The Nature Center at Butler Corner

09/23/2025

09/13/2024

The Nature Center at Butler Corner hosted a star-gazing event for the Dolores first graders this evening. My brother, Tom Butler, brought his telescope out. At first we watched the weather balloon that glowed white in the sky. Then he turned it onto the moon. The children and adults were in awe of how clearly the craters could be seen. Mrs. Shirley Forristall Tourjee has done an awesome job of teaching her students about planets, the sun and moon, and other objects in the night sky. We were able to view Saturn with its rings. The "oohs" and "ahhs" from all the participants was fun to hear. We had at least thirty come out. Many thanks to the helpers - Bob Mackey, Diane Roberts, and Diana Donohu, and of course, Tom Butler.

03/16/2024

Yesterday I told about the field trip we had at The Nature Center at Butler Corner. Before they all left, we were forced inside out of a snowstorm. My Nature Center is not equipped for over 40 kids, but they were willing to sit at the tables. I gave them each a piece of paper, pencils and crayons, and asked them to tell me what they enjoyed the most about the day here.
Today I took time to go through each of the papers. More than half of the students said they enjoyed meeting the alpacas the most. Others enjoyed meeting Chisolm, my dog, the goats, one even drew a picture of a goose. Several reported on being out in the forest as their favorite part. A few students even built a shelter out of sticks and branches.
Some of the written comments:
I liked the alpacas because they liked me a lot and it was funny and they stared at me a lot.
I like the alpacas. They were soft and cute. I liked the gray one with the white eyebrows.
I fed some alpacas and petted some. They were very cool. They really liked the food. I petted the doggie too.
I fed the alpacas. It felt weird feeding them.
At first I did not know what alpacas are when I was younger, but when I saw them today I was cuted out. They ate out of my hand like horses and was adorable. Also, my hands smelled like alpacas. They're cute, fluffy, (very fluffy), and I just couldn't leave them. I love alpacas because of these examples, and they're very true. I also love the noises they make. I heard a hum and a squeal!
My favorite things today were the alpacas, the big dog, Chisolm, the goats, and making bracelets. I made my bracelet maroon and black.
Today me and my friends built a survival shelter. It just needs a little more wood until it will actually block weather.
The boys built a shelter. I threw sticks at them to help.
I enjoyed making these pinecones into something. I also enjoyed feeding the alpacas.
I enjoyed making things.

And my favorite page from the students was Sam's drawing of Chisolm. It is going to be framed and hung in the Nature Center.

02/12/2024

Open enrollment for the Homeschool Enrichment Program at The Nature Center at Butler Corner has begun. If you know of anyone who would like to join us for the next school year, please share the link below with them.

Thank you for choosing to be a part of Alpine International Preparatory Academy, a homeschool Nature expeditionary enrichment program. We receive state funding to support our programs and we are required to submit the information below. To complete your enrollment, this form (and remaining enrollmen...

12/20/2023

Today was our last day of school before Christmas vacation. We had two separate walks with the Bear Cubs and the Panthers. Then we spent time in the studio where the Bear Cubs learned to use the spinning wheel and made necklaces. The Panthers needle felted some Christmas ornaments. I hope someone took pictures as my photographer, Connie L. Peters was absent. Clint did take a video of yours truly doing something the kids call "the Griddy." They tell me it's what the football players do when they make a touchdown. Since I'm not a sports fan, all I can say is I did my best from what they told me. My computer won't allow me to post it.