November

November 1 (LCCB) “Prairie Seed Collection Day” 2:00 p.m. Wickiup Hill. Enjoy a fall afternoon of prairie seed collection. Learn how to prepare seeds for growing, help Linn County Conservation spread seeds in the prairie and perhaps take some seeds home for your own wildflower garden. Small Charge.

November 2 (CeCCB) “Nature Tails -Tottering Turtles” and November 6 “Nature Tails – Being Creative” 10:00-11:00 a.m. CCCB Office. For ages 2 and up, this morning program will focus on introducing your toddlers to the natural environment. A game, book, craft, snack and other activities will teach your child about the wonders of nature in a fun, relaxed setting. Attend one or both days. Registration Required. Small charge per child, per program.

November 3 (WCCB) “Full Moon Hike” 6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m. Hayes Timber. Enjoy the stillness of the night under the light of the Autumn moon.  Listen for the scurrying of tiny feet and the flapping of wings as we wander through this 150-year old timber.  Allow yourself to relax and absorb the wonder of nature. 

November 4 (ClCCB) “Conservation Kids: Silly Salamanders” 2:00 p.m. Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center. This program is for elementary school age children. There will be some live animals with a story, hands-on activity and snack. Conservation Kids is a collaboration with Children’s Discovery Center’s Early Out Reading Group and is located at 332 8th Avenue South in Clinton, IA, near Hy-Vee. Admission to this event is free of charge; if you have any questions please call the Clinton County Conservation naturalists at 563-847-7202.

November 6 (ClCCB) “Kindernature: Silly Salamanders” 10:30 a.m. Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center. This nature program, which builds on awareness of the environment, focuses on our young county residents, three to five year-olds, but all ages can come! There will be some live animals with a story, hands-on activity and snack. Kindernature is a collaboration with Children’s Discovery Center’s Fun Time Friday and is located at 332 8th Avenue South in Clinton, IA near Hy-Vee. Admission to this event is free of charge, if you have any questions please call the Clinton County Conservation naturalists at 563-847-7202.

November 6 (CeCCB) “Fall Astronomy” 8:00 p.m. Rochester Park. Brave the dropping temperatures to view the clear night sky after the haze of summer has gone. The stars are constantly shifting, revealing new stories to be read in the sky. Come and hear these interesting tales playing out above our heads. Registration is requested.

November 7 (ClCCB) “Totally Trees” 10 a.m. Wapsi River Center. Come learn about our local trees on this fall hike. Learn to identify trees by looking at seeds, leaves and bark. To warm your spirits, enjoy some hot apple cider after the hike.

November 7 (ClCCB) “Green Gifts” 1:30 p.m. Wapsi River Center. Join Lisa Gerwulf, Wapsi Center naturalist, for an afternoon of creative creations. The whole idea behind green gifts is saving money and getting the whole family involved in creating those unique, homemade gifts. Green gift ideas will come from some unlikely sources including the recycle bin, trash can, remodeling project leftovers, closet, attic, basement, garage and many others. Participants will have the opportunity to view several different ideas, as well as create some make-and-take projects of their own. Whether you’re an avid crafter, recycler, or just someone looking for a unique gift, this is the program for finding that perfect project! Pre-registration is required by calling 563-328- 3286, no later than November 5th.

November 7 (LCCB) “Star Clusters in Galactic Centers” 7:30 p.m. EIOLC. University of Iowa Professor Dr. Cornelia Lang will characterize the massive stellar clusters in our own Galactic center and compare them to what is known about similar clusters in nearby galaxy centers. She will also highlight new results on how stars near the Milky Way’s center are organized and formed and related to the super massive black hole that lurks there. The presentation will be followed by telescope viewing, weather permitting.

November 10 (ICNC) “Fall Harvest/Winter Rest for Preschoolers and Parents” 9:30-10:30 a.m. Learn how and why plants and animals prepare for winter. Collect prairie seeds to help ICNC restore wildflowers and native grasses. Call by 4 p.m. Nov. 9 to register. Small charge.

November 10 (LCCB) “Native American Drums, Stories and Songs” 7:00 p.m. Wickiup Hill. Bring the family and enjoy an evening of traditional Native drumming, singing and story telling. Small charge.

November 12 (LCCB) “Recent Research on the Late Ice Age Hunters of Iowa” 7:00 p.m. Wickiup Hill. Evidence relating to the initial human occupation of Iowa at the end of the last Ice Age some 11,000 years ago by hunters associated with the Clovis archaeological culture is extremely sparse. Matthew Hill, ISU, will relate how the recently (re)discovered Carlisle Cache offers new information on Clovis landscape learning, lithic technology, and mobility patterns, with broad implications for the peopling of the New World. Small charge.

November 13 (ClCCB) “Kindernature: White-tailed Deer” 10:00 a.m. DeWitt Community Center. This nature program, which builds on awareness of the environment, focuses on our young county residents, three to five year-olds, but all ages can come! There will be hands-on displays, story, craft and snack. DeWitt Community Center located at 512 10th St. in DeWitt, IA, right across from the library.

November 14 (ICCB) “Recycling Goes to the Birds” 10:00 a.m. Roundhouse at Lake Iowa. Create your own birdfeeder to take home or set up at Lake Iowa. The program will be held at the Roundhouse. No charge.

November 19 (ClCCB) “Recycled Bird Feeders” 6:30p.m. Wapsi River Center. Fall is a great time to get set up for winter feeding. Milk jugs, cartons and pop bottles will be magically transformed into useful feeders. Types of seeds, common winter inhabitants and homemade bird treats will be discussed. Participants are asked to bring clean milk jugs (paper or plastic) or 20 oz. to 2 liter pop bottles, and reserve your spot by November 17th by calling 563-328 3286.

November 20 (ICNC) “Green and Simple Gifts: Willow Jewelry” 7:00 p.m. Join us for an evening around the woodstove crafting unique gifts from a versatile, renewable resource. Create simple willow beads for making attractive necklaces and bracelets. Learn to cut, drill and trim willow beads. Be creative while mixing, matching and stringing your own jewelry. This is a great gift for a lover of natural materials. Willow and some tools supplied. Call for materials list or to register. Small charge.

November 21 (ClCCB) “Bird Feeder Workshop” 1:00 p.m. Soaring Eagle Nature Center. Prepare yourself for a season of fun by fixing up that old bird feeder or creating new ones. Learn the dos and don'ts of backyard bird feeding and how you can get involved in yearly bird counts from the warmth of your own home. Materials will be available to get your old feeder going again or you may order kits to create new feeders. Prices range from $2 - $20 or you can bring in a used bottle or carton and fashion a free feeder from that. Call 563-847-7202 to order your kit and register.

November 28 (ClCCB) “Woodland Creations” 1:00 p.m. Wapsi River Center. Come and learn how twigs, bark, seeds and leaves can be used to create miniature figurines. Make people, animals or whatever your creative spirit can come up with. Please call 563-328-3286 to register your family by November 26th.

December

December 2 (ClCCB) “Conservation Kids: Wiggly Worms” 2:00 p.m. Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center. This program is for elementary school age children. There will be some live wiggly worms with cocoons, story, craft and snack. Conservation Kids is a collaboration with Children’s Discovery Center’s Early Out Reading Group and is located at 332 8th Avenue South in Clinton, IA, near Hy-Vee. Admission to this event is free of charge; if you have any questions please call the Clinton County Conservation naturalists at 563-847-7202.

December 4 (ClCCB) “Kindernature: Wiggly Worms” 10:30 a.m. Felix Adler Children’s Discovery Center. This nature program, which builds on awareness of the environment, focuses on our residents, three to five year-olds, but all ages can come! There will be hands on displays, story, craft and snack. DeWitt Community Center located at 512 10th St. in DeWitt, IA, right across from the library, young county residents, three to five year-olds, but all ages can come! There will be some live wiggly worms with cocoons, story, craft and snack. Kindernature is a collaboration with Children’s Discovery Center’s Fun Time Friday and is located at 332 8th Avenue South in Clinton, IA, near Hy-Vee. Admission to this event is free of charge. If you have any questions please call the Clinton County Conservation naturalists at 563-847-7202.

December 5 (CeCCB) “Fly Tying” 1:00 p.m. CCCB Office. Think summer in December! Back by popular demand, Park Ranger Noah Krob will demonstrate and help you learn the delicate art of tying flies for your summer fishing outings. All ages welcome, no experience necessary for this hands-on program. Please call to register.

December 10 (CeCCB) “Making Tracks!” 6:00 p.m. CCCB Office. Ever wonder what animal made that print in the mud? The naturalist will help you learn how to identify some of the most common Iowa animals and their prints, and then make your own.

December 10 (ClCCB) “The Madagascar Experience” 6:30 p.m. Wapsi River Center. AmeriCorps naturalist, Katie van der Linden, will share her three-week experience in Madagascar through photos. Amazing lemurs, chameleons and boa constrictors were a few of the natural highlights. This isn't like any DreamWorks movie you've ever seen!

December 11 (ClCCB) “Kindernature: Fur Coats” 10:00 a.m. DeWitt Community Center. This nature program, which builds on awareness of the environment, focuses on our young county residents, three to five year-olds, but all ages can come! There will be hands on displays, story, craft and snack. DeWitt Community Center located at 512 10th St. in DeWitt, IA, right across from the library.

December 12 (ICCB) “Snow Day at Lake Iowa” 10:00 a.m. Roundhouse at Lake Iowa. Make snow or ice candles; check deer feeding areas; read a story and make a snowman or tree feeder for wildlife. Meet at the Roundhouse and dress for the weather (this program may be canceled in case of poor weather).

2010 Calendar of Events

January

January 13 (CeCCB) “Free Room and Board” 6:00 p.m. CCCB Office/Shop. Again this year those interested in a more hands-on approach to birding will have the opportunity to come to our shop and build their own houses. Materials and some tools will be provided. You can also request homes for wildlife built by our staff using the coupon found on page 2 of the Fall 2009 newsletter. Due to a lack of barn board supplies, a donation of $5 per house is requested this year. To order houses or for more details call or email us at cedarccb@iowatelecom.net. Please contact us if you have barn boards to donate to this program. Registration Required.

February

February 13 (JCCB) “Central Park Nature Center Open House & Great Backyard Bird Count” 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Central Park Nature Center. Mark your calendar and bring the whole family out to the Central Park Nature Center Open House. Take your time as you explore the Nature Center’s latest exhibit additions. Listen to a short informational PowerPoint presentation on the Great Backyard Bird Count at 10:30 a.m. Learn how to identify Iowa’s winter birds. Help record Iowa’s winter birds during this year’s Great Backyard Bird Count and learn how you can count at home. Make a pine cone bird feeder to take home. Kids can enter a coloring contest. Everyone attending can sign up to win a free bird feeder. Snowshoeing will also be available to anyone wishing to venture outside (snow dependent). Bring a sack lunch and enjoy a picnic at the park.

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