BC Forestry Outreach Center

Sounds & Sights of the Night
2024-07-20 20:30 - 22:00 (America/Kentucky/Monticello) | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Join us as the sun sets on the forest for a slow, short walk in the woods. We’ll see what critters we can hear and see on the walk, as well as what is attracted to a UV light on a white sheet. It’s a great opportunity to observe and listen to the beauty of the forest at night. Please bring your own flashlight, headlamp, or lantern!*weather dependent

Nature R&R / Forest Bathing
2024-07-25 17:30 - 19:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Nature R&R/Forest Bathing…transition out of each month on its last Thursday with us!
Come join us for a rejuvenating experience outdoors at The Pinnacles (2047 Big Hill Rd. Berea, KY) lower forest area. Nature R&R is a slow-paced, relaxing and restorative forest experience. Please bring water and a portable seat or ground cover.
We will meet at the Forestry Outreach Center at 5:30 pm.
RSVP FOR YOUR FREE SPOT ON EVENTBRITE.
Directions and a map can be found here: https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/trails/the-pinnacles
Please contact us at 859-756-3315 with any questions.
Take a break and connect with the natural world around you.

Nature Hike at the Pinnacles
2024-07-27 10:00 - 12:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Want to make new friends? Worried about hiking alone until you gain your confidence? Want to learn about the local wildlife?Then join at group hike at the Pinnacles in Berea!***Every Saturday at 10:00am this summer, FOC staff and Berea College students will be ready to hike with you! The group that attends will decide on the destination together. We can also split groups (if there is ample staffing) if there are different wants/needs of hike difficulty.
Please bring water and any medications you might need (i.e. inhaler). Dress for the weather.
*The hike will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather including thunderstorms or high winds*
Group hikes are offered year round. Hike times:*May-August, 10:00am*September-April, 1:00pm

Forest Superheroes: Family Activities at the Pinnacles
2024-08-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Join us for mornings of Forest Superhero fun: Tuesday, August 6th – Friday, August 9th: 10:00am-12:00pm. Free activities for families with children 1st-4th grade. Call 859-756-3315 or email zagrayk@berea.edu to sign up for one or all days!

*When you think of a superpower, what comes to mind? Something that is super-human, an impossible ability that can only be read about in a comic book or seen in a movie? Well, what about the superheroes of the forest? Wildlife have abilities that are completely real, but still sometimes unbelievable! The natural world is full of plants, animals, fungi, and bacteria, that work their magic all around us.
**We invite the whole family to participate in the activities as well. We just ask that you stay close by, as we CANNOT have parents drop their children off and leave. The activities will be in/around the Center and in the lower forest area. There are multiple places to sit outside and a hammock stand.

We would suggest to bring/prepare by wearing clothes that can get dirty (long pants and closed toed shoes best for avoiding insect bites and poison ivy), a water bottle, sunscreen & bug spray if needed. There is a water fountain in the Center and restrooms available.

Nature R&R / Forest Bathing
2024-08-07 17:30 - 19:30 | Anglin Falls, 842 Anglin Falls Rd., KY, United States
Nature R&R/Forest Bathing…welcome each month on its first Wednesday with us!
Come join us for a rejuvenating experience outdoors at Anglin Falls (842 Anglin Falls Rd.). Nature R&R is a slow-paced, relaxing and restorative forest experience. Please bring water and a portable seat or ground cover.
We will meet at the parking lot at 5:30 pm.
Please RSVP for your FREE spot on Eventbrite or by calling the FOC.
Directions and a map can be found here: https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/trails/anglin-falls
Please contact us at 859-756-3315 with any questions.
Give yourself the gift of a break and reconnect with the natural world.

Family Activity: Eco-Friendly Water Balloons & Giant Bubbles
2024-08-11 14:00 - 15:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
We’ll have water and our eco-friendly (crocheted) water balloons on our lawn to play with–cool off from the summer heat!
*weather dependent*

Family Activity: Try Out the Discovery Drawers!
2024-08-18 12:00 - 15:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Stop by the FOC to check out a self-guided activity to learn about the forest while you’re in the forest! With a range of topics in science and art, there’s something for every family! Current activities include: Life Cycles, Exploring Biodiversity, Butterfly Hide & Seek, Water Cycle Play, Tree Adventures, and Tessellation Time!Pick up a drawer and take it out into the forest with you, then please return it by 3:30pm.

Family Activity: Bug Safari
2024-08-25 14:00 - 15:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
We will walk in the lower forest and see what bug friends we can find!
Look on our iNaturalist project to see what insects are in our forest!

Nature R&R / Forest Bathing
2024-08-29 17:30 - 19:30 | Brushy Fork, Scaffold Cane Rd., Berea, 40403
Come join us for a rejuvenating experience outdoors at Brushy Fork trails (off of Scaffold Cane Rd.) Nature R&R is a slow-paced, relaxing and restorative forest experience. Please bring water and a portable seat or ground cover.
We will meet at the Brushy Fork bridge lot at 5:30 pm.
Directions and a map can be found here: https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/trails/brushy-fork
Please RSVP for your FREE spot on Eventbrite or call the FOC.
Please contact us at 859-756-3315 with any questions.
Give yourself the gift of a break and reconnect with the natural world.

Nature R&R / Forest Bathing
2024-09-04 17:30 - 19:30 | Brushy Fork, Scaffold Cane Rd., Berea, 40403
Come join us for a rejuvenating experience outdoors at Brushy Fork trails (off of Scaffold Cane Rd.) Nature R&R is a slow-paced, relaxing and restorative forest experience. Please bring water and a portable seat or ground cover.
Please RSVP on Eventbrite!
We will meet at the Brushy Fork bridge lot at 5:30 pm.
Directions and a map can be found here: https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/trails/brushy-fork
Please contact us at 859-756-3315 with any questions.
Give yourself the gift of a break and reconnect with the natural world.

Family Activity: Fairy House Building
2024-09-15 13:30 - 15:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
We’ll use natural and compostable materials to build houses for our forest fairy friends before autumn comes! Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring along any materials you find that you’d like to use or share. We can also use paper towel rolls, fruit rinds, and other household items that will return to the earth.

Family Activity: Autumnal Equinox Party!
2024-09-22 16:00 - 18:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
We will celebrate the changing of the seasons with autumnal snacks, books, and crafts! A sunset hike will follow at 6:00pm for those who’d like to join.

Sunset Hike on the Equinox
2024-09-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
We will hike up to the Bluegrass Overlook and enjoy the sunset! The hike is just over a mile one way but is uphill and steep in spots. Please bring a water bottle and dress for the weather and terrain! Bring a light for the hike down.
View a map and description of the trail.

Nature R&R / Forest Bathing
2024-09-26 17:30 - 19:30 | Anglin Falls, 842 Anglin Falls Rd., KY, United States
Come join us for a rejuvenating experience outdoors at Anglin Falls (842 Anglin Falls Rd.). Nature R&R is a slow-paced, relaxing and restorative forest experience. Please bring water and a portable seat or ground cover.
Please RSVP on Eventbrite!
We will meet at the parking lot at 5:30 pm.
Directions and a map can be found here: https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/trails/anglin-falls
Please contact us at 859-756-3315 with any questions.
Give yourself the gift of a break and reconnect with the natural world.

Pinnacles Astronomy Club
2024-09-26 19:00 - 20:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Join the Pinnacles Astronomy Club for their meeting at Berea College’s Forestry Outreach Center this Thursday, September 26 at 7:00PM. Jeff Hutton will present a short program about what it’s like to explore the night sky for yourself and for pure enjoyment. The title of the show is “One Perfect Night”. Weather permitting, we’ll go outside afterwards for some constellation identification and telescope viewing. Everyone’s welcome to this free event. See you there!

Berea Tree Week
2024-10-11 - 2024-10-20 | KY
We are excited to organize another year of Berea’s Tree Week, a celebration of trees and all of the ways they affect our lives!
Learn about Tree Week from the Urban Forest Initiative and view events in surrounding communities.
Fully bolded events are open to all, non-bolded are College community events.

12th: Free Yoga at the Pinnacles through Madison County Public Library 10:00am

–Tree I.D. Hike at the Pinnacles, 1:00pm

13th: Family Activity-Tree Prints at the Forestry Outreach Center 1:00-2:00pm

–Fairy Doors with Natural Materials at the Madison County Public Library Berea Branch 2:00-3:00pm

14th: Tree Plantings on campus

15th: Tree Plantings on campus

–Nature-Inspired Art & Painting in Brushy Fork with the Doris Ulmann Galleries 5:15-7:30pm
Supplies limited, please RSVP on Berea Engage or email zagrayk@berea.edu

16th: Mountain Day (Berea College holiday) with tree themed info/activities

–Mulch Madness at the Pinnacles 2:00pm

17th: Nature R&R at the Pinnacles, lower forest 5:00-7:00pm

18th: Intro to Nature R&R at Brushy Fork, 4:00-5:00pm

19th: Tree. I.D. Hike at the Pinnacles, 1:00pm

20th: Family Activity-Tree I.D. Walk, 2:00-3:00pm (geared towards kids)

Tree I.D. Hike for Tree Week
2024-10-12 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-10-19 13:00 - 15:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Join us during our regular Saturday hike time for a special topic hike for Tree Week (https://ufi.ca.uky.edu/treeweek)! Learn about the native trees at the Pinnacles with our ecologist. The destination will be determined by the group.Please wear appropriate clothing, bring water and any medications you may need (i.e. epipen).*Hike is weather dependent*

Tree Week Family Activity: Tree Prints
2024-10-13 13:00 - 14:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
We will celebrate Tree Week (https://ufi.ca.uky.edu/treeweek) by using leaves to make fun art and crafts! Collect your own leaves and get inspired for simple crafts you can do at home.*This event’s time of 1:00-2:00 is different than our typical Sunday time due to the Madison County Library Berea Branch having a Fairy Door making event 2:00-3:00! Fill your afternoon with nature-based crafting!

Tree Week Nature R&R/Forest Bathing
2024-10-17 17:00 - 19:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Come join us for a rejuvenating experience outdoors at the Pinnacles in the lower forest. Nature R&R is a slow-paced, relaxing and restorative forest experience. Please bring water and a portable seat or ground cover.
PLEASE RSVP ON EVENTBRITE.
We will meet at the parking lot at 5:00pm.
Directions and a map can be found here: https://forestryoutreach.berea.edu/trails/the-pinnacles
Please contact us at 859-756-3315 with any questions.
Give yourself the gift of a break and reconnect with the natural world.

Stargazing & Comet Viewing with Jeff Hutton
2024-10-18 20:00 - 21:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Jeff Hutton will be leading Berea College’s Outdoor Adventures Club in observing Comet C/2023 A3 (Tsuchinshan–ATLAS) at the Forestry Outreach Center at 8PM, October 18. Bundle up for this unique astronomical viewing!
Viewing will be dependent on weather/cloud cover but it is looking clear as of Thursday!

Tree Week Family Activity: Tree I.D. Walk
2024-10-20 14:00 - 15:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
We will go on a walk in the lower forest (mostly along the paved path) to learn about the parts of trees and what makes them the same and different between species.*Walk is weather dependent*

Star Party!
2024-10-23 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-10-30 19:00 - 20:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Come out to the Pinnacles/FOC to learn about the night sky! Berea College Astronomy students will have a presentation followed by telescopes available for stargazing!All ages are welcome.Feel free to bring you own telescope.

Fall Into Reading: Arachne & Arachnids
2024-10-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Join us along with the Madison County Public Library, Berea Parks and Recreation, and Winterberry Studio for a “Fall Into Reading” event! Fall into Reading is a program for kids in grades K-5 with Berea Parks & Rec. You must call 859-986-9402 and register your child with them to get a book tracker and be eligible for the book reading prizes. Enjoy a pop-up library with fall themed books, add to a tapestry of colorful fabrics and natural materials, hear the story of the Greek myth of Arcahne, and learn about our creepy crawly spider friends in the forest!

Farm & Forest Festival
2024-11-02 12:00 - 15:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Join us to celebrate our land-based programs at Berea College–the Berea College Farm/Farm Store, Forestry Department & Horse Program, and Forestry Outreach Center!
10:00am-12:00pm: Draft Horse Barn Open House, 140 Short Line Pike Berea, KY 40403
See the barn and farm and meet a few of the College’s draft horses!
12:00pm-3:00pm: Festivities & Demonstrations, the Pinnacles, 2047 Big Hill Rd. Berea, KY 40403
Tabling and activities by land-based Berea College initiatives and community groups!
Horse Harnessing Demo – 1:00 pm, paddock by FOC building
Horse Logging Demo – 1:20 pm, across a small bridge & steps in the woods
Tractor-pulled wagon rides – 2:00-3:00pm, across a small bridge & steps in a field
Join the Chili & Cornbread Cookoff!
RSVP your entries through this form or call 859-756-3315.

Entry drop off between 12:00 and 12:30pm
Tasting and judging between 12:30 and 1:00pm
Winners in each category announced at 1:15 pm

Thank you to Berea College HR for sponsoring the chili cookoff and meal!
Thank you to all of the College and community groups partnering with us to make this event happen: BC Farm, BC Farm Store, Grow Appalachia, BC Craft, BC Office of Sustainability, BC Grounds, Berea Arts Council, Madison County Public Library, Winterberry Studio, Madison County 4-H, Madison County FFA, KY Horticulture Council, KY Natural Lands Trust, UK Student Chapter of SAF, Berea Urban Farm, KY Farm to Table Network

Nature Hike at the Pinnacles
2024-11-09 13:00 - 15:30, 2024-11-16 13:00 - 15:30 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
Want to make new friends? Worried about hiking alone until you gain your confidence? Want to learn about the local wildlife?Then join at group hike at the Pinnacles in Berea!***Saturdays at 1:00pm, FOC staff and Berea College students will be ready to hike with you! The group that attends will decide on the destination together. We can also split groups (if there is ample staffing) if there are different wants/needs of hike difficulty.Please bring water and any medications you might need (i.e. inhaler). Dress for the weather.
*The hike will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather including thunderstorms or high winds*
Group hikes are offered year round.
Hike times:*May-August, 10:00am*September-April, 1:00pm

Family Activity: Wonder Frame Walk
2024-11-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
*We will decorate paper picture frames then take a walk to see what our frames help us notice in nature. We’ll leave to walk at 2:30pm!
Always free, with K-6 grade aged kids in mind. Follow Facebook for updates if weather-dependent (*)

Family Activity: National Hike Day!
2024-11-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea, KY, 40403, United States
*Enjoy the crisp fall air on a hike to the Bluegrass Overlook. We will walk slow and steady and make stops along the way to notice changes in nature as we head towards winter. Please bring a water bottle.

Always free, with K-6 grade aged kids in mind. Follow Facebook for updates if weather-dependent (*)
