It’s a warm, windy spring day at Martin Luther King Park in Lexington, where dozens of kids and adults are enjoying the outdoors. The day is hosted by the Red Oaks Forest School, a non-profit organization in central and eastern Kentucky. Tina Brouwer-Kraska is the executive director and founder. She said the school’s mission is to connect people to nature and community through education, exploration, and play.
“So, every now and then, we want to get out into the community and host free events to get people connected to nature. And that’s what Zugunruhe’s all about. It’s all about connecting people to nature and each other. So, we host four in-person events in our different service areas to meet people where they are,” said Brouwer-Kraska.
Children line up near Brouwer-Kraska at a colorful poster that says Migratory Marvels and How Far Do They Go? She explains to the children how birds have different rates at which they flap their wings
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“The hummingbird is 4200 times per minute, but look down here, the crow is only 120 times per minute,” explained Brouwer-Kraska.
Five-year-old Kate Andrews is excited to be timed and find out how many times she can flap her arms. Kate says she can flap as fast as a crow and tells why she likes birds.
“I like them because they can fly, and I like them because they’re so feathery, and their babies are so cute,” said Kate.
Brouwer Kraska explains Zugunruhe and its relationship to birds.
“Zugunruhe means an inner stirring to move or migratory restlessness. And it’s a term that refers to what birds feel, like this pull to migrate. It’s an instinct, and they know it’s time to go. So that’s what Zugunruhe means, quite simply. And, it’s just the beginning of taking that big journey,” explained Brouwer-Kraska.
The educator said she’s pondered the idea of Zugunruhe and wondered how humans could learn from it. That inspired her to create events that would get people outdoors.
“There are just so many benefits to spending time outdoors, mental and physical. But of course, we also hope that connection extends to compassion, conservation, and stewardship of the natural world. But at minimum, happier, healthier people make stronger and better communities,” said Brouwer-Kraska.
Activities like art in the park, storytime, and a dance performance are on today’s agenda to help visitors connect to nature. But the highlight is the Birds of Prey exhibit. That’s where Kimmi Sparkman, Executive Director of Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge, shows the audience several live birds like a red-tailed hawk and an owl, while she talks about each one and answers questions about the birds.
: “What color do you think this is? Red. So she is a red-tailed hawk. This color doesn’t start coming in until about one year old,” said Sparkman.
Red Oaks Forest School teacher Jenn Hazzard, her husband DJ, and her daughters are having fun at the Zugunruhe: Meet the Birds event. Hazzard said even though humans aren’t a migratory species, they can experience a feeling like Zugunruhe. She likes that the school has named its annual campaign Zugunruhe.
“It talks about that inner stirring in spring. So, we try to reach out to folks to embrace that. To teach people that that might be what they’re feeling and then to show them ways they can get used to that out in nature whether it be at a local park or at one of the forest programs,” said Hazzard.
Hazzard and her family are enjoying the Birds of Prey demonstration. She points to a table next to the birds where she says children touch pelts of skins and furs of animals found in Kentucky. Hazzard said the pelts are included in the Birds of Prey exhibit for the purpose of teaching.
“So kids can get to know and see some of the animals they might see when they’re out and about. They can touch them and feel comfortable. And it also kind of gets you to understand where these animals live,” said Hazzard.
Lake Cumberland Wildlife Refuge Executive Director Kimmi Sparkman teaches about the birds and the furry animals as kids touch the pelts.
Adults and kids seem equally engaged in today’s outdoor activities. Parents, Jaimee Cheney, Tiffany Carson-Givan, and Hannah Andrews, share why events like this and a conscious effort to get outdoors are important.
“I think it gives your brain a break and stimulates creativity,” said Cheney.
I just think for my kids, it makes them more curious. It makes them healthier,” said Carson-Givan.
”Anything where she gets to have a hands-on experience with nature and science is really positive for her,” said Andrews.
Red Oaks Forest School founder Tina Brouwer-Kraska said the school is being featured in a documentary called In Our Nature. She said it’s expected out this spring.
Red Oaks Forest School is a WEKU Sponsor.
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