Discount admission is available all day! Enjoy $5 off general Zoo admission PLUS FREE parking powered by LG&E and KU Foundation. See community eco-partner displays and learn about their organizations’ community impact from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come join the fun and learn what you can do to help save our planet. Discount available at Zoo ticket windows only and cannot be applied to online purchases.

A great way to learn about spring wildflowers is to follow their progression from bud to blossom over several weeks. Join a Wildflower Spring Stroll for fascinating stories about wildflower adaptation, ecology, folklore, uses, and history.

This session focuses on the hidden stories in wildflowers that illuminate history, mystery, ecology, and mythology.

Bernheim members $10; Non-members $15

Registration required by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program. No pets, please. Call (502) 215-7155 to register and use your free member program passes, or click the button below to sign up.

Join Clergy and other faith leaders from across the city to explore the ways we can promote the care for our planet in our community.

Earth Day
Click here to view the trailer

OCEANIA: Journey to the Center
Directed by Natalie Zimmerman

Wednesday, April 23, 6 pm CINEMA+ | BUY TICKETS

$12 | $8 Speed members

OCEANIA begins at the center of the planet on a coral atoll – predicted to become uninhabitable by 2030 due to rising sea levels and temperatures brought by climate change. We journey with a mother and her adult son as they struggle to maintain their culture, freedom and independence. In the wake of decades of colonizing encounters, we soon realize our seemingly disparate histories, experiences and fates—are all connected.

OCEANIA is a lyrical documentary that explores climate change over 8 years through the eyes of two characters in the remote Pacific Island nation of Kiribati. Tekinati is deeply grounded in her indigenous culture and environment, despite generations of Western depredation. Now, as the climate changes, her adult son Charles tries to find a path into his future which becomes increasingly disrupted.

Some Western environmentalists have viewed Kiribati and other Pacific nations simply as a canary in climate change’s cage–their destruction proof of a climate emergency. In OCEANIA, we are offered counter-narratives that examine deeper geopolitical histories of colonization and the impact this continues to have on the I-Kiribati people and possible solutions for their future. 2024, U.S., DCP, in I-Kirbati and English with English subtitles, 75 minutes. Recommended for 15 +

CINEMA+ with a post-screening discussion with director, producer, and co-writer Natalie Zimmerman and Justin Mog, PhD, Assistant to the Provost for Sustainability Initiatives, University of Louisville.

Climate change is a global challenge—but can global cooperation keep up? Join us to explore the successes, setbacks, and future of international climate agreements.

Third Discussion: International Climate Cooperation in an Era of Geopolitical Turmoil

The 2015 Paris Agreement established a UN-sponsored framework for negotiations on climate change and global warming. In subsequent COP meetings, experts and political leaders have come together seeking common cause for this growing global crisis. What is the future of these efforts, and what have they yielded? What is the U.S. role in fostering cooperation on climate change? In a divided country, what are the possible futures for American policy leadership?

Author: Joshua Busby

Topics for this Discussion Include:

• The Current Status of Climate Change

• Global Climate Change Cooperation Structure

• The Relationship Between Climate Change and Geopolitics

• The United States’ Role as a Leader in International Climate Change Regulations

More information at Great Decisions: International Cooperation on Climate Change - General Public — World Affairs Council of KY & So. IN.

This is a free event that highlights how deep-rooted effects of childhood abuse impact our communities and those we love. Local artists will showcase how creative expression aids in healing. Interactive stations will demonstrate connecting mind and body, supporting survivors, and building community resilience through art, music, and movement. Artwork from local artists will be displayed. *Funded in part by Fund For The Arts. This event will not be providing art therapy but will be demonstrating various modalities that other people have found helpful in their healing journeys.*

The event is on April 22 at Mellwood Art Center.

The UofL Student Activities Board's Engaging Issues committee presents an Earth Day Extravaganza focused on sustainability. Come learn from and engage with a variety of sustainability partners, with interactive activities for students to learn while having a great time. Final details TBA, but activities will tentatively include Planting Plants, Composting, and a Reusable Tote Make-N-Take. More information at Earth Day Extravaganza

Come learn from and engage with a variety of sustainability partners, with interactive activities for students to learn while having a great time.

Join Waterfront Botanical Gardens on Tuesday, April 22, for a day of community, conservation, and environmental action. Events kick off with an exclusive Member Morning from 8:30–10:30 a.m., where members can enjoy a peaceful stroll with complimentary coffee and light bites. At 9:30 a.m., Christopher Ross of Apis Rescue will lead a discussion on sustainable beekeeping and pollinator conservation. 

From 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., families can explore interactive education stations on nature and sustainability. In the afternoon, volunteers can participate in a Neighborhood Trash Pick-Up along Frankfort Avenue and Beargrass Creek, with partners helping sort recyclables back at the Gardens. The day wraps up with a casual happy hour at Ten20 Brewery at 4:00 p.m.

TreeFest is Louisville’s Arbor Day celebration, bringing the community together to explore the essential role trees play in our lives.

This family-friendly event is packed with creative, engaging, and fun activities for all ages.

This year’s festivities include hands-on opportunities to plant and mulch trees in Petersburg Park, a tree giveaway, and eco-friendly vendor booths. Attendees can enjoy live music, delicious food and drinks, and activities for kids and adults alike. Learn from “green” organizations making an impact in our city, and connect with nature while soaking in the beauty of the park.

Join us for an unforgettable afternoon celebrating trees, community, and sustainability! Stay tuned for more updates here!

Restore: Healthy Planet, Healthy Us!

Saturday, April 19, 2025, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Join Bernheim for their Earth Day celebration, Restore: Healthy Planet, Healthy Us, presented by the Owsley Brown II Family Foundation.

The State of Black Food Summit, hosted by CTCT, is a one-of-a-kind gathering that addresses food justice and the foodscape in Black communities.

This year’s summit will feature two hands-on workshops, a youth panel, and discussions focused on the current food system, with plans for meaningful change over the next year.

This year, the summit’s focus is twofold: engaging participants in practical, hands-on learning in the areas of food waste, financial sustainability, and holistic health, while also laying the groundwork for year-long community action through our working groups.

Seeking volunteers, sign up here. We are also seeking sponsors.

Have you ever seen an animal print on a hike and wished you could tell what animal had passed through?

The ability to interpret wildlife tracks and other signs of life around you can be not only interesting but vital in some situations. Getting certified as a tracker and learning more about the science behind tracking and identifying signs of wildlife is a fantastic skill to add to your repertoire!

The North America Track and Sign Certification is an internationally applied, professional-level certification that promotes wildlife tracking and knowledge. This two-day field experience is both an assessment and a training, with an emphasis on open dialogue and interactive learning. In the evaluation, participants give their answers to a set of questions, the evaluator and participants have a discussion to provide the opportunity for everyone involved to internalize field marks, wildlife behavior, and natural history.

While certification is not guaranteed, you may leave with a certification up to level four. The level four tracker certification is considered a professional-level certification. No prior training is required to participate. Pre-registration is required. For scholarship information and any additional questions please contact ekinnetz@theparklands.org

This experience will include an optional homemade chili dinner in one of our rustic cabins at the end of Saturday’s session. The $375 ticket purchase includes the two-day field experience from March 1st and 2nd, 2025.

Specific times and locations will be given to participants after they have registered for the course. For more information about the track and sign course please click here.

In-Person Workshop to Get Ready for Bluebird Season!

Philip Tamplin, from the Kentucky Bluebird Society, expands on his Bluebird Box Building workshop with this fun and lively presentation on bluebird behavior and the importance of the upcoming nesting season for these often threatened birds. Afterwards, take a walk around Yew Dell to help Philip prep Yew Dell’s bird boxes for the spring nesting season.

Our instructors are in high demand. Reserve your ticket now at this link to hold your spot.

Please keep in mind that all ticket purchases are final sale. Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. All programs and events are rain or shine.

Join the world’s largest biodiversity-related citizen science project, eBird!

eBird is an online database of bird observations providing scientists, researchers and amateur naturalists with real-time data about bird distribution and abundance. More than 100 million bird sightings are contributed each year by eBirders around the world

The Great Backyard Bird Count runs for four days in February. Over these four days people spend time in their favorite places watching, counting and reporting their observations, which are used to help scientists better understand global bird populations!

On this guided hike, our experienced naturalist and birdwatcher will help participants to identify some of Louisville’s beautiful birds and log their findings into eBird. Participants will learn ID tips such as field marks, behavior, habitat, vocalizations and more. This is for all skill levels of birding, ages 12 and up. Grab your binoculars and smart phones and register here!

How does nature survive the winter? Join us as we discover amazing plant and animal adaptations that help them be warriors of winter!

Examine animal artifacts, search for winter hideouts, get cozy inside by building burrows and maybe even meet some winter warriors in person!

Junior Explorer is a free family-friendly event at The Parklands that is open to all ages, that focuses on a special nature topic each time. Drop in at any time during the event for themed activities and check back closer to the event date to get a full list of scheduled happenings you won’t want to miss. Join the Parklands’ education team, community partners, and special vendors to explore our natural world with themed activities, games, hikes, crafts, and more!

This event is free and open to everyone, with activities geared toward pre-k and elementary-aged kids. No registration is required unless otherwise stated.

Are you an organization or vendor who would like to join the fun? Please contact Olivia Hardin at ohardin@theparklands.org for more information on how you can be involved! 

Looking for a way to warm up this winter?

As we wait for freezing temperatures to pass, we encourage you to join us for one of our volunteer opportunities taking place in February.

And yes! You can plant in winter as long as the ground isn’t frozen; trees actually prefer to be planted while dormant.

DM or email volunteer@treeslouisville.org to learn more or register. No experience necessary, and training is provided. All activities are weather dependent for the safety of our volunteers and staff.

Let candles light your way as you stroll underneath the stars this Galentine’s and Valentine’s Day.

Hike at your leisure, either on the candlelit short trail (about 3/4 mile), or the unlit longer trail (1 3/4 mile). Warm up around the fire afterward, or head indoors, where you can visit our reptiles and enjoy snacks and drinks. Participants must be 21 and over.

Days:

• Thursday, February 13, 6:30-9:30pm

• Friday, February 14, 6:30-9:30pm

• Saturday, February 15, 6:30-9:30pm

Price per person:

• $30 (non-member)

• $22 (member)

To receive the member discount, check your email for our special member code or call Louisville Nature Center at 502-458-1328. Link to register.

Looking for a way to warm up this winter?

As we wait for freezing temperatures to pass, we encourage you to join us for one of our volunteer opportunities taking place in February.

And yes! You can plant in winter as long as the ground isn’t frozen; trees actually prefer to be planted while dormant.

DM or email volunteer@treeslouisville.org to learn more or register. No experience necessary, and training is provided. All activities are weather dependent for the safety of our volunteers and staff.

Looking for a way to warm up this winter?

As we wait for freezing temperatures to pass, we encourage you to join us for one of our volunteer opportunities taking place in February.

And yes! You can plant in winter as long as the ground isn’t frozen; trees actually prefer to be planted while dormant.

DM or email volunteer@treeslouisville.org to learn more or register. No experience necessary, and training is provided. All activities are weather dependent for the safety of our volunteers and staff.

Our history is important. Come together as a community and celebrate.

As we embark on Black History Month, let us remember those who came before us, those who inspire us, and those who are paving the way for us!

Grab a person, grab a sign, and grab your boots so we can hike together in unity. We will meet at Paw Paw Trail at the Brown-Forman Silo Center at 9:00 am on February 1st.

RSVP at this link, and donate at this link!

Hear from our partners in adventure at Classic Escapes Travel Company all about the ecology and conservation challenges of Ecuador and the Galapagos!

Connect with the Zoo as we critically explore a variety of environmental and conservation topics. Each month we will meet and discuss a conservation topic that falls under one of two larger environmental education themes, Global Climate Change and Ecology.

Participants will receive background information and further learning resources for each topic and are invited to participate in a series of 60-minute discussions with Zoo educators. Each conversation will provide an overview of the topic, share connections with your Louisville Zoo, and give recommendations for further learning on the topic. Some conversations will focus on in-person book discussion related to the topic and others will feature virtual discussions and include guest experts!

Join the conversation here as we engage community members of all ages about topics that are affecting the way we live in Louisville and how people live around the globe.

Back by popular demand!

The MHC will be hosting a trivia and networking night on January 29th at Local’s Pizza Hub.

Bring your trivia knowledge, business cards, and appetite and join MHC as we ring in the new year. Please RSVP at this link!

Back by popular demand!

On Sunday, January 19, 2025 you can follow Renee Frith — the Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes at Bernheim Forest and Arboretum and self-proclaimed petter of plants – as she explores the winter landscape of Wolf Pen Branch Mill Farm.

The bare bones of the forest are a wonder to behold – but how can you ID trees with no leaves to help you? And how can you read the scars and bumps on trees and understand the science behind how they heal themselves from injuries from storms, pathogens, human-imposed damage, and other hard times? You’ll learn all that and more with Renee. If you were one of the many people who couldn’t get tickets to her fall color walk, here’s your chance!

With Renee, you never walk in the same forest twice – it’s always a new journey. Add to that the experience of exploring a site not usually open to the public, and you have the perfect recipe for a special experience. The program is free for River Fields members and $25 for others; reservations are required. Registration is limited to 25 people per time slot.

For more information and tickets, click here.

Learn the basics of tree maintenance!

Join Louisville Urban Forestry in pruning some of our city trees and enjoy a refreshing brew afterwards!

Meet at Joe Creason’s Tennis Courts at 3:00 pm on January 22nd! We’ll see you there.

Want to make a difference this Martin Luther King Day and be part of the transformative Shelby/Logan Street project?

Join us for a volunteer tree planting event on Monday, January 20th!

Volunteers will assist with planting, mulching, and staking trees along the street right-of-ways—a great way to warm up this winter while making a lasting impact. No prior experience is needed, as training and equipment will be provided. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

We will gather near Roppel Industries and work our way along the two streets, planting trees along both the rights-of-way and private properties. Come lend a hand and help us grow a greener Louisville!

Join Beyond Plastics Louisville to start the year off right!

We will be gathering in-person for a delicious meal and an opportunity to practice using the PlasticScore app for rating restaurants on their sustainable practices.

We also have some information and action plans regarding Kroger’s commitment to transition from single-use to reusable shopping bags by 2025—this year!

Of course if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we can switch back to a virtual meeting on Zoom. We hope to see you!

This walking club will meet almost twice a month, for a morning and an evening session, to trek all over The Parklands, exploring different trails each time!

Meet our Rangers in the meeting location listed to enjoy a leisurely stroll. This hike will be walked at a relaxed pace to encourage conversation, so bring a friend or come solo and join our incredible Parklands community!

The Parklands Walking Club is free to attend, and no registration is required. The hike will still go on rain or shine. In the case of inclement weather, please check theparklands.org/alerts for changes or cancellations.

On January 14, meet our rangers at the Brown-Forman Silo Center in Turkey Run Park at 8:30 am for a leisurely walk on the Louisville Loop from The Brown-Forman Silo Center to Sky Dome. The walk will be on a paved surface, it will be 3 miles round trip.

Join us in U of L's sustainable Garden Commons to learn about the process of tapping maple trees and making maple syrup!

Our workshop leader, Dave Barker, has been tapping trees and making his own syrup in Louisville for years.

He will give a brief, hands-on workshop on the process and then attendees will get to work with him as we install taps on our own maple trees around campus.

Participants will have the opportunity to sign-up to volunteer to empty buckets as they fill throughout the coming weeks.

Please dress warmly so we can work outside!

Join Bernheim’s Director of Conservation, Andrew Berry, for an informative presentation on the role that beavers play in Bernheim’s ecosystem.

Learn more all about these aquatic engineers and a new on-going volunteer project, the Beaver Brigade.

Beavers have long been a persecuted species, but Bernheim is doing its part to recognize, advocate for, and support the ecological services that they provide. As dam builders, beavers create rich, dynamic habitats that support diverse plant and animal populations.

The Beaver Brigade will help to enhance and expand beaver habitat at Bernheim. Connect with nature while also doing your part to protect Bernheim’s beavers.

Register here!

Join Bernheim Volunteer Naturalists for an engaging nature hike on the first Sunday of each month.

These hikes are longer than our ECO Kids Hike of the Day and are aimed primarily at adults, but children 6 years and up are welcome.

For Bernheim members it costs $10; for non-members it is $15.

Registration required by 4 PM the day prior to the program. No pets, please. Call (502) 215-7155 to register or click here to register.