All the wet weather this May is making conditions perfect for fungus! These pictures feature Xylaria polymorpha which is commonly known as Dead Man’s Fingers. What a fun name and perfect if anyone is starting to get into the Halloween spirit a little bit early! The scientific name helps us understand a little more about … Read moreFungus Among Us
It is that magical time of year again when baby wildlife are born and hatched. We often stumble upon these cute critters when we are outside enjoying nature. If you find baby wildlife, they should be observed only and not handled or “rescued.” They may appear to be alone, but you can rest assured that … Read moreKeep Wildlife Wild
Keep your students active this spring with these fun spring themed games. Robin’s Egg Select one student to be the robin. Have the robin sit with his/her back to the other students, at least ten feet away. Place a plastic egg behind the robin. The robin needs to protect the egg. The remaining students take … Read moreSpring Themed Nature Games
Learn more about Iowa invasive species as we celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week, February 26 – March 2, 2018. What are invasive species? Invasive species are species of organism that are not native to an ecosystem and which cause harm. Invasive species generally grow and reproduce quickly, and spread aggressively with the potential to … Read moreNational Invasive Species Awareness Week
What is wind? Wind is air in motion. Wind is produced by the uneven heating of the Earth’s surface by the sun. As the sun warms the Earth’s surface the atmosphere warms too. Some parts of the Earth receive direct rays of sun and others do not. This creates a difference in air pressure. Warm … Read moreHarness the Wind
Hibernation is one of many adaptations to the cold and decreased food supplies of Iowa winters. Most mammals, including people, tend to slow down a little during the winter. True hibernators actually curl into a tight ball and reduce to extremely low levels their heart and breathing rates, body temperature, and metabolism. They need less … Read moreWinter Wildlife
To understand Iowa’s early conservationists we need to examine the world in which they grew up. Iowa’s landscape is one of the most altered in our nation. When Iowa’s early conservationists were growing up Iowa’s landscape was at the pinnacle of change. Iowa’s natural areas were being altered and destroyed and wildlife was being hunted … Read moreFamous Iowa Conservationists
Does the sight of a spider cause you to run from the room? Do you feel panicked at the very thought of an animal encounter? If so, you might be one of the many Americans who have an animal phobia. Whether these fears stem from urban legends or real-life encounters, it’s normal to be scared … Read moreCreatures with a Bad Rap
Bird watching is a great way for children to become aware of birds. Birds can be found anywhere, all year round. Gather the basic gear: a field notebook, a field guide, and binoculars, if you have them, and go outside. Info from Iowa Young Birders about birding gear, including selecting binoculars for children and how … Read moreBirding with Children
September 10-16, 2017 is Iowa Prairie Heritage Week! Iowa’s landscape was once covered by vast rolling hills of prairie. An estimated 85% of the land was prairie grass and flowers when European settlers first arrived. Since that time the Iowa landscape has changed drastically and today only 1/10 of 1% of our native prairie remains. … Read moreCelebrate Iowa’s Prairie Heritage
Here are great ways to start infusing the natural world into your classroom every day and why not start out on the first day of school! Who Am I? For this activity tape or pin the name of a wildlife species on the back of each participant and make sure everyone has paper and a … Read moreNature-based Classroom Icebreakers
What is a “Sense of Place”? A “sense of place” refers to a child’s connection with their community and natural environment. A sense of place is developed with a place-based education approach that fosters those connections. Place-based education immerses children in their local community, landscapes, heritage, and experiences. It is using the local natural and … Read moreDeveloping a Sense of Place