Spend the morning in the great outdoors Saturday at the re-opening of the River Bend Nature Center Open House, which has be revived by a volunteer group during the past several months.  

The center, located at 3600 N. Green Bay Road, will feature nature walks, art activities, animal displays and kayak demonstrations from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. 

The event will be highlighted by owl presentations, a bird walk and a butterfly talk with local nature experts. 

The event is free and open to all ages. 

The future of the center was uncertain a few months ago. After 50 years of being a Racine landmark and the location of many recreational activities, the YWCA decided to part ways with the field-trip favorite of Racine Unified students.  

Roger Chernik decided he wanted to figure out a way to save River Bend and bring it back to it's most natural state while returning to the level of service it once provided.

Several months - and a lot of work later - a volunteer group called The River Bend Nature Center, Inc. secured the center and its grounds. Renovations have already begun with more planned in the future. Of course, being a non-profit group, donations and volunteers would be more than helpful.