Jr. Naturalist “Winter Fun Day”

Winter Fun Day participants are looking at a deer rub they discovered on a hike. - Photo by Laura DeCook, MCCB Naturalist

On Thursday, December 30th the Mahaska County Conservation Board held a program for kids ages 6-12 called Jr. Naturalist “Winter Fun Day”. MCCB’s naturalists Laura DeCook and Rachel Weis, immersed the kids in activities to teach them about nature in winter. The warmer weather made hiking outdoors enjoyable, but didn’t provide enough snow to build snow shelters as planned. Instead playing with snow, Rachel Weis, MCCB’s Assistant Naturalist, presented a program about deer and taught the kids how to score antlers. During the rest of the morning, kids played a predator and prey game and also made snowglobes and an igloo craft to take home.

The next program for kids will be “Birds of Prey” on Saturday, January 15th from 10:00 am – noon in the Conservation Center at the Russell Wildlife Area. Participants will learn about fascinating raptors such as falcons, hawks, eagles and owls. For more information, conatact MCCB at (641)673-9327.

Laura DeCook
Naturalist