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Forest
Fun for Families
By
Teresa Hoffman, The Times
An article from the Sarpy County Area Visitor & Newcomer
Guide
Published by the Times Printing Company
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BELLVUE
- With its panoramic view of the bluffs of Iowa and wooded area full
of wildlife, Bellevue's Fontenelle Forest provides both educational
and family entertainment opportunities.
Fontenelle
Forest, which is
located at 1111 North Bellevue Blvd., offers a wide range of
activities, including weekend hikes, camera clubs, bird watching
seminars and summer day camps.
The Forest, which is
operated by the Fontenelle Forest Association, a non-profit
membership organization, is home to a number of different wildlife,
including deer, raccoons, foxes, rabbits, squirrels and beavers.
There also are several different species of amphibians, reptiles and
fish in the steams that run through the forest.
The educational
opportunities at the 1,300-acre forest can be enjoyed by both
children and adult visitors.
Casual visitors can walk
down the forest's boardwalk, which includes hands-on exhibits,
animal displays and the nature store.
School groups, Boy or
Girl Scouts, and youth groups can sign up for education programs,
summer day camps, or campouts. There are also teach workshops
and parent and child classes.
General admission to the
forest is $3.50 for adults, $1.50 for children and $2 for senior
citizens. Memberships are also available. A
membership gives a person free admission to the Fontenelle Forest
and Neale Woods Nature Center in Omaha, reduced fees for field trips
and day camps, a newsletter, discounts at the nature store and
invitations to special events, like "Prairie Fest" and
"Caroling in the Forest".
Neale Woods,
located just north of Omaha, is a branch of the Fontenelle Forest
Association.
It contains 554 acres of
wooded hills, hilltop prairies and floodplain forest.
More than 35 species of
trees, 56 species of nesting birds and 23 species of mammals may be
seen there, many of which are rarely seen to Fontenelle Forest.
Fontenelle Forest and
Neale Woods Nature Centers are open year around, except for the
Christmas, New Year's and Thanksgiving holidays.
Hours:
-
April 1 to Oct. 1
are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekend.
-
From Now. 1 to March
31, hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-
Neale Woods Nature
Center opens at noon on Sundays.
For more information
on memberships or educational classes,
call 731-3140
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