December is a magical time to explore nature, and Mitchell Lake Audubon Center is celebrating the season with a full lineup of programs for families, birders, and nature lovers of all ages. From festive events to hands-on learning and wildlife adventures, there’s something for everyone this month. Unless otherwise noted, registration for all events and programs can be found at MitchellLake.Audubon.org/events
Homeschool Adventures
Wednesday, December 3
9:30 – 10:30 am
FREE for Family-level Members | $6 for General
Kids under 5 are FREE
Register: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/01983382-1ee7-144d-5db2-4bf587a95053
Mitchell Lake Audubon Center’s Homeschool Adventures is a set of outdoor, nature-based education classes for homeschool children ages 6-12. Classes will usually be held on the 1st Wednesday of every other month. Each class covers a different topic and includes hands-on learning and exploration into conservation at Mitchell Lake.
December 3: Ecosystem Explorers – Get ready for an adventure through our different habitats as we tour our four ecosystems and the creatures that call them home. While on tour, kids will learn how living things interact and depend on one another in the wild.
FREE Holiday Open House
Saturday, December 6
8:00 am – 4:00 pm
FREE
Register: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/81ca3c6e-3448-1522-4921-658a8a368af8
Get outside for our Holiday Open House and enjoy free entry all day at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center! This free event is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season while supporting our feathered friends.
Check in at our Visitor Center, where you’ll find a selection of bird-friendly or nature-themed holiday gifts that make perfect presents for nature lovers. Sip on samples of our delicious bird-friendly coffee (while supplies last!) and get creative with our hands-on activities! Make a free wildflower seed paper gift tag or card to add a personal touch to your presents, and craft a simple bird feeder to attract your favorite birds to your backyard.
Snap a photo in our charming bird picture frame to send to your loved ones, then take a stroll through our Native Plant Gardens and pick up free information on native plants to incorporate into your space.
Bring your family and friends for a day of shopping, sipping, and celebrating nature. We can’t wait to see you there!
¡Acompáñanos en nuestro Holiday Open House con entrada gratis todo el día en Mitchell Lake Audubon Center! Es una manera perfecta de comenzar la temporada festiva mientras apoyas a nuestras aves.
Pasa por el Centro, donde encontrarás regalos perfectos para Navidad con temáticas de aves y naturaleza, ideales para las personas que aman el medio ambiente. ¡También tendremos muestras de nuestro café “bird-friendly” y actividades creativas para toda la familia! Podrás hacer una etiqueta o tarjeta de regalo con papel de semillas de flores silvestres y un comedero sencillo para atraer aves a tu patio.
Tómate una foto en nuestro marco decorado con aves para compartir con tus seres queridos y camina por nuestros Jardines de Plantas Nativas, donde podrás obtener información gratuita sobre plantas nativas para usar en tu espacio.
¡Ven con tu familia y tus amistades para un día de compras, café y celebración de la naturaleza! ¡Esperamos verte allí!
Bird Bingo
Saturday, December 6
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
FREE | All Ages Welcome
Registration Required: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/019a73d0-fe18-a387-85a5-4e05db483c54
Bundle up and get outside for this winter edition of our fun, family-friendly Bird Bingo at Mitchell Lake Audubon Center. Learn some fun facts and birding tips as you mark off the birds on your bingo card. Win exciting prizes, enjoy hot chocolate and popcorn, and explore on your own after Bingo!
Guided Bird Tours
Sunday, December 7, 14, 21, & 28
Every Sunday at 8:00 am
FREE for Members | $10 for General
Registration Required: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/d13ba5e7-51ca-03d1-0072-a2f859a585ed
On this guided bird tour around the various habitats of Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, guests will see at least 30-50 different bird species with our expert guide. Travelling by both car and on foot to access as many areas as possible, this tour is best suited for the birder age 15+, as it can last up to four hours, though you may leave at any time. Tours are limited. Bring your binoculars, a bottle of water, closed-toe shoes, long pants, and bug spray.
2nd Saturday Habitat Clean-Up
Saturday, December 13
8:00 – 10:00 am
FREE | Registration Required: https://forms.gle/3rJC6bJCL7CPbKuh9
Join us and other community members to help clean up our habitat! We depend on our amazing volunteers to help manage our habitat. This can involve trail maintenance, invasive species removal, and planting native plants for birds and butterflies, depending on the tasks of the day. All training provided. Groups are welcome! An adult must accompany all children under 18.
Birds and Brushes
Saturday, December 13
6:00 – 8:00 pm
FREE | Donations Encouraged
Registration Required: https://tickets.audubon.org/events/019a73b1-0aef-03c2-c99d-854c83d0424b
Engage your artistic abilities for this adults-only event and enjoy a fun evening learning about Northern Cardinals and other birds that call Mitchell Lake home. Learn how we support their vital role in the ecosystem and connect with fellow nature enthusiasts as we paint alongside a video tutorial, and leave with your own cardinal masterpiece to take home! All supplies will be provided as well as light refreshments. Guests 21+ welcome to BYOB.
Beginner Bird Walk
Saturday, December 27
8:00 – 10:00 am
FREE | Registration Required: https://tickets.audubon.org/mitchelllake/events/63353b33-19f3-ee07-06f8-b4cbc9c62aca
There’s no better place for learning how to bird. At Mitchell Lake Audubon Center, we host 300+ birds annually on our 1,200-acre sanctuary, which includes four diverse habitats: wetlands, woodlands, brushlands, and grasslands. Join us every fourth Saturday for Bird Tours designed for the beginning birder. While travelling on foot, your guide will go over bird identification and the proper use of binoculars. This is a family-friendly program best for ages 5+. Advanced birders are also welcome to attend.
