Hello Itasca Friends!

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1 Itasca State Park Winter Nature Programs & Snow report Attachments: PDF copy of December - January - February programs/ PDF of snow report for week of November 25 / PDF Free Park Friday Hello Itasca Friends! Thanksgiving is a few days away and winter is slowly making itself known with the recent snow! Just a reminder, the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center is open every day* in the winter from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 pm. (the center is closed on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, and Christmas Day, November 27). If you need a quick get- away, why not consider staying in one of the Douglas Lodge Four- Season Suites. ms.html#itasca_suites These cozy units are open all year and offer kitchenettes, bathrooms, bedroom, living area and cable. Enjoy the quiet snow season of Itasca any time of the week. Free Park Friday (November 27, 2015) Free Admission to All Minnesota State Parks on Black Friday! Governor Mark Dayton has proclaimed Friday, November 27 to be "Free Park Friday" at all 75 Minnesota state parks and recreation areas. We want you to spend time with your family outdoors on the day after Thanksgiving, and with free park entry all day, you have no excuse not to get out there and walk off your turkey dinner! (It's what we'll be doing too.) While you're out there, snap a photo of your Black Friday free park adventure, and share it with us on social media using #FreeParkFriday and #OnlyinMN.

Use the ParkFinder tool to help you pick a park, and before you leave home, be sure to check which parks will have hunting next weekend so you can plan accordingly.

2 Use the ParkFinder tool to help you pick a park, and before you leave home, be sure to check which parks will have hunting next weekend so you can plan accordingly. (Many parks do not allow hunting, but other parks are holding limited hunts to manage their deer populations.) Itasca s Annual Winter Bird Count (we are looking for home feeder counters too!) Sunday, December st Annual Itasca State Park Winter Bird Count 8 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Lobby between 7:30 and 8 a.m. for assignment of count areas. This holiday season take part in the annual winter bird count at Itasca State Park. This year marks the park s 21 st year of participation in the nation- wide Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Explore Itasca s count area in search of our winter bird residents. Stay a few hours or spend the whole day. Information collected is used to track migration patterns and changes in winter bird species abundance throughout North America. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center lobby between 7:30 and 8 a.m. for assignment of count areas. Bird count will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. You don t need to leave the comfort of your home on December 20 if you live within a few miles of the park. Your house might be in our count zone. Watch your feeders from the comfort of your cozy house. Record the highest number of bird types seen at any one time and let us know. Call Connie for details.

Lantern Lit Ski and Snowshoes Saturday, January 16 Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski Event 5-7:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V.

3 NOTES: Entire program is held outdoors. Dress warmly for outdoor winter conditions. Bring your lunch if staying for the entire day. The group will gather at the visitor center at Noon for a lunch break. For questions and further details, call Lantern Lit Ski and Snowshoes Saturday, January 16 Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski Event 5-7:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Saturday, February 20 Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski Event 5:30-8 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. Come out and ski or snowshoe by the light of the moon and the kerosene lanterns along the trail. Trail follows the Many Lakes Road (South Entrance). Classic ski, skate ski or snowshoe at your own pace along the lantern lit route during this drop- in program. For added fun, bring along your s'mores fixings or hot dogs for cooking at the campfire or stop in and warm up at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. NOTES: Program is held outdoors. Dress warmly for outdoor winter conditions. If snow conditions are poor, the event will become a snow boot walk.

4 Happy 125 th Birthday Itasca! programs and events: In 2016 Itasca State Park and Minnesota State Parks will be celebrating 125 years! We are planning a variety of special activities to celebrate our quasquicentennial (pronounced 'kwos- kwi- sen- ten- ee- uhl'). We are adding programs to our on- line calendar daily. We will be featuring a- hike- a- month on the North Country Trail. Consider taking on the 125 mile challenge next year by hiking, biking or canoeing/kayaking 125 miles! Watch the Itasca program calendar on the DNR webpage for the most current posting of programs and events. There is a lot to do so check us out on the web at: r.html Headwaters in Winter Watch the Webcam and check out the fall color report on the web! Winter is here and the ice is starting to form on the park lakes. Watch the webcam and watch the progression of ice- up on Lake Itasca. What day will the lake be covered with ice? Check out the fresh snow at the headwaters! Go to: waters/headwaters.html Side note: some users with Android systems might have problems viewing the webcam. Itasca s Snow Condition Report For the snow season we will be creating a weekly report on skiing, snowmobiling and snowshoe condition, updating everyone on the snow conditions in the park. To check it out, go

5 to: l and click on the Snow Conditions icon. Attached is a pdf copy of this week s report. Our phenology report includes (for the month of November): Snow buntings continue to gather along road ditches surrounding the park. Ice is beginning to form on the shoreline of the larger park lakes. Small ponds are covered in ice. Total snow on the ground for Monday, November 23 is 2- inches. Pileated woodpeckers can be seen flying through the stands of pine. A red fox is frequenting the area around the visitor center at night. Rodent tracks can be seen in the fresh snow. Trumpeter swans can still be seen on open areas of water. An immature snowy owl was seen in the forest/field area just west of the park. If anyone sees a snowy owl in the park, please report it to the staff at the visitor center. Postscript: PS: Feel free to share this program schedule with your friends! If you no longer wish to receive this update, please send an with your first and last name and address toconstance.cox@state.mn.us and your name will be removed. In the subject line type: remove name from newsletter.

Connie Cox, Lead Park Naturalist Itasca State Park 36750 Main Park Drive Park Rapids, MN 56470 218-699- 7259 constance.cox@state.mn.us Live in the sunshine. Swim the sea.

6 Connie Cox, Lead Park Naturalist Itasca State Park Main Park Drive Park Rapids, MN Live in the sunshine. Swim the sea. Drink the wild air. Ralph Waldo Emerson BE OUR GUEST! A vehicle permit is not required on Friday, Nov. 27. We hope you enjoy your state park today and that you ll come back to visit throughout the year.

7 Itasca State Park Trail conditions: For the week of November 25, 2015 The first of December is almost here! We need more snow before then. Snowmobile Trails: Trails open December 1. Waiting for more snow. Ski Trails: Not enough snow yet. Snowshoe Trails: Trail conditions will be good when we reach about 8 to 10 inches of snow. Keep hoping for more snow! Other things to do in the park: You can always walk down to the Headwaters of the Mississippi River. The water flows year round. Winter bird watching is good with the open water. Immature snowy owls are being seen in the area. We are waiting for someone to see one in the park. The lakes are still open (November 23) but ice is starting to form along the shoreline. Conditions: Skiing Trail groomed? no Trail base: 0" Groomed mileage: 21.0 closed Difficulty: all levels (track) all levels (skate) Snowmobiling Conditions: closed Trail groomed? no Trail base: 0" Groomed mileage: 32.0 The trail(s): The trail offers a beautiful look of the mixed forests in northern Minnesota. Travel through wooded areas, around lakes and through one of the most popular parks in the state. Through out the trail, you may see a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, fisher, wolves, fox and otter. Last updated on November 23, Local snow depth is 2".

8 21st Annual Itasca State Park Winter Bird Count 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Lobby between 7:30 and 8 a.m. for assignment of count areas. This holiday season take part in the annual winter bird count at Itasca State Park. This year marks the park s 21st year of participation in the nation-wide Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Explore Itasca s count area in search of our winter bird residents. Stay a few hours or spend the whole day. Information collected is used to track migration patterns and changes in winter bird species abundance throughout North America. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center lobby between 7:30 and 8 a.m. for assignment of count areas. Bird count will run from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. NOTES: Entire program is held outdoors. Dress warmly for outdoor winter conditions. Bring your lunch if staying for the entire day. The group will gather at the visitor center at Noon for a lunch break. For questions and further details, call Beginning Birding with Birds in Your Backyard 1-2:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom. Come learn about some of the basic birds that might be hanging out at your bird feeder with some easy tips on how to identify them. We also will be checking out the birds at the bird feeders and learn how you can help identify and record what you are seeing. Learn some basics of the Itasca bird count as well as other easy bird monitoring programs that are available for you to

9 participate in. For more information: http//: or

10 Second Day Hike: A Backcountry Exploration on the North Country Trail 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Meet at the North Country Trail Head at the South Entrance Itasca State Park (along Highway 71) at 11:30 am. Help keep your New Year s resolutions going on the second day of the New Year! Join us for an invigorating snowshoe hike along the North Country Trail as we explore the backcountry area around Hernando desoto and Morrison Lakes. The hike will go along the shores of several lakes, over a rolling landscape and through a mature mixed old growth pine and deciduous forest. This will be a strenuous 3 mile hike. NOTES: Dress for being outdoors, bring along your snowshoes, water and sunglasses. A limited number of snowshoes are available at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center for use during the program and are first-come-first-serve. Please check out the snowshoes before the start of the hike. Route may change based on weather and snow conditions. People will be shuttled to the start of the snowshoe route and back to the main parking after the hike. This is the first of 12 hikes to be held as we celebrate 125 years of Minnesota State Parks and Trails and 100 years of the National Park Service. Event sponsored by both Itasca State Park and the Itasca Moraine and Laurentian Lakes Chapters of the National North Country Trail. Circle Time Under the Pines: W is for Winter Animals 10:30-11:15 a.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom (look for the big building under the big pine trees.)

11 Children 2-5 years old, come explore and have fun at Itasca as we learn about nature through stories, songs, crafts, and outdoor discovery. Bring your winter outdoor clothes (including snowpants and boots) if weather permits, part of the program will be exploring the outdoors. NOTES: Adults must accompany children. Consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying your noon meal around the fireplace in the visitor center lobby after the program. For more information: http//: or

12 Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski Event 5-7:30 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. Come out and ski or snowshoe by the light of the moon and the kerosene lanterns along the trail. Trail follows the Many Lakes Road (South Entrance). Classic ski, skate ski or snowshoe at your own pace along the lantern lit route during this drop-in program. For added fun, bring along your s'mores fixings or hot dogs for cooking at the campfire or stop in and warm up at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. NOTES: Program is held outdoors. Dress warmly for outdoor winter conditions. If snow conditions are poor, the event will become a snow boot walk Get Outside and Snowshoe! 10:30 a.m.-noon Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom. Ever wanted to find a fun, winter activity that will get you outside? Enjoy the beauty of winter on snowshoes! This beginner s class will teach you the basics from different types of snowshoes to how to walk in snowshoes as well as great places to visit in Itasca while wearing snowshoes. Dress warmly and include snow boots. Part of the program will be outside on the trail trying out your new skills. NOTES: Call ahead at to reserve a pair of snowshoes or bring your own. The number of snowshoes available is limited. Outdoor portion of program is dependent on snowfall. For more information: http//:

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14 Photo: Jacob Bromeland Circle Time Under the Pines: F is for Fish 10:30-11:15 a.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center Classroom (look for the big building under the big pine trees.) Children 2-5 years old, come explore and have fun at Itasca as we learn about nature through stories, songs, crafts, and outdoor discovery. Bring your winter outdoor clothes (including snowpants and boots) if weather permits, part of the program will be exploring the outdoors. NOTES: Adults must accompany children. Consider bringing a picnic lunch and enjoying your noon meal around the fireplace in the visitor center lobby after the program. Old Time Ice Harvest 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Meet at the Lake Itasca Boat Landing. Discover the good old days of harvesting lake ice as we look back on 125 years of Itasca State Park s history. Dress warmly as you come out on Lake Itasca to see ice harvesters use tools of the ice cutting trade. Watch them create an opening in the ice with a single handled handsaw, then wait as they bounce the ice blocks out of the water onto the slippery edge. NOTES: This Old Time Ice Harvest demonstration will take place on Lake Itasca if ice conditions permit. Parking is available at the Lake Itasca boat landing. This event presented by Itasca State Park and the Lake Itasca Region Pioneer Farmers. Dress for being outdoors including boots, hats, gloves, coats and

15 insulated snowpants. For more information: http//: or

16 Owl Hooting Snowshoe Hike: Exploring the North Country Trail at Dusk 3-6 p.m. Meet at the North Country Trail Head at the South Entrance Itasca State Park (along Highway 71) at 3 p.m. Join us for a late afternoon invigorating snowshoe hike along the North Country Trail as we make a loop past Sibilant, Iron Corners and Josephine Lakes. February is the time of year that owls begin to call as they establish nesting territories. The hike will go past the shores of several lakes, over a rolling landscape and through a mature mixed pine and deciduous forest, an ideal area to potentially see and hear barred owls. Portions of this 3 mile route will be a strenuous. The route will follow the North Country Trail west, parallel the Ozawindib trail to the north and return across Red Pine Trail to the South Entrance Road. Notes: Dress for being outdoors, bring along your snowshoes, water and sunglasses. A limited number of snowshoes are available at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center for use during the program and are first-comefirst-serve. Please check out the snowshoes before the start of the hike. Route may change based on weather and snow conditions. This is the second of 12 hikes to be held as we celebrate 125 years of Minnesota State Parks and Trails and 100 years of the National Park Service. Event sponsored by both Itasca State Park and the Itasca Moraine and Laurentian Lakes Chapters of the National North Country Trail. Lantern Lit Snowshoe and Ski Event 5:30-8 p.m. Meet at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. Come out and ski or snowshoe by the light of the moon and the kerosene lanterns along the trail. Trail

17 follows the Many Lakes Road (South Entrance). Classic ski, skate ski or snowshoe at your own pace along the lantern lit route during this drop-in program. For added fun, bring along your s'mores fixings or hot dogs for cooking at the campfire or stop in and warm up at the Jacob V. Brower Visitor Center. NOTES: Program is held outdoors. Dress warmly for outdoor winter conditions. If snow conditions are poor, the event will become a snow boot walk. For more information: http//: or

Itasca State Park Nature Programs Update: Winter 2017/2018 Attachments: Winter programs December 2017-February2018. Hello Itasca Friends!

Itasca State Park Nature Programs Update: Winter 2017/2018 Attachments: Winter programs December 2017-February2018 Hello Itasca Friends! The old year is wrapping up and the new year is just around the