We offer a wide array of programs for all ages. Reservations are required in advance. The Forest reserves the right to cancel programs with less than five participants signed up. Rain checks are provided.
To make reservations for any of the programs below, please call the Welcome Center at 368-5404. Our staff will be happy to help you make reservations, and provide directions to the program location.
For all programs, please wear close-toed walking shoes, and dress for the weather.
*Denotes Forest Family Fun Days event
Introducing FREE Volunteer-Led Guided Hikes!
Natural Areas volunteers will be hosting guided hikes on the last Saturday of each month throughout 2011. Most hikes have a brief topic of interest for the day, and volunteers are always eager to answer questions about the Forest and interpret the natural world to visitors. These hikes are styled for the beginner to intermediate hiker and suitable for most ages. All hikes meet at 9:00 am and last approximately 3 hours, unless otherwise specified.
February
Valentine’s Day Romantic Retreat
Monday, February 13, 7:30 pm to 10 pm
Tuesday, February 14, 7:30 pm to 10 pm
Give your sweetie the moon, the stars, and all of Louisville. Bring them to the Forest for a romantic candlelit hike ending with a beautiful view of the lights of Louisville. The hike’s destination is the Forest’s charming Manor House, where you’ll be greeted by a warm fires in the fireplaces, hot beverages and rich desserts. Hike is on flat terrain, but close-toed shoes with tread are recommended. Meets in the Horine Reservation.
Reservations must be made by Monday, February 9, 2011.
Fee: $30/couple
March
Outdoor Skills – Orienteering I
Saturday, March 3, 9 am -12 pm
Map and landscape reading are skills every outdoors person needs to possess. This program equips participants with the skills necessary to read and interpret topographic maps and locate destinations. This in-field set of exercises is truly a hands-on learning experience. Ages 12 and up. Program meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $10/person
Sense of Place – The Natural Areas of Jefferson County#1
Orientation - Awakening
Lecture at the Louisville Free Public Library, Fairdale Branch
Wednesday, March 14, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Introduction to the program to inspire, inform, and enroll participants
Program is Free; To Register call 368-5404
Exploration- $15.00 Discounts available to those who pre-register for the entire program.
Saturday, March 17, 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Welcome Center, Jefferson Memorial Forest
April
Outdoor Skills – Orienteering II
Saturday, April 7, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Know the basics, but want to learn more about orienteering? This program, delves into the finer points of orienteering and includes a challenge course to practice your skills. This in-field set of exercises is truly a hands-on learning experience. Ages 12 and up. Program meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $10/person
Sense of Place – The Natural Areas of Jefferson County#2
Earth's Place Among the Planets in our Solar System
Speaker: Prof. Tim Dowling (U. Louisville) Prof. Dowling, Director of the Atmospheric Science Program at the University of Louisville and an expert on planetary atmospheres. His lecture places Earth in the perspective of the entire Solar System. For the past half century, this out-of-the-box, comparative planetology approach has allowed scientists to identify and begin to understand the processes that make our home planet habitable.
Lecture at the Louisville Free Public Library, Fairdale Branch
Wednesday, April 11, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Program is Free; To Register call 368-5404
Exploration - $15.00 Discounts available to those who pre-register for the entire program. Saturday, April 14, 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Location: Horine Reservation, Jefferson Memorial Forest
Howl at the Moon
Friday, April 15, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation. Fee: $6/dog
May
Mothers Day with Mother Earth
Sunday, May 8, 12:00 to 3 p.m.
Celebrate your Mom with Mother Nature! This special day is all about family, fun, and enjoying the outdoors! Take a short, scenic wildflower and birding hike, followed by a catered picnic on the Manor House lawn. Pictures of you and your mom will be taken and printed on site, with an area for decorating a picture frame with natural materials. This relaxing day is meant for moms of all ages.
Fee: $25 per Mom. Includes box lunch for Mom and child, and all materials for picture and frame. $10.00 for each additional family member. One framed picture per family.
Forest Fest – Bluegrass Music Festival
Saturday, May 19, 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Come out for a great day filled with Bluegrass Music, exquisite wood crafts and fun activities for the entire family. Event is FREE – Parking - $10.00
Mayor’s Hike Bike and Paddle – Memorial Day, Monday, May 28
June
Metro Parks Fishing Derby – Tom Wallace Lake
Saturday, June 2, 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Join us for the biggest kid’s fishing event ever! Poles, hooks, and bait are provided. There will be fishing instructors, contests, and a free picture with the fish you catch
Food vendors will be there as well. This event is for children 17 and under.
Fee: Free
National Trails Day
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Sense of Place – The Natural Areas of Jefferson County #4
Lecture at the Louisville Free Public Library, Fairdale Branch
Wednesday, June 13, 14, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Program is Free; To Register call 368-5404
Exploration - $15.00 Discounts available to those who pre-register for the entire program. Saturday, June 16, 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Howl at the Moon
Friday, June 15, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $6/dog
The Great American Camp Out
Saturday, June 23, 7:00 p.m. to Sunday, June 24, 11:00 a.m.
Since 2005, thousands of people from across the nation have come together the fourth Saturday of June to participate in the Great American Backyard Campout in support of Great Outdoors Month. The Campout not only raises awareness of the benefits of camping as a way to connect people with nature, but it also reinforces National Wildlife Federation's Be Out There campaign. This event is an easy way for friends, families and children to connect with nature, sleep under the stars and create memories of outdoor experiences. Jefferson Memorial Forest wants to host the biggest campout ever! We’ll provide the campfire, s’mores, night hikes, and activities, you provide your breakfast and a tent. If you wish to bring your dinner to cook over the open fire, please arrive at 5:30 PM. In the morning, you will have the day to explore the Forest, meet the animals in the Environmental Education Center, or go fishing at Tom Wallace with free fishing poles provided at the Welcome Center. Fee: $25.00 per family up to 4; $5.00 per additional family member. $15.00 per platform tent rental.
July
July 4th Forest Fun
Thursday, July 5 11 to 5, and Friday, July 6 11 to 5.
Come out to the Forest for an Old-Fashioned Fourth of July. There will be lots of activities to enjoy, such as, climbing the Alpine Tower, archery, Seeing animals up close in the Horine Environmental Education Center, sack races, turtle races, and lots of other fun games.
Purchase your pass at the Welcome Center. $10 per person, or $25 for a family up to four members. Campers will receive one free pass with their camping reservation. Families will receive $10 off the family price.
Family Canoe Day at Tom Wallace Lake
Saturday, July 7 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Get yourself geared-up for a family treat and special day of fun! Take a canoe out on the lake, and spend time on the shore learning about the incredible creatures that live below. Are you ready to start paddling but not sure of where to start? Join us to discover the basics of canoeing. Spend some time on the lake practicing your skills. Don't worry if you are new to canoeing – all equipment (canoe, paddles, and personal flotation devices) is provided. This program is suitable for beginning paddlers (ages 5 and to adult.) Fee: Activities Free; $10.00 canoe rental
Howl at the Moon
Friday, July 20 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $6/dog
Family Canoe Day at Tom Wallace Lake
Saturday, July 21 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Get yourself geared-up for a family treat and special day of fun! Take a canoe out on the lake, and spend time on the shore learning about the incredible creatures that live below. Are you ready to start paddling but not sure of where to start? Join us to discover the basics of canoeing. Spend some time on the lake practicing your skills. Don't worry if you are new to canoeing – all equipment (canoe, paddles, and personal flotation devices) is provided. This program is suitable for beginning paddlers (ages 5 and to adult.) Fee: Activities Free; $10.00 canoe rental
August
Howl at the Moon
Friday, August 17 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $6/dog
September
Outdoor Skills – Orienteering I
Saturday, September 1, 9 am -12 pm
Map and landscape reading are skills every outdoors person needs to possess. This program equips participants with the skills necessary to read and interpret topographic maps and locate destinations. This in-field set of exercises is truly a hands-on learning experience. Ages 12 and up. Program meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $10/person
Mayor’s Hike, Bike and Paddle
Monday, September 3, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. FREE
Sense of Place – The Natural Areas of Jefferson County #7
Lecture at the Louisville Free Public Library, Fairdale Branch
Wednesday, September 12, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Program is Free; To register call 368-5404
Exploration - $15.00 Discounts available to those who pre-register for the entire program. Saturday, September 15, 9:00 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Howl at the Moon
Friday, September 21, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM
Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation. Fee: $6/dog
October
Outdoor Skills – Orienteering II
Saturday, October 6, 9 am -12 pm
So you know the basics, but want to learn more about orienteering? This program, delves into the finer points of orienteering and includes a challenge course to practice your skills. This in-field set of exercises is truly a hands-on learning experience. Ages 12 and up. Program meets in the Horine Reservation. Fee: $10/person
Second Annual Zombie Hike
Saturday, October 13, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Calling all zombies! The dead have risen to hike the trails. Come dressed in your zombie best to join your fellow dearly departed on a hike through the Forest. Afterwards, stay for a camp fire, s’mores and a showing of The Night of the Living Dead! Exciting prizes to be awarded in our costume contest. Parking for this event will be $5.00. S’more kits available for $3.00. Please call for details 502-368-5404.
Howl at the Moon
Friday, October 19, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Come out to the Forest for an evening romp through the woods with your dog! Forest staff will lead owners and their pooches on a hike through the woods. Keep in mind that your dog will be around other dogs and people. Non-retractable leashes and good behavior are required. As a courtesy to other dogs, please make sure your pet is up to date on their vaccinations. Meets in the Horine Reservation.
Fee: $6/dog
Mayor’s Healthy Hometown Fall Hike
Saturday, October 20th , 10 am to 2:00 pm
Join Mayor Greg Fischer for a family-friendly fall exploration of Jefferson Memorial Forest. This year, the event will be held near the Forest’s Environmental Education Center and will offer a wider variety of activities that showcase all that the Forest has to offer. Forest staff, and volunteers, will be on hand to introduce visitors to our native plant gardens, and animal exhibits. There will also be children’s activities at our new kids Nature Explore area. Climb the 52-ft Alpine Tower or take advantage of a canoeing demonstration on Mitchell Hill Lake. There will be free pumpkins and pumpkin decorating, hay rides and Shack in the Back BBQ will provide breakfast and lunch items available for purchase. A portion of food sales go to benefit the Forest. So please come with an appetite! Meets at Horine Reservation. Event is FREE.
December
Welcome Center Holiday Open House
Saturday, December 1 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Get ahead on your Christmas shopping and find something for the outdoor enthusiasts on your list! Enjoy refreshments, and holiday music while shopping by a cozy fire as you browse our gift shop and check off your holiday list. Please bring your kids along, as there will be animal guests and crafts for them to make and take.
Fee: FREE