We started the new year by meeting the new animal ambassador at the Dickinson County Nature Center — Luna the hedgehog. You can read more about hedgehogs here.

Tubing hill update: The tubing hill conditions are updated weekly on our website. Simply click here to view whether the hill is opened/closed each Friday.

Abbie Gardner Cabin exhibit: For Iowa History Month in March, we will be having an exhibit of Spirit Lake Massacre items from the Abbie Gardner Cabin on display in the Henry & Norma Meyer Library at the Dickinson County Nature Center. Come check them out January-April!

Snowshoe rentals: Snowshoes are available for people to borrow in Kenue Park during Dickinson County Nature Center open hours for free. A check-out register is located at the front desk.

Pollinator Paradise: Remember to open Pollinator Paradise in the morning by opening the bee cover and turning on the lights and to close by checking doors, closing the bee cover and turning off lights. A more in-depth training will be scheduled for 9 a.m. March 26, 27, 30 or 31.

Also, a new shoe cubby with rules will be installed soon as will monarch life cycle models. Keep checking back for updates on these two new additions.

Seasonal positions: The Dickinson County Conservation Board will have openings for seasonal maintenance positions, a naturalist intern and an intern to take over for community relations coordinator Kiley Roth while she is on maternity leave. Email naturecenter@co.dickinson.ia.us for more information and submit an application.

We also went over why monarchs overwinter in the oyamel forests of Mexico. Read about that here.

The next Volunteer Appreciation Day will be 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 3. See you then!