Travel the Blue Trail to read along to this month’s story - Seeds.

The Blue Trail begins behind the Nature Center. This 0.75 mile dirt loop has some steep hills. Stop by the Nature Center after you’ve completed the trail for a free book.

Self-led | Free and open to all.

Bring your favorite mug to the Nature Center for free coffee in the Bird Watching Room. Get cozy and enjoy watching birds visit the feeders.

Donations are welcome.

Self-led | Free and open to all.

Hike the forests of Hayes Arboretum with the American Discovery Trail Hiking Club. No fees, no commitments, just hiking.

Meet in the Nature Center Parking Lot.

Free and open to all.

What birds call Hayes Arboretum home? Let's use our "eagle eyes' and find out!  

Suggested ages: 3-8 years of age

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Members: Free | Nonmembers: $2/child. All adult guardians are free of charge.

Have you ever wanted a tea towel that featured native plant prints? Join our naturalist for a short walk to collect native tree leaves, followed by time to create your personalized tea towels. Each participant goes home with two towels.

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room

Registration required as supplies are limited.

Members: $7/person | Nonmembers: $10/person.

A gratitude walk is intentional movement with an intentional mindset. Join BeTempered for their monthly hike at Hayes Arboretum.

Meet at the East Entrance (corner of Hayes Arb Rd and Woodside Dr).

Free and open to all.

Experience the forests of Hayes Arboretum after dark! Listen to the sounds of summer while searching for our nocturnal neighbors.

Meet in the Nature Center. 

Registration preferred.

Members: $3/person | Nonmembers: $2/person. Children 12 and under free.

Join Lizzie for her monthly playdate! Each event includes a short activity, story time, and song, followed by time for families to socialize and play.

Meet in the Nature Playscape.

Free and open to all.

Find the beauty and inspiration of nature before creating your very own masterpiece!

Suggested ages: 3-8 years of age

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Members: Free | Nonmembers: $2/child. All adult guardians are free of charge.

Why not look fashionable as you combat invasive species? Learn about invasive honeysuckle plants before taking that knowledge to make handmade pieces, including necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Each participant can make up to three pieces of jewelry. 

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration required as supplies are limited.

Members: $10/person | Nonmembers: $15/person.

Thank you to the Delaware County Soil & Water Conservation District for supplying the tool set for this activity.

Join tree expert (and Executive Director of Hayes Arboretum) Steve Hayes Jr for an afternoon hike through the green forests of Hayes Arboretum. 

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity begins in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Member's Only Perk! | Registration required.

Let's take a hike through the forest in search of big trees! 

Suggested ages: 3-8 years of age

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Members: Free | Nonmembers: $2/child. All adult guardians are free of charge.

Have questions about honeybees? Why not ask a beekeeper! Join us for this monthly meeting as we discuss various bee topics.

Meet in the Nature Center.

Free and open to all.

Are you afraid to add houseplants to your home due to pets? Join our guest speaker from Garden of Eden on a discussion about common houseplants and which are pet-friendly and which are not. Adoptable pets from Animal Care Alliance will be part of the presentation so come ready to learn and to cuddle. Each participant leaves with a houseplant to take home. 

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration required as supplies are limited.

Members: $7/person | Nonmembers: $10/person.

Why are moths important? Learn why and how to attract moths in your own backyard. This will be followed by a short hike and mothing in the Nature Playscape.

Meet in the Nature Center. 

Registration preferred.

Members: $3/person | Nonmembers: $5/person. Children 12 and under free.

Why keep a log in the forest? Let's find out together! Participants will be able to bring home a special piece of the forest.

Suggested ages: 3-8 years of age

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Members: Free | Nonmembers: $2/child. All adult guardians are free of charge.

Learn starter watercolor techniques with artists Jean Felmy, Venna Werner, and Mary Ann Hawley, including how to paint trees and forests. Each person leaves with a watercolor paint set. 

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration required as supplies are limited.

Members: $7/person | Nonmembers: $10/person.

Join Eastern Indiana Beekeeper member David Jetmore for a discussion on the basics of beekeeping. Attendees will be given the opportunity to suit up and open up a beehive to experience beekeeping firsthand.

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room. 

Registration preferred.

Members: $3/person | Nonmembers: $5/person. Children 12 and under free.

Hop on down to the Research Pond for a chance to see frogs, dragonflies, and salamanders!

Suggested ages: 3-8 years of age

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Members: Free | Nonmembers: $2/child. All adult guardians are free of charge.

Looking for a new hobby? How about one that combines navigational skills and stamp artistry? Design a stamp and then go on a "treasure hunt" style outdoor quest with our special guest speaker Karen Ruhl. Each person leaves with the materials needed to start letterboxing. 

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration required as supplies are limited.

Members: $7/person | Nonmembers: $10/person. 

Experience the forest through sight, sound, smell, touch, and even taste! 

Suggested ages: 3-8 years of age

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Members: Free | Nonmembers: $2/child. All adult guardians are free of charge.

Want to attract birds in your backayrd? Join Dennis McDaniel of Wild Birds Unlimited for a presentation on backyard birds. After the presentation, each registrant will build a hopper style feeder (normally a $40 value) to take home. No woodworking skills are needed! Each person leaves with a hopper-style bird feeder and seed to take home. 

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration required as supplies are limited.

Members: $12/person | Nonmembers: $15/person. 

Add enchantment to your bookshelf by creating a book nook shelf insert. Join special guests from Morrisson-Reeves Library for an evening of crafting and love of books. 

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration required as supplies are limited.

Free and open to all. 

Growing a native food forest can feed your family, support wildlife, and requires less work than maintaining a conventional garden. Come learn more about how to start your own food forest!

Meet in the Nature Center. 

Registration preferred.

Members: $3/person | Nonmembers: $5/person. Children 12 and under free.

Did you know that research shows that overall wellness increases in green spaces? Increase your physical and mental wellness by joining us for a session of yoga. Bring your yoga mat and join us at the Brice E Hayes Memorial Fountain Lawn. Led by Amber Hall. 

Meet at the East Entrance.

Registration preferred.

Free and open to all. 

We are asking for volunteers to help us learn what species are in the Pollinator Field! All you need is a cell phone and the iNaturalist app. Volunteers will meet with our naturalist, learn how to use your phone to take images of plants, and then be given an area to photograph all the different plants and animals. All volunteers will receive a small gift for there help.

Meet at the East Entrance.

Registration preferred.

Free and open to all. Phone or camera required.

Discover the medicinal uses of plants found here in the prairie and forests of Hayes. Led by Cierra Taylor, owner of Run Wild Apothecary.

Meet at the East Entrance.

Registration preferred.

Members: $3/person | Nonmembers: $5/person. Children 12 and under are free.

Engage in the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku and immerse yourself in nature using your senses. This mindful walk will take you into the forests of Hayes Arboretum. Led by Tabetha Glomb. 

Meet in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Free and open to all. 

The Pollinator Prairie is in full bloom! Join Jaime Coon for a short hike through the field, learning how to identify these native plants and why this ecosystem is so important.

Meet at the East Entrance.

Registration preferred.

Members: $3/person | Nonmembers: $5/person. Children 12 and under are free.

Join us in search of six-legged friends in the forest.

Suggested ages: 3-8 years of age

Check in at the Nature Center. Activity in the Turner-Grey Meeting Room.

Registration preferred.

Members: Free | Nonmembers: $2/child. All adult guardians are free of charge.