MARCH 1 2 0 0 9 - Bernheim Arboretum And Research Forest

A Bernheim Member’s
Story
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN ROTT
PHOTO COURTESY OF JOHN ROTT
Growing up in Louisville, my parents and I often
traveled back to their hometowns of Bardstown and
New Haven, KY. Frequently, when time allowed
these trips back to visit family, they included a brief
drive through Bernheim. These quick trips would
occasionally allow for time to take a short hike
climb the old fire tower or enjoy a picnic lunch. I
can remember my mom saying many times over “It
is so wonderful that Mr. Bernheim left all this for us
to enjoy.”
Flash forward 30 years I am now married and my
husband Rob and I have three wonderful daughters,
Grace, Lindsey and Caroline. The trips to Bardstown
and New Haven continue but Bernheim is no longer
just a stop on the way but a destination we plan on
visiting and enjoying several times a year.
Bernheim can be experienced in many ways;
whether it is listening to the quiet whisper of
the wind on a ridge while hiking, admiring the
reflections in the many lakes, taking in the beautiful
views from the Canopy Tree Walk or painting a
pumpkin and enjoying a hayride during ColorFest.
Since my childhood visits, the programming and
events at Bernheim have expanded and they greatly
enhance my family’s experiences and appreciation
for nature. I am a member so that I can better plan
for upcoming events and to also take ownership
in a place that I have appreciated all my life. To
echo my mother, Catherine Keene (a lifelong
member of Bernheim), “It is so wonderful that
Mr. Bernheim left all this for us to enjoy ” but it is
now up to us to continue to preserve protect and
celebrate his generous legacy.
Ann Keene Zimlich
La Grange KY
E d u c a t I o n
The experienced education staff at Bernheim
provide excellent programs year-round for all ages.
Our programs provide opportunities for everyone
to connect with nature. The full moon hikes are a
great way to experience nature at night. For those
who have a special love of trees, there is the tree
identification program. Children enjoy the ECO
Kids programs, where they can hold a frog and
learn all the frog species that live at Bernheim.
Public Workshops and Outdoor Nature Experiences:
61 programs served 885 people
‘ 40 public workshops that reached 560 people
‘ 10 O.W.L.S. (Older Wiser Livelier Seniors)
programs that served 60 seniors
‘ 11 night programs and full moon hikes
that provided nature at night experiences
for 265 people
Field Trips and Group Programs:
94 programs served 4,037 people
‘ 55 intensive hands-on curriculum-based school
field trip programs that reached 3,000
children
‘ 8 group programs for scouts and church
groups that reached 306 students
‘ 31 adult group programs that reached 731
participants
Off Site Programs:
22 programs reached 2,506 people
totaL: 177 Programs/Workshops 7,428
People Served
ECO Kids Programs
(every first and third Saturdays—free of charge
‘ 24 ECO Kids events provided family-oriented
outdoor learning for more than 2,500
participants
Volunteer Naturalist Program (Naturalist in
Training—NITs)
‘ Volunteer naturalists provided 27,300
interpretive experiences at Bernheim’s
discovery stations
‘ Staff provided 40 training programs for the
volunteer naturalists
‘ Bernheim’s NIT program is a national model
for excellence in volunteer training