Spring is Coming - Really!

March is a time of change. Sap is already running and being collected, you can get involved with this fun activity at many state parks. Soon animals emerge from hibernation, birds return, and frogs start calling. 

Vernal (spring) ponds form attracting all kinds of life, and from a muddy scoop of frozen lake bottom you can examine interesting creatures using this lesson. 

Enjoy a historic 1944 account by Walter Breckenridge of a Minnesota spring emerging in The Awaking Season. 

NATURE NOTE  Calling All Frogs & Toads Did you know that in Minnesota the Wood Frog, Spring Peeper and Boreal Chorus Frogs start to call in March? Order this free poster picturing all 14 species of frogs and toads, along with more information on the back. To listen to their calls, or volunteer to survey them, start here.

FEATURED RESOURCES

Native Landscaping

At this point many of us are longing for the warm sunny days of summer. Get a head start on your gardening and tree planting plans with these resources.

Landscaping with native plants 

Rain gardens

Tree planting and care

Landscaping and other books  

GET KIDS OUTDOORS TIP

Now is a great time to head outside for a walk together and watch for daily changes occurring in nature. The study of these changes over time is called phenology. Listen for different bird songs, notice new tree growth and enjoy spring smells. Keep track of these changes in a calendar or notebook and compare them to the upcoming years. Have a little competition and see who is the first to find a specific flower or bird every year. Watching for these "first" happenings gives you something to look forward to and enjoy together.  

For additional information on DNR education programs and resources visit: www.mndnr.gov/education or www.seek.state.mn.us. 

Click on the following for 2012 DNR Education News issues: June, September and December.