Magic Woods, 2005

Take a walk with us through Lakeside's Magic Woods on a gorgeous October night.

Sign in at the entrance and wait for your guide to bring you to Mother Nature.  Once you are sprinkled with Magic Dust, you can understand the animals as they chat.  Visit them as they tell you their stories and teach you how to live with the wild creatures in our midst. 

• Raccoon reminds us that he is The Bandit, a wild animal and not a pet.

• Wild Turkey tells about the successful re-introduction spearheaded by the the Missouri Department of Conservation.

• Oak Tree & Squirrel chat about their partnership.

• Opossums convince us that leaving pet food out is a BAD thing.

• Rabbit reveals that she is on her own after just 21 days.

• Owl introduces himself and is amazed that humans sleep during the day.

• Spider discourses on her web and how she helps gardeners by catching insects.

• Skunk reminds us that she is armed, but harmless.

• The Bald eagle tells the tale of how his species was reclaimed from near extinction.

• The busy bees take time to talk about their life and work.

• Blue Jay fledglings explain that not all birds on the ground are orphans.

• The mountain men recounts how following fashion nearly exterminated the beaver in North America and how a lucky change in fashion saved them.

• Katie the Mule (and her partner) show us how man and animals can work together.

When you finish your stroll, check out the Nature Center itself.  At the craft table, you can make a memento of your visit.  The Lakeside resident birds and reptiles will be on display so you can see them up close.  When you are finished, stop by the pavilion for hot chocolate. 

We hope to see you next year.

The Shawnee Mission East drama students helped the Friends of Lakeside Nature Center bring the animals to you.

Check out pictures of this year's adventures in Magic Woods by clicking here.