Nature Center Programs

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Prairie Park Nature Center offers programs for all ages, abilities and interests. You can select from the seasonal programs listed below and click the link to the registration page.

Need help with registration? See our walkthrough for how to enroll online!

Programs vary with each season. Let us know if there is a program that you have a special interest in seeing the nature center provide.

• Programs for Children
• Programs for Adults and Famlies
• Programs for Adults and Teens
• Free Programs
• Special Events
• Education By Reservation

 

PROGRAMS

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN

WILD ADVENTURES FOR PRESCHOOLERS AND PARENTS
Ages: 2-5. Enrollment Min 2 / Max 15. Join us for weekly sessions of stories, activities, and information about animals and their habitats. Each week, a new topic will be presented, and outdoor activities are planned, so be sure to come prepared. Parents are required to attend with their preschoolers and are encouraged to participate. Registration for the entire session is required in advance, and the program takes place every Tuesday.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

EXPLORING NATURE FOR HOMESCHOOL STUDENTS
Ages: 6-13. Enrollment Min 5 / Max 20. Field trip programs for homeschooled students will cover a different topic each time. Class meets benchmarks for K-6 State Science outcomes. Call for topic schedule. Pre-registration is required at least one week in advance.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

BREAKFAST WITH THE ANIMALS
Ages: 6-13. Enrollment Min 5 / Max 20. Spend a morning at the nature center learning about what animals eat. We begin by serving a delicious human breakfast, then have a live animal program about animal diets and food chains. Participants will get the exciting experience of feeding our critters and then enjoy some engaging crafts and activities.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

FALL BREAK CAMP
Ages: 6-13. Enrollment Min 5 / Max 20. Spend a morning at the nature center learning about what animals eat. We begin by serving a delicious human breakfast, then have a live animal program about animal diets and food chains. Participants will get the exciting experience of feeding our critters and then enjoy some engaging crafts and activities.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS & FAMILIES

PADDLE FOR THE PLANET: HELP CLEAN UP MARY’S LAKE
Ages: 6 and up. Enrollment Min 6 / Max 12. Learn how to canoe while making a difference in your community! Participate in land stewardship work as you assist us in cleaning litter out of Mary’s Lake. No previous canoe experience required; we’ll teach you all you need to know! Life jackets, paddles, and boats provided. No more than three participants per boat. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied in the boat by an adult. This program has been made possible with support from the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

CANOER’S GUIDE TO WETLAND CONSERVATION
Ages: 6 and up. Enrollment Min 6 / Max 12. Enjoy an evening of canoeing while learning about fascinating conservation topics that will interest folks of all ages! How did invasive jellyfish get into our lakes? What are the dangers of harmful algal blooms? How can I help save endangered aquatic wildlife? Our guides are sure to pique your curiosity while teaching you the basics of canoeing and pointing out local wildlife. No canoe experience is required. Life jackets, paddles, and boats provided. No more than three participants per boat. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied in the boat by an adult. This program has been made possible with support from the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

SUSTAINABLE HYDROPONICS WORKSHOP
Ages: 8 and up Enrollment Min 6/ Max 15. Join our Hydroponics Workshop and uncover all the fundamentals you need to know before diving into the world of soil-less gardening, guiding you through how to start and what to begin with. From herbs to houseplants, the range of plants that can be used is endless. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

ARCHERY
Ages: 7 and Up. Enrollment Min 5 / Max 10. Looking for a fun and engaging activity for the whole family, a group of friends, or a special date night? Consider archery lessons! Whether you’re a beginner or interested in becoming a competitive archer, our classes offer a variety of skill-building exercises and games fun for ages 7 and up. Choose the class that fits your schedule and start your archery journey today!
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

TURTLE YOGA
Ages: 3 and older, Enrollment Min 5 / Max 20. Enjoy a basic Hatha yoga practice with turtles! Breathe, stretch, and move the spine through a gentle standing and floor series designed to increase circulation, relax the mind, and boost endorphins with happy turtle encounters. The class will end with one-on-one turtle time! Please bring a yoga mat and water. Children aged
2 and under can enter for free when accompanied by a registered adult.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

MUSHROOM WALK
Ages: All. Min 2 / Max 20. Have you heard the hype behind the mushroom boom? Venture out with a mushroom specialist and discover the diversity of our local fungi. Our instructor will teach you easy, convenient ways to identify native mushrooms. Learn which fungi are edible and which you shouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Children 2 and younger free.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

ACRYLIC PAINTING WITH ANIMALS
Ages: All. Min 2 / Max 20. Have you heard the hype behind the mushroom boom? Venture out with a mushroom specialist and discover the diversity of our local fungi. Our instructor will teach you easy, convenient ways to identify native mushrooms. Learn which fungi are edible and which you shouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Children 2 and younger free.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

ADULT AND TEEN PROGRAMS

WITCHY WORKSHOP
Ages: 12 and up. Enrollment Min 6 / Max 12. Come dressed in your most enchanting garb to create a variety of witchy wares. Craft your own talisman necklace using herbs, crystals, and essential oils. Use sage, palo santo, lavender, and other medicinal plants to create smoke cleansing smudge sticks. Build your own intricate magic wand to channel your inner sorceress. It’s the perfect way to celebrate spooky season! All supplies will be provided.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

INSECT PINNING WORKSHOPk
Ages 12 and Up. Enrollment Min 6 Max 15. Learn to mount butterflies, beetles, and more through the delicate art of insect pinning. Our Section A class on September 12th will be a science-based crash course on how to catch and pin your own specimens. We’ll teach you how to start your own entomology collection so you can preserve your insect finds for a lifetime. Section B will have a more artistic focus, allowing you to utilize our provided specimens to create an elegant shadowbox-style display.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

FREE EVENTS

PRAIRIE PARK NATURE CENTER 25 ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
1 – 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14
Join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Prairie Park Nature Center! Come and get close to some of Lawrence’s most beloved animal ambassadors. Support Monarch conservation by tagging Monarch butterflies in the prairie. Indulge in a delicious, shaved ice treat from locally-owned Snowball Island, and enjoy many more activities! Join us for an afternoon of excitement and nature appreciation. No Registration Required.

TURKEY TIME AT THE NATURE CENTER
10-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 23
Join us in celebrating the 25th anniversary of Prairie Park Nature Center! Come and get close to some of Lawrence’s most beloved animal ambassadors. Support Monarch conservation by tagging Monarch butterflies in the prairie. Indulge in a delicious, shaved ice treat from locally-owned Snowball Island, and enjoy many more activities! Join us for an afternoon of excitement and nature appreciation. No Registration Required.

LAKE RESTORATION WORKDAYS
1 – 3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 14
Ages: 12 and up. Enrollment Min 4 / Max 20. Join us in restoring shoreline habitat at Mary’s Lake in the Prairie Park preserve. By removing invasive species and planting beneficial native plants, you’ll get to directly participate in local land stewardship work. Learn why healthy shoreline habitat is critical for the health of our aquatic ecosystems while enjoying some time in the beauty of the outdoors. All supplies will be provided. Children 14 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Long pants and close toed shoes are required. This program has been made possible with support from the Douglas County Heritage Conservation Council. Registration is required.

SPECIAL EVENTS

SPOOKTACULAR NIGHT AT THE NATURE CENTER
Join us for a Spooktacular Night at the Nature Center! Come in costume, trick-or-treat and explore the center in a different sensory experience. We’ll provide red lights for viewing our resident critters in the dark. See nocturnal animals in action and enjoy face painting, balloon animals, games, and more! Children 2 and under are free.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

WILD NOCTURNAL HIKE AT PRAIRIE PARK NATURE CENTER
Enrollment Min 10 / Max 50. All ages. Embark on a nocturnal hike with a naturalist at the Prairie Park Nature Center Preserve and observe the wildlife that emerges at night. Get the chance to glimpse bats, coyotes, raccoons, opossums, and other critters in the wild with handheld red lights. There will also be opportunities for up-close encounters with some creatures of the night. Children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Children aged 2 and under can enter for free when accompanied by a registered adult.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

CRYPTID CAMPFIRE
Enrollment Min 8/ Max 20. All Ages. Explore the mysteries of nature’s most notorious cryptids, including Bigfoot, Mothman, the Jersey Devil, and more. Enjoy s’mores around the campfire while being entertained by our local cryptozoology enthusiasts. Answer trivia questions about these mythical creatures to win your own cryptid-themed prizes. Children under 14 must be accompanied by a registered adult. Children aged 2 and under can enter for free when accompanied by a registered adult.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

WINTER SOLSTICE CELEBRATION
Ages: 3 and Up. Enrollment Min 6 / Max 30. Bring the family out and celebrate the magic of the Winter Solstice! Learn about solstice traditions around the world and make your own festive Yule log. Participants under 14 must be accompanied by a registered adult.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

HOLIDAY POSSUM GRAM
Make this holiday unforgettable with an Opossum Gram! Our holiday package includes a personalized card, an opossum stuffed toy, chocolate, and an up-close animal encounter with our opossum ambassador, Tea Cup! To place an order, please register for an expected delivery time frame and then email your card message, recipient’s name, and delivery address to naturecenter@lawrenceks.org. Our naturalists can deliver to residences or workplaces within the Lawrence city limits. Please ensure permission and access to the delivery location, especially for business locations. Note that we do not deliver to schools. For any inquiries, please contact Prairie Park Nature Center at (785) 832-7980.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

WINTER WONDERLAND AT THE NATURE CENTER
5 – 8 p.m. Saturdays, Dec. 7, 14 and 21. See the magic and pet some merry ponies, llamas, goats, and more. Visit the Nature Center’s holiday elf for a special surprise and enjoy a hot cocoa bar and holiday crafts while viewing our animals under the twinkling lights. Don’t forget to check out the winter wonderland photo booth and get an instantly shareable photo. Staggered entry throughout event to alleviate crowding and ensure building capacity is not met.
Find out when it’s available and enroll online this fall

EDUCATION BY RESERVATION

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION/SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS Group Visits: To ensure the quality of your visit, visiting groups must schedule dates and times with the nature center by calling (785) 832-7980. For more information, please contact the Nature Center at (785) 832-7980. You can also find information on the lprd website, www.lprd.org.

SCOUTING FOR GIRL SCOUTS AND BOY SCOUTS Prairie Park Nature Center offers a wide range of programs to help scouts complete necessary requirements for merit badge attainment.

Mary’s Lake

Mary’s Lake is just a short walk from the education building and is open for public fishing. This lake participates in State Community Lakes Fishing Program and is stocked with fish by the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks & Tourism throughout the spring and summer.

A state fishing license is required for people ages 16 to 65. Limits are posted at the lake.

View the Map of Trails at Prairie Park Nature Center»

Directions

Prairie Park Nature Center is located on the east side of Lawrence. Find us in the neighborhood via 27th Street off of Haskell Avenue.

Our Mission

Dedicated To Building Connections With Nature

The mission of the Prairie Park Nature Center is to promote an appreciation of the importance of conserving the natural world through hands-on environmental and conservation education.

The nature center is free to all visitors.