Fresh Air Family - April 2011 Calendar of Events | Environment

From Fresh Air Family:

Spring has sprung and we could all use some fresh air! Take time to smell the roses and explore the wildflowers with Fresh Air Family by joining us for great events designed with your entire family in mind. There’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Saturday, April 2, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Wildflower Hike at Bankhead National Forest – 8am – 4pm

Spring revels in explosions of dainty pastels and pure white flowers. Explore diverse natural plant communities, including limestone rock outcrops, riparian areas, and limestone glades.  For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Wild South Hike at Bankhead National Forest - 9:30am – 1:30pm

A wonderland of waterfalls, wild bluffs and wildflowers. Join Wild South and Janice Barrett every 1st Saturday of the month for a guided hike in the Bankhead National Forest. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Hikes For Tikes with Storyteller Ashley Hulsey-Coutch at Birmingham Botanical Gardens – 10am – 12pm

Sponsored by the St. Barnabas 21st Century Learning Center, these story strolls introduce nature to little ones through songs and imagination with storyteller, Ashley Hulsey-Coutch. A kindergarten teacher, Ashley truly engages the children. Hands-on activities and an easy nature walk are specifically designed for little ones, ages 18 months-6 years old. Meet at gardens’ entrance. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Bluebells In the Sinks at Monte Sano State Park – 10am – 3pm

The spring bluebell bloom is one of the most spectacular sites of the year with a blanket of blue. Plan on seeing spring wildflowers such as bluebells, trillium, mayapples, wild geranium, and rue anemone with a picnic to follow. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Wildflower Hike at Oak Mountain, Sponsored by Lol? & Mountain High Outfitters – 1pm – 3:30pm

Spring erupts in splashes of color.  Sponsored by Lol? & Mountain High Outfitters, join wildflower expert, Brian Finzel, on an exciting excursion through Oak Mountain State Park to explore wildflowers blooming in your own backyard. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Sunday, April 3, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Fly Fishing 101 at Forever Wild's Turkey Creek Preserve – 1pm – 3pm

A flick of the wrist can bring great rewards as you fly fish in one of the purest streams in America. Join us for a basic lesson, with poles provided to the first 20 fishing neophytes who sign up. Catch and release! For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Saturday, April 9, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Wildflower Hike at Blevins Gap Preserve – 10am – 4pm

Oh the wonders of wildflowers blooming at the start of spring! Enjoy scenic vistas and rock overhangs in a pristine forest while seeing Alabama Snow Wreath, Shooting Stars, Wild Hyacinth, Dwarf Larkspur, Eastern Blue Star, Virginia Spiderwort, several species of Trillium, and much more. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Chief Ladiga Bike Ride & Camp-out – Sat, April 9, 12pm – Sun, April 10, 11am

BYOB, and we mean BIKE! Bring your own bike and helmet and jump on the Chief Ladiga bike trail for a scenic ride to a remote campsite for an exciting overnight adventure! The Chief Ladiga is a rails-to-trails project utilizing an old rail bed converted to a paved bike trail. The trail will afford views of Dugger Mountain plus farm & rural scenic country sides. Our guest naturalist will help to identify wildflowers & wild edibles. COST: $25 per campsite, which includes dinner. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Hikes For Tikes with Educator Henry Hughes at Birmingham Botanical Gardens – 10am – 12pm

Dig for worms, plow through leaf litter for bugs – hands-on adventures for little ones with BBG Education Director, Henry Hughes, who loves to get dirty with the kids! An easy nature walk specifically designed for little ones, ages 18 months-6 years old. Meet at gardens’ entrance. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Wildflower Walk & Americana Exhibits at Bull Skull Hollow – 10am – 4pm

Tour “The Village,” an amazing display consisting of 6-7 log cabins & wooden buildings, including a general store, carriage house, schoolhouse-church,  smoke house & the “Museum,” all full of old implements, tools, antiques & household items from yesteryear. The tour will be followed by a hike along beautiful Spring Creek to explore refreshing spring wildflowers. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Thursday, April 14, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Afternoon Family Walk at Bay Front Park – 5pm – 7pm

Take a refreshing stroll along the boardwalk on Mobile Bay and enjoy viewing birds that will have begun their migration. A birding list will be provided, so bring your binoculars! For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Saturday, April 16, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Hikes For Tikes with Storyteller Ashley Hulsey-Coutch at Birmingham Botanical Gardens – 10am – 12pm

Sponsored by the St. Barnabas 21st Century Learning Center, these story strolls introduce nature to little ones through songs and imagination with storyteller, Ashley Hulsey-Coutch. A kindergarten teacher, Ashley truly engages the children. Hands-on activities and an easy nature walk are specifically designed for little ones, ages 18 months-6 years old. Meet at gardens’ entrance. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Wildflower Walk at TVA Muscle Shoals Reservation – 10am – 1pm

The rare Yellow Lady’s Slipper should be in full bloom. Join Margie Anderton (Shoals Wildflower Society) and Charles Rose (Shoals Environmental Alliance) on a exuberating walk of the Hall Memorial Native Plant Garden and the TVA Small Wild Area (First Quarters Ravine). Expect to see a variety of wildflowers. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

• Fresh Air Family’s Teens & Parents Hike at Cheaha Wilderness, Sponsored by MHO & Patagonia – 10am – 4pm

Sponsored by Mountain High Outfitters & Patagonia, our Teens & Parents Hike series continues with a hike to the famed and scenic McDill Point, where we will pass a vintage, single-engine plane wreckage. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Sunday, April 17, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Riverwalk Event with Cahaba River Society & Freshwater Land Trust – 1pm – 3pm

Get in the river for an up close view of the rare and beautiful creatures in our unique and endangered Cahaba River. Join us at the Cahaba River boat launch on Grants Mill Road for a great learning experience for the whole family! Booths will be set up with lots of hands on activities for both young and old. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

• Fresh Air Family Night at Nabeel's Café in Homewood. Join Fresh Air Family at Nabeel's Café in Homewood on the 3rd Wednesday of every month for light and healthy meals along with great conversation. Tell them that you are there on behalf of Fresh Air Family and they will donate 10% of your bill to FAF! Visit www.nabeels.com for a menu and more!

Thursday, April 21, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Afternoon Family Walk at 5 Rivers Park – 5pm – 7pm

Join us for a quiet stroll along the waters’ edge to view birds in the delta. A birding list will be provided, so bring your binoculars!  For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Saturday, April 23, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Hikes For Tikes with Educator Henry Hughes at Birmingham Botanical Gardens – 10am – 12pm

Dig for worms, plow through leaf litter for bugs – hands-on adventures for little ones with BBG Education Director, Henry Hughes, who loves to get dirty with the kids! An easy nature walk specifically designed for little ones, ages 18 months-6 years old. Meet at gardens’ entrance. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.

Friday, April 29, 2011 – Sunday, May 1, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Conecuh Longleaf Festival & Camping Trip – Fri, April 29, 7pm – Sun, May 1, 11am

This time of year, the pitcher plant bogs are white with blooms, creating a spectacular site. The tiny, buttery butterwords and red, dewy sundews show their rare blossoms. Go on a weekend adventure to explore the historic Long Leaf Forest, which at one time stretched across the East Coast, forming the world’s largest ecosystem. Today, it is limited to three million acres, much of it preserved in the Conecuh National Forest. Amazing rare species live here, such as the red cockaded woodpecker, gopher tortoises, and pitcher plant bogs. Join the forest service in an outdoor program on critters, trees and pitcher plant bogs. Be sure to bring your favorite dish for a potluck dinner. COST: $40 per family per campsite. Please use PayPal on our secure website, or mail your check to Fresh Air Family, Inc at PO Box 321038, Birmingham, AL 35232. Deposit is due by Wed., April 27, 2011. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org.Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

• Fresh Air Family’s Hikes For Tikes with Educator Henry Hughes at Birmingham Botanical Gardens – 10am – 12pm

Dig for worms, plow through leaf litter for bugs – hands-on adventures for little ones with BBG Education Director, Henry Hughes, who loves to get dirty with the kids! An easy nature walk specifically designed for little ones, ages 18 months-6 years old. Meet at gardens’ entrance. For more information, contact Kim@freshairfamily.org. Visit www.freshairfamily.org/calendarandevents.html for event details and to register online. Free.