THE RIVERSIDE NATURE CENTER

Education has always been the focal point of all activities at Riverside Nature Center. The Center is a certified Wildscape, hosting programs which focus attention on our native plants, birds, butterflies and other wildlife.

Nature Center programs include:

A CLOSER LOOK

A Closer Look is a Discovery-Learning Program for classes of school children, grades K through 8. These outdoor programs are held at the RNC in the Spring and Fall. They were developed by education specialists and are led by trained Nature Guides to introduce and educate young people in nature and ecology. The price is $2.00 per child. Reservations are required. Interested group leaders/teachers should call RNC at 257-4837 for information and reservations as availability of programs is dependent upon the season and the weather.

Young people Discover…Learn . . . Explore during their visits to the Riverside Nature Center in a "hands-on" environment.

Grade specific topics for school programs are:

Kindergarten	Discovery Walks to Identify Flowers, Trees and Critters
1st grade	What Bugs Plants
2^nd grade	Backyard Habitat for Wildlife
3^rd grade	Nature Detectives Find Evidence of Wildlife
4^th grade	Wildflower Identification
5^th grade	Tree Identification
6^th grade	Plant Adaptations and Defenses
7^th grade	Tree Scavenger Hunt or Assessment of Wildlife Mini-Habitats
8^th grade	Water Conservation, Rain Harvesting, and the Future of the Guadalupe River

GARDENS AND HABITAT

Gardens and Habitat at RNC is an educational venture that demonstrates how land can be restored with native plants, thereby saving native species from being lost to development and competition from non-native plants. Water conserving landscapes or xeriscaping and methods to provide food and shelter for birds and wildlife are features of the Nature Center.

Examples of trees and shrubs that are ideally suited to Hill Country landscaping are emphasized in order to aid homeowners in selecting plantings that will be long-lived, conserve water and energy and improve the beauty of their property.

Programs and events about Hill Country habitat, conservation, flora and fauna are planned throughout the year.

Books, slides and videos about native Hill Country species, landscaping, gardening and the environment are available for members to borrow.

The mission of Riverside Nature Center is to foster greater public awareness
and appreciation of the Hill Country’s natural resources through
education, information and example.