Raleigh's come out with its list of nature programs for the month of September. Most require pre-registration four days before the program. So plan now.

And if you're planning on heading out to the annual Halloween Trail at Durant Nature Park this October, be sure to register now. Like last year, you can't just show up to attend this very popular event.
 
Little Nature Hikers
Join a nature instructor and other families for a guided walk around the park with your child.  Meet other families in your community and learn about nature.  We’ll see birds, insects and maybe even a few mammals and reptiles basking near the lakes and pond.  Strollers are welcome.  This class is open to participants 1-6 years of age. The fee is $1 for each participant and each child must be accompanied by an adult.  This program is held at Anderson Point Park on Wednesday, September 2nd, from 10:30-11:15am. Pre-registration is required four days prior to the program.

Lightning Bugs
Let’s go see the lights of summer in action.  A hike, game and craft will be included in this fun, educational program. This class is open to participants from 6-12 years of age and the fee is $5. This program is held at Sanderford Road Community Center on Tuesday September 1st, from 6:45-7:45pm and at Jaycee Community Center on Tuesday, September 8th, from 6:30-7:30pm.  Pre-registration is required four days prior to the program.

Wildlife Wednesdays
Spend your Wednesday evenings discovering wildlife.  This program is great for kids who like learning about living creatures, catching insects, arts and crafts, and games.  This program is open to participants from 6-12 years of age and the fee is $1 per week.  This program is held at Chavis Community Center on Wednesdays (September 2, 9, 16, 23) from 5-6pm.
 
Conserve and Compost
Join a nature instructor to learn about recycling, composting, and conservation.  We’ll make crafts from recycled items and learn how to create a compost pile!  This program is open to participants of all ages and the fee is $1.  Fee applies to each participant, children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.  This program will be held at Anderson Point Park on Thursday, September 3rd, from 6:30-7:30pm.
 
Tiny Tadpoles
Come explore the world of a tadpole and learn how they grow up into frogs!  We’ll take a short walk down to the pond, catch tadpoles, and see some other pond creatures while we are there.  This class is open to participants from 3-5 years of age and the fee is $3.  This program will be held at Laurel Hills Community Center on Thursday, September 10th from 10:30-11:15am.
 
Frog and Toad
This is the season these hopping amphibians become active.  Explore the park as we discover which of these are swimming in the pond, hopping on land, or climbing in the trees.  This class is open to participants from 5-10 years of age and the fee is $3.  This program will be held at Powell Drive Park on Thursday September 10th from 4-5pm.
 
Natural Art - Nature’s Snapshots
Join an instructor to explore the artistic side of nature as we talk about photography in nature.  Please bring your own camera.  This class is open to participants ages 16 and up, and the fee is $10.  This program will be held at Anderson Point Park on Wednesday, September 9th from 7-8pm.
 
Noises in Nature
Come enjoy the many sounds of nature.  We’ll focus on the sounds in our surroundings and learn to identify some animal, water, and wind noises and build natural instruments to make some noises of our own!  This class is open to participants from 5-12 years of age and the fee is $5.  This program will be held at Anderson Point Park on Tuesday, September 15th from 6-7pm.
 
Crafty Critters
Learn how critters make their own crafts in nature. We’ll talk about birds, insects and mammals that use sticks, leaves, mud, silk and more and make a craft to take home!  This class is open to participants from 6-12 years of age and the fee is $5.  This program will be held at Brier Creek Community Center on Thursday, September 17th from 6-7pm.
 
Fall Harvest- Apples
Have you ever wondered where apples really come from?  We usually buy them from a store, but they are plants that we can grow in our own back yard!  We’ll learn about seeds, decorate a pot, and plant the seed to watch it grow.  Seeds will be provided or you can bring your own (Save those seeds from your apples).  This class is open to participants from 3-5 years of age and the fee is $5.  This program will be held at Method Community Center on Friday, September 18th from 10-10:15am.
 
Loggerhead Shrikes: The Butcher Bird
Learn about this amazing bird and why it has such a bloody reputation. (Lizards and grasshoppers beware!)  We will look for shrikes and take a hike around the park to view other species of birds as well as non-avian wildlife.  Binoculars are recommended.  This class is open to participants of all ages and is free of charge.  This program will be held at Anderson Point Park on Saturday September 19th from 9-11am.  This program is sponsored by the Wake Audubon Society.
 
For more information, contact the city's nature programs at 919-831-6640.

Looking for other things to do with your kids? Go to www.trianglemom2mom.com/play and check back here every Thursday.