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Environmental Education
Eric Volden, Naturalist Program Bethel Horizons Nature Center | Map 4651 County Highway ZZ Dodgeville, WI 53533 (608) 574-1992 | Cell
Bethel Horizons is nestled on over 548 acres of hills, valleys, and cliffs inside the “Driftless Area” of Wisconsin. Many plant and animal communities make the forest, prairie, and wetland areas of Horizons their home. Horizons provides many unique opportunities to explore and discover the wonders of nature by striving to teach others the importance of the earth's wild places and by reconnecting people to the earth in which we live.
All are welcome to take part in the many nature programs offered at Horizons. Whether you are a part of a school, business/organization, church, or scout troop, we would love to coordinate a program that will fit your needs. Look through the following programs that are a popular choice and call soon, to make a reservation or ask a question.
Cliff Exploration: Students will experience both team challenge and self-discovery, once they find themselves at the top of one of Horizon's cliffs. We will also look at rock formations and learn about geology and the uniqueness of being in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin.
Environmental Games: Experience being a wild animal fighting for survival. Learn about such concepts as camouflage, predator-prey relationships, population fluctuations, wildlife management, conservation, and developing personal land ethics through active games. Hike, Canoe, and Cave Exploration: This all-day adventure includes hiking to Governor Dodge State Park, canoeing to and exploring a cave and cliffs.
Birds: Bird programming includes observation of the birds at our feeders, as well as hands-on activities that discuss bird adaptations and habitats, dissection of owl pellets, bird hikes, and studying various bird mounts in the nature center.
Interpretive, Sensory, and Discovery Hikes: Get in touch with nature as you use your senses and discovery skills along the trail. Topics to be examined include natural history, unique Driftless area geology, tree and plant identification, animal tracks and traces, plant succession, and community comparisons. Specific topics are encouraged.
Reptiles and Amphibians: What makes a reptile a reptile? What makes an amphibian an amphibian? These are questions that will be answered as students have a chance to see up close and personal our live animals. They include an American toad, tiger salamander, water and land turtles and tortoise, as well as our hognose, fox, and rat, and corn snakes. Skulls and Skins of Wisconsin: Learn about Wisconsin mammals thru pelts, skulls, and/ or study mounts. Study these great animals because many are our backyard neighbors!
Nature Center: This hands-on exhibit area includes unique interpretive displays, reference materials, wildlife viewing area , and a nature store. Pond Study: Discover the life in and around Horizon's Question Mark Pond. Students will use nets to catch and study the aquatic insects that live in the pond as well as finding tracks of the animals who visit there. Find out how the beaver are busy creating and changing the waterways.
Tracking: Many times students come to Horizons and never get to see the animals that live here. However, the animals leave signs behind that can be determined who left their mark. Learn about tracks by hiking the trails of Bethel Horizons as well as investigating tracks with tracking activities that are available.
Prairie or Forest Studies: Bethel Horizons has many acres of natural prairie and forests to explore and discover. Learn about seed dispersal, animals who live there, and the plants that grow, through games, activities, and hikes.
Orienteering: Learn about the history of compass, how to use it, map making, and explore Horizons by finding your way through the orienteering course with a compass.
Living Off the Land: Join us from November through March for this hands-on program learning about survival and pioneer living. Activities may include twine making, maple syrup, apple sauce or pies, bread making over the fire, shelter building, orienteering, hiking, tracking, candle making, pioneer toys and crafts, and edible plants.
Other: Any environmentally innovative and creative program requested. Traveling Programs: Inquire about any of the above programs coming to visit your school for an exciting alternative to a field trip.
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