Environmental Education
Kickstart Your Kayak with courses this summer
The number of people with kayaks in the Iowa Great Lakes area has been exploding the past few years. “It’s good exercise; we have a lot of good water resources. Plus, it’s much more economical than a power boat,” said kayaker Mark Foss. “We have lots of areas that are more suitable for kayaking,…
Read MoreWarbler Walk visits Marble Lake in May
Bright yellow, striped black and white, patches of blue — the vibrant colors and designs of warblers excite birders who get the treat of seeing them migrate through Iowa. If you would like to check some birds off of your life birding list, join Dickinson County Conservation as it celebrates Wings and Wetlands Weekend with…
Read MoreBirding on the Green is perfect for all ages of bird lovers
Even with recent snowstorms, birder Ed Thelen isn’t worried about there being birds in the area during the first Birding on the Green event 7 a.m. Monday, May 7. “I think birds migrate on the photo period, so I think it will be the same as usual,” he said. “We get a good diversity of…
Read MoreHoneybees are not native bees, surprised?
“I think a lot of people will be surprised to hear honeybees are not native to North or South America; we brought them here for honey production and to pollinate some of our plant species.” (Six ways honeybees differ from native bees) Bryanna Kuhlman, environmental education coordinator for the Dickinson County Conservation Board, will talk…
Read MoreEarth Day Celebration Trivia Night is family friendly
Do you know what the monarch butterfly’s host plant is? What about the 10 essentials for hiking? Put your outdoor knowledge to the test during the Earth Day Celebration Trivia Night 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 20, at the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji. “Through the years, we’ve celebrated Earth Day week in a lot…
Read MoreGetting distracted: Sue Boettcher’s love of nature shows in photography exhibit
On her hikes through the Kettleson Hogsback Complex north of Spirit Lake, photographer Sue Boettcher often gets distracted. “I go to Kettleson Hogsback a lot on hikes, and it’s a whole lot more about picture-taking than it is hiking,” the Spirit Lake resident said. “MapMyWalk talks to you, and I’ve had it say, ‘One mile,…
Read MoreCheck waterfowl off your birding list during migration
Honks and quacks are filling the air as waterfowl begin to migrate through the Iowa Great Lakes area. Hooded mergansers, white-fronted geese, trumpeter swans — see how many species you can check off your list during the next Birdwatchers Anonymous birding trek 9 a.m. Saturday, March 31. (Seven waterfowl to look for during migration.) Meet…
Read MoreButterflies and beyond: Planting for pollinators
When we think about pollinators, we typically think of the 1,200 species of butterflies in Iowa, the 2,500 species of moths or the 200 species of bees. However, we then overlook important pollinators such as hummingbirds, ants, flower beetles, hover flies, midges and even mosquitoes. During the next Pollinator Education Series program 5:30 p.m. Thursday,…
Read MoreCamp registration is filling fast
Get ready to dig into adventure at the Dickinson County Nature Center this summer. Online registration is now open for youth summer camps at the nature center in Okoboji, and there is plenty of fun in store for kids who participate. “We like to provide summer camps because we think it teaches kids different ways…
Read MoreSt. Patty’s PJ Party features all things green
St. Patrick’s Day is all about the green. Although environmental education coordinator Bryanna Kuhlman might have a different spin on it than most during the St. Patty’s Pajama Party 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 16, at the Dickinson County Nature Center in Okoboji. Wear your favorite pajamas — Kuhlman said she is still searching for some…
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