CLERMONT, Ky. — Bernheim Forest is excited to announce the return of BloomFest, the annual celebration of spring. After a three-year hiatus, BloomFest at Bernheim is back and includes tons of great activities for children including arts, crafts, garden faerie house construction and naturalist-led discovery stations.
BloomFest is also a great time to experience Playcosystem, Bernheim’s recently-opened natural play area. There is plenty for adults to explore as well including wares from local artisans, food vendors, and musical entertainment. The day’s festivities run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 21.
Join Bernheim at Spirit Nest from noon to 3 p.m. to enjoy the jazzy sounds of Definitely Pinwheels. Their blend of jazz standards and original songwriting with hot club swing creates a modern and nostalgic style.
Come a little early for a special tree sale being held only at BloomFest 2022. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, Bernheim will be selling a very limited quantity of Japanese maples. There are 19 unique cultivars to choose from, many of which are rarely available in trade. Trees range in size from 3-15 gallons. All proceeds benefit Bernheim and members will receive a 10% discount on their purchase.
BloomFest is a free event, and registration is not required. The $10 per car donation for non-members still applies.
First Sunday Nature Hike: Birds, Bees, Flowers and Trees
Meet a Volunteer Naturalist at the Visitor Center on Sunday, May 1, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. for an engaging nature hike on the first Sunday of each month. These hikes are aimed primarily at adults, but children six years and up are welcome. Registration is not required for this free event. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes.
Mellow Morning Stroll
If you are a morning person, this quiet, reflective stroll is designed with you in mind. This slow-paced walk on Wednesday, May 4, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. will focus on nature’s small details, hidden connections, and the sensory-rich tapestry of life. Join Bernheim staff and Volunteer Naturalists near Bernheim’s Sensory Garden and start your day attuned to nature’s beauty and abundance.
The cost is $10 for Bernheim members and $12 for non-members. Registration and payment are due by 4 p.m. day prior to the start of the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org. The program is for ages eight and up, and no pets are allowed.
Walking Meditation
With ever-growing responsibilities and waves of momentary distractions, slowing down our hearts and minds is needed more than ever. Join us on Sunday, May 15, from 9 to 10 a.m. for a short, slow, intentional walk through the Edible Garden to mindfully reconnect our breath with movement and the environment.
No prior experience is needed. The cost is $15 for Bernheim members and $20 for non-members.
Dress for the weather. This program will have large sections of silence and is recommended for adults and children ages 12-plus.
Pollywalk – On the Wing
Pollywalks are designed for families of children aged 0-5 with stories, songs, and nature exploration. The best part is all of the action happens OUTSIDE! This month’s Pollywalk – Exploring Nature’s Rainbow – meets on Saturday, May 7, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Silo Stage and includes guided programming and free exploration for the youngest of nature lovers.
The cost is $10 for Bernheim member youth (age five and under) and $15 for non-member youth (age 5 and under). The registered youth fee includes one adult. Additional caregivers are $5 per person.
Savor the Season: A Spring of Hope and Renewal
Join Bernheim for Friday lunchtime sessions in May as we celebrate spring as a season of growth, optimism and fresh starts.
The cost is $12 per session and these are virtual events. Zoom links will be sent via email prior to the program.
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Friday, May 6, 12 to 1 p.m: Bernheim Director of Horticulture and Sustainable Landscapes Renee Frith: How Trees Heal Themselves
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Friday, May 20, 12 to 1 p.m: Bernheim Interpretive Programs Manager Wren Smith: Foraging for Plants in Spring
Bernheim at Night
Bernheim at Night programs provides ample opportunities to marvel at the moon, ponder distant planets, and be awed by the vastness of space. Something new yet ancient appears in the heavens and on earth with each turn of the season.
Full Moon Hike and Total Lunar Eclipse
Experience the mystery of a full moon hike and a lunar eclipse through the early spring landscape on Sunday, May 15, from 9 to 11 p.m. The hikes include a walk around Lake Nevin Loop, with plenty of stops to observe the night sky, discuss nocturnal happenings, and consider our cosmic connections.
Creatures of the Night: Froggy Night Adventure
Creatures of the Night programs provide opportunities to experience the sights and sounds of natural phenomena that often go unnoticed. Journey with Bill Napper and fellow Volunteer Naturalists on Friday, May 27, from 8 to 10:30 p.m. on a driving tour into sections of Bernheim where crepuscular and nocturnal creatures are most active. The program includes a small amount of hiking through easy terrain.
Night hikes are very popular. Register early to ensure your space. Registration and payment are due by 4 P.M. on the day prior to the start of the program. The cost is $12 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Night hikes are geared for ages eight and up. No pets allowed. Dress for the weather.
Forest Homeschool Hikes
Appropriate for grades K-5, each Forest Homeschool Hike includes a short lesson at the Education Center’s Silo Stage and a hike that will bring the lesson to life.
The cost is $6 per student for Bernheim members and $8 per student for non-members. There is no fee for adults, but they must accompany children and register. Registration is required by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program. Call (502) 955-8512 or visit Bernheim.org. Space is limited for safety, so register early. Bernheim asks that families bring masks in case social distancing is not possible.
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Forest Homeschool Hike: Let’s Explore Art
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Tuesday, May 10, from 1 to 2 p.m.
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Friday, May 13, from 1 to 2 p.m.
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Forest Homeschool Hike: Let’s Explore The Pond
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Tuesday, May 24, from 1 to 2 p.m.
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Friday, May 27, from 1 to 2 p.m.
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ECO Kids Discovery Days
The E-C-O stands for Every Child Outside, and that’s exactly where kids can be found during ECO Kids Discovery Days. Discovery Days take place the first and third Saturday of each month near Bernheim’s Visitor Center and may include:
Hands-On Discovery Stations from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hike of the Day, led by a Bernheim guide, starts at the Visitor Center at 2 p.m. and runs 45-60 minutes.
Pop-Up Story Circles because everything and everyone has a story. Watch for our storytelling and story-sharing circles near Spirit Nest.
ECO Kids Discovery Days are weather dependent and may be canceled. Please call (502) 955-8512 on the day of the event for weather-related updates. Masks and social distancing are required when interacting with the Volunteer Naturalists. For details on ECO Kids Discovery Days, call (502) 955-8512 or visit Bernheim.org. No registration is necessary.
Trail Discovery Hikes
Explore miles of Bernheim hiking trails with our Volunteer Naturalists on the Trail Discovery Hike: First Half of the Millenium Trail on Sunday, May 8, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and The Second Half of the Millenium Trail on Sunday, May 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The time frame for these strenuous 7-mile hikes is five hours. Your guides will be taking a slower pace which will allow participants to discover, discuss and enjoy the unique features this trail has to offer. Late spring wildflowers will be observed during this hike.
Water, sturdy treaded shoes or hiking boots are required for this hike. Tennis shoes should not be worn since the trail has multiple steep sections, rough terrain and could be slippery in spots.
Snacks or sack lunch and hiking sticks are recommended.
Make reservations early as space is limited. Please bring a mask in case social distancing is not possible throughout the hike. The cost is $12 for Bernheim members and $15 for non-members. Please register by 4 p.m. the day prior to the program by calling (502) 955-8512 or visiting Bernheim.org.
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