Are you a beginning birder looking to improve your skills? Are you interested in citizen science? Join us at Fontenelle Forest and participate in the 126th Annual Christmas Bird Count!  

The Christmas Bird Count is a bird count that takes place every year around the holiday season! The Christmas Bird Count has been happening since 1900, and this year you can help! Join us on a naturalist-guided bird count on the trails or boardwalk near the Nature Center. We will be hiking snow or shine, so make sure you come dressed for the weather! We’ll start with a brief history of the CBC, then hit the trails with a naturalist! Naturalists will lead hikes out to the Boardwalk or surrounding trails, but you can also opt to count birds inside by the bird feeders. We have binoculars available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis, but we encourage you to bring your own!  

After the count is finished, we will have hot chocolate and coffee in the Forest Room as we tally our results! This is a family-friendly event, and we’ll also have crafts and coloring pages for children available.  

This event will start with a brief presentation about the Christmas Bird Count, then will break into our hiking groups and hit the trails! Refreshments, crafts, and tallying our results will take place after the hike. 

Date: 12/14/25
Time: 8:30AM-10:30AM  
Location: Fontenelle Forest Nature Center
Program Fee: Event is free with daily admission, but pre-registration is required. Daily admission is $15 for adults, $9 for children 17 & under, and $13 for seniors. 

Questions or need to cancel your registration? Call the Fontenelle Forest Nature Center at 402-731-3140 or email info@fontenelleforest.org.