Nature Programs
Self-Guided Hikes
Free – Sunset Hill Farm & Brincka Cross Gardens
Every month will feature a different topic and route for a self-guided hike through Sunset Hill Farm. Information sheets are provided at the display board in the parking lot near the playground. The information will include a map and topic-related descriptions at various stopping points. Discover new areas of Sunset Hill and Brincka Cross Gardens.
2024 Special Programs and Events
Animal in Winter- Presentation and Hike
Saturday January 20 from 10:00-11:00
Join our naturalist staff for a hands on family friendly presentation on how the wild animals of Sunset Hill survive and thrive during the winter. Afterwards lace up your boots and join our staff for a hike around the park to look for signs of those animals here at the park.
This event is free, but registration is requested. Click here for registration
Location: Horton Education Center (Silo) at Sunset Hill Farm County Park
Owl Pellet Dissection
Saturday February 24 from 10:00-11:00
What is an owl pellet? Join our naturalist staff as we learn all about owls and their unique digestive systems. At the end of the program we will be dissecting real barn owl pellets to see if we can figure out what that owl ate. This is a great program for all budding scientists.
Parents are required to stay with their child for the duration of the program.
This event is free, but registration is required. Click here for registration
Location: Program Center at Sunset Hill Farm County Park
Mink Madness
Saturday March 16 from 10:00-11:00
Did you know Sunset Hill farm is home to a small mink population? Join us for mink education day as we glimpse into the lives of our resident minks using our trail cams.
The presentation will be geared towards elementary aged children. Parents are required to stay with their children for the duration of the program.
This program is free but registration is requested. Click here to register.
Location: Program Center at Sunset Hill Farm
Eaters and Feeders
Saturday May 24 from 10:00-11:00
Hungry? Come to Sunset Hill Farm to fill up on knowledge about the different types of consumers we encounter in the Midwest region. End the program with making your very own hummingbird feeders to attract these consumers to your own backyard!
This event is free, but registration is requested. Click here to register.
This is a presentation geared towards families. Parents are required to stay with their children for the duration of the event.
Location: Horton Education Center (Silo) at Sunset Hill Farm
Searching for Salamanders
Saturday August 24 from 10:00-11:00
Come join our naturalist staff in a citizen science project where we will be searching for Eastern Redback Salamanders. Learn about these interesting amphibians and observe them in their natural environment.
This is a family centered event. Parents must stay with their children for the duration of the event.
This is a free program, but registration is requested. Click here to register.
Location: Horton Education Center (Silo) at Sunset Hill Farm
Missing Monsters of the Midwest: The Gray Wolf
Saturday September 21, from 10:00-11:00
Ready for a howling good time? Join us at Sunset Hill to appreciate and learn about the misunderstood Gray Wolf and how its population decrease has affected North American ecosystems.
This event is free and geared towards families. Parents must stay with their children for the duration of the program.
Registration is not required, but requested. Click here to register.
Location: Horton Education Center (Silo) at Sunset Hill Farm County Park
Bat Appreciation Hike
Saturday October 26 from 10:00-11:00
In honor of International Bat Week, come join us to learn about the true stars of Halloween. We will be going on a night hike to learn about the importance of bats in the ecosystem as well as building and hanging some bat boxes for our furry, flying friends. End the night with a bonfire and some S’mores by our firepit.
This event is geared towards families and parents must stay with their children for the duration of the event.
This event is free to attend but registration is requested. Click here to register.
Location: Outdoor Shelter by the Silo at Sunset Hill Farm County Park
Trash Day: Raccoon, Opossum & Skunk Appreciation
Saturday November 23 from 10:00-11:00
Raccoons, skunks as opossums oh my! The world labels them pests, but there is actually a lot to love about these garbage digging critters. Come learn about what makes them loveable and important to our local ecosystems. (Even if they do like trash)
This event is geared towards families. Parents are required to stay with the children for the duration of the program.
This event is free to attend but registration is requested. Click here to register.
Location: Horton Education Center (Silo) at Sunset Hill Farm County Park