Discovery Saturdays at Elachee offer seasonal environmental education programming to connect individuals with their natural surroundings. This seasonal series is presented by Northside Hospital, host sponsor New Urban Forestry and program sponsor Syfan Logistics, Inc.

Welcome!

Elachee Nature Science Center exhibits and attractions are open for admission today from 9am-3pm.

• General admission, ages 2 and up, is $10 per person (Elachee Members FREE).
• See Things to Do While at Elachee
• Enjoy a Live Animal Showcase: at 11am and 1pm today!
  Meet Elachee’s Live Animal Ambassadors during a 45-minute presentation with an Elachee Teaching Naturalist and then tour the Live Animal Exhibit.

As noted below, special seasonal programming is individually priced and requires registration.

Outdoor Programs and Guided Hikes

Take advantage of the many natural spaces around the Elachee campus and bring your own lunch to enjoy between sessions!

Forest Intelligence with Eco-Addendum

Guest Presenter: Kathryn Kolb, Director, Eco-Addendum
Program Fee: $30 Per Person (ages 14 and older)

REGISTER: FOREST INTELLIGENCE HIKE

Program Time: 10am-Noon
Description: Join Kathryn Kolb for an innovative walk as she shares new research about the intelligence of trees, plants and other creatures. See how forest species interact, “reading” the forest’s story, gain insight about the intra-forest communication systems, how plants “learned” to change their behavior, and even how plants employ the principles of quantum mechanics. And we’ll muse on how individual forest residents contribute to the greater forest story. Note, each paid program registration acts as admission to the Elachee Visitor Center and Exhibits on the day of this program.

Mark Warren Lecture and Hike

Elachee Nature Science Center is pleased to welcome acclaimed author, historian and naturalist Mark Warren for two program sessions as part of the Discovery Saturday line up and Elachee’s ongoing Community Conservation Series. Register for one or both. Note, each paid program registration acts as admission to the Elachee Visitor Center and Exhibits on the day of this program.

REGISTER: MARK WARREN PROGRAMS AND HIKE

Session 1 Lecture: 10-11am
Program Fee: $12 per person
Ancient Ways of the Cherokee and How We Use Them Today
Mark believes today’s society can — and should — learn some valuable lessons and skills from those native people who inhabited this continent hundreds of years before European explorers ever landed on its shores. In this lecture, he discusses how some of the most common native plants and trees were used by the Cherokee for food, medicine, insect repellent, crafts, shelter and fire. Mark will bring along some plants and handmade crafts for viewing and discussion.

Session 2 Walk and Talk: Noon-1pm
Program Fee: $12 per person (limited to 15 participants)
Through the Eyes of the Cherokee
Accompany Mark on an easy walk through Chicopee Woods to learn about the gifts of nature that supplied the Cherokee with their everyday needs. To understand that the forest offered everything that the Cherokee needed is to grasp the essence of Native American life. In this program the familiar is elevated to the unique. Groups explore the crafts and lore of Cherokee life, including the use of wild plants for foods and medicines. With a little imagination, participants can step back in time to pre-Columbian days. These resources still exist in surrounding forests and fields and continue to be useful to those who follow in the footsteps of the first inhabitants of this land.