Naturalist James Anderson of the Marion County Park District will host a number of free programs for the public during December.

Tuesday, December 1: Tallgrass Trail Nature Center will be open from noon to 5pm, with a wildlife tracking program at 4 pm.

Thursday, December 3: Tallgrass Trail Nature Center will be open from noon to 5pm, with a bird watching program at 4 pm

Saturday, December 5: Naturalist Anderson will be at the River Valley craft show from 9am to 3pm .

Monday, December 7: The Tallgrass Trail Nature Center will be open from noon to 5 pm, with a tree program at 4 p.m.

Thursday, December 10: The Tallgrass Trail Nature Center will be open from noon to 5 pm, with a tree leaf bingo game, with prizes, from 4 to 5 pm

Saturday, December 12:

9 to 11 am: Winter wonderland hike at Tallgrass Trail from 9-11am. (hot chocolate and coffee afterward).

1 to 4 pm: Volunteer outing to clear unpaved section of Tallgrass Trail (Meet at the Tallgrass Trail parking lot).

Monday, December 14: Tallgrass Trail Nature Center open noon to 5 pm, with migration/hibernation activity at 4 pm.

Wednesday, December 16: Tallgrass Trail Nature Center open noon to 5 pm. Visitors will make pine cone spiders.

Monday, December 21: Tallgrass Trail Nature Center open from noon to 4 pm. Visitors will make rock pets.

Sunday, December 27: Christmas bird count program at Tallgrass Trail from 2-3pm

Please note that programs can be canceled due to weather.

In addition to these scheduled programs, Anderson is available to present programs to groups upon request.

For more information about the Marion County Park district, see www.marioncountyparks.info or leave a message on the park district answering machine at 740-223-4161.