Outreach Programs

We have over 48 years of success in the field of environmental education. We have created the ideal outdoor classroom for students learning about Ohio’s wildlife and all of our programs feature unforgettable live wildlife encounters. We’ve developed several hands-on programs to select for your visit.

We can’t wait to engage your students with wildlife adventures!

Hands-on Programs

  • Nature Awareness

    A great introduction to Ohio’s wildlife and natural ecosystems and can be geared to any grade level.

  • Aquatics

    Students get their feet wet by exploring 2 different aquatic ecosystems and the wildlife that live in each habitat.

  • Winter Wildlife

    Meet Wildlife Ambassadors that use amazing adaptations to survive the cold and snowy Ohio winters.

  • Insects

    Children will use nets and collection jars to catch, examine and release a variety of insects.

  • Animal Adaptations

    Meet 4 live Wildlife Ambassadors and discover how they feel, where they live, and what role they play in the ecosystem.

  • Birds

    Identify a variety of bird study skins using a dichotomous key as a guide and go ‘birding’ with real binoculars.

  • Wildlife Reabilitation

    Explore a career in wildlife rehab and learn about the tools we use at our very own wildlife rehab center.

  • Mammals

    Study Ohio’s only winged mammal and play games to explore their unique adaptations.

  • Reptiles & Ampibians

    Meet two Wildlife ambassadors and discover the similarities and differences between amphibians and reptiles.

Senior Scientists Program

Brukner Nature Center has a wonderful opportunity for the seniors at your center!

The Senior Scientist program is a series of monthly wildlife programs that include hands-on activities, exciting multi-media presentations, storytelling, and more. A Brukner Nature Center Naturalist travels to your center to share an information-packed hour of fun and learning with your seniors.

Programs include one or more of our Wildlife Ambassadors - (ranging anywhere from a toad to a red-tailed hawk!). The Senior Scientist program is available year round with a different topic featured each month. Programs can be scheduled monthly for the entire year or on a month to month basis.

Past topics include:

January: Endangered Species
February: Scavengers & Decomposers
March: Rehab
April: Signs of Spring
May: Changes in the Land
June: Water Wonders
July: Wild Connections
August: Marvelous Mammals
September: Animal Survivors
October: Beautiful Bats
November: Owls of Ohio
December: Wild Talk (Animal Communication)

Half-Day and Full-Day Trips!

Choose 1 program or mix and match your choice of 2 programs for a customized full-day BNC experience at a reduced price!

Lesson plans can be geared toward all grade levels, emphasizing ecological concepts to meet your students needs – from wonder and awe to environmental issues.

Programs can be scheduled as a 1½ to 2 hour program, with a 30 minute break for lunch for full day field trips.

COST FOR PROGRAMS @ BNC:

$5/participant for 1 program
$8/participant for 2 programs in a day

A minimum fee of $50 (1 program) or $80 (2 programs), will be applied to schools/groups with 10 or fewer total participants.

Want to learn more about our Outreach Programs? View our guide to wildlife education, The Compass.

Questions? Email us at info@bruknernaturecenter.org or call us at 937-698-6493