Spring black bear safety tips:
Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.
Keep all dogs on leash at all times. Hike with others when possible and/or make noise while hiking.
If you see a bear, do not approach. Calmly travel in the opposite direction. Contact us at 859-756-3315 or abramsj@berea.edu.
In early spring, black bears may den with cubs. It’s crucial to give them space to avoid any potential conflicts, as mother bears can be protective and defensive. We are fortunate to have a healthy ecosystem including black bears, adding to the richness of our natural environment.
Upcoming Events
Interested in what the FOC might be planning, want to see pictures of different plants native to this area, or maybe you just want to see what the phases of the moon will be this month? Plan something with the family, take some time to yourself on the trails, or join a group hike where you can walk with an ecologist! All of our events are free and open to all.
Have you enjoyed an event? Our social media posts? The forest? Then consider donating to the FOC! We love sharing the forest and nature with folks of all ages far and wide. If you’d like to contribute to more people experiencing the wonders of nature, you can make a donation below. Thank you.
Tree I.D. Art Installation
As you walk up the trail at the Pinnacles, you will find many different species of trees. Local artist, bugz fraugg, created hand-carved wooden signs to compliment over ten species of trees in the forest. When you pause and read them, you will learn more about our tree friends than their common and scientific names. These identification signs encourage paying attention to tree’s bark, buds, leaves, seeds and silhouette. Each one also describes how the tree is important to our ecosystem, which includes humans. As they are gifted to us, there is also space for the tree names in the languages of the indigenous people that call this land home, the Cherokee and Shawnee.
Click on the accompanying zine to the left to access a PDF version or stop in the Center for a hard copy to carry with you.
Skies Over the Pinnacles
"We often don’t think about the sky above us as a part of the ecosystem other than when weather is involved. But it is! People have used stars and other objects in the sky for thousands and thousands of years to help them navigate, tell time, know when to plant crops, and create folklore and art. In fact, many animals use the sky for travelling and telling time!"
The Forestry Outreach Center has partnered with a local astronomer, Jeff Hutton, who writes monthly about interesting things in the night sky. You can read his Skies Over the Pinnacles articles by clicking any of the pictures or the button labeled 'Skies Over the Pinnacles'!
A Piece Of The Forest
“I grew up in a large, loud, home-schooled family; The 4th child of five. When me and my siblings visit home, late night conversations and good memories always seem to center around the kitchen… Though my Mother didn’t always have access to the best ingredients as she shopped on a budget. This legacy of thriftiness and good, soulful food led me to my passion for foraging.”
Learn about foraging around the Berea college campus through pictures from an experienced student forager in this zine.
Click on the picture or the button for more information!
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