Public Programs
Are you curious about new ways to recreate on public lands? Interested in deepening your understanding of natural history or resource management? Or perhaps you're looking to slow down with a self-guided mindfulness walk outdoors? Whatever your interest, the Campbell Creek Science Center (CCSC) offers a program or experience for you.
We offer both virtual and in-person programs. View our monthly schedule below to see what's coming up. If you’re interested in scheduling a private educational program, please visit Youth Education Programs.
Please register for fee-based, in-person programs at Recreation.gov.
Recreation.gov charges a non-refundable $1 fee per program ticket. This platform helps us offer a wide variety of public programs and events.
Activity Calendar
- September
Wednesday, Sept 16, 7 - 9 p.m. – Mushroom ID Walk
If you are curious about how to find and identify mushrooms in the Anchorage area, join us for a walk with mycologist Christin Swearingen. We will collect, identify, and learn about mushrooms. Bring a basket if you have one and any mushrooms from your backyard you want to know more about.
Space is limited and registration is required. A $5 cancellation fee applies to all cancellations; no refunds given to cancellations requested within 2 business day of the workshop. We will be walking on forest trails and uneven ground for approximately 30 minutes. The class takes place rain or shine; please prepare accordingly.
In partnership between BLM Campbell Creek Science Center and UAF Cooperative Extension Service
When: Sept. 16th, 7- 9 p.m.
Where: BLM Campbell Creek Science Center, 5600 Science Center Dr, Anchorage
Cost: $30 Registration: https://bit.ly/FungiSept16
Accommodation requests related to a disability should be made five business days in advance to [email protected] or 907-474-5211. Language access services, such as interpretation or translation of vital information, will be provided free of charge to individuals with limited English proficiency upon request to [email protected].
The University of Alaska (http://www.alaska.edu/alaska) is an equal opportunity/equal access employer and educational institution. The university is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination (http://www.alaska.edu/nondiscrimination) against individuals on the basis of any legally protected status.
This work is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Tuesday, Sept 22, 10 - 11:30 a.m. – Time Outside Together(s) - Fall Fun
This month, explore all the different colors in the leaves as the seasons change, sing songs, and go on a nature walk. TOTs, or Time Outside Together, is a hands-on nature program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.
This event is $5/family; please register at Recreation.gov.
Saturday, Sept 26, 8:30 a.m. - noon – Campbell Tract National Public Lands Day 2026
On Saturday, Sept. 26, give back to public lands by volunteering at BLM Campbell Tract. Help restore native plants, maintain trails, winterize the BLM Campbell Creek Science Center gardens, and much more. Dress for the weather. BLM will provide tools, work gloves, and all other needed equipment. No experience is necessary. Just bring a water bottle and your enthusiasm!
RSVP here.
8:30 a.m. Registration begins at the Campbell Creek Science Center, 5600 Science Center Drive, Anchorage, AK 99507
9:00 a.m. Volunteer service work
Noon Free lunch provided for volunteers
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, our theme this year is "Caring for Our Shared America.” Our parks, trails, forests, and waterways serve as common ground where we share experiences, build memories, and work side by side.
- October
Saturday, Oct 3, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. – Archaeology Fair
Join us for the Archaeology Fair! There will be educational booths to learn about Alaska’s greatest archaeological mysteries and stories. Perfect for kids AND adults. Kids can try a mock dig and adults can learn about the oldest archeological artifacts in Alaska.
This annual event is to celebrate International Archaeology Day. We showcase Alaska’s culture, history, and the contributions of archaeology to society.
10:30 a.m. – WWII and the Campbell Tract Walk - A shorter version of our summer WWII walks. Learn about the WWII history of Campbell Tract and find hidden pieces of the past within the forest of Campbell Tract.
Noon – Performance by Ida'ina K'eljeshna (Friendship Dancers), revitalizing the Dena'ina ways and understanding through activities and education.
Free bagels and donuts thanks to the Friends of Campbell Tract. Co-hosted by the BLM Anchorage Field Office.
This event is free and open to the public.
Saturday, Oct 3, 10:30 - 11:45 a.m. – WWII and the Campbell Tract Walk
During World War II, the Army Corps of Engineers built four small airstrips in Southcentral Alaska, including one at Campbell Tract. Within the trees and shrubs are old foxholes and airplane parking spots. There is much to see if you just know where to look. Join us for a walk to learn about WWII history of Campbell Tract and find hidden pieces of the past.
This will be a shortened version of the walk to celebrate International Archaeology Day.
This event is free and open to the public.
Thursday, Oct 8, 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. – Time Outside Together(s) - Digging for Dinos
RAWR! This month let’s celebrate National Fossil Day! We’ll look for dinos, sing songs, and go on a nature walk. TOTs, or Time Outside Together, is a hands-on nature program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.
This event is $5 per family; please register at Recreation.gov.
Thursday, Oct 8, 6 - 8 p.m. – Backcountry First Aid for Dogs (SOLD OUT)
Learn some basic first aid for your outdoor adventure pup(s)! An experienced vet and vet tech from Anchorage Veterinary Clinic and Urgent Care will help prepare you for some of the most common dog injuries you may encounter in the backcountry. They will give you advice on what to bring, teach you to determine the level of urgent professional care needed, and more. One small first aid kit included!
Please leave your dog(s) at home for this event.
This event is $30 per person; please register at Recreation.gov.
Wednesday, Oct 14, 6 - 8 p.m. – Trapping Safety for Pets
Keep yourself and your pets safe by learning how to look for clues that a trap or trapline is nearby. The Northern Lights North American Versatile Hunting Dog Association will show different traps and how they work. There will be a hands-on opportunity to practice handling them safely. You will come away with a new understanding of the world of trapping. You won't want to miss it!
This event is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Oct 21, 7 - 8 p.m – Fireside Chat - The Land that Sustains Us
“It’s different in Alaska.” Subsistence is part of what makes Alaska so unique and different. It is the traditional practice of living off the land. Subsistence use is food, clothing, fuel, and so much more. Brent Vickers, the Bureau of Land Management Subsistence Program Lead will talk about what subsistence is, why it’s important for Alaskans, and how it’s managed. Join the talk and share your stories of being out on public lands and harvesting different wild things.
This event is free and open to the public.
Friday, Oct 30, 10 a.m. - noon – Junior Ranger - Fossil Quest
Calling all Junior Rangers! It's time to celebrate National Fossil Day. Hop on! We're traveling back in time. We'll dig for fossils and explore dinosaurs just like a paleontologist!
Junior Ranger programs are for children ages 5–9. Every child must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
This event is $8/child; please register at Recreation.gov.
- November
Tuesday, Nov 3, 10 - noon – Junior Ranger - Sense-sational Scientists
Calling all Junior Rangers! How do you smell, see, touch, taste, and hear the world? How do animals do it? Let’s explore our senses in nature.
Junior Ranger programs are for children ages 5–9. Every child must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the program.
This event is $8 /child; register at Recreation.gov.
Friday, Nov 6, 6 - 8 p.m. – Lessons on Storytelling
Traditionally, November is a time to share our stories. It helps connect us to each other and to the land. For the first hour, we’ll do generative writing exercises to draw out the story we want to tell. Our stories will be inspired by the nature around us. Then, we’ll spend some time honing our story into a structure that is compelling to the listeners. In the second hour, we will practice communal storytelling around the campfire. Our emphasis is on practice rather than presenting a polished story.
For this workshop, we will start indoors and then transition outdoors, so please be dressed for the weather. It is not required, but you are welcome to bring a notebook, writing utensil, and camping chair.
This event is free and open to the public. Co-hosted with the National Park Service.
Thursday, Nov 12, 10 - 11:30 a.m. – Time Outside Together(s) - Tuck-in Time for Winter
Sleepy? YAWN. All the plants and animals are going to sleep! Let’s see how nature tucks in for winter. We’ll sing songs and go on a nature walk. TOTs, or Time Outside Together, is a hands-on nature program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.
This event is $5 per family; register at Recreation.gov.
Wednesday, Nov 18, 7 - 8 p.m. – Fireside Chat - Sharing the Field: Hunting Alaska's Public Lands with Bird Dogs
From mountain ptarmigan hunts to pursuing waterfowl along Southcentral Alaska’s tidal flats, we’ll share stories about hunting with our bird dogs and the public lands that make those experiences possible. Our dogs have been our companions, teachers, and often the reason we find ourselves in places we never would have reached on our own. We’ll talk about the joys - and heartbreaks - of sharing a hunting life with dogs, and the ways those experiences deepen our connection to the land, wildlife, and one another. Drawing from stories in their book, The Land We Share, Christine Cunningham and Steve Meyer reflect on hunting as one of many ways people come to know and care for wild places, and on the responsibility that comes with being part of these special places.
This event is free and open to the public.
- December
Friday, Dec 4, 6 - 8 p.m. – Hare Jumps Over the Moon Felt Embroidery
Spend a quiet and meditative evening, stitching a simple and whimsical hare jumping over the moon. You’ll create a beautiful felt embroidery piece as you learn about the two hares that live in Alaska: the snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) and the Alaska hare (Lepus othus). This workshop blends art and science to open new doors into understanding the natural world.
All materials included. No previous experience needed; it’s perfect for beginners. Kids must be 12 years old or older.
This event is $15; please register at Recreation.gov.
Thursday, Dec 10, 10 - 11:30 a.m. – Time Outside Together(s) - Ready, Set, Snow!
The snow and ice are glittering! It’s time to do the brrr dance! Let’s bundle up to play outside and do our nature walk. TOTs, or Time Outside Together, is a hands-on nature program for children ages 0-5 and their caregivers.
This event is $5/family; please register at Recreation.gov.
Wednesday, Dec 16, 7 - 8 p.m. – Fireside Chat - Bugs vs Trees: Monitoring the Health of the Forest
In our boreal forests, there is peace, tranquility, and shade to enjoy. There is also a quiet battle raging between bugs and trees. The spruce beetle bores through the tree’s bark to feed. The western blackheaded budworm is defoliating hemlocks. There is also a newly detected invasive moth called the larch casebearer that depends on trees for their life cycles. Jason Moan, Forest Health Program Manager from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Prevention, will talk about what’s out there in the forest, what’s the damage, and a lot more!
This event is free and open to the public.
Friday, Dec 18, 10 a.m. - noon – Junior Ranger - Winter Survival
Calling all Junior Rangers! What does it take to survive and thrive outdoors in the winter? Junior Rangers will learn skills like fire starting, winter shelter building, and other survival skills. Let’s stay warm, healthy, and safe while having fun outdoors.
Junior Ranger programs are for children aged 5-9. An adult must be present for the duration of the program.
The cost is $8 per child; register at Recreation.gov.
- Fireside Chat Speaker Series
Fireside Chat Speaker Series
Join us at the Campbell Creek Science Center for our Fireside Chat Speaker Series every month from October to March for an evening of learning! Local experts will share their knowledge about nature, culture, and outdoor fun. These talks are for anyone curious about Alaska's unique natural environment. This series is free and open to the public.
Wednesday, Oct 21, 7 - 8 p.m – The Land that Sustains Us
“It’s different in Alaska.” Subsistence is part of what makes Alaska so unique and different. It is the traditional practice of living off the land. Subsistence use is food, clothing, fuel, and so much more. Brent Vickers, the Bureau of Land Management Subsistence Program Lead will talk about what subsistence is, why it’s important for Alaskans, and how it’s managed. Join the talk and share your stories of being out on public lands and harvesting different wild things.
Wednesday, Nov 18, 7 - 8 p.m. – Sharing the Field: Hunting Alaska's Public Lands with Bird Dogs
From mountain ptarmigan hunts to pursuing waterfowl along Southcentral Alaska’s tidal flats, we’ll share stories about hunting with our bird dogs and the public lands that make those experiences possible. Our dogs have been our companions, teachers, and often the reason we find ourselves in places we never would have reached on our own. We’ll talk about the joys - and heartbreaks - of sharing a hunting life with dogs, and the ways those experiences deepen our connection to the land, wildlife, and one another. Drawing from stories in their book, The Land We Share, Christine Cunningham and Steve Meyer reflect on hunting as one of many ways people come to know and care for wild places, and on the responsibility that comes with being part of these special places.
Wednesday, Dec 16, 7 - 8 p.m. – Bugs vs Trees: Monitoring the Health of the Forest
In our boreal forests, there is peace, tranquility, and shade to enjoy. There is also a quiet battle raging between bugs and trees. The spruce beetle bores through the tree’s bark to feed. The western black-headed budworm is defoliating hemlocks. There is also a newly detected invasive moth called the larch casebearer that depends on trees for their life cycles. Jason Moan, Forest Health Program Manager from the Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Prevention, will talk about what’s out there in the forest, what’s the damage, and a lot more!
Wednesday, Jan 20, 7 - 8 p.m. – Animal Tracking in the Winter
Have you ever wondered who made that track in the snow? Now is your chance to learn about the science and art behind wildlife tracking from Robin Dublin. She’s a retired subsistence resource specialist from Alaska Department of Fish & Game. Learn about key markers to help identify tracks, how to sharpen your observation skills, and more! Then you can go out and practice in your backyard or your next outing on public lands.
Wednesday, Feb 17, 7 - 8 p.m. – The Day Everything Changed: How Life Returns to a Volcano
Kasatochi Volcano is a remote island volcano in the Aleutian Islands. In August 2008, it erupted! The ash cloud reached over 45,000 miles in height and could be seen from thousands of miles away. Several inches of ash blanketed the island and life became seemingly buried. How could the plants and animals continue to live on a pile of pyroclastic deposits? And yet, they returned. Join this talk by Bronwen Wang, Ph.D., a research geologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, to learn how nitrogen makes life possible.
Wednesday, Mar 17, 7 - 8 p.m. – Language, History, and Nature: Reading the Alaska Landscape
What can language tell us about Alaska's land and the people who have lived here? This talk explores how linguists use words and place names as clues to relationships among people, history, and the natural environment. From Russian loanwords preserved in Dena'ina vocabulary to the layers of names written across Anchorage's waterways and landscape, we'll investigate what language can reveal about trade, ecological knowledge, cultural contact, and changing relationships with the land. Drawing primarily on examples from Southcentral Alaska, we'll learn to “read” familiar landscapes in a new way with Serena Williams from the Chronos Heritage Anchorage Walking Tours.