November 11, Wednesday, 3:30 PM -5:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center
The Native Americans showed their thanks for a bountiful harvest by hanging seeds for the birds to eat outside their tepees. We will revive this tradition by making some natural bird feeders for your yard. We will also watch the birds at our feeders. Ages 6 - 12
Cost:$3.00/child, $2.00/adult
Pre-register by: 11/6
Min: 5
Max: 15
To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller
Trees are Great!
November 12, Thursday, 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM, Metea County Park Nature Center
We will take a walk to look at the trees planted by volunteers during the weekend’s Great Tree Canopy Comeback. As we walk we will learn about trees and how they help us. After our hike we will have a snack. Ages 4 - 6
Cost: $3.00/child, $2.00 adult
Pre-register by: 11/6
Min: 5
Max: 15
To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller
We will take a walk to look at the trees planted by volunteers during the weekend’s Great Tree Canopy Comeback. As we walk we will learn about trees and how they help us. After our hike we will have a snack. Ages 4 - 6
Cost: $3.00/child, $2.00 adult
Pre-register by: 11/6
Min: 5
Max: 15
To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller
Caving Adventure - 5 NISTEM points
Trip November 21, Saturday. Trip: All day
Mandatory Pre-class Friday, November 6, Pre-class: 7:30 PM
Go underground with Allen County Parks. Caving instructor and naturalist Bob Dispenza will be leading a trip to a new cave (for us) near Springville on Saturday, November 21. We’ll be exploring a wild cave in the area and going off the beaten path, looking for cave wildlife and unusual formations.
Mandatory pre-caving class is Friday, November 6, 7:30 PM at Metea County Park.
Fee covers maps and caving instruction. Learn about geology, cave life, needed equipment and cave formation. This activity is somewhat strenuous, but suitable for beginners in good physical condition.
Cost: $20.00/person
Pre-register by: 11/3
Min: 5
Max: 25
To register or more information:
Email: bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza
Mandatory Pre-class Friday, November 6, Pre-class: 7:30 PM
Go underground with Allen County Parks. Caving instructor and naturalist Bob Dispenza will be leading a trip to a new cave (for us) near Springville on Saturday, November 21. We’ll be exploring a wild cave in the area and going off the beaten path, looking for cave wildlife and unusual formations.
Mandatory pre-caving class is Friday, November 6, 7:30 PM at Metea County Park.
Fee covers maps and caving instruction. Learn about geology, cave life, needed equipment and cave formation. This activity is somewhat strenuous, but suitable for beginners in good physical condition.
Cost: $20.00/person
Pre-register by: 11/3
Min: 5
Max: 25
To register or more information:
Email: bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza
Use and Care of the Compound Microscope - Session 1 - 2 NISTEM points
November 3, Tuesday, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center
First session of a two part program. This 2 hour program is an introduction to or a review of the compound microscope.
Ages 12 through adult.
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: 10/29
Min: 5
Max: 10
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
First session of a two part program. This 2 hour program is an introduction to or a review of the compound microscope.
Ages 12 through adult.
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: 10/29
Min: 5
Max: 10
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
Myths and Mysteries of the Marsh
Programming offered off site in conjunction with Little River Wetland Project
October 28, Wednesday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Eagle Marsh Barn
Join naturalist Natalie Haley in a night-time hiking adventure with our wetland neighbor, Eagle Marsh. Natalie will share myths of the marsh critters (our friend the beaver, the muskrat, the heron and the crane, etc…)during a lovely night ramble through this lush wetland.
Cost: FREE.
Pre-register by: N/A
Min: 5
Max: 30
To register or for more information:
Email: crc@lrwp.org
Call: 478-2515
Rachel Smith
October 28, Wednesday, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM, Eagle Marsh Barn
Join naturalist Natalie Haley in a night-time hiking adventure with our wetland neighbor, Eagle Marsh. Natalie will share myths of the marsh critters (our friend the beaver, the muskrat, the heron and the crane, etc…)during a lovely night ramble through this lush wetland.
Cost: FREE.
Pre-register by: N/A
Min: 5
Max: 30
To register or for more information:
Email: crc@lrwp.org
Call: 478-2515
Rachel Smith
Night Hike
October 30, Friday, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center
Come and experience the night at Metea. Let’s use our senses to explore what makes night-time different from the day. After our hike we will gather around the campfire and enjoy some s’mores. All ages welcome.
Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/25
Min: 5
Max: 20
To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller
Come and experience the night at Metea. Let’s use our senses to explore what makes night-time different from the day. After our hike we will gather around the campfire and enjoy some s’mores. All ages welcome.
Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/25
Min: 5
Max: 20
To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller
Night Hike - 2 NISTEM points
October 23, Friday, 7:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center
Out into the mysterious night woods we go! Enjoy the wild darkness as we learn about night animals we don’t know much about. Suitable for all ages. Flashlights optional, and not used on the hike.
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: 10/18
Min: 5
Max: 30
To register or more information:
Email: bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza
Out into the mysterious night woods we go! Enjoy the wild darkness as we learn about night animals we don’t know much about. Suitable for all ages. Flashlights optional, and not used on the hike.
Cost: $2.00
Pre-register by: 10/18
Min: 5
Max: 30
To register or more information:
Email: bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza
Seeds are Everywhere - 2 NISTEM points
October 22, Thursday, 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM, Metea County Park Nature Center
Let’s take a look at how seeds disperse themselves. They float through the air, get caught on our clothes, and they are inside an apple when you take a bite! We will go on a seed hike, take a look inside a seed, and have a seedy snack. Ages 6 through adult
Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/16
Min: 5
Max: 20
To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller
Let’s take a look at how seeds disperse themselves. They float through the air, get caught on our clothes, and they are inside an apple when you take a bite! We will go on a seed hike, take a look inside a seed, and have a seedy snack. Ages 6 through adult
Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/16
Min: 5
Max: 20
To register or more information:
Email:nbradtmiller@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Nancy Bradtmiller
Sunny Schick Photography Class – Shooting Nature
October 18, Sunday, 2:30 PM– 4:30 PM, at Metea County Park Nature Center
Instructor Chuck Fletter will share techniques for shooting wildlife and taking macro photos. He will cover how to choose the best lens for your needs and how to make the best use of your existing equipment. A selection of Tamron demo lenses for Nikon and Cannon SLRs will be available.
Fee: $12.00
Pre-register by: 10/16
Min: 5
Max: 20
To register or more information:
Email: bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza
Instructor Chuck Fletter will share techniques for shooting wildlife and taking macro photos. He will cover how to choose the best lens for your needs and how to make the best use of your existing equipment. A selection of Tamron demo lenses for Nikon and Cannon SLRs will be available.
Fee: $12.00
Pre-register by: 10/16
Min: 5
Max: 20
To register or more information:
Email: bdispenza@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-8619
Bob Dispenza
Living Crayfish Observation - 2 NISTEM points
October 20, Tuesday, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM, at Metea County Park Nature Center
This is a creek activity, so wear old shoes or water shoes. We will be in the river to collect specimens. We will then observe the following, habitat of the crayfish, function of the appendages, make up of the exoskeleton, make up of the eyes and other sensory organs.
Ages 12 through adult.
Cost: $ 2.00
Pre-register by: 10/15
Min: 5
Max: 15
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
This is a creek activity, so wear old shoes or water shoes. We will be in the river to collect specimens. We will then observe the following, habitat of the crayfish, function of the appendages, make up of the exoskeleton, make up of the eyes and other sensory organs.
Ages 12 through adult.
Cost: $ 2.00
Pre-register by: 10/15
Min: 5
Max: 15
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
Home School Series - 2 NISTEM points per class
October 15, November 19, Thursdays, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM at Metea County Park Nature Center
Home school science enrichment program for all school age students in three age groups. Includes BOTH month’s sessions, all handouts and equipment. One parent/guardian per family is required to attend. Classes fill up quickly, so reserve you space. Classes begin at promptly 2:00 PM! Sessions will be held both indoors and outdoors. Dress for the weather.
Cost: $10.00/student
$4.00/adult
Pre-register & PREPAY by: 10/10/09
Min: 5/age group
Max: 20
SPACE WILL NOT BE RESERVED UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
Session 1: October 15
Beginner (grade 1-3)
Pumpkins – Seed to Jack-o-Lantern.
Study the life cycle of the pumpkin and then carve a Jack -O- Lantern to take home.
Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Animal myths.
Are daddy-long-legs the most poisonous spider? Do squirrels get rabies? Learn the truth about our animal friends (and not some Internet rumor).
Advanced (grade 7-12)
Trees
We will continue the study of trees by building a collection for educational use in the park.
Session 2: November 19
Beginner (grade 1-3)
Squirrels
Red squirrels do not drive out gray squirrels; gray squirrels do not remember where they buried nuts, and squirrels do eat meat! Take a naturalist-led hike through Metea woods and learn more about these “nutty”, or not so nutty, rodents
Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Geology
We’ll get to the “rock bottom” of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, and learn about glaciers and other geologic forces and facts. Yes, it’s true, Indiana ROCKS!
Advanced (grade 7-12)
Mosses and Microscopes
Explore the tiny world of some of our smallest plants. What looks like just a little green spot in the woods becomes a whole ecosystem under the microscope.
Home school science enrichment program for all school age students in three age groups. Includes BOTH month’s sessions, all handouts and equipment. One parent/guardian per family is required to attend. Classes fill up quickly, so reserve you space. Classes begin at promptly 2:00 PM! Sessions will be held both indoors and outdoors. Dress for the weather.
Cost: $10.00/student
$4.00/adult
Pre-register & PREPAY by: 10/10/09
Min: 5/age group
Max: 20
SPACE WILL NOT BE RESERVED UNTIL YOU HAVE PAID
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
Session 1: October 15
Beginner (grade 1-3)
Pumpkins – Seed to Jack-o-Lantern.
Study the life cycle of the pumpkin and then carve a Jack -O- Lantern to take home.
Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Animal myths.
Are daddy-long-legs the most poisonous spider? Do squirrels get rabies? Learn the truth about our animal friends (and not some Internet rumor).
Advanced (grade 7-12)
Trees
We will continue the study of trees by building a collection for educational use in the park.
Session 2: November 19
Beginner (grade 1-3)
Squirrels
Red squirrels do not drive out gray squirrels; gray squirrels do not remember where they buried nuts, and squirrels do eat meat! Take a naturalist-led hike through Metea woods and learn more about these “nutty”, or not so nutty, rodents
Intermediate (grade 4-6)
Geology
We’ll get to the “rock bottom” of igneous, sedimentary and metamorphic, and learn about glaciers and other geologic forces and facts. Yes, it’s true, Indiana ROCKS!
Advanced (grade 7-12)
Mosses and Microscopes
Explore the tiny world of some of our smallest plants. What looks like just a little green spot in the woods becomes a whole ecosystem under the microscope.
Creek and Pond Invertebrates - 2 NISTEM points
October 13, Tuesday 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM Metea County Park Nature Center
Weather permitting, this is a creek activity, so wear old shoes or water shoes. If it is cold or wet this will be an indoor activity. We will be taking a close look at aquatic macro invertebrates – little creatures that live in water.
Ages 8 through adult.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $ 2.00
Pre-register by: 10/8
Min: 5
Max: 15
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
Weather permitting, this is a creek activity, so wear old shoes or water shoes. If it is cold or wet this will be an indoor activity. We will be taking a close look at aquatic macro invertebrates – little creatures that live in water.
Ages 8 through adult.
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Cost: $ 2.00
Pre-register by: 10/8
Min: 5
Max: 15
To register or more information:
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
The Deciduous Woodlands: How seasonal change affects temperate forest life
By Ron Divelbiss, Metea County Park Naturalist
Most of Fox Island and Metea is woodlands. The changing seasons dominate deciduous woodlands. Woodland animals and plants live and breed in conditions that vary widely throughout the year. The key to their success is an ability to survive the winter and then take full advantage of the spring and summer. Deciduous woodland is the natural vegetation of much of temperate Europe and North America, and also occurs in the limited temperate lands of the Southern Hemisphere. But its water retentive soils make excellent farmland, and in many places woodlands have been replaced by agricultural development.
In the depths of winter there seems to be little life in a deciduous woodland. The trees are bare, snow may lie along the branches, and there is little bird song to be heard. Yet even so, there is activity. On the woodland floor shrews hunt for invertebrates such as woodlice and earthworms. Also active are resident birds like downy and hairy woodpeckers and blue jays. The blue jay survives the winter by eating the acorns it stored in the autumn. The hairy woodpecker changes diet, eating invertebrates in the warmer months and seeds in the winter.
Many species of birds - and a few bats - simply avoid the winter: they head for warmer climates after breeding. Mammals like the mouse and the skunk stay put but become less active, or hibernate.
As winter retreats, the days lengthen, the temperature rises and the snow melts; greenery and life return to the woods. First come the spring flowering plants, which expand their leaves and produce their flowers before the canopy closes over them and shades them from the Sun's light. Woodland trees - oak, hickory, maple, ash, beech and many others burst into leaf, and no sooner are their leaves expanded than they are being eaten by insects and their larvae.
Migrating birds such as warblers return in spring to build their nests and raise their broods. The plentiful harvest of insects provides breeding birds with a protein-rich diet for their young. Down on the woodland floor deer browse the vegetation, and in the dense understory mice are busy searching out seeds, buds and invertebrates.
All parts of the forest - from the woodland floor to the top of the canopy - have their predators. Hunting spiders chase small invertebrates across the woodland floor, and far above, superbly adapted woodland hawks hunt small birds among the branches.
By late summer the migratory birds have raised their young and begin to leave. Trees are preparing for the dormancy of winter by withdrawing the nutrients from their leaves and shedding them. The leaves turn brown, red and gold as they die, and the jays hunt once more for acorns. The cycle begins again.
Most of Fox Island and Metea is woodlands. The changing seasons dominate deciduous woodlands. Woodland animals and plants live and breed in conditions that vary widely throughout the year. The key to their success is an ability to survive the winter and then take full advantage of the spring and summer. Deciduous woodland is the natural vegetation of much of temperate Europe and North America, and also occurs in the limited temperate lands of the Southern Hemisphere. But its water retentive soils make excellent farmland, and in many places woodlands have been replaced by agricultural development.
In the depths of winter there seems to be little life in a deciduous woodland. The trees are bare, snow may lie along the branches, and there is little bird song to be heard. Yet even so, there is activity. On the woodland floor shrews hunt for invertebrates such as woodlice and earthworms. Also active are resident birds like downy and hairy woodpeckers and blue jays. The blue jay survives the winter by eating the acorns it stored in the autumn. The hairy woodpecker changes diet, eating invertebrates in the warmer months and seeds in the winter.
Many species of birds - and a few bats - simply avoid the winter: they head for warmer climates after breeding. Mammals like the mouse and the skunk stay put but become less active, or hibernate.
As winter retreats, the days lengthen, the temperature rises and the snow melts; greenery and life return to the woods. First come the spring flowering plants, which expand their leaves and produce their flowers before the canopy closes over them and shades them from the Sun's light. Woodland trees - oak, hickory, maple, ash, beech and many others burst into leaf, and no sooner are their leaves expanded than they are being eaten by insects and their larvae.
Migrating birds such as warblers return in spring to build their nests and raise their broods. The plentiful harvest of insects provides breeding birds with a protein-rich diet for their young. Down on the woodland floor deer browse the vegetation, and in the dense understory mice are busy searching out seeds, buds and invertebrates.
All parts of the forest - from the woodland floor to the top of the canopy - have their predators. Hunting spiders chase small invertebrates across the woodland floor, and far above, superbly adapted woodland hawks hunt small birds among the branches.
By late summer the migratory birds have raised their young and begin to leave. Trees are preparing for the dormancy of winter by withdrawing the nutrients from their leaves and shedding them. The leaves turn brown, red and gold as they die, and the jays hunt once more for acorns. The cycle begins again.
Collect and Observe - Dominance Hierarchy in Field Crickets
October 6, Tuesday 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Metea Park Nature Center
By watching a small group of male field crickets we will be able to establish the winner (dominant cricket) and losers (submissive crickets). Ages 12 through adult.
Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/1
Min: 6
Max: 10
You must be preregistered to do this program.
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
By watching a small group of male field crickets we will be able to establish the winner (dominant cricket) and losers (submissive crickets). Ages 12 through adult.
Cost: $3.00
Pre-register by: 10/1
Min: 6
Max: 10
You must be preregistered to do this program.
Email: rdivelbiss@allencountyparks.org
Call: 449-3778
Ron Divelbiss
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