of Dames Rocket (Hesperis matronalis), a long-stemmed invasive gardening plant with small violet flowers.

Invasives: What are they and how you can stop them from spreading

article 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…

A watercolor painting of the trading post titled "The Bellevue Agency" by artist Karl Bodmer.

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…

Fontenelle Forest Managed Deer Hunt

ALL FONTENELLE FOREST TRAILS ARE CLOSED DECEMBER 5-8 (MON-THURS) The only exception will be the trails at Neale Woods, which will remain open. The Nature Center will remain open. For everyone’s safety please make sure to respect the trail closures during this time. Fontenelle Forest has conducted a deer hunt for…

A picture of an employee managing a prescribed burnalong the Fontenelle Forest trails.

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 map overlayed by the words "Coming Summer 2023"

Acorn Acres to Close for Experience Improvement Renovations

  Starting 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…

An image of New England aster.

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…

Blue Herbicide on Tree of Heaven

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…

An image of Woodland Lettuce.

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…

An image of the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center.

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…

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