Tiki Torch Toboggan

Our Black Earth Campus, located in the Driftless Region, is full of hills and valleys waiting to be explored. Grab your sled (or snowshoes) and join us for an evening of fun in the snow!  Discover the winter flora and fauna as you sled, snowshoe or hike along the snow covered trails.  Finally, we’ll warm up around a roaring campfire with a cup of hot chocolate and enjoy a treat in honor of Aldo Leopold’s birthday. ALNC will have adult and child snowshoes available on a first come first serve basis for use at this event. Participants are invited to bring dinner to cook over the campfire or eat in the cabin. Pre-registration is required.

Location:  Aldo Leopold Nature Center’s Black Earth Campus, 10648 Sutcliffe Rd, Black Earth

Date/Time:  Saturday, January 12, 2013   4 - 7 pm; registration closes January 10, 2013

Fee:  ALNC members:  $6/person or $20/family; Non-members: $7/person or $25/family

Information/Register: www.naturenet.com/alnc or 608-216-9371

Phenomenal Phenology

The second week of January has arrived, bringing with it plenty to see and do outside!  Here's this week's phenology:

Please not however that this is what has been historically recorded through phenological records. Given the unseasonably warm weather we have been having, some of these occurrences may not be accurate for this week.

• Black bear cubs are being born in dens. 
• Raccoons and Skunk may venture out on “nice” winter days. 
• Look for sundogs, bright spots on either side of the sun, which can be seen on very cold days.  
• The constellation Orion is high in the southern sky. Look for it on clear winter nights.

For more fun outdoors, stop by the nature center this week (M-F, 9 am - 4 pm) and check out a Family Trailside Backpack, filled with activities to keep you and your youngster busy as you explore our prairie, woodlands, wetland, pond and savannas. The activities change with a new topic each season.  The backpacks are free for ALNC members, and $5 for non-members, but with family memberships available for just $35, why not become a member and enjoy free use of the backpacks all year long? Click here to find out more about the Family Trailside Backpack Program, and here to find out more about the benefits of becoming an ALNC Member.

Happy exploring!