Posts by daria
Where do animals go when it rains?
It may surprise you, but the rain doesn’t bother as many animals as we would think. With the rain we have finally gotten over the last couple of days, it made me wonder where animals went during the rain. I learned that it depends on the animal and the personality of the animals. In one Read More »
Read MoreWhy Pollinators are Important and How to Help
This week is Pollinator Week! Pollinators are everywhere but are very important in Iowa with how much agriculture we have here. Pollinators are so important to the production of food that if they were to all go extinct, we wouldn’t have many of the foods we have today. With over 200,000 different species of pollinators, Read More »
Read MoreIt’s Baby Season in Nature
If you haven’t noticed any tiny animals out and about, keep an eye out because it’s the baby season in nature. Spring and summer are the perfect time for animals to have their babies for many reasons so let’s explore them! The days get longer during the spring! Once the days get longer, mommas have Read More »
Read MoreParks to Enjoy During Free Fishing Weekend
If you’re looking for a place that isn’t one of our 5 giant lakes to enjoy free fishing weekend June 4 -6, 2021, check out some of our county parks that boast public fishing access. Westport Park Westport Park found at 1175 230th street in Everly is a great place to test your luck fishing. Read More »
Read MoreUses of Milkweed
We are going to preface this article by saying, Common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, does contain a mild poison and should only be eaten and used when properly prepared. Common milkweed is native to many areas of the midwest and it’s not surprising people found uses for it. Native Americans used it for food and for Read More »
Read MoreMonarch Caterpillar Craft
Since we learned about when the monarch butterflies are going to start making their way back, I thought a monarch caterpillar craft would be appropriate for this week. Let’s jump right in! Supplies: Construction Paper – Yellow, green, black Glue stick Scissors Hole Punch Googly eyes Crayons Step 1: To make the yellow Read More »
Read MoreWhen will the Monarch’s be back and laying eggs?
One of the most frequent questions we get at the Nature Center is “When will we see Monarchs again?” Today, we will answer that question in the classic nature fashion of guesstimates. When monarchs migrate to Mexico in the fall, the butterflies that make it are a super generation that will live up to eight Read More »
Read MoreHow to Grow Milkweed
If you want to learn how to grow milkweed seeds, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to learn how best to get your milkweed growing. Much like any other plant native to the Midwest, they go to seed in the fall, are exposed to cold and damp weather during the winter, and then Read More »
Read MoreEasy Origami Butterfly Craft
With spring around the corner, butterflies are on the brain. Here is another easy way to make a butterfly. Supplies: A square piece of paper Scissors Stapler or yarn/string I chose orange paper to make it look more like a monarch to go along with our milkweed series. Step 1: If your piece of paper Read More »
Read MoreWhat is Milkweed and Why is it Important?
If you talk to anyone who knows about butterflies, especially the Monarch butterfly, they will tell you to plant more milkweed. With over 100 species of milkweed in North America, it’s hard to figure out exactly which ones to plant, when to plant them and where to plant them. There’s a lot of guesswork when Read More »
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