Calendar of Events
Renee is currently NOT offering private programs due to her role with Alabama State Parks (but there are over 4000 programs annually at your beautiful Alabama State Parks! Visit alapark.com to find out more!
Below is a history of past programs (and when Renee retires, she'll update this calendar with lots of creative nature programs):
February 8, 2018
Birds, Blossoms and Building Fairy Houses
Anniston Outdoor Association
February 17, 2018
University of Columbus GA
Gnomist Film Festival
Windows to Nature: Fairy Houses Talk, Book Signing
For more information email: [email protected]
Every Fourth Friday 2023
Wunderkind Hikes for Girls Who Hike Alabama and Wild Alabama
Talladega National Forest (locations vary)
Free
10 am -2 pm CDT
February 22-24, 2018
Environmental Education Association of Alabama State Conference
Sessions on Fairy Houses for K-12 Teachers, Alabama State Park K-12 Programs, and more!
February 27, 2018
Naturalist Training
Windows to Nature and EE Assessment
March 2, 2018
Becoming an Outdoor Woman
Alabama DCNR Weekend Conference/Workshop in Columbiana, AL
"Reading the Woods"
March 13, 2018
Munford Elementary School
Windows to Nature
March 17, 2018
City of Heflin, AL
St. Paddy's Paw Parade & Storytelling
March 27, 2018
Windows to Nature: Spring Break Fairies
March 31, 2018
Cheaha State Park
Leave No Trace Egg Hunt & Leave Only Fairy Footprints Workshop
April 9, 2018
USFS Classroom in the Forest
Fairy Houses and Critter Tales
Lake Chinnabee Recreation Area
April 21, 2018
Hays Nature Preserve Huntsville AL
Earth Day: Fairies!
April 24, 2018
General Federation of Women's Clubs/Panorama Club- Birmingham
Fairies and Environmental Education at Cheaha State Park
Birmingham, AL
April 28, 2018
Windows to Nature: Fairies!!
June 2, 2018
Great Outdoors Day
Windows to Nature: Fairies
June 8, 2018
Let's Go Fly A Kite Festival
June 26, 2018
Mountains to the Gulf Legacy Teacher Workshop
Windows to Natures: Fairies in EE Curriculum
June 27, 2018
Alabama 200 Bicentennial Event
Teacher Workshop: Andalusia
Windows to Nature: Fairy Houses Curriculum
July 23-25, 2018
Legacy Partners in EE: Arts & Environment Teacher Workshop
Many diverse lessons including Windows to Nature: Fairy Houses Curriculum
October 20, 2018
Chill-O-Ween
Autumn Fairy Houses Workshop
October 27, 2018
Spookapalooza a
Hairy Scary but Mostly Merry Fairy Tale Storytelling
December 8, 2018
Enchanted Santa Event
December 21, 2018
Mt. Crumpit Christmas Breakfast
January 27, 2017
Shortleaf Pine Ecosystem & Conservation Workshop
Monte Sano State Park
Huntsville, AL
10 am- 3 pm CDT
January 30, 2017
Forest & Field: Many Colors of Mushrooms-FULL
Pinhoti Trail/Shoal Creek TNF in Heflin, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Meet at Shoal Creek Ranger Station at 9:30 am CDT
February 6, 2017
Forest & Field: Dog & Human Storytelling Adventure Hike
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
February 14, 2017
Forest & Field: Love Your Dog! Valentine’s Day Walk & Learn
Choccolocco Park in Oxford, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
February 15, 2017
Forest & Field: Winter Observations & Nature Journaling-FULL
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Bald Rock Parking Area/Bald Rock Trail (Easy Hike)
February 23-25, 2017
Stay Wild Alabama! Environmental Education Association of Alabama Conference
Andalusia, AL
Environmental science, art, nature and more!!
Renee Raney (CEI) & author Jordan Fisher Smith will be teaching a session on “Natural History & Conservation Storytelling” session
March 2-5, 2017
Southeastern EE Alliance Conference/GA EEA Conference
Buford, GA
Storytelling: Imagine, Connect, Inspire, & Conserve! (March 4, 2017)
Renee Raney, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust CE Institute (AL speaker)
Storytelling is a powerful educational technique that allows the teller to teach by guiding the listener’s experience. Storytelling is an intimate connection between an interpreter and an audience that inspires imagination, creativity and learning. In this session, participants will listen, tell, and experience several storytelling techniques that can be utilized to enhance curriculum in classrooms and interpretive programs
Building nature observation skills through fairy houses (March 5, 2017)
Renee Raney, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust CE Institute (AL speaker)
Learning flows easily as participants listen to trees to create micro-habitats for tiny magical beings. They begin to notice the moss, lichens, tree back, and tiny creatures that creeps and crawl. Through fairy house construction, students find a new and everlasting link to the natural world.
March 13, 2017
Forest & Field Enrichment: Fused Glass Jewelry and Mosaics-FULL
Little River Canyon in Fort Payne, AL
9:00 am – 3:00 pm (Leave Piedmont in caravan/convoy 8:00 am and return at 4:00 pm) CDT
Munoz Art Studio
March 18, 2017
St. Patrick's Day Festival
Heflin, AL
Join Renee for storytelling! Book sale and signing!
Pet parade, children's activities, fairy gardens, and more!
March 29, 2017
Forest & Field Enrichment: Nature Observations through Fairy Houses-FULL
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Bald Rock Retreat Lodge Forest Area
March 30, 2017
Forest & Field Enrichment: Nature Observations through Fairy Houses
Longleaf Botanical Gardens in Anniston, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Classroom & Garden Trail
Call 256-237-6766 to register
March 31, 2017
Forest & Field Enrichment: Nature Observations through Fairy Houses
DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Meet at the CCC Pavilion/Playground Area
March 31, 2017
Forest & Field: The Art of Awareness
DeSoto State Park, in Fort Payne AL
6:00pm -8:00 pm CDT
Easy Hike
April 1, 2017
BioBlitz: Conservation Education, Environmental Literacy & Biodiversity Event
Auburn University: Louise Kreher Forest Ecology Preserve
8:00 am – 5:00 pm CDT
April 6, 2017
Forest & Field: Enchanted Botany
DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne, AL
9:00 am – 4:00 pm CDT
April 19, 2017
Wild Child: Nature Observation through Fairy Houses
Teaching adults unique ways to connect children with nature
Hosted by Master Gardeners of Cherokee County 10:00 am CDT
Hosted by Master Gardeners of Jacksonville, AL 2:00 pm CDT
For more information: [email protected]
April 21, 2017
Forest & Field: Waterfalls Tour
Cheaha State Park and Talladega National Forest
9:00 am – 1:00 pm CDT
April 22, 2017
Forest & Field: Spring Hike & Nature Journaling
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Bald Rock Parking Lot/Hike to Laurel Trail (Moderate Hike)
April 22, 2017
Alabama Book Festival: Environmental Literacy for Earth Day!
Montgomery, AL
Renee Raney (Cheaha State Park) will be one of the Alabama Outdoors presenters speaking on Curing Nature Deficiency through Creative Outdoor Activities
April 25, 2017
Forest & Field Enrichment: Foraging with the Southern Herbalist-FULL
Jimmerson’s Alabama Treasure Forest (Fruithurst, AL, Cleburne County)
9:00 am – 3:00 pm CDT
Email me for directions
April 27, 2017
Youth Conservation and Forest Day
Wehle Nature Center
Auburn, AL
Conservation Storytelling Sessions
April 30, 2017
Windows to Nature: Fairy Houses Workshop
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
2:00 pm- 3:00 pm CDT- Fee/Limited Space
May 2, 2017
Nature Observations through Fairy Houses
Wehle Nature Center
Auburn, AL
Conservation Program for K-12
May 5, 2017
Conservation & Environmental Literacy K-12 Field Day
DeSoto State Park
Fort Payne, AL
CEI Conservation Programs for Grades 5-6
May 31, 2017
Forest & Field: Accessible Stroll & Nature Journaling
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Bald Rock Parking Lot/Accessible Trail
June 7, 2017
Wild Wednesday: Hiss & Sslither
9-11 am CDT
Cuhulga Creek Park Heflin, AL
Free
June 10, 2017
Forest & Field: Cheaha Silent Trail Hike & Nature Journaling
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
June 14, 2017
Wild Wednesday: Unnatural Nature Observations: Bears, Bugs, and Beyond!
9-11 am CDT
Cuhulga Creek Park Heflin, AL
Free
June 15, 2017
Forest & Field: Through the Loupe
DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne AL
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm CDT
Moderate Hike
June 16, 2017
Native American Fairy Tales: The Little People
Discovering Alabama Summer Camp
Moundville, AL
June 17, 2017
Forest & Field: Flatwater Paddle on Little River-FULL
DeSoto State Park in Fort Payne AL
10:00 am – 2:00 pm CDT
4 mile flatwater paddle; hammock rest before return
June 21, 2017
Wild Wednesday: Water Kids & Water Critters
9-11 am CDT
Cheaha State Park
Free
June 21, 2017
Forest & Field: Summer Adventure! Accessible Stroll & Nature Journaling
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – Noon CDT
Bald Rock Parking Lot/Accessible Trail
June 24-July 1, 2017
Mountains to the Gulf Traveling Teacher & Educator Workshop
Renee Raney (CEI) co-leading this conservation and environmental education workshop
Apply for limited space; educators will be selected by a panel.
Fee: $250 (All other expenses covered by sponsors)
Funded by Legacy: Partners in EE
June 28, 2017
Wild Wednesday: FAIRY TALES & FAIRY HOUSES
9-11 am CDT
Cheaha State Park
Free
June 29,2017
A Midsummer's Eve Fairy Workshop
ADULT Fairy Houses for your Garden or Sunroom
Birmingham Botanical Gardens ($45 pp; spaces limited)
July 17, 2017
Fairy Houses Workshop, Storytelling, and Book Signing
Carrolton Cultural Center/Hobbs Farm Park
Carrolton GA
For more information, email [email protected]
July 18, 2017
Fairy Houses Workshop: Storytelling and More!
Ruffner Mountain Nature Center
10 am- Noon CDT
July 19, 2017
Forest & Field: Chinnabee Silent Trail Hike & Nature Journaling
Cheaha State Park in Delta, AL
10:00 am – 1:00 pm CDT
July 24-26, 2017
Alabama’s Amazing Arthropods: Bugs, Spiders, & Crayfish
AND… a special presentation of Hairy Scary but Mostly Merry Fairies: Enchanted Environmental Education
Cheaha State Park
Arthropods are considered the most successful animals on the planet. Arthropods have been found living on land, sea, & air. They make up nearly 75% of all known living and fossilized organisms. Alabama, of course, has thousands of arthropod species. Join Legacy, Park Naturalists from both Cheaha & DeSoto State Parks, and the director of the Georgia-Alabama Land Trust’s Conservation Education Institute on Alabama’s tallest peak to learn about these amazing creatures. This excursion includes stream ecology walks, night hikes, an insect diversity walk & talk, and much more. Application deadline: June 30, 2017 Visit .
August 1, 2017
Windows to Nature: FAIRIES!
Vancouver Canada
Enchanted Stories at the Steam Clock
August 5, 2017
Windows to Nature: FAIRIES!
Jasper Alberta Canada
Lake Moraine Storytime
August 10, 2017
Conservation: Birds! Birds of Southeastern US
Anniston Outdoor Association
6:30 pm CDT
August 12, 2017
Cleburne County Fair
Heflin, AL
Storytime
August 19, 2017
Forest & Field Enrichment: Longleaf Pine Needle Basket Workshop
Longleaf Botanical Gardens in Anniston, AL
9:00 am – 3:00 pm CDT
August 24, 2017
Birmingham Botanical Gardens
A Midsummer Night's Fairy House workshop for ADULTS
Make & Take your own natural creation for your sun room or garden
Wine & Cheese Workshop
August 26, 2017
Native American Pottery Workshop
August 29, 2017
Anniston Public Library
A Midsummer Night's Fairy Houses workshop for ADULTS
Make & Take your own natural creation for your sun room or garden
September 9, 2017
Cook's Museum of Natural Science/EEAA
September 11 -15, 2017
Alabama State Park Naturalist's Meeting/Training
Gulf Shores, AL
"Windows to Nature" as an EE Tool in our Parks
September 19, 2017
Windows to Nature: Fairy Houses Book Reading, Sales & Signing
Anniston Public Children's Library
For more information contact Allaina Browning 256-237-8501
September 20, 2017
Wild Child! How to Engage Youth in the Outdoors
Hosted by Cherokee County Master Gardeners
10:00 am CDT
September 23, 2017
Windows to Nature: Fairy Houses!
Huntsville Botanical Gardens
October 6, 2017
Becoming an Outdoor Woman: Reading the Woods
4H Center Columbiana, AL
October 14, 2017
CHILL-O-WEEN: Haunted Hills & Hollows
An Appalachian Festival
Chili Cookoff, Storytelling, Music, and Spooky Hikes
Autumn Fairy Houses and Storytelling
October 15, 2017
RAYDAY Conservation Festival
Serenbe Farm GA
Renee will be teaching fairy houses all day in the children's court
October 17, 2017
Autumn Fairy Pumpkin Houses
4:30 pm
October 18,2017
Wild in Alabama
10:00 am
Master Gardeners of Cherokee County
October 21, 2017
Fairy Stories and Houses
Guntersville State Park Conservation Festival
October 24,2017
Forest Classroom: Enchanted Forests of Cheaha State Park
Munford Schools
Munford AL
October 25, 2017
Fairy Houses & Stories
Wehle Environmental Center
Auburn University
October 27-29, 2017
Spookapalooza Event: Ghosts & Monsters & Fairies! Oh my!! Storytelling, Activities, Contests, and more!
October 31, 2017
Windows to Nature & EE in our Alabama State Parks
Anniston Noon Rotary
November 7-8, 2017
Leave No Trace Conservation Meeting (National)
November 9, 2017
Leave No Trace George Master's Memorial Hike & Hiking Stick Art
Cheaha State Park
November 10-12, 2017
University of Alabama Huntsville Family Weekend
Telling Alabama Stories
November 16, 2017
Wild Birds: Conservation and Observation
Cherokee County Library
November 18, 2017
Bigfoot Conservation BioBash & International Tellabration
December 2, 2017
EAT SOUTH Montgomery: Farm Fairies Family Workshop 10 am - Noon
EAT SOUTH Montgomery: Farm Fairies Teacher Workshop 1 pm - 3 pm
December 9, 2017
Enchanted Evening with Santa
Cheaha State Park
Tickets Required-Sold Out!
Winter fairy houses and fun with the jolly old elf himself!
December 10, 2017
Secrets for Santa
Cheaha State Park
Tickets Required
Winter fairy houses and fun with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
December 18, 2017
CCC Christmas: An Old Fashioned Celebration
Cheaha State Park
Tickets Required
December 20, 2017
WINTER FAIRIES!
Cheaha State Park
Fireside stories and activities: learn more about icicle fairies and winter fairy care of wildlife.
December 21, 2017
Christmas for the Birds
Cheaha State Park
Caring for winter wildlife and feeding winter birds. Stories, instruction and activities.
December 22, 2017
Breakfast on Mount Crumpit: A Grinchy Christmas Morning
Cheaha State Park
Tickets Required
A fun breakfast filled with joy; even "Momosas" will be served for parents! It has been rumored that climbing up Mount Cheaha can make one's heart grow three sizes larger, just like the Grinch!
February 10, 2018
Winterlude: Valentine's Ball
Cheaha State Park
Tickets Required
January 10, 2018
Fairies, Flowers, and Wild Things that Bring Joy!
Calhoun County Master Gardener's Brown Bag Lunch
Historic McClellan, Anniston, AL
Call Sherry Blanton for more information
t programs and events.