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Event Series:
Seniors Understanding Nature
Seniors Understanding Nature 2024
September 10 @ 10:00 am - 11:00 am
SUN IS HELD ON THE 2ND TUESDAY OF EACH MONTH FROM 10:00 TO 11:00 A.M. SEE THE LIST OF SPECIFIC DATES AND TOPICS BELOW.
Join us for our Seniors Understanding Nature (SUN) lecture series at the Nature Center! Each lecture will cover a different topic (listed below). Snacks and coffee are available before the presentation. This program is for adults ages 55 and up who enjoy learning about the natural world.
Date: Dates listed below
Time: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
Location: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Minimum Capacity: 10
Maximum Capacity: 200
program fee: This event is free for members or with daily admission. View daily admission prices here.
No registration is required.
Seniors Understanding Nature is sponsored by AARP Nebraska.
January 9 (Cancelled):
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Indigenous women from the Pawnee, Otoe, Omaha and Ponca tribes played a key role in the success of their tribal nations in the early 1800s. Many women were ere involved in the fur trade as wives, traders and bridges between cultures. Join us as Catherine Kuper, volunteer archivist at Fontenelle Forest and Jo Ann Hajek share the history and stories of these women.
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February 13:
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Did you know that lions, giant beavers and camels once lived in Nebraska? Join us as Shane Tucker, Paleontologist from the Nebraska Highway Paleontology Program, takes us on a journey back in time to the Pleistocene. Learn how the glaciers affected the climate and animals that once lived in our state.
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March 12
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What mammal is found on every continent except Antarctica, can fly 60 mph, may live up to 30 years, and can eat its weight in insects every night? Bats of course! Join us as Dr. Jeremy White from the University of Nebraska at Omaha shares with us his study of bats and the fungal disease, white nose syndrome, that is impacting them.
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April 9
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Fungi are often considered the original internet and nature’s recyclers. They can provide food and medicine to humans and also clean up ecosystems. How do fungi work to accomplish these tasks? Miles Adams, CCO of Myco Industries Group, will explain how fungi function and provide more fun facts.
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May 21
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What’s up with the crazy weather? Why are there so many forest fires? Will there be more tornados in the future? Dr. Eric Hunt, a climate resilience educator with the Nebraska extension office, will share about why recent natural events are happening to our planet as the climate changes.
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September 10
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Opossums are an extremely common city creature that many of us have probably seen. But, even with the commonality of opossums they are very undervalued and misunderstood. Distantly related to kangaroos, wallabies and koalas, these creatures have a special adaptation that no other mammal in Nebraska has, a pouch. These marsupials house many myths around them, so join us to learn what’s true, what’s odd and what’s false in this opossum talk!
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October 8
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Fontenelle Forest is home to the Raptor Woodland Refuge. Have you ever wondered why these birds are here? Do you want to know what it takes to care for these birds and how they are used to educate the public? Join us as we learn about raptors and meet a couple of our raptor ambassadors.
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November 12
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Indigenous women from the Pawnee, Otoe, Omaha, & Ponca tribes played a key role in the success of their tribal nations and were involved in the fur trade as wives, traders, and bridges between cultures. Join us as Catherine Kuper and Jo Ann Hajek share the history and stories of these women and their time.
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December 10
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Ever wonder where all the insects go in the winter? Jody Greene, a Nebraska Extension entomologist, will cover this and many other interesting facts about Nebraska’s arthropods and insects. We’ll learn about which ones are best for humans to avoid and why. Jody will also reveal a few six- or eight-legged gems in the garden and show us why we should be thankful rather than fearful.
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