Bears, Moose and Bats, oh my! The Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center will host its 13th Annual Enchanted Forest where families and children of all ages (from newborn to 110) will meet forest creatures and learn about their natural habitats.
The event starts at the Mountain Ecology Center site in downtown Nederland and includes the mysterious path along Middle Boulder Creek. Throughout the afternoon, families will enjoy music, food, magic and fun within the Ecology Center as well as tours of the forest along the creek where animals will dramatically share their stories of the forest and give goodies to all of the young participants.
Enchanted Details:
"This is a signature event for Wild Bear, one that volunteers embrace and families from all over the region enjoy," says executive director, Jill Dreves. "The costumes are beautifully made by a local volunteer and this year we have another new character in the forest."Saturday, October 26, 3pm-6pm20 Lakeview Dr. #107, Nederland, Colorado 80466For information or to purchase tickets, call: (303)258-0495 or email: registrar@wildbear.org.
What to Expect:
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| Bear explains his habitat to an interesting cast of characters |
Meet the animals on the trail: Costumed characters share stories of survival in the forest and give out special nature goodies to the children. Patrons are encouraged to wear nature costumes as well.
The short walk ends back at Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center where families can enjoy magic with "Father Forest", costume making, and the Vana Vedu Marimba Ensemble, a teen group of Kutandra will be performing at the "campfire".
A nominal ticket price of $6 in advance or $8 during the event, includes access to all performances and activities, a tour of the forest and a "goody bag". Children ages 2 and under, and seniors are admitted free of charge.
Wild Bear, Executive Director, Jill Dreves:
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| A young Jill Dreves and her horse |
After teaching public school for nine years, Jill launched the Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center in 1995. She grew up on 20 acres of wild land in the mountains of northern Colorado. She went to a small mountain school with 32 children. In the forest behind their home was a trailer house. Inside were microscopes and insect collections and many scientific tools owned by a wonderful lady who inspired Jill, and her sister Amy, of the fascination of the insect world.
Jill explored the forest on horseback, capturing butterflies, beetles and other fascinating insects for her 4-H collections. The two sisters were the grand champion Entomologists for the Larimer County Fair for many years. Amy, became a PhD Entomologist, and Jill became an educator, holding a B.S. in Adolescent Development, Teaching Certification, and an MBS in Museum and Field Studies Entomology Education.
Jill believes that learning happens every day and throughout life and the most important understandings happen in your own backyard. Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center inspires all ages to engage in understanding the details of the earth and Jill believes that those who develop an appreciation and love for their backyard will work to preserve and protect the earth.
About Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center:
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| Wild Bear Executive Director, Jill Dreves, often takes on the persona of the Green Darner Dragonfly, tattooed on her wrist |
The new Ecology Center in downtown Nederland is another milestone toward that goal, featuring exhibits, activities and creative nature workshops for people of all ages in this beautiful central location. The new center also offers an ecologically sound gift shop where purchases support Wild Bear's mission. Located just below the Continental Divide, Wild Bear offers a unique opportunity to educate local and regional visitors about mountain ecosystems and alpine tundra habitats. Currently, Wild Bear offers year round programs for youth when school is not in session, school group programs, and workshops for adults and families. For more information, visit Wild Bears' website and find us on Facebook.
All proceeds from the event will directly benefit Wild Bear and its mission to foster a life-long appreciation of the environment and to promote an environmentally aware, responsible, and ecologically sound community. Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center is the only all ages non-profit nature center in Boulder County and provides educational opportunities to thousands of people of all ages throughout the Front Range each year. With its broader vision to create a nature center in the mountains of Boulder County, the Enchanted Forest is the perfect venue for the public to experience this amazing educational resource.
[Here is a Video Valediction] This is Vana Vedu performing at the Boulder Theater (2009). [What is a Video Valediction?]
