Will March come in like a lion or a lamb? I am thinking lamb after our mild February. Below are fun learning opportunities to take advantage of as we slip into our more official spring.
Click on the titles or brown-colored links to find more detailed info.
Houston MN
March 1-3 all day
Live owl programs, kids crafts, owl prowls, speakers and other activities plus much more at this event International Owl Center in Houston MN. Sponsor: International Owl Center, Houston MN
Brice Prairie WI
March 2 noon - 4:00pm
Please join us to celebrate this milestone anniversary and honor Leopold’s enduring legacy! Leopold’s work will be celebrated in a series of FREE events in the La Crosse area as part of an annual state-wide celebration. Here’s what’s happening at the Refuge! Registration is not required. The Visitor Center doors will open at 11:45 p.m.
12:00 p.m. presentation: “Fins, feathers and firebrands: 100 years of conservation on the Upper Mississippi River Refuge.” Come learn about the passionate and vocal visionaries who influenced the Refuge’s creation, major events which shaped its physical and social landscape, and how you can help shape the next 100 years to come!
1:00 p.m. presentation: “Prairie gardening 101: how to add beauty to your yard or public space” by Dr. Melinda Knutson. Join retired US Fish and Wildlife Service regional wildlife biologist and conservation planner, Dr. Melinda Knutson, to discover why we care about prairies, how you can get involved in local conservation efforts, and tips and tricks for adding native prairie and savanna plants to your garden at home!
2:00 p.m. Guided winter plant walk: Join a Refuge Ranger for a short walk on the prairie to learn about common native prairie plants in their winter condition! We’ll walk about a 1/2 mile along an unplowed paved trail. Please come dressed in warm layers for the weather!
12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Native plant giveaway and native seed planting: One of the best ways we can help wildlife of all kinds is to grow native plants! Stop by anytime between noon and 2:30 p.m. to pick up a wild bergamot or butterfly milkweed starter plant to take home. From 2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m., we’ll have soil, pots, and seeds available for visitors who’d like to drop in to plant their own seed to take home. These recently planted seeds can be transplanted into a backyard garden or larger plant pot later in the spring. Thanks to Mississippi Valley Conservancy and the Friends of the Refuge – Mississippi River Pools 7 & 8 for providing the seeds and planters! PLANTS WILL BE AVAILABLE WHILE SUPPLIES LAST, please limit 2 plants per person.
Sponsor: Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife & Fish Refuge.
Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family
Whitewater State Park,
Saturday March 2 10-11:30 am or 1-2:30 pm
Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Meet at the the Whitewater Valley Visitor Center. Reservations are required. To sign up, email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us or call 507-312-2301. Sponsor: Whiewater State Park
Ferryville WI
Saturday March 2 9:30am - 3pm
Two programs with live birds, nest building, crafts, hooting contest. Ferryville Village Hall, Free. Sponsor: Village of Ferryville (WI)
Lansing IA
Saturday March 9 2-4:00 pm
Celebrate the Upper Mississippi Wildlife and Fish Refuge's 100th Anniversary with this event . Steven Marking plays Will Dilg, founding president of the Izaak Walton League and the driving force behind the formation of the Upper Mississippi National Wildlife Refuge 100 years ago. Our mighty Mississippi-a magical journey of song, storytelling and visual imagery celebrating America’s greatest river with Steven Marking an acclaimed baritone, Resident Entertainer for American Cruise Lines, and an inspiring champion for the Mississippi River. Trailer Here. In this 45 minute show Steven Marking shows what one inspired man accomplished and teaches us that we must all be actively involved in protecting and managing the great outdoors. Sponsor: Big River Magazine, Friends of Pool 9 and TJ Hunters Banquet Hall (Lansing IA)
Maple Syrup Making for the Whole Family
Whitewater State Park,
Saturday March 9 10-11:30 am or 1-2:30 pm
Celebrate spring in Whitewater State Park's sugar bush! This activity will introduce the long history of maple syrup and sugar making, as well as the equipment and procedures used. Participants will tap trees, gather and boil sap and best of all taste pure maple syrup! Meet at the the Whitewater Valley Visitor Center. Reservations are required. To sign up, email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us or call 507-312-2301. Sponsor: Whiewater State Park
Sunday, March 10 1:30-2:30 pm
Fountain, MN
Looking for a reason to get out of the house and enjoy nature from the comfort of Karst Brewing? The Friends of the Root River are sponsoring their first program of the year at Karst Brewing on Sunday, March 10th.
“Drinking in the Beauty of the Driftless” will feature the photography of Chatfield resident, Bill Sullivan, starting at 1:30 pm. Bill has been a nature photographer for several decades with special interest in birds. He takes photos almost daily of local wildlife and landscapes.The program will be held in Karst Brewing’s community room and will last about a half hour. Also available for questions/discussion will be Jeff Green, retired MN DNR groundwater hydrogeologist, who has extensive knowledge of karst in southeastern Minnesota. Sponsor: Friends of the Root River
“Drinking in the Beauty of the Driftless” will feature the photography of Chatfield resident, Bill Sullivan, starting at 1:30 pm. Bill has been a nature photographer for several decades with special interest in birds. He takes photos almost daily of local wildlife and landscapes.The program will be held in Karst Brewing’s community room and will last about a half hour. Also available for questions/discussion will be Jeff Green, retired MN DNR groundwater hydrogeologist, who has extensive knowledge of karst in southeastern Minnesota. Sponsor: Friends of the Root River
Timber Rattlesnake Recovery Program - H.O.P. Program
Whitewater (MN) State Park
Wednesday, March 13 10:00-noon
Julie Geschke, Planner - Wildlife Action Planner, Minnesota DNR
part of the HOP (Healthy Older People) Into the Park series. Check the website nearer to the date for more details. Sponsor: Friends of Whitewater (MN) State Park
Friday, March 15 4:30-5:30 pm
Blue Mounds WI
"Unique experience to explore the Cave of the Mounds by black light. Watch the cave glow under UV Light. Why does the cave glow? Because of the perfect mixture of minerals, our cave is one of the few that glow under ultraviolet light. You will learn about ultraviolet light, fluorescence, and see the speleothems GLOW! The $10 tour price includes a black light rental and a guided tour of Cave of the Mounds. This is a fun experience not found just anywhere. Tickets are non-refundable. Please be aware, that tours are held in the dark which may be inappropriate for very young children." Sponsor Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark
Winona MN
Saturday March 23 9:30-10:30 am
Join our next Wilderness Weekend program for a beginner look at wildlife ecology as we observe landscapes within the driftless region and hypothesize about what animal survival has looked like over time. This family friendly event will take place at Farmers Park in Stockton, MN where we will observe the environment around us, discuss different animals found in the area, and determine what factors impact animal populations and the important role each species plays in an ecosystem.
Learn more and register on our website!
Wilderness Weekends is a program led by environmental educator Emily Gorman, designed to explore and educate participants about the diverse ecosystems and environmental treasures surrounding Winona County, Minnesota. This program offers an exciting opportunity for nature enthusiasts, students, families, and anyone passionate about environmental education to engage with the natural world through immersive activities that invite us to dive deeper into our understanding of nature. Check the website closer to the date for details. Registration required. Sponsor: Winona Outdoor Collaborative
Be sure to check often with local hiking groups, universities, naturalist-interest groups, nature conservancies, nature centers and their Friends groups, state parks, US Fish and Wildlife centers and others in your area to see what is on offer to help you understand the natural world around you better.
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