BEREA, Ky. — Winter can make the woods look like it hit pause—bare branches, brown leaves, gray skies. But if you know where to look, the forest is still full of color.
That’s the idea behind “Family Activity: Likin’ Lichen Walk,” happening today (Sunday, Jan. 25) from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Berea College Forestry Outreach Center. The program is billed as a slow-paced, child-led walk in the lower forest to learn about lichen and moss, with time to collect small samples and bring them back to look at under a microscope.
🌱 Why Lichen is a Great “Winter Nature” Subject
Lichen and moss don’t wait for spring. While many plants are dormant, these hardy organisms keep showing up on rocks, logs, and tree bark—tiny pockets of texture and green that can turn an ordinary walk into a scavenger hunt.
The Forestry Outreach Center’s description leans into that simple joy: notice what’s still living, slow down, and let kids lead the pace and the questions.
🧭 What to Expect
The event description is short, but the format is clear:
- Meet at the Forestry Outreach Center, then head out for a slow walk.
- Kids help decide what to stop and look at (“child-led”).
- Participants can collect and then examine samples under a microscope back at the Center.
If you’re new to the facility, the Forestry Outreach Center notes it is open Tuesday–Saturday 10 a.m.–4 p.m. and Sunday 12–4 p.m., with trails that are dog-friendly (leash required).
🎨 A “Berea Creativity” Thread
If your family likes hands-on activities—building, crafting, drawing, performing—this kind of nature program fits right into Berea’s broader creative culture.
For families who want an indoor arts option later in February, The Spotlight Playhouse has The Tomb, a murder mystery dinner show scheduled for Feb. 13–15, keeping Berea’s arts calendar moving even when the weather doesn’t cooperate.
IF YOU GO
What: Family Activity: Likin’ Lichen Walk
When: Today (Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026)
Time: 2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m.
Where: Berea College Forestry Outreach Center, 2047 Big Hill Rd., Berea
Cost: Free
Details: Child-led walk + microscope look at lichen/moss samples