Come explore various ecosystems to learn how everything in the natural world is eventually broken down into small basic parts. Get up close with some wriggly recyclers, and discover why decomposition is such an important process in nature!
Events
Enchanted Forest (Night 1 of 2)
Join Merry Lea this fall for an “enchanted” night hike! Trail guides will lead groups by lantern-light to meet real “live” animals on our trails. These friendly creatures will tell you about their diets, habits and favorite places. Our costumed staff and volunteers will answer questions about life as a native Indiana animal. Hikes are one hour long and head out about every 25 minutes.
Enchanted Forest (Night 2 of 2)
Join Merry Lea this fall for an “enchanted” night hike! Trail guides will lead groups by lantern-light to meet real “live” animals on our trails. These friendly creatures will tell you about their diets, habits and favorite places. Our costumed staff and volunteers will answer questions about life as a native Indiana animal. Hikes are one hour long and head out about every 25 minutes.
October Tales & Trails
The season is changing and so are the trees! Come to Merry Lea to read Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak. We will be discussing how different types of trees prepare for winter and make some leaf artwork!
Fall Family Night Hike
Join us for a guided night hike through the crisp autumn of Merry Lea, where the rustling leaves, cool air, and starry skies bring the landscape to life in a whole new way. As twilight fades, we’ll explore the trails around Kesling Wetland by moonlight using our senses. This hike is suitable for all ages, sturdy closed toed shoes recommended.
Homeschool Series #3 (AM): Marvelous Mammals
Join us in marveling at the mammals of Indiana here at Merry Lea! Explore their habitats on a hike, learn about how they prepare for winter, what signs that they leave behind and more!
Homeschool Series #3 (PM): Marvelous Mammals
Join us in marveling at the mammals of Indiana here at Merry Lea! Explore their habitats on a hike, learn about how they prepare for winter, what signs that they leave behind and more!
November Tales & Trails
Brrrrr! It’s getting cold outside! Join us at Merry Lea’s Learning Center as we read Time to Sleep by Denise Fleming and explore how different animals prepare for winter. We will feel furs, build our own warm den, and pretend to be animals preparing for the winter as we hike on the trails.
Native Plant Series #3: Native Seed Saving & Sowing
What do native seeds need to grow? What is stratification? What do you mean scarification?! Many of our native seeds require different “treatments” in order to grow their best and take root. We will go over a variety of ways to get your native garden growing.
Christmas Chemistry
Get ready to mix some chemistry into the holiday season here at Merry Lea! Join us for some hands-on holiday science experiments like using poinsettias as a pH indicator, creating Christmas scented slime, and more while sipping on hot cocoa.