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Lilly Nature Center & Celery Bog Nature Area
Plenty of exciting events and activities are coming up at the Lilly Nature Center and Celery Bog Nature Area this spring and summer! Please take a moment to go through the following information and save the dates for all the fun!
Mind BOGgling Event
The Lilly Nature Center is hosting the annual celebration of nature on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event is free, and it promises to be an exciting and informative experience for nature enthusiasts of all ages.
Join us for a fun-filled day of learning with our entomology program in collaboration with Purdue FNR. Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center will be hosting a live turtle program and there will be crafts and activities for younger children in preschool and kindergarten. The event will also feature live music performances by Sharon McKnight and David Inskeep.
Music Schedule:
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. – OPEN JAM SESSION – bring an instrument and join in with a group led by Sharon McKnight, sing along, offer a song, drop in and out as you like. All ages and skill levels welcome. Or just pull up a chair and enjoy the music.
12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. – David Inskeep – Kokomo singer-songwriter David Inskeep will share his songs about nature, the outdoors, and river adventures.
1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. - OPEN JAM SESSION – (Same details as listed above.)
Bring your family and friends along to enjoy this exciting event! Everyone is welcome!
No registration is required. We will be taking a lot of photos and videos to share with our community! Find our event on Facebook for all the details and updates!
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Seeking Volunteers
Due to the increased number of activities, we are in dire need of more volunteers to assist with the nature center, programs, and maintaining the beauty of the bog. Volunteering is an excellent opportunity for scouting and service groups, churches, or anyone looking to give back and help us make our local parks and greenspaces better for all. No experience is needed, but all volunteers are required to have a background check on file.
If interested in joining our volunteer crew, contact Kyle Gebhart, Parks Naturalist at kgebhart@westlafayette.in.gov
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 Lilly Nature Center and Celery Bog Wild Bird Count
Are you interested in citizen science? Or want to learn a new outdoor hobby? Come to Lilly Nature Center and assist Naturalist Kyle in counting the birds of Celery Bog! Learn about the hobby of birding, how it can be an excellent activity for people looking to spend more time outdoors, and how it can assist ornithologists in their research! The next gathering will be on May 25, June 1, June 15, June 22, June 29, July 6 and July 20 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. No registration is required.
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All programs that require registration can be accessed through your CivicRec account to sign up under the YELLOW tab.
Field Herping 101
What is herpetology? What are herpetofauna? Are they dangerous?
Creepy? Slimy? Slithery? Let's find out together while exploring Celery Bog Nature Area! We will learn all about our reptiles and amphibian friends and, afterward, take a hike around Celery Bog to see if we can find any! Sign up is required.
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Insectigations
Explore the world of aquatic insects residing in Celery Bog during the upcoming sessions on May 24, June 15, and July 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Collect and preserve these creepy crawly bugs and bring them to the nature center for identification. Sign up is required.
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Yoga
Just a friendly reminder that there are a few yoga classes still available at the Lilly Nature Center before the programs move to the Riverside Skating Center for the summer. You can log into your CivicRec account to see the dates, times, and locations of the classes. Although registration is preferred, drop-ins are welcome too!
Also, please take note that the Nature Summer Camp will be held Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for most of the summer. Due to this event, please be aware that there will be extra foot and auto traffic around the bog.
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Thank You for Your Support
Thank you for supporting the Lilly Nature Center and Celery Bog Nature Area. Skye, our Maintenance Technician, and Kyle, our Parks Naturalist, have worked hard to make the spaces inviting for everyone. Additionally, we cannot thank our volunteers enough for their support with programs and daily operations, such as feeding the birds, cleaning, and greeting guests.
The Lilly Nature Center and Celery Bog Nature Area will continue to grow in 2024 with new programs and we're excited to see what the future holds. If you have program ideas, let us know by contacting Kyle Gebhart, Parks Naturalist at kgebhart@westlafayette.in.gov
Sincerely,
Your West Lafayette Parks and Recreation Department
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Parks and Recreation
222 N Chauncey Ave
West Lafayette, IN 47906
website / email us
  
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