Wild Waterloo: Sensory Science

Presented in partnership with Families in Nature
Location: Meredith Heritage Tree Deck
Date: August 9, 2024
Time: 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Connecting to nature has well-documented benefits to physical and mental health, social well-being, and cognitive development. Wild Waterloo: Sensory Science is an environmental awareness program specifically designed for sensory learning. Connecting to nature has well-documented benefits to physical and mental health, social well-being, and cognitive development.

During the event, space will be designated Sensory-Friendly Zones to provide opportunities for visitors to self-regulate and decompress, as needed.

Cost: FREE

Event Highlights

Visitors will participate in a variety of interactive workshops, immersive experiences, and hands-on activities including:

Immersive Experiences

  • 6:30 PM – Sound Bath
    • Nurture your mind and body with an immersive full body listening experience led by Michela Whalen. All ages and abilities are encouraged.
  • 7:00 PM – Forest Bathing
    • Forest therapy, or forest bathing, is a practice encouraging individuals to spend time outdoors and in nature. This immersive sensory experience, led by Families in Nature, allows you to take in the natural world in order to receive all the incredible mental and physical benefits of being outdoors.
  • 7:30 PM – Edible Plant Walk
    • Come learn about common edible plants that are found in Waterloo Park! While foraging and collecting are not permitted at Waterloo Park, Capital Area Master Naturalist, Wendy Anderson will provide samples from plants should you all want to try them. Limited capacity!
  • 8:00 PM – Bat Echolocation
    • Join Austin Bat Refuge to learn about the sophisticated technique that bats use to navigate and find food in the dark by emitting high-frequency sound waves and listening to the echoes that bounce back.
  • 8:30 PM – Operatic Scavenger Hunt & Sing-Along
    • This immersive auditory experience invites participants to journey throughout Waterloo Park’s Hill Country Garden guided by the enchanting melodies of unamplified trained opera singers. The experience culminates in a captivating group performance and sing-along at Lebermann Plaza. This intimate experience promises to be a highlight, uniting the community in a shared celebration of music and sensory exploration.
  • 9:00 PM – Waterloo Park Bats
    • Experience Waterloo Park after dark! Join Austin Bat Refuge and explore the park’s most popular nocturnal residents – bats!

Interactive Workshops & Activities

  • Self-Guided Sensory Scavenger Hunt
  • Outdoor Games & Nature-inspired Playground
  • Nature’s Touch with Families in Nature
  • Soil Discovery with Waterloo Greenway
  • Water Quality Exploration with Austin Youth Riverwatch
  • Recycled Material Community Mural with Austin Creative Reuse
  • Bee Hummer with GirlStart
  • and more!

Hydration & Nutrition to Fuel Your Senses

  • Eso’s Taco’s
  • Lyssie Lou’s Cookie Company
  • Mom & Pops All Natural Frozen Pops
  • Herb-based Mocktails
  • Waterloo Sparkling Water
  • Liquid Death Mountain Water

This project is supported in part by the City of Austin Economic Development Department.