Friday, December 20, 2024

Let's Get Hiking and Learning - January 2025

First off - SNOW!!!!!!!!!!
We received a solid 6" here in La Crescent on December 19. Let's get out and play!

For more information on the trips, where available, please click on the brown event titles for a link to the program or hike.

I will be updating this post periodically during December and January as new events are announced, so feel free to stop back!

Whitewater River Valley Annual Christmas Bird Count
- Wednesday, January 1           8am- noon
 -Whitewater State Park
Kick off the New Year at Whitewater State Park by helping with the Annual Whitewater River Valley Christmas Bird Count! Birders of all skill levels are welcome. Work in small groups to survey locations within our count circle. Reservations are required. To sign up, email jeremy.darst@state.mn.us or call 507-312-2301. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

Image -Kris Lawson

First Day Hikes
 - Wednesday, January 1, 2025
 - State Parks - or any trail near you!
Start your year off right with a First Day Hike. First Day Hikes are part of a nationwide initiative led by America's State Parks to get people outdoors, with over 400 hikes scheduled this year in all 50 states. Kids and adults all across America will be participating in First Day Hikes, getting their hearts pumping and enjoying the beauty of a state park. 

But don't forget you can also hit the trails at any nearby spot!

Nearby MN First Day Hikes 
 - Wed, Jan 1      2-3:00pm

Start the New Year right! Come out and explore the great outdoors with our park naturalist. We will take a peaceful 1 mile walk along the Whitewater River and look for hints of the old as we celebrate the new. If there is enough snow, we will snowshoe. Bring your own snowshoes or borrow some from the park. To sign up, email Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us or call 507-312-2301.

Frontenac State Park
You are invited to join the Frontenac State Park Association for their annual First Day Walk. FSPA members will provide warm fires and treats at the main picnic shelter for folks beginning their new year in the fresh, bracing air.

Click here for a listing of all MN First Day Hikes

Nearby WI First Day Hikes 
 - 1-2:30pm

Meet at the winter lot on Czech Avenue (Lat: 43.9962° N, Lon: 89.8170° W, a 1/4-mile west of Highway 13, north of Friendship, WI) to hike through the prairie to the petroglyph viewing platform and back through the woods for a 1.2-mile hike. The Friends of Roche-A-Cri will provide hot chocolate and treats after the hike. Pets on leashes are allowed. The trail is hilly by the bridge but level the rest of the way. You’re free to hike more in the park afterwards, but the Mound Trail and stairway remain closed due to fire damage.

Click here for a listing of all WI First Day Hikes

Nearby IA First Day Hikes
 - 9:00 am
Meeting Location: Firetower Cabin.  Park Address: 729 State Forest Rd., Harpers Ferry, IA 52146 Description: This two-mile hike will start by going up White Pine Trail and circle Camp Glen Wendel, and head back on the Forester Trail to the hike's beginning at the Firetower Cabin. Contact: (563) 586-2254

 - January 4-5
 - International Owl Center, Houston MN
Residents of local MN counties (Winona, Fillmore, and Houston counties) , including college students, are specially invited to visit the International Owl Center for FREE on Neighbor Weekends. Come see live owls in person, check out our hands-on displays, and stay for our live programs at 11 and 2 each day. Please bring a driver license, student ID or other form of identification to verify your place of residence. Visitors from elsewhere are also welcome, but will be required to pay the regular admission fee of $9 for adults, $8 for seniors/veterans/military and $6 for children aged 4-17. Sponsor: International Owl Center 

Registration deadline is January 10
 - Saturday January 18         10am-noon
Whitewater State Park
Join other trained survey volunteers to patrol the Whitewater State Park survey area and document observations of wintering golden eagles. Participants must complete identification training before taking part in the survey. To sign up, email jeremy.darst@state.mn.us.  Sponsor: Whitewater State Park


 - Saturday, January 11    Beginning at 10 am
 - Kickapoo Valley Reserve Visitor's Center, S3661 WI 131, La Farge WI
Kick off to the 25th anniversary of the Kickapoo Valley Reserve. This is one event that's not to be missed! Winter Festival is a wonderful family event that highlights outdoor winter activities. Activities include sledding, skiing, snow sculpture, ice hikes, wildlife talks & hikes, face painting, horse-drawn bobsled rides, snowshoe exhibit, sled dog demonstrations. La Farge Lions host Chili and Bread Contest! Bring your child and your dog and try out the Mutt Fun dogsled run. Conquer the snow mountain & snow tunnel. Test your skills at the Traditional Snow Snake Competition or Smoosh Races. Night winter activities can include star gazing and candlelight snowshoe hike. Admission to Winter Festival is free and open to the public! Friendly dogs are welcome on leash. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Activities subject to change due to weather conditions. Find more information on our website or on our Facebook page. Sponsor: Kickapoo Valley Reserve.


 - Saturday, January 11      9:30am
 - Frontenac State Park ranger station parking lot 

What birds can you see in January? We will take a short prairie loop to look for year-round residents such as Pileated Woodpeckers, identify some of the over-wintering sparrows, such as White-throated Sparrows as well as, possibly, Eastern Bluebirds, and perhaps see some early raptors such as an American Kestrel. Sometimes it's mostly just beauty. Bummer. ❄️ If you have any questions, email janetmalotky@gmail.com. This event is free. Vehicles entering the park are required to have a State Park vehicle permit. Permits are $7 per day or $35 for an annual sticker. Sponsors: Frontenac State Park Association and Frontenac State Park

 - Saturday, January 11     10am - 1:30pm
 - Iowisota Retreat and Education Center, 2472 IA-26, Lansing IA
We welcome guest expert Chris Gavin back to Iowisota on Saturday January 11th, 2025, to teach us how to prepare a variety of cuts of venison into tasty dishes, which we will taste-test at the end of the session. Cost per person is $50. Registration required.

Hidden History Snowshoe
 - Saturday, January 11      Noon-2:00pm
 - Whitewater State Park Visitor Center
When the leaves are gone and the snow is falling, nature reveals her hidden secrets. Come join us for an afternoon on snowshoes as we find some of these historic relics only visible this time of year. Bring your own snowshoes or use the park's. If there is no snow, we'll hike through the woods! Distance: 1 Mile. Contact Jeremy Darst at 507-312-2301 or by email at Jeremy.Darst@state.mn.us. Sponsor: Whitewater State Park

 - Saturday, January 11      5:00-9:00pm
 - Wildcat Mountain (WI) State Park
Hike, snowshoe or ski a 1.5-mile torchlit trail, warm up around a roaring campfire, and gaze up at the stars. Refreshments will be available. 5-7 p.m. John Heasley of Driftless Stargazing, LLC will be hosting a stargazing activity, weather permitting. Four planets and an almost full moon will be lighting up the night sky. Bring binoculars and learn to use them for stargazing. Trail is relatively flat with a few short hills that can be slippery when snow or ice covered. Pets are not allowed on packed or groomed ski trails, this includes the trail used for the candlelight event. Programs may be canceled due to inclement weather. Contact: Emily.Alf@wisconsin.gov, 608-337-4775. Sponsor: Wildcat Mountain State Park.

Owl Prowl
 - Saturday, January 11      5:00 -7:30 pm

 - International Owl Center, Houston MN

We start with a 30-minute program indoors to teach you how to identify owls by sound and the ethics of calling owls. Then you hop in your vehicle and follow the Owlmobile to about three different locations in rural Houston where Jo, our resident expert owl caller, will imitate owl calls in hopes of getting some responses. The program is capped at 30 participants, and these always sell out in advance. Cost is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. Due to the need to stand perfectly still for 10 minutes or more at a time, these owl prowls are not recommended for children under age 12. No pets, smoking or vaping allowed either indoors or outdoors. Registration required. Registration opens December 13.  [Note: Registration for the February 8, 2025 Owl Prowl begins January 12]. Sponsor: International Owl Center 


Moonlight Hike/Snowshoe

 -  Sunday, January 12     6:00 pm

 - 2345 Power Plant Dr, Lansing, IA

Join the Allamakee County Conservation Board for a Moonlight Snowshoe Hike. The hike will take place just south of Lansing on County Road 527. The route will be approximately 4 miles on mostly flat ground with views of the Mississippi River. County Road 527 is located 4 miles south of Lansing on Power Plant Drive. Participants are asked to park near the Rural Recycling drop off location. The Moonlight Snowshoe will be a guided trail hike taking place after dark to enable the participants to see the stars and moon like they have never seen before. The event requires preregistration for those wishing to use snowshoes provided by the ACCB and is open to all ages. However, anyone under 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. The event will take place as a regular hike if there is minimal or no snow cover. In the case of inclement weather or poor snow conditions the Moonlight Snowshoe may be postponed or cancelled and will be announced via the ACCB’s Facebook page. Appropriate sized snowshoes and trekking poles will be provided to individuals who do not have their own equipment with preregistration. Participants should dress for the weather with appropriate layers including outerwear, winter hats, gloves, and waterproof boots. A headlamp or small flashlight is also recommended, but not required. Any dogs must be on leash at all times. A full schedule of upcoming events hosted by the Allamakee County Conservation Board is available by following the ACCB on Facebook. To register or to receive more information on this event or any event you can call the ACCB at (563)538-0403. Sponsors: Allamakee County Conservation Board and the Driftless Area Education and Visitors Center.

 - Thursday, January 16        5 - 7:00pm
 - Chad Erickson Park, 3601 Park Lane, La Crosse
A crowd favorite! ORA will again host a series of candlelit walks when the moon is fullest each month. These are free, all-ages events that begin at 5pm, and last until 7pm, or until we run out of fire wood!
Additional hikes: February 12, 2025 - Lower Hixon Park and March 13, 2025 - Gateway Trails, Grandad Bluff Park. Each location chosen utilizes a path that is considered "easy to moderate" to navigate by foot, stroller or wheelchair. Candles will light the route, but if you'd like to see clearly where you're stepping, consider wearing a headlamp or bringing a flashlight. Snacks and beverages will be on site, including fire pits with s'mores! Consider volunteering for this event here: https://signup.com/go/atqotKm   Sponsor: ORA Trails (Outdoor Recreation Alliance)

 - Saturday, January 18        3-5:30pm
 - Sidie Hollow County Park -  E6051 CR-XX, Viroqua, WI Map to Sidie Hollow Park Pavilion 
The Friends of Vernon County Parks and Forests will be hosting this special guided Winter Walk (as well as one in February) exploring two Vernon County parks! These winter walks bring awareness to our county parks in the winter season as well as allow the greater community to come together! The winter walks and bonfire are for friends and families of all ages and will take place at Sidie Hollow January 18 and Lower Duck Egg Feb 22. Walkers are to meet in the park parking lot. All walks will begin promptly at 3pm and will be approximately 1 hour long, with a bonfire and beverages to immediately follow. We encourage walkers to always dress appropriately for the walk and the weather and invite your family and friends! Sponsor: The Friends of Vernon County Parks 


Free Park Day
 - Monday, January 20 (Martin Luther King Day)
 - All MN State Parks
On four days each year, all Minnesota state parks and state recreation areas offer free admission to everyone - no vehicle permits needed. Minnesota state parks are open year-round, and there's a state park within 30 miles of most Minnesotans. With a free day in each season, it's a great opportunity to get out there and explore someplace new - or visit an old favorite at a new time of year! Whether you stay for the whole weekend or just spend a few hours outside, you'll make memories that will last a lifetime. The goal is to encourage families and friends to spend time together in nature. Research shows many health and wellness benefits to spending time in nature. According to ParkRx, contact with nature improves one’s physical, mental, and spiritual health. Getting outdoors makes exercise more fun and can boost mood and immunity. The American Psychological Association shares that exposure to nature is linked to benefits including improved attention, lower stress, reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and even increases in empathy and cooperation. Additional dates for free park days in 2025: Saturday, April 26; Saturday, June 14; and Friday, November 28, 2025. Sponsor: MN DNR



 - February 12-15, 2025
Our annual virtual conference brings together people of various prairie and savanna knowledge-levels. Whether they’re just discovering prairies or are looking to deepen their skillset, we strive to provide opportunities for all to connect and learn. The 2024 conference had 568 attendees come together to learn, share and find a prairie community. Our 2025 “Finding Your Place in the Prairie” conference will focus on:
  • Examining individual species examinations, connections, dependence
  • Engaging volunteers and supporters to partake in land stewardship
  • Showcasing the uniqueness of prairie ecosystems
  • Providing opportunities to connect with fellow Prairie Enthusiasts
Registration Link. Sponsor: The Prairie Enthusiasts

To find additional events, check often during the month 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's new to help you understand the natural world around you better. 

Do you know of other January events I should include?  Just drop me a line in comments or the contact box on my website. Happy holly-days!


 
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